• Major Heel Turn Expected On SmackDown For WrestleMania 42 Match
Randy Orton’s recent clash with Aleister Black might be more than just a typical mid-card rivalry. According to a new report from Self Made Pro, the intense back-and-forth between the two on SmackDown is actually a carefully laid breadcrumb trail leading to a major WrestleMania 42 reveal.
On last week’s SmackDown, Black secured a victory over Orton following a distraction by Undisputed WWE Champion Drew McIntyre. While it seemed like a standalone win for the former NXT Champion, internal sources suggest Black is playing a role similar to how Karrion Kross was once utilized — as a harbinger or a signal that something darker is looming for his opponent.
Specifically, The Viper may have a hidden skeleton in his closet. WWE Creative is reportedly using Black to mirror Orton’s own darker impulses, hinting that Orton is hiding a secret.
This psychological warfare is expected to link back to the brutal backstage assault on Jacob Fatu that occurred late last year.
Rumors suggest that The Legend Killer himself will eventually be revealed as Fatu’s attacker, setting the stage for a high-profile Samoan Werewolf vs. The Apex Predator showdown in at WrestleMania 42.
Rather than Black being the final destination for Orton, he is being positioned as a mirror, forcing the veteran to confront the monster he’s been trying to hide.
If Orton is revealed as Fatu’s mystery attacker, then this would be the first time in 5 years that Orton is portrayed as a heel.
Also Read: Possible Spoiler On Jade Cargill’s WrestleMania 42 Opponent
• Top WWE Star Says WrestleMania Has Lost Its Luster
AJ Styles has officially hung up his boots, and he isn’t apologizing for the timing or the venue.
Exactly a decade after his 2016 debut, The Phenomenal One saw his career come to an end at the 2026 Royal Rumble in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. In a career-threatening match, Styles was forced into retirement after passing out in a sleeper hold at the hands of Gunther.
While many expected a star of his magnitude to hold out for a grand finale at WrestleMania 42 in Las Vegas, Styles revealed on RAW Recap that the decision to end it in January was deeply personal and intentional.
“WrestleMania, I’m sorry to say, used to be the most prestigious PLE, but to me, it’s kind of lost its luster a little bit. As far as the Royal Rumble, that’s special to me because that’s where I made my debut. To be able to end where I started is poetic,” Styles admitted.
AJ Styles will get inducted into the WWE Hall of Fame during WrestleMania 42 weekend.
