Cody Rhodes retained the Undisputed WWE Championship at WrestleMania 42 Night One by defeating Randy Orton in a chaotic main event that saw Orton attack Rhodes with the title belt and deliver a punt after the match.
The bout, held at Allegiant Stadium in Las Vegas on April 18, 2026, featured multiple interference spots, including Pat McAfee briefly acting as a replacement referee while wearing a neck brace. Orton bloodied Rhodes early by shoving him into the ring post, then later hit the official with an RKO to create confusion before McAfee entered the fray.
Despite Orton hitting his own RKO and attempting to capitalize, Rhodes countered into a Cross Rhodes for the pinfall victory after the original referee recovered. The win marked Rhodes’ first successful defense of the Undisputed title since winning it at WrestleMania 41.
Orton’s post-match assault — striking Rhodes with the championship belt and delivering a punt to the head — left the champion visibly dazed and prompted immediate concerns about a possible concussion, though WWE officials did not confirm any medical evaluation during the broadcast.
The match was one of seven contested on Night One, during which all three women’s titles changed hands: the Women’s World Championship, Women’s Intercontinental Championship, and WWE Women’s Tag Team Championship all had new champions crowned.
Earlier in the evening, John Cena returned to host the opening segment, while IShowSpeed competed in a six-man tag team match alongside The Usos, drawing significant attention from crossover fans due to his streaming background.
Pat McAfee’s involvement drew particular scrutiny, as his alliance with Orton ended abruptly after Orton hit him with an RKO following a failed pin attempt. McAfee had been acting as a special enforcer for Orton earlier in the night but was removed from the equation after the attack.
Critics and fans noted the match’s potential was undermined by its chaotic conclusion, with USA Today’s analysis describing it as having “the potential of being a well-told main event” that “ends up a confusing and frustrating one.” The Asbury Park Press echoed this sentiment, questioning whether the overbooking detracted from the in-ring storytelling between two veteran performers.
Despite the controversial ending, Rhodes’ retention reinforced his status as WWE’s top star heading into Night Two, where additional title defenses and high-stakes matches were expected to further shape the company’s direction heading into the latter half of 2026.
Why did Randy Orton attack Cody Rhodes after the match?
Orton attacked Rhodes with the title belt and delivered a punt following his loss, expressing frustration over the outcome and attempting to assert dominance despite losing the championship, though no official storyline explanation was provided during the broadcast.
How did Pat McAfee’s role in the match complete?
McAfee served as a special referee replacement after Orton knocked down the official, but Orton hit him with an RKO immediately afterward, dissolving their alliance and leaving McAfee unable to secure a pin for Orton before Rhodes retained.
