How Randy Orton Got Busted Open at WrestleMania 42

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How Randy Orton Got Busted Open at WrestleMania 42

Originally posted on Athlon Sports | By Steven Harrison | Last updated Apr 18, 2026 9:51 PM ET

In the main event of WrestleMania 42 Saturday, Randy Orton was busted open after Cody Rhodes drove him head-first into the steel ring post at ringside.

When the camera cut back to the ring, the crowd immediately reacted to the sight of blood pouring from Orton’s head.

The moment carried a sense of payback. In the weeks leading up to WrestleMania 42, Orton had unleashed a brutal attack on Rhodes—making the visual of him bloodied in the ring feel like a full-circle moment.

In the end, Rhodes defeated Orton after a last-minute interference from Randy Orton. Though he retained, his celebration was short-lived as Orton nailed him with a punt, then raised the WWE Championship.

Randy Orton closed Night One of WrestleMania 42 holding the WWE Championship.Getty Images

WrestleMania 42 Full Match Results & Grades

The Usos and LA Knight def. The Vision and IShowSpeed (B-)
Jacob Fatu def. Drew McIntyre (Unsanctioned Match) (B-)
Paige and Brie Bella def. The Irresistible Forces, Charlotte Flair & Alexa Bliss, and Bayley & Lyra Valkyria to win the WWE Women’s Tag Team Championships (B)
Becky Lynch def. AJ Lee to win the Women’s Intercontinental Championship (C+)
Gunther def. Seth Rollins (A-)
Liv Morgan def. Stephanie Vaquer to win the Women’s World Championship (B-)
Cody Rhodes def. Randy Orton to retain the WWE Championship (B-)