WrestleMania 42: Cody Rhodes retains WWE title as Randy Orton lands post-match punt kick

LAS VEGAS – Cody Rhodes and Randy Orton engaged in a pure wrestling match at WrestleMania 42 in Las Vegas on Saturday night, and the looming distraction was largely gone.

Pat McAfee entered the ring with Orton to start the match. The ESPN commentator’s presence was clearly an uncomfortable point for fans, as he received some of the loudest boos of the night at Allegiant Stadium. He attacked Rhodes with a microphone to start the match.

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After Rhodes regained his composure, he pushed Orton aside and turned his attention to McAfee. He cleared the announce table and placed McAfee on it. He allowed Jelly Roll to elbow the former NFL player. McAfee was booed as he was carried out of the arena on a stretcher.

Finally the match started. For the most part, it moved at a slow but calculated pace. Rhodes, who normally does not target sick opponents, continued to work Orton’s back throughout the match. The crowd watched silently as Rhodes and Orton fought each other and tried to gain an advantage over each other.

It wasn’t until Rhodes pushed Orton against the ring post outside the squared circle that the crowd finally woke up. Orton opened up. Rhodes tried to steal Orton’s finisher and give him an RKO, but he countered. Orton then stole Rhodes’ tactic and hit “The American Nightmare” with Cross Rhodes.

Moments later, Rhodes finally hit Orton with an RKO. But still no fall. Orton responded with an RKO of his own. He could sniff out the 15th WWE championship, but Rhodes was kicked out.

Cody Rhodes reacts before his Undisputed WWE Championship match against Randy Orton at WrestleMania 42 at Allegiant Stadium on April 18, 2026 in Las Vegas, Nev. (Ethan Miller/Getty Images)

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Orton caught Rhodes again and hit him with the RKO again. The match continued and Charles Robinson was eventually hit with an RKO. There was no referee. Orton attempted to kick Rhodes in the groin, reminiscent of what McAfee had done to him on SmackDown a few weeks earlier.

Rhodes fought back and kicked Orton in the groin instead. Rhodes went to the top rope as Orton came out of nowhere with the RKO once again. There was no referee to count until McAfee made a miraculous recovery.

McAfee ran to the ring and counted Orton, but Rhodes was kicked out at two.

McAfee tried to yell at Orton to continue his attack, but Orton knocked McAfee down with an RKO. Rhodes took advantage of Orton taking his eye off the ball for a moment. Rhodes hit the Cross Rhodes and defeated Orton to retain the championship.

Tired and bloodied, the competitors held their breath in the ring, but Orton wasn’t done yet. He took the belt from Rhodes and hit him.

Randy Orton stole the belt from Cody Rhodes before Rhodes defeated Orton during their Undisputed WWE Championship match on night one of WrestleMania 42 at Allegiant Stadium in Las Vegas, Nev., on April 18, 2026. (Ethan Miller/Getty Images)

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Orton ended the night by kicking Rhodes in the head, ending Night 1.