Cody Rhodes and Randy Orton's Storied Rivalry Culminates at WrestleMania 42

The two longtime foes will battle for the Undisputed WWE Championship in their first-ever singles match at the biggest event of the year.

Apr. 17, 2026 at 8:54pm

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A fractured, multi-perspective painting in bold, overlapping geometric shapes and planes of red, blue, and gold, conceptually representing the clash between Cody Rhodes and Randy Orton at WrestleMania 42.The long-simmering rivalry between Cody Rhodes and Randy Orton reaches its climax in a geometric, cubist-inspired illustration capturing the intensity of their Undisputed WWE Championship showdown at WrestleMania 42.Phoenix Today

Before Cody Rhodes defends his Undisputed WWE Championship against Randy Orton at WrestleMania 42, this article breaks down the complete match history and timeline of their long-running rivalry. The two multi-generational wrestlers have faced off in 12 singles matches dating back to 2007, with Orton holding an 8-4 advantage over Rhodes. After teaming together in the 'Legacy' stable, the former friends have traded victories over the years, setting the stage for their first-ever singles showdown at the upcoming WrestleMania event.

Why it matters

The Cody Rhodes vs. Randy Orton rivalry is one of the most storied in modern WWE history, spanning nearly two decades. Their clash at WrestleMania 42 will mark the first time they've met in a singles match, adding even more significance to the Undisputed Championship bout. Fans have long anticipated this showdown between two of the company's top stars, making it a must-see main event for the biggest show of the year.

The details

Since Rhodes returned to WWE in 2022, he has teamed with Orton on six occasions, with the two appearing to be best friends. However, Orton recently turned on Rhodes, unleashing his dark side that hasn't been seen in years. Now, the two will face off one-on-one at WrestleMania 42 with the Undisputed WWE Championship on the line. In their 12 previous singles matches dating back to 2007, Orton holds an 8-4 advantage, including victories in their last four encounters.

  • In 2007, Rhodes and Orton first faced each other in singles competition on the WWE's flagship show, Monday Night Raw.
  • The two then continued their rivalry over the next several years, with their last singles match taking place at the 2025 King of the Ring premium live event.
  • Now, Rhodes and Orton will meet for the first time ever in a singles match at WrestleMania 42 on April 6, 2026.

The players

Cody Rhodes

The current Undisputed WWE Champion, Rhodes is a third-generation wrestler who has been a top star in WWE since returning to the company in 2022 after a six-year absence.

Randy Orton

A 14-time WWE Champion, Orton is one of the most decorated and accomplished Superstars in WWE history. He has a long-standing rivalry with Rhodes dating back to their time together in the 'Legacy' stable in the late 2000s.

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What they’re saying

“This match has been years in the making, and I can't wait to finally face Cody one-on-one at the biggest stage of them all, WrestleMania.”

— Randy Orton

“Randy and I have been through a lot together, but now it's time to settle the score and prove who the true champion is. I'm ready for this moment at WrestleMania.”

— Cody Rhodes

What’s next

The winner of the Cody Rhodes vs. Randy Orton match at WrestleMania 42 will become the Undisputed WWE Champion, unifying the WWE and Universal titles.

The takeaway

The Cody Rhodes-Randy Orton rivalry is one of the most storied in modern WWE history, and their first-ever singles match at WrestleMania 42 for the Undisputed WWE Championship promises to be an epic clash between two all-time greats.