Randy Orton “Hurting” Just Days Before WWE WrestleMania 42 Title Match

Randy Orton’s status heading into WrestleMania 42 may not be as secure as fans expected, as a new report indicates he is dealing with physical issues just days before his WWE Championship match against Cody Rhodes.

Orton is scheduled to challenge Cody Rhodes for the WWE Championship at WrestleMania 42, a match that has been heavily shaped by recent storyline developments involving Pat McAfee. During the April 10 episode of SmackDown, McAfee delivered a promo stating that if Orton failed to defeat Rhodes, he would walk away from WWE entirely. That stipulation immediately made many believe the result of the match was all but decided.

However, according to Dave Meltzer in the latest Wrestling Observer Newsletter, the situation may not be as simple as it appears. While breaking down McAfee’s promo and the implications behind it, Meltzer explained that the segment strongly suggested Orton winning, but added that he has been told Orton is currently dealing with physical issues that could impact the outcome.

“Perhaps most notable in the McAfee promo is that he said that if Randy Orton doesn’t beat Cody Rhodes for the title, that he will never do anything involving WWE again. Obviously that is not happening. In fact, the only result, given that promo, that was almost completely clear is Orton winning.”

Meltzer then revealed the key detail that introduces uncertainty into the situation, noting that Orton’s physical condition could ultimately change the direction of the match if time off becomes necessary.

“We were told that Orton is hurting so there is a possibility that would change, as it would make no sense for Orton to win if he has to take time off, but McAfee’s statement came across like it’s as close to a lock as possible.”

Despite those concerns, Meltzer added that WWE’s upcoming plans still appear to include Orton in a major role following WrestleMania. He noted that the tag team match featuring Jelly Roll and Cody Rhodes against Pat McAfee and Randy Orton remains scheduled to headline the May 9 Backlash premium live event. That booking suggests WWE is not currently planning for McAfee to leave WWE or for Orton to step away from television in the immediate future.

With WrestleMania 42 rapidly approaching, the revelation that Orton may be working through injuries adds another layer of unpredictability to an already high-stakes title match. If Orton is not fully healthy, it could force WWE to rethink its plans — or raise the difficulty level significantly against a champion like Cody Rhodes.

Do you think Randy Orton’s reported injury could change the outcome of his WrestleMania 42 match against Cody Rhodes, or is this still shaping up exactly as expected? Let us know your thoughts and join the conversation in the comments below.