Cody Rhodes Holds Onto Gold, Orton & McAfee Implode on the Grandest Stage

At a chaotic WWE WrestleMania 42 on Saturday, the main event saw bitter rivals and former allies collide. Cody Rhodes successfully retained his Undisputed WWE Championship against Randy Orton, but the match was less about a clean victory and more about shattered alliances and brutal aftermath.

The deck was stacked against Rhodes from the opening bell, as Pat McAfee jumped the gun to help Orton gain the upper hand. However, the interference game backfired quickly. A surprise ringside appearance by musician Jelly Roll neutralized McAfee, delivering an elbow drop that sent the NFL punter-turned-commentator through an announce table and out on a stretcher. This left Orton and Rhodes to settle nearly 20 years of history one-on-one.

Despite a nagging lower back injury, Orton pushed Rhodes to his limit. The violence escalated as both men were busted open. In a stunning twist, McAfee—now wearing a neck brace and a referee’s shirt—ran back down to count a pinfall for Orton. But when Rhodes kicked out, Orton immediately turned on his own accomplice, dropping McAfee with an RKO.

That betrayal opened the door for Rhodes. He capitalized with a Cross-Rhodes and a three-count to secure the win.

The War Isn’t Over

While Rhodes stood bloody but victorious, Orton wasn’t finished. After the bell, “The Viper” snatched the title, struck Rhodes, and then delivered a devastating Punt Kick that left the champion a crimson mess in the middle of the ring. Orton walked off alone as Rhodes lay broken.

With this defense, Rhodes continues his third reign as Undisputed WWE Champion, now at 44 days after dethroning Drew McIntyre on “SmackDown” with help from Jacob Fatu.