Orton’s Brutal Punt Caps Wild WrestleMania Night 1!

Orton’s Brutal Punt Caps Wild WrestleMania Night 1!

WrestleMania 42 kicked off with a bang on Saturday night, and the main event delivered an unforgettable clash. The Undisputed WWE Championship was on the line as Randy Orton, the legendary Viper, faced off against Cody Rhodes, the American Nightmare. But this match was more than just a title fight; it was a chaotic battle that spilled out of the ring and ended with a shocking, brutal act.

Before the bell even rang, Orton and his partner Pat McAfee jumped Rhodes. Rhodes fought back, hitting McAfee with a Cross Rhodes.

In a surprising turn, singer Jelly Roll appeared and delivered a flying elbow drop onto McAfee from the announcer’s table, taking him out of the match. McAfee had to be carted away on a stretcher, setting the stage for a wild singles contest.

Rhodes and Orton Battle for the Title

Once the match officially started, it was a back-and-forth war. Cody Rhodes managed to bust Randy Orton open, showing the intensity of the fight.

Both superstars hit each other’s signature finishers, leading to near falls that sent the Allegiant Stadium crowd into a frenzy. The action was so heated that Rhodes poked Orton in the eye, leading to Orton accidentally RKO-ing the referee, Charles Robinson.

This chaos brought Pat McAfee back into the picture, this time wearing a referee shirt and a neck brace. After another close two-count for Orton, it seemed the Viper had the match won. However, Rhodes surprised Orton with a Cross Rhodes to score the pinfall and retain his championship.

Orton’s Vicious Post-Match Attack

The night wasn’t over, though. A furious Randy Orton, clearly unhappy with the outcome, smashed Cody Rhodes in the head with the championship belt.

He then delivered the Orton Punt, a devastating move not seen in years, leaving Rhodes lying in a pool of his own blood. While Cody Rhodes technically won the title, the image of him laid out left the crowd questioning the true victory.

What did we just witness? We just witnessed WrestleMania Night One. That is exactly what we just witnessed.

The analysts on SportsCenter debated the outcome. One pointed out that an unhinged Randy Orton cost himself the championship, while another argued that Pat McAfee was the reason Orton lost. They agreed that Orton, despite not winning the title, walked out standing, delivering a punt kick that hadn’t been seen since 2020.

Becky Lynch Captures Intercontinental Gold

The night also featured a Women’s Intercontinental Championship match where Becky Lynch challenged AJ Lee. The match was intense, with Lynch shoving referee Jessica Carr when the ref tried to intervene. After some clever tactics, including exposing the turnbuckle, Lynch hit the Manhandle Slam to win her third Intercontinental Championship.

Becky Lynch spoke after the match, declaring her dominance in big moments at Allegiant Stadium and her victory over AJ Lee and the referees. She asserted, “I am the man.”

Jacob Fatu Dominates Drew McIntyre

In another hard-hitting contest, Jacob Fatu took on Drew McIntyre in the second-ever unsanctioned match at WrestleMania. Fatu emerged victorious after a brutal display, using a toolbox to crush McIntyre before hitting a double jump moonsault. Fatu expressed his satisfaction, stating it felt good to get justice for his family.

Looking Ahead to Night Two

The discussion then turned to the upcoming Night Two matchups. The analysts previewed Oba Bee vs. Brock Lesnar and the highly anticipated main event: CM Punk vs. Roman Reigns. Jacob Fatu, having faced both Punk and Reigns, noted their extensive experience in main event matches, setting the stage for a monumental conclusion to WrestleMania 42.

Source: Reacting to Cody Rhodes vs. Randy Orton on WrestleMania 42 Night 1 | SportsCenter (YouTube)