Randy Orton ‘hurting’ heading into WWE WrestleMania 42
Randy Orton is said to be “hurting” just days out from WWE WrestleMania 42.
Dave Meltzer addressed Orton’s match against Cody Rhodes for the WWE Championship in this week’s edition of the Wrestling Observer Newsletter. Meltzer wrote that while the storyline involving Pat McAfee leaving WWE forever if Orton were to lose would seem to indicate Orton is winning, he was told the result is not a lock.
Meltzer was addressing McAfee’s promo from the 4/10 SmackDown and wrote:
“Perhaps most notable in the McAfee promo is that he said that if Randy Orton doesn’t beat Cody Rhodes for the title, that 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. 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.”
Meltzer continued that the Jelly Roll and Cody Rhodes vs. Pat McAfee and Randy Orton match is still scheduled to headline the May 9 Backlash PLE next month, indicating that there are no plans for McAfee to leave WWE forever or for Orton to take time off in the near future.
Today’s full edition of the Wrestling Observer Newsletter is available here for subscribers.
Ian Carey is a writer from Toronto, Ontario, Canada, whose work has been featured in NOW Magazine, The Huffington Post, and more. A lifelong wrestling aficionado born in Calgary, Alberta, Canada, he has covered the industry for a decade and a half. He joined the f4wonline.com team in 2019.