Randy Orton challenged WWE Champion Cody Rhodes for the gold in tonight’s (Apr. 18) main event at WrestleMania 42 in Las Vegas.

In a stipulation nobody asked for when the match was first booked, former NFL punter Pat McAfee said he’ll leave WWE forever if Orton doesn’t save the business and walk out of Allegiant Stadium as the 15-time world champion. Uh, sure.

The live fans had plenty of time to sing Orton’s theme song, because he walked slower than normal during his entrance. WWE even posted nearly six minutes of it on X.

Meanwhile, Cody’s special entrance featured a tour through all of his past WWE ring gear and gimmicks, including Stardust.

Right before the bell rang to start the match, McAfee smashed Rhodes in the head with the mic. Cody came back and took out that idiot with a Cross Rhodes to a big pop. He then cleared off the Spanish announce table so that Jelly Roll could drive McAfee “halfway to hell” with an elbow drop. Pat did a stretcher job and he was out of there, but not before giving a thumbs up to massive boos.

WWE commentators then discussed that rumor this week about Randy hurting with a back injury, and questioned if he’s 100% coming into the fight. The bell finally rang to begin the main event match.

As the match got going, it quickly became evident that The Viper did indeed have a back injury. Rhodes worked that target over repeatedly, and Orton looked like a shell of himself as he could barely stand. The crowd was quiet as Randy worked slower than usual to sell the back injury, but they woke up after Randy got busted open on the ring post.

Loud boos rained down as Cody pounced on Randy and copied his signature moves. That was followed with equally loud cheers when Orton countered Cody and blasted him with his own finisher, Cross Rhodes, for a near fall. Rhodes came back with an RKO on The Viper for a near fall.

It wasn’t too long after that when Orton landed an RKO (outta nowhere) of his own, but it wasn’t enough to keep Rhodes down for the three count. Next thing you know, it was the referee’s turn to take an RKO.

Cody countered Orton’s attempt at a dick kick and delivered a low blow on his former mentor. Rhodes followed up with a Cody Cutter, but Randy caught him in mid air with an RKO.

There was no referee, but out came Pat McAfee wearing a neck brace and a ref shirt to count the fall. Cody kicked out. McAfee looked ridiculous standing there next to Randy. I guess even Orton was sick of McAfee’s bullshit at this point, so he gave that dope an RKO and got his ass out of there again.

That distraction gave Rhodes enough time to grab Orton from behind and execute Cross Rhodes to win the match. Cody Rhodes is still your undisputed WWE champion.

However, The Viper struck again right after the match ended. He put Rhodes down with a belt shot to the head, and then brought back his banned punt, much to the horror of the WWE commentators.

Randy held up the WWE championship, but there are now questions about whether or not he needs time off from WWE (and if Cody is kayfabe concussed from the punt) before this feud continues. Regardless, hopefully McAfee follows through on his word and is gone from WWE forever given Cody’s victory.

Let us know your thoughts on tonight’s main event in the comments below, and remember — the best play-by-play on the wrestle web for WrestleMania 42 Saturday is at your fingertips by clicking here.