Latest Update On Randy Orton’s WrestleMania 42 Opponent

With WrestleMania season in full swing, WWE creative plans appear to be shifting once again, and the latest reported rewrite could see Randy Orton taking on one of his on-screen friends on the grandest stage of them all.

According to a report from PWI Elite, current creative discussions point toward Randy Orton challenging Cody Rhodes for the Undisputed WWE Championship at WrestleMania 42 in Las Vegas. The bout would mark a highly personal showdown between the two former Legacy stablemates, though a significant development must take place before the match can be officially set.

At present, the Undisputed WWE Championship is held by Drew McIntyre, who captured the title from Rhodes in a brutal Three Stages of Hell match on the January 9 edition of WWE SmackDown. The rivalry between McIntyre and Rhodes intensified in the weeks that followed, particularly after the Scottish star played a role in thwarting Rhodes during both the Royal Rumble and Elimination Chamber events.

In response to the escalating tensions, SmackDown General Manager Nick Aldis confirmed that McIntyre will defend the championship against Rhodes in a rematch this Friday night on SmackDown. The announcement sets the stage for what could be a pivotal moment in WWE’s road to WrestleMania.

How Will Cody Rhodes Win The Undisputed WWE Title To Face Randy Orton At WrestleMania 42?

According to the PWI Elite report, WWE sources expect Cody Rhodes to reclaim the Undisputed WWE Championship in that bout, a move that would clear the path for a high-profile showdown with Randy Orton at WrestleMania 42.

Orton secured his championship opportunity by winning the 2026 Men’s Elimination Chamber match, a victory that reportedly caught many fans by surprise. One WWE source told the outlet that Orton’s triumph was viewed internally as “a nice surprise” for the audience during the WrestleMania build.

The potential WrestleMania match would carry significant history. Rhodes and Orton were once allies in the Legacy faction alongside Ted DiBiase Jr., a group that played a major role in Rhodes’ early WWE career. A championship clash between the two would therefore represent a collision of past and present, with Rhodes now firmly established as one of the company’s top stars and Orton continuing his pursuit of further championship glory.

Importantly, sources stressed that the reported plan to have Rhodes regain the title is not intended as criticism of McIntyre’s work as champion. Instead, the move is said to reflect WWE’s desire to present the Rhodes versus Orton match on the WrestleMania stage this year.

One WWE source told the outlet that the expected title change would not be a reflection of McIntyre’s performance, but rather a creative decision aimed at delivering the Rhodes versus Orton match WWE reportedly wants at WrestleMania.

What comes next for McIntyre remains uncertain if he loses the championship on Friday. Previous reports have suggested that WWE has at times considered a multi-man championship match for WrestleMania, though it is unclear whether those plans remain under discussion.

For now, all eyes turn to this week’s SmackDown, where the Undisputed WWE Championship will once again be on the line. If Rhodes manages to reclaim the title, the road to WrestleMania 42 could soon lead him directly into a showdown with a man who knows him better than most.

And if the reports prove accurate, the biggest stage in sports entertainment may soon host a battle between two former allies with the richest prize in WWE hanging in the balance.