WWE had long intended for Cody Rhodes and Randy Orton to face off at WrestleMania 42, a plan reportedly confirmed since January, according to PWInsider and Fightful Select. Although fans were unclear on the storyline buildup, both wrestlers were informed over a month ago about this direction.
A key reason for having Rhodes lose the Undisputed WWE Title in January was to ensure he could participate in the Royal Rumble and Elimination Chamber matches. WWE believed his involvement in these high-profile events would boost ticket sales and ratings significantly.
Despite the unpredictability in WWE’s booking decisions, the plan remained intact as of late February, with Orton set to compete against Rhodes in a singles bout. Orton’s victory in the Elimination Chamber match further cemented this narrative leading into WrestleMania in Las Vegas.
Additionally, Rhodes is expected to reclaim the WWE Championship from Drew McIntyre on the upcoming SmackDown, marking his third reign as champion.
MJF Criticizes WWE’s Expensive Ticket Prices Ahead of AEW Event
During a recent interview with KVIA ABC-7 News, AEW World Champion MJF promoted the upcoming AEW Dynamite event in El Paso, Texas, while expressing frustration over WWE’s ticket pricing. He emphasized the affordability of AEW shows compared to WWE’s costs.
“You pay me the big bucks, I’m coming. There is a possibility I might be wrestling on that show, who’s to say? You never know. There might be a title defense in El Paso,”
MJF said.
He continued,
“Unlike WWE, you don’t have to sell the soul of your firstborn to buy a ticket. There are normal prices. You go to AEWtix.com or Ticketmaster.com.”
Addressing fans humorously, he added,
“We don’t discriminate against poors, the same way the world champ does. I hate you people. Look, but somebody’s gotta pay daddy’s bills and that’s gonna be people like you, okay?”
Tonight on Dynamite, MJF will defend the AEW World Championship against AEW Trios Champion Kevin Knight.
Confirmed Update on IYO SKY’s WrestleMania 42 Appearance
As Rhea Ripley, IYO SKY’s tag team partner, pursues the WWE Women’s Championship, speculation grew about what role IYO SKY would have at WrestleMania 42. WWE has now confirmed she will compete in a title match at the event.
Fans noticed IYO SKY’s match against Giulia was removed from a recent SmackDown episode. According to Self Made Pro, this was a deliberate creative choice to keep the encounter exclusive for WrestleMania.
Rather than reveal the matchup on television, WWE intends to have Giulia face IYO SKY for the Women’s United States Championship as part of WrestleMania 42’s card.
Implications for WrestleMania and Future WWE Storylines
The decision to have Cody Rhodes drop the WWE title ahead of WrestleMania aims to maximize his impact in multiple marquee matches, especially the highly anticipated clash with Randy Orton. This approach also keeps Rhodes prominent throughout key events like the Royal Rumble and Elimination Chamber, maintaining fan interest and driving viewership.
MJF’s public challenge to WWE’s pricing models highlights ongoing competition between AEW and WWE, which could influence ticket sales and fan engagement in wrestling markets like Texas and beyond.
IYO SKY’s postponed match against Giulia and its elevation to a WrestleMania title bout underscores WWE’s strategy to save notable reveals for their biggest event, enhancing its significance and anticipation.
Overall, these developments suggest WWE is focused on building momentum and surprise for WrestleMania while navigating competition from rival promotions and managing fan expectations.
