Randy Orton earned a title shot for the Undisputed WWE Championship at WrestleMania by pinning Cody Rhodes with an RKO Outta Nowhere during the recent Elimination Chamber pay-per-view event. This victory positioned Orton to challenge for the championship in what promises to be a high-stakes encounter at WWE’s biggest annual show.
Cody Rhodes Reclaims Title After SmackDown Victory
On the following SmackDown episode, Drew McIntyre, who was the reigning champion, defended the Undisputed WWE Championship against Cody Rhodes, also known as the American Nightmare. Rhodes managed to regain the title, setting up a long-anticipated rivalry between him and McIntyre, heightening interest among fans eager to see these former allies face off again.
Fan Speculation and Potential Matchups at WrestleMania
Rumors swirl around the possibility of Jacob Fatu entering the championship picture, leading many fans to expect a Fatal 4-Way match involving Orton, Rhodes, McIntyre, and Fatu. However, current reports suggest WWE may maintain two singles matches on WrestleMania’s card: Orton vs. Rhodes for the title and McIntyre vs. Fatu in a separate bout, keeping the championship storyline more straightforward.
Early Plans Included a Hell in a Cell Match
According to PWInsider.com, WWE’s original creative discussions envisioned Drew McIntyre defending the Undisputed WWE Championship against Cody Rhodes inside a Hell in a Cell match at WrestleMania. This stipulation was intended to settle their rivalry decisively, providing a dramatic centerpiece to the event. Ultimately, WWE opted against this plan, favoring a traditional singles match instead.
Drew McIntyre’s Reign and Impact on the Rivalry
McIntyre held the championship for 57 days, a reign marked by intense encounters, including a noteworthy victory over Rhodes in Berlin several months ago. This match added depth to their ongoing story and raised expectations for a climactic showdown at WrestleMania, contrasting with the eventual decision to not feature a Hell in a Cell stipulation.
Tensions Behind the Scenes: Cody Rhodes on WWE Politics
Cody Rhodes recently addressed backstage politics during a podcast in response to Roman Reigns calling him a “politician.” Rhodes reflected on the dynamics within WWE, explaining that while politics exist to some degree, they vary in nature, and many roster members openly express their opinions.
“Roman Reigns called me a politician once. And I remember thinking, I’m not mad at that. I grew up in the business. Everyone is [a politician], to a degree. But to me, there’s politics, there’s posturing, and then there’s snaking, and backstabbing. I think a lot of guys on our modern roster are straight up. This is what I think is better. This is what I think isn’t. Let’s talk about it. Someone’s making a decision, but the opinion’s been weighed.” – Cody Rhodes, WWE Wrestler
“Because you can smell when you get around the ones today that are like, ‘This is gonna be really good for you.’ And you can already tell like, no it’s not! I can tell this isn’t even for me. No. I tell the kids at the school all the time. Every day is a little battle. There’s something that’s against you every day. It could be the smallest of things, the order of entrances. All you got to do is weigh your opinion.” – Cody Rhodes, WWE Wrestler
“Someone else is making the call, but if you weigh your opinion, it’s far better than if you’re stewing and getting angry about it as you go. And then you build it up.” – Cody Rhodes, WWE Wrestler
Promotional Focus on Rhodes vs. Orton Rivalry
Recent promotional material from SportsCenter highlights the rivalry between Cody Rhodes and Randy Orton as the central story for WrestleMania, emphasizing the legacy aspect of their matchup. This marketing choice further indicates that WWE plans to concentrate on the Orton-Rhodes championship match without adding McIntyre or Fatu to the title bout.
“Rhodes. Orton. Legacy takes center stage. 💥 Two nights of WrestleMania. All on the ESPN App with an ESPN Unlimited plan. Link in bio to sign up. 🍿” – SportsCenter
Significance and Upcoming Developments
The decision to forego a Hell in a Cell match for WrestleMania’s Undisputed WWE Championship bout reflects WWE’s strategic choice to highlight the pure competition between Orton and Rhodes. By avoiding a multi-person or heavily stipulated match, WWE ensures the focus remains on the personal rivalry and history between these two stars. Fans can expect intense one-on-one action that captures the long buildup and narrative complexity surrounding the title.
As WrestleMania approaches, the outcomes of these matches will likely shape the future storylines, particularly with McIntyre and Fatu’s roles still poised for further development. The event promises to be a pivotal moment in WWE’s championship saga this year.
Rhodes. Orton. Legacy takes center stage. 💥
Two nights of WrestleMania. All on the ESPN App with an ESPN Unlimited plan. Link in bio to sign up. 🍿 pic.twitter.com/i1OJlXLAAG
— SportsCenter (@SportsCenter) March 9, 2026
