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A WWE WrestleMania 42 graphic featuring Randy Orton and Cody Rhodes.

Why Randy Orton Should Dethrone Cody Rhodes at WrestleMania 42

Randy Orton won the Elimination Chamber Match and earned a shot at the WWE Title. Meanwhile, Cody Rhodes dethroned Drew McIntyre to win back the WWE Title. Just like that, WWE has a Legacy throwback match in the making.

The biggest highlight in this feud thus far was when Randy Orton betrayed Cody Rhodes and turned heel in their WWE Title Contract Signing. At WrestleMania 42, Randy Orton should make history and become a 15-time WWE Champion. Here is why he should dethrone Cody Rhodes.

Randy Orton Should Solidify His Heel Turn After Not Being World Champion In Over 5 Years

In booking 101, when a professional wrestler implements a heel turn, that star should win to solidify the turn. Orton would look like a clown if he lost this title match after that pivotal heel turn. He even purportedly called former Legacy member Ted Dibiase Jr. on the phone.

If Dibiase is coming back to help Orton win, the plan must come to fruition. The last time Orton was WWE Champion was in 2020. It is long overdue for him to win his 15th World Title. Besides, the fans are already turning on Cody, and it does not look pretty.

The Babyface Appeal of Cody Rhodes Has Dwindled & His Run At The Top Has Gone Stale

When Orton turned heel on Cody Rhodes and bloodied him up, the crowd cheered instead of showing sympathy for their top babyface. That is a concerning sign and suggests Cody’s babyface appeal has declined. Since returning to WWE in 2022, he has been WWE Champion three times, with one of the reigns lasting a full calendar year.

While fans were happy with Rhodes finishing the story at Mania 40, they feel that he has been over-pushed and overexposed, and his run at the top has gone stale and run its course.

Randy Orton Has A Story To Finish With Jacob Fatu That Should Have The Title On The Line

In fact, Rhodes has already run out of potential heel challengers in the foreseeable future. But Orton would have a bigger story to tell with Jacob Fatu. Although Fatu suspects Drew kicked his teeth down his throat with the Claymore Kick, it would be a major swerve if WWE reveals footage showing that Orton did that with the Punt Kick.

A graphic for the WWE SmackDown results for March 13, 2026 featuring Randy Orton and Cody Rhodes, WrestleMania 42 main-eventers.
Photo Credit: WWE

When that footage is revealed during the title match at Mania 42, it will distract Cody long enough for Orton to capitalize with the three most destructive letters in sports entertainment: RKO.

If you’re not down with just that and would like even more WWE PLE Coverage from Mark Justice, check out more of his articles right here on LWOS and subscribe to his popular YouTube channel by clicking HERE.

About Mark Justice

Mark Justice is a Cornell University Graduate with a bachelor's degree (B.S), double majoring in biological and environmental sciences, and a law degree (J.D.), specializing in environmental law and international law. His passion for pro wrestling stems from his very first time watching the WWE in 2009. As a decade-old pro wrestling fan, he continues to fulfill this passion by writing for Last Word on Pro Wrestling (LWOPW), where he will cover both WWE and AEW content. You can email Mark Justice at [email protected], especially if you are a pro wrestling 'mark' like him. You can also subscribe to his brand new Youtube Channel at the link below: https://www.youtube.com/@marktbkjustice1327

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