As Randy Orton vs. Cody Rhodes closed out Night 1 of WrestleMania 42, the main event arrived with a mix of anticipation and skepticism. The rivalry had drawn divided reactions, especially following the unexpected involvement of Pat McAfee, leaving some fans uncertain about how the WWE Championship clash would unfold. Still, there was a lingering expectation that something memorable would cap off the night.
That unpredictability surfaced immediately. Before the match could even officially begin, Rhodes blindsided McAfee, with assistance from Jelly Roll, taking him out of the equation and clearing the path for a more focused showdown. With the distractions removed, the stage was finally set for what fans had been hoping for all along: a pure, high-stakes one-on-one battle between Rhodes and Orton for the richest prize in the business.
Randy Orton Leaves Cody Rhodes Motionless To Close WrestleMania Night 1
With Pat McAfee taken out early, the WWE Championship main event settled into the one-on-one showdown fans had been waiting for. Randy Orton and Cody Rhodes started at a measured pace, trading their signature offense as the crowd fueled the atmosphere with loud chants throughout the bout.
The intensity escalated when Rhodes sent Orton crashing into the steel ring post, leaving ‘The Apex Predator’ busted open, an image that drew a massive reaction from the audience. From there, the match shifted into another gear, with both men digging deep and even landing each other’s finishing moves in a desperate bid to secure victory.
Chaos struck once again when the official, Charles Robinson, was accidentally taken out following an RKO from Orton, leaving the match without a referee at a crucial moment. In a surprising twist, McAfee rushed back into the fray, attempting to officiate and swing the outcome in Orton’s favor. However, his efforts fell short, adding yet another layer of unpredictability to an already chaotic main event.
In a stunning twist, Orton shocked everyone by turning on McAfee, dropping him with a sudden RKO that erased any lingering alliances. The moment of chaos proved costly, as Rhodes capitalized instantly, connecting with a thunderous Cross Rhodes to retain the Undisputed WWE Championship in the main event.
But the story didn’t end with the final bell. A furious Orton stormed back into the ring moments later, launching a vicious post-match assault on the champion. With no distractions and no allies involved, the 14-time champion made a statement entirely on his own: delivering a brutal punt kick to Rhodes before standing tall, clutching the WWE gold over his fallen rival.
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The closing image sent a clear message: this rivalry is far from over. With tensions now boiling over, fans are bracing for a heated, no-interference showdown between Orton and Rhodes at the next chapter, whether it unfolds at Backlash or escalates even further toward the two-night SummerSlam in Minnesota.
Liv Morgan Overcomes Stephanie Vaquer In High-Stakes Championship War
Day 1 of WrestleMania also featured several highly anticipated showdowns, and one that carried significant intrigue was Liv Morgan vs. Stephanie Vaquer for the Women’s World Championship. With their rivalry growing increasingly personal in the weeks leading up to the event, expectations were high for a standout performance on the grandest stage.
Morgan’s entrance set the tone, as she walked out to her newly released track Trouble, the 2026 Women’s Royal Rumble winner clearly focused on reclaiming the spotlight after spending time away from the title picture.
While the match may not have reached instant-classic status, it delivered a decisive and emotional outcome. Morgan capitalized on the moment and some timely assistance from The Judgment Day to secure the victory and capture the Women’s World Championship.
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The celebration that followed underscored her triumph, as Morgan was joined in the ring by Dominik Mysterio and the rest of The Judgment Day, marking a powerful return to the top of the division.
