Summary

Cody Rhodes is not medically cleared after WrestleMania 42, with WWE announcing during the WrestleMania 42 Kickoff show that the Undisputed WWE Champion is sidelined by an orbital injury.

The company said Rhodes also needed staples in the back of his head after the night one main event. A return timetable was not given.

The injury update came after Rhodes retained his title against Randy Orton on Saturday night, only for Orton to jump him after the match. WWE later showed Rhodes being checked by medical staff, with his left eye visibly swollen shut.

The development also led to a change outside the ring. Rhodes was pulled from a scheduled WWE World appearance on April 19, after what was described as an injury caused by a punch from Orton that landed flush.

How the injury happened

Rhodes escaped WrestleMania 42 with the championship, but the beating did not end when the match did. After the bell, Orton attacked him again, first with the title belt and then with a punt kick.

That follow-up assault turned what had been a successful title defense into a medical situation by the next day. It also added a harsher aftermath to a rivalry that had already closed night one in chaos.

What Cody Rhodes' status means for WWE

Cody Rhodes being sidelined immediately after WrestleMania 42 puts fresh attention on WWE's title picture, because the reigning Undisputed WWE Champion is now waiting on medical clearance instead of moving straight into his next defense.

It also keeps Randy Orton tied directly to the fallout from the weekend. The same attack that left Rhodes unable to appear has now become the central consequence of their WrestleMania meeting, and it may shape the next step in the story once Rhodes is cleared. Rhodes had also been part of WWE World programming during the week, including a crossover appearance covered in our look at WWE World with Cody Rhodes and Roman Reigns.

Sources

As reported by Fightful.