Cody Rhodes is dealing with more damage than originally known after WrestleMania 42, but he is not expected to give up the Undisputed WWE Championship despite currently being unable to compete.
At WrestleMania 42, Cody Rhodes defeated Randy Orton to retain the Undisputed WWE Championship, but the victory came at a cost. Rhodes suffered multiple injuries during the brutal Night One main event, including an orbital injury that left visible damage following the match. WWE later confirmed that Rhodes is currently not medically cleared to compete.
Sources speaking to Bodyslam provided another important update about Rhodes’ status, revealing that his title reign is not expected to end due to the injuries — at least for now — as WWE continues to evaluate his condition.
Rhodes’ condition first became a major concern during the WrestleMania 42 Night Two Countdown show, when it was revealed that he needed four staples to the back of his ear following the match with Randy Orton. That update added to what was already known about the damage he took during the chaotic main event.
During the closing moments of the match, Rhodes suffered a nasty eye injury after Randy Orton landed a punch that split him open near the eye. The injury caused heavy swelling after the match and forced WWE to pull Rhodes from scheduled WWE World appearances, including photo ops and autograph sessions that fans had already booked.
Despite the injuries, Rhodes still managed to leave WrestleMania 42 with the Undisputed WWE Championship after surviving a chaotic main event filled with interference. The match included Pat McAfee getting involved and Jelly Roll crashing through the announce table during the final stretch, adding to the overall chaos that defined the bout.
Even though Rhodes is currently not cleared, the expectation that he will keep the Undisputed WWE Championship gives WWE some flexibility as they monitor his recovery heading into the next episode of SmackDown. The company is expected to continue evaluating his health over the next several days before making any major decisions.
Rhodes walked out of WrestleMania 42 still champion, but now the focus shifts to how long he may be sidelined and whether his injuries could affect WWE’s plans moving forward.
Do you think Cody Rhodes should keep the Undisputed WWE Championship while recovering, or should WWE consider having him vacate the title if he can’t compete soon? Let us know your thoughts and join the discussion.