WWE has confirmed Randy Orton vs. Cody Rhodes for the Undisputed WWE Championship as the Night 1 main event at WrestleMania 42, following Orton's Men's Elimination Chamber win and Rhodes' recent title recapture from Drew McIntyre. The shift scraps an initial Hell in a Cell plan with McIntyre, with Rhodes calling it a potential 'best WrestleMania ever.'
Randy Orton secured his WrestleMania 42 title shot by winning the 2026 Men's Elimination Chamber Match, hitting an RKO on Cody Rhodes after Drew McIntyre's interference cost Rhodes the victory. SmackDown GM Nick Aldis then booked Rhodes vs. McIntyre for the Undisputed WWE Championship on the March 6, 2026, episode in Portland, where Rhodes reclaimed the belt as expected.
WWE had pivoted to this Orton-Rhodes matchup in early February 2026, moving away from a planned Hell in a Cell between Rhodes and McIntyre. The decision leverages their deep history—from the Legacy stable and 2009 WrestleMania 26 triple threat to recent teases of betrayal—blending Orton's veteran legacy (seeking a 15th world title at age 46) with Rhodes as WWE's modern face.
Now official, the Night 1 headliner in Las Vegas anchors the card. In a Complex Graps interview, Rhodes hyped the event: “Bell-to-bell, I think they’re going to get one of the better Manias, if not the best Mania of all-time,” dubbing it a 'Sleeper Mania' with high stakes. Four matches are announced: Rhodes vs. Orton, Roman Reigns vs. CM Punk (Night 2 main), Liv Morgan vs. Stephanie Vaquer, and Rhea Ripley vs. Jade Cargill. Teases continue for Jacob Fatu, Sami Zayn, and others, amid efforts to boost ticket sales.
