WrestleMania 42 night one delivered a spectacle for the ages on April 18, 2026, as Cody Rhodes retained the Undisputed WWE Championship against Randy Orton in a chaotic, emotionally charged main event at Allegiant Stadium in Las Vegas. The clash between "The American Nightmare" and "The Viper" was anything but a classic wrestling bout—it was a ruthless, high-stakes war that left fans buzzing and the future of WWE’s top prize hanging in the balance.
The drama began before the opening bell. Pat McAfee, never one to shy away from controversy, interrupted the official ring introductions, grabbing the microphone from Alicia Taylor to hype up Randy Orton in his own brash style. The crowd’s reaction was immediate and visceral, with boos raining down on McAfee—a sign of things to come. As the referee prepared to start the match, McAfee smashed Rhodes with the microphone, and he and Orton launched a pre-match assault on the champion. But Rhodes, ever resilient, fought back, sending Orton tumbling and nailing McAfee with his signature Cross Rhodes.
The chaos escalated when Rhodes dragged McAfee to the announce table, seemingly intent on finishing the job. That’s when musician Jelly Roll made a surprise appearance, telling Rhodes he wanted to handle McAfee himself. In a moment that had the Las Vegas crowd roaring, Jelly Roll splashed McAfee through the announcer’s table, leaving the former NFL punter sprawled and soon stretchered out of the arena. As McAfee was wheeled away, he managed a thumbs-up to a chorus of jeers, solidifying his role as the evening’s top villain.
With McAfee out of the picture, the bell finally rang and the match officially commenced. Rhodes and Orton wasted no time, trading blows with a ferocity befitting their storied rivalry. Orton, who entered the match nursing a noticeable back injury, found himself on the defensive early as Rhodes targeted his vulnerability. The champion’s strategy was clear—exploit Orton’s weakness and keep the pressure high.
But Orton, a 14-time world champion chasing a record-tying 15th title, wasn’t about to go down easily. He countered Rhodes’ top-rope offense with a thunderous suplex, then unleashed a flurry of classic Orton maneuvers. The tide turned when Rhodes drove Orton’s head into the steel ring post at ringside, busting him open. Blood poured from Orton’s forehead, a visual echo of the brutal attack Orton had inflicted on Rhodes in the weeks leading up to WrestleMania. The crowd gasped at the sight, recognizing the poetic justice in the moment. Rhodes, not above showmanship, wiped Orton’s blood across his own chest—an act that drew a mixture of awe and boos from the divided audience.
Throughout the match, Rhodes leaned heavily into heel tactics, taunting Orton, stealing his moves, and even delivering a low blow. The Las Vegas crowd, surprisingly, sided with Orton for much of the bout, their support fueled by Rhodes’ increasingly antagonistic behavior. Commentators noted the shift in fan sentiment, with some speculating that Rhodes’ polarizing character might soon require a dramatic overhaul.
The action reached a fever pitch as both men exchanged signature finishers. Orton nailed an RKO out of nowhere, but Rhodes kicked out at two. Not to be outdone, Rhodes hit Orton with a Cross Rhodes, only for Orton to survive. The referee, Charles Robinson, became collateral damage when Orton inadvertently hit him with an RKO, leaving the match without an official. That’s when McAfee, sporting a neck brace and a referee shirt, made his return. He slid into the ring and tried to count a fast pin for Orton, but Rhodes kicked out at two, much to the crowd’s relief and Orton’s frustration.
Enraged by McAfee’s perceived failure, Orton delivered a brutal RKO to his supposed ally, effectively ending their partnership. With the chaos mounting, Rhodes seized the opportunity, catching Orton with another Cross Rhodes as the original referee recovered just in time to count the three. The victory marked Rhodes’ fourth win at WrestleMania (improving his record to 4-9 overall and 2-3 in main events) and continued his third championship reign, which began in January after reclaiming the title from Drew McIntyre.
But the night was far from over. As Rhodes attempted to celebrate, Orton struck from behind, smashing the champion in the face with the WWE title belt. He then delivered a devastating punt kick to Rhodes’ head—a move so vicious it left the champion limp and the audience in stunned silence. Orton stood tall over Rhodes, raising the championship high, sending a clear message that his quest for a 15th world title is far from finished.
The fallout from the main event was immediate and intense. Fans took to social media to express their divided opinions. Some criticized Rhodes’ increasingly heelish tactics, while others marveled at Orton’s relentless pursuit of history. "Despite retaining the Undisputed WWE Title, Cody Rhodes’ time as champion is in question, and it seems like it’s only a matter of time until Randy Orton secures his 15th world title," one commentator observed, echoing the sentiment of many in the WWE Universe.
The statistics from the match underscored its significance. Orton’s loss denied him the chance to surpass John Cena and cement his place as the third most decorated world champion in WWE history. Rhodes’ victory, meanwhile, solidified his position at the top of the WWE hierarchy, even as fan resistance to his reign grows. The match featured multiple near falls, surprise run-ins, and a level of brutality rarely seen on the grandest stage of them all.
Looking ahead, the rivalry between Rhodes and Orton appears poised to intensify. Orton’s post-match assault suggests he’s not done with the champion, and with WrestleMania 42 night two looming—featuring marquee matchups like Roman Reigns vs. CM Punk and Brock Lesnar vs. Oba Femi—the WWE landscape is anything but settled. There’s talk that Rhodes may take time off to pursue outside projects, raising further questions about the future of the Undisputed WWE Championship.
One thing’s for sure: WrestleMania 42 night one delivered unforgettable moments, shocking twists, and a main event that will be debated by fans for months to come. As the dust settles in Las Vegas, all eyes turn to night two, where the next chapter in this saga—and perhaps the next big twist—awaits.