On January 31, Cody Rhodes successfully defended the Undisputed WWE Championship against 14-time world champion Randy Orton in a 'student versus mentor' contest at Allegiant Stadium during day one of Wrestlemania 42.
In addition to Rhodes’ victory, notable matches included bouts between Seth Rollins and Gunther as well as Drew McIntyre and Jacob Fatu, which drew significant attention.
The main event featured a chaotic encounter as Orton and Rhodes, who have known each other’s wrestling styles for more than two decades, clashed fiercely. Before the match began, Rhodes and ally musician Jelly Roll incapacitated Orton’s ally, former WWE commentator Pat McAfee, who was removed on a stretcher.
Orton controlled the early portion of the match, but Rhodes responded with a strategic offensive, capitalising on Orton’s apparent back issues. Both competitors exchanged finishing moves, with Randy delivering a Cross Rhodes and Cody performing an RKO on Orton.
As the bout progressed, both men appeared drained. After being blinded by an eye rake and suffering a low blow without referee intervention, Orton knocked down the referee with an RKO. Rhodes’ comeback was interrupted by another RKO from Orton, but Rhodes powered out of the subsequent pin. Orton then attacked McAfee, his own ally, with an RKO. Rhodes capitalised on the moment, securing victory with a Cross Rhodes.
Following the match, despite Rhodes’ celebration, Orton struck him with the championship belt and finished the altercation with a football punt kick to Rhodes’ skull, holding the championship belt in his hand.
In a standout match, Gunther defeated Seth Rollins in a technically demanding contest. Rollins, returning from injury, showed resilience against Gunther’s chest slaps and sleeper hold. After a series of offence outside the ring, interference from Bron Brekker-part of the ‘The Vision’ faction once led by Rollins-resulted in Rollins being speared, allowing Gunther to apply a sleeper hold and win by technical submission as Rollins passed out.
Another highlighted contest saw Drew McIntyre face Jacob Fatu in an unsanctioned match. The brutal encounter began with Fatu interrupting McIntyre’s entrance with a suicide dive and featured heavy exchanges, including chair shots and broken tables. McIntyre executed a flying senton and suplex through a chair, but Fatu sealed the victory with a moonsault off the top rope through a table.
The opening match involved The Usos (Jimmy and Jey Uso) and LA Knight defeating The Vision (Logan Paul and Austin Theory) alongside YouTuber IShowSpeed in a competitive encounter. A key moment occurred when IShowSpeed knocked out Logan Paul while attempting to attack Knight, resulting in a post-match beatdown from Logan Paul. The Usos and Knight intervened to assist IShowSpeed in performing a splash through the announce desk on the former US Champion.
Women’s division highlights included The Bella Twins (Brie and Nikki) and a returning Paige defeating the Irresistible Forces (Nia Jax and Lash Legend), Charlotte Flair and Alexa Bliss, and Bayley and Lyra Valkyria in a Fatal-4-Way match for the WWE Women’s Tag Team titles. Additionally, Becky Lynch regained the WWE Women’s Intercontinental title from AJ Lee, and Liv Morgan defeated Stephanie Vaquer to claim the Women’s World Championship.