WWE Provides Heartbreaking Update On Randy Orton’s Future After WrestleMania 42

Randy Orton was involved in a battle on Night 1 of WrestleMania 42.

Saturday’s main event bout witnessed Cody Rhodes putting his Undisputed WWE Championship on the line against Orton following their month-long feud.

The Viper went into the match as the 14-time world champion, aiming to capture the title for the 15th time. In the lead-up to it, he aligned himself with Pat McAfee, who was revealed as the person who had encouraged Orton to turn heel.

Following weeks of back-and-forth verbal segments, McAfee claimed that if Cody defeated Randy at WrestleMania, he would never be seen again in WWE.

Both Randy Orton and Cody Rhodes produced a wrestling masterclass, with The American Nightmare frequently teasing a heel turn throughout.

Even before the fight began, Pat McAfee attacked Rhodes with the microphone, but was soon neutralized. Grammy Award-winning singer Jelly Roll showed up by the ringside and put McAfee through the commentator’s table.

Rhodes used several of Orton’s moves and taunts against him, earning boos from the live audience in Allegiant Stadium in Las Vegas.

The match also saw them get busted open at different points. Even referee Charles Robinson took a bump, which led to McAfee returning to the ring wearing a referee’s t-shirt.

However, following an unsuccessful pinfall attempt, Randy Orton hit an RKO on him. Soon, Rhodes recollected himself and hit a Cross Rhodes for the victory.

After the match, Orton attacked Rhodes with the title before pulling out the dreaded Punt Kick from his arsenal. It was a callback to last year’s Night of Champions, where Orton hesitated in punting Rhodes, resulting in his loss in the final of the King of the Ring tournament.

Unfortunate Update On Randy Orton’s WWE Future

Even before Randy Orton wrestled Cody Rhodes, there were reports circulating that The Apex Predator was dealing with a back injury.

His entrance alone was over five minutes, as he sauntered to the ring, although he showed no look of discomfort on his face.

During the match, Orton worked on his back a few times, which may have restricted his movements. While speaking on the post-show, WWE interviewer Jackie Redmond said that Orton was limping on his way back after the bout.

She also claimed that fans might not see Randy Orton for a while.

As for Randy Orton, I don’t know when we will see him again. It took him an entire 10 minutes to come up the ramp. He was moving slowly. He was limping. He was grabbing his back, but I’ll tell you one thing, Joe Tessitore, he was a blank stare straight ahead. Did not look to his left, did not look to his right, engaged with absolutely nobody. Had to take a second for himself once he got to the top of the stage.

In fact, it honestly looked like he almost lost his balance, like he was a little bit out of it. He looked back at Cody [Rhodes], who was still being attended to by referees in the ring, and then made his way out. So one thing I do know after what we witnessed tonight is that both of those guys are in rough shape.