Randy Orton stepped up to challenge Cody Rhodes for the Undisputed WWE Championship in the night 1 main event at WrestleMania 42, and it was Cody who picked up the win to retain the gold.
The Wrestling Observer Newsletter reports that Randy Orton was originally scheduled to win the Undisputed WWE Championship at WrestleMania 42, likely with Pat McAfee’s help to set up Cody Rhodes & Jelly Roll vs. Randy Orton & Pat McAfee at Backlash.
However, Pat McAfee asked to end his run with WWE and declared after the show that he is done with wrestling. The belief within WWE is that McAfee didn’t like the negativity of the fans, not the heel heat, but the negativity, and even worse the negativity directed at the angle from talent.
It’s being said that there wasn’t negativity on McAfee, but much of the talent didn’t like the angle, and felt that Cody Rhodes and Randy Orton had a strong story given their history, and Pat McAfee and Jelly Roll getting involved took away from what would’ve been a stronger story.
Ari Emanuel was said to have been the one behind the story involving McAfee, not WWE creative. When Pat McAfee opted out of the storyline the decision was made to go with Cody Rhodes vs. CM Punk as the big match moving forward, possibly at SummerSlam, and not go with Randy Orton as the new champion.
The decision to go with Cody Rhodes winning over Orton was reportedly made the day before the show. There were also some questions regarding Randy Orton’s injury status, but it’s being said that it’s unlikely WWE would’ve changed plans for finish if McAfee hadn’t opted out.