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Cody Rhodes Defeats Randy Orton at WrestleMania 42 Saturday, Orton Stands Tall After Post-Match Attack

April 18, 2026 | Posted by Yash Mittal
Cody Rhodes Randy Orton WrestleMania 42 Image via WWE

Cody Rhodes is still the Undisputed WWE Champion. The American Nightmare went to war with his mentor, Randy Orton, in the main event of WrestleMania 42 Saturday, listening to his inner voices and retaining the championship despite interference from Pat McAfee.

The action started even before the bell rang, as McAfee blasted Cody’s head with the mic, allowing Randy to capitalize. However, Cody fought off Randy and then delivered a Cross Rhodes to Pat. Cody then set McAfee up on the Spanish announce table, and then Jelly Roll took out the ESPN host with a Flying Elbow through the table.

McAfee was eventually stretchered out to raucous goodbye chants from the audience, and the bell finally rang. Cody worked on Randy’s injured back throughout the first half of the match. Randy eventually got back into the proceedings by tripping Rhodes off the top turnbuckle and then Superplexing him despite the injured back.

Orton gained momentum with a Clothesline, a Powerslam, and his signature Draping DDT. He went for an RKO, but Cody countered and sent him outside the ring. But Randy fought back with a punch and a bodyslam on the announce table. But Rhodes again fought back, this time, by shoving Randy into the steel post, busting him open.

Rhodes showed no mercy, as he repeatedly punched and kicked a bloodied Randy. He whispered something in his opponent’s ears and then delivered a Disaster Kick. Rhodes showcased his vicious side, as he wiped his chest with Orton’s blood and again punched his head to loud boos from fans. Cody then signaled that he’s listening to his inner voices, again to boos from the audience, and then planted a Draping DDT of his own on Randy.

He then mocked Randy by slapping the mat and laughing, waiting for Orton to get back to his feet so that he could nail an RKO. However, Orton fought back with a Cross Rhodes of his own, but Cody kicked out. Cody finally nailed the RKO on Randy, but this time, Orton kicked out. As Randy collapsed on the announce table, Cody slammed his head repeatedly on it and followed it up with a body slam.

Cody attempted another Cross Rhodes in the ring, but Randy countered it with his own, but The American Nightmare again kicked out. This led to an exchange of punches, during which Cody poked Randy in the eye. Unable to see anything, Orton accidentally RKO’d the referee. Randy went for a low blow, but Rhodes delivered one of his own and then attempted an Avalanche Cody Cutter, but The Viper countered it with another RKO.

At this moment, Pat McAfee returned, this time wearing a referee’s shirt. However, Cody managed to kick out. But then Randy shockingly hit McAfee with an RKO, which allowed Rhodes to hit another Cross Rhodes and retain the championship. After the match, Randy snatched the belt from Cody and blasted an already bloodied champion with it. Orton then finally did what he had been refraining from doing for the past few years, leveling Cody with the iconic Punt Kick to “one more chants” from the audience.

A bloodied Viper stood tall over Cody’s beaten body to close out the show.

Check out clips from the WrestleMania 42 Saturday main event via WWE & The Movement Xx’s X below:

https://twitter.com/i/status/2045681889923481697

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Cody Rhodes, Randy Orton, Wrestlemania 42, Yash Mittal

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