WrestleMania 42 Recap

In Las Vegas on Saturday night, WrestleMania 42 kicked off with a highly anticipated match between Cody Rhodes and Randy Orton. The clash centered around straightforward wrestling, largely brushing aside any distractions.

Pat McAfee entered the ring to support Orton, and it was clear that the ESPN personality wasn’t welcomed by the crowd, as they showered him with boos—possibly the loudest of the evening. McAfee initiated the match with an attack on Rhodes using a microphone.

After regaining his composure, Rhodes began to focus on McAfee, clearing the announcer’s table and slamming McAfee onto it after allowing Jelly Roll to deliver an elbow drop. The fans booed as McAfee was carried out on a stretcher.

Once the match really began, it had a slow and methodical pace. Rhodes, not typically known for targeting injured opponents, consistently targeted Orton’s back. The audience seemed quiet as they watched the two wrestlers exchange blows while vying for superiority.

Things started to heat up when Rhodes pushed Orton into the ring post, finally waking up the crowd. Although Orton suffered an injury, he countered Rhodes’s attempt at his finisher, the RKO, before hitting back with his own version—a maneuver that seemed poised to secure his 15th WWE Championship title. However, Rhodes managed to kick out.

As the match progressed, Orton struck Rhodes with another RKO, but drama unfolded when there were no referees present to officiate. Orton even attempted to kick Rhodes in the groin, reminiscent of McAfee’s earlier actions during a SmackDown segment.

In a turn of events, Rhodes retaliated and landed a kick of his own. When he headed to the top rope, Orton again caught him with an RKO. Just when it looked like Orton might have the upper hand, McAfee, surprisingly recovering, rushed into the ring but only managed to count to two before Rhodes kicked out.

McAfee shouted at Orton to maintain the pressure, but his pleas were cut short when Orton responded with an RKO directed at McAfee. Taking advantage of the disruption, Rhodes executed the Crossroads and pinned Orton, successfully defending his championship.

In the aftermath, both wrestlers were visibly exhausted and bloodied. Yet, Orton wasn’t finished—he snatched the championship belt from Rhodes and struck him with it.

The night ended with Orton delivering a punishing kick to Rhodes’s head, wrapping up Night 1 of WrestleMania 42.