Bully Ray insists that the Undisputed WWE Championship match scheduled for WrestleMania 42 in Las Vegas should remain a one-on-one contest between Cody Rhodes and Randy Orton. This demand comes after Rhodes reclaimed the title from Drew McIntyre on WWE SmackDown, confirming Orton as his challenger following Orton’s victory in the Men’s Elimination Chamber match.
Despite rumors of a possible multi-man match including McIntyre and Jacob Fatu, Ray expressed his strong opposition to expanding the title bout beyond Rhodes and Orton.
Supporting the Long-Developed Story Between Rhodes and Orton
On Busted Open Radio, Bully Ray revealed his hope that Rhodes would defeat McIntyre, emphasizing:
“This has nothing to do with Drew. I want Randy versus Cody at WrestleMania.”
Ray emphasized that the rich history between Rhodes and Orton, who were once part of the Legacy faction with Orton serving as a mentor to Rhodes, makes the singles match more compelling. He argued that turning the championship encounter into a multi-person match would dilute the significance and emotional impact of their rivalry.
Ray elaborated,
“No fatal four-way or triple threat could produce a better performance than Randy and Cody,”
adding that adding additional competitors would cause the match to feel “completely watered down.”
Alternative Plans for Other Wrestlers and Potential Matchups
Ray suggested that McIntyre should be involved in a separate storyline, speculating about a possible clash with Fatu. He even proposed Nick Aldis as a special guest referee if that matchup materializes, ensuring more focused and meaningful matches for all involved.
Why WWE Has Kept the Rhodes-Orton Match on Hold
According to Bully Ray, WWE has deliberately postponed the Rhodes vs. Orton showdown, recognizing its potential magnitude for the right moment on a grand stage:
“I think that Cody and Randy thing has been on their radar for so long now,”
“They’ve been like, ‘We don’t have to do it now. We can push it off until then.’”
Now that the title is back with Rhodes and Orton has secured his WrestleMania title shot, this anticipated match will finally headline WWE’s flagship event.
The Stakes and Significance of the Cody Rhodes WrestleMania Match
This match carries more than just championship implications; it represents a long-awaited culmination of a personal and professional narrative between two of WWE’s most established stars. Keeping it a traditional one-on-one fight honors the storyline’s depth and elevates the intensity expected on wrestling’s biggest night.
With Bully Ray’s push for this format, WWE appears to be honoring the legacy and drama behind Rhodes and Orton’s heated rivalry as fans prepare for a memorable WrestleMania main event.
