Randy Orton is hurting heading into WrestleMania Saturday, and that could change WWE’s plans for April 18. A Wrestling Observer Newsletter report said the champion’s opponent is dealing with an issue that may make the finish far less certain than it looked days ago.
The key detail is not just the injury concern. The report said Orton winning at WrestleMania would make no sense if he has to take time off, even though the expectation remains that he is beating Cody Rhodes at the main event in Glendale, Arizona. That leaves WWE in a bind as it tries to protect a title program built around Rhodes defending the WWE Championship against Orton in front of a major crowd.
There is also a separate wrinkle already hanging over the match. Pat McAfee said he would leave WWE forever if Orton does not walk out of WrestleMania as the 15-time world champion and save the business, a stipulation that only adds to the sense that the finish is meant to favor Orton. The Observer also claims WWE currently has a tag team match penciled in for the Backlash PLE on May 9, with Orton and McAfee against Rhodes and Jelly Roll.
That is why the build to WrestleMania 42 has been described as chaotic. The result WWE seems to want for April 18 now has to be balanced against what Orton’s body will allow, and that is a problem that can force a late change in a main event only days before the show. If Orton cannot go full speed or needs time away after WrestleMania, WWE may have to rewrite the road ahead just as the biggest match on the calendar arrives.