Randy Orton could also be heading into WrestleMania 42 in worse form than anybody realized.
According to Dave Meltzer within the newest Wrestling Observer Newsletter, Orton is at present coping with bodily points that might affect the end result of his WWE Championship match towards Cody Rhodes — and will in the end forestall WWE from placing the title on him even when that was the plan heading into the weekend.
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The narrative across the match had appeared to level strongly in a single route. During the April 10 episode of SmackDown, Pat McAfee delivered a promo stating that if Orton did not defeat Rhodes, he would stroll away from WWE solely. That sort of stipulation usually capabilities as a near-guarantee of the other consequence, main most observers to conclude Orton was strolling out of Las Vegas as champion. Meltzer acknowledged as a lot in his report.
“Perhaps most notable in the McAfee promo is that he said that if Randy Orton doesn’t beat Cody Rhodes for the title, he will never do anything involving WWE again. Obviously, that is not happening. In fact, the only result, given that promo, that was almost completely clear is Orton winning.”
Credit: WWE
But Meltzer then launched the element that complicates that conclusion. “We were told that Orton is hurting, so there is a possibility that would change, as it would make no sense for Orton to win if he has to take time off, but McAfee’s statement came across like it’s as close to a lock as possible.”
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The logic is simple. Putting the WWE Championship on a performer who then must step away from tv creates issues for the title’s visibility and the programming constructed round it. Rhodes has been one in all WWE’s most dependable constants on the high of the cardboard, and handing the belt to Orton solely to have him disappear from screens shortly after would undermine the momentum the championship has carried all through this run.
That stated, Meltzer’s report additionally notes that WWE’s plans past WrestleMania nonetheless seem to incorporate Orton in an energetic function. The tag workforce match pitting Jelly Roll and Rhodes towards McAfee and Orton stays on the books to headline Backlash on May 9 in Tampa, which suggests WWE will not be at present planning for Orton to take an prolonged absence instantly following the occasion.
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