Randy Orton’s path to WrestleMania 41 has taken an unexpected turn, with WWE reportedly planning for “The Viper” to issue an open challenge at the event.
This development follows Kevin Owens’ withdrawal from their scheduled match due to a neck injury requiring surgery, leaving Orton without an opponent for this weekend’s event at Allegiant Stadium in Las Vegas.
According to PWN, WWE’s creative team is moving forward with the open challenge concept, though it’s unclear on which night Orton’s match will occur. Speculation about potential opponents includes Solo Sikoa, who confronted Orton on last week’s SmackDown, as well as recently departed AEW stars Aleister Black aka Malakai Black and Rusev aka Miro, both rumored to be returning to WWE.
The storyline intensified when Orton, frustrated by the lack of a WrestleMania match, delivered an RKO to SmackDown General Manager Nick Aldis after being informed of Owens’ unavailability. Orton later suggested Aldis could step into the ring as his opponent.
On WWE’s YouTube channel, Orton said he hopes to have an update on his WrestleMania 41 status on WrestleMania SmackDown.
Also Read: Former AEW Star’s WWE Return Has Been Confirmed
Opening Matches For Night 1 & 2 Of WrestleMania 41
According to WrestleVotes, below are the currently planned opening matches of WrestleMania 41:
Night 1: Gunther (c) vs. Jey Uso for the World Heavyweight Championship
Night 2: IYO SKY (c) vs. Bianca Belair vs. Rhea Ripley for the Women’s World Championship
Below are the match-cards for Night 1 & 2:
Night 1
– Main Event: Roman Reigns vs. CM Punk (with Paul Heyman) vs. Seth Rollins
– World Heavyweight Championship: Gunther (c) vs. Jey Uso
– WWE Women’s Championship: Tiffany Stratton (c) vs. Charlotte Flair
– United States Championship: LA Knight (c) vs. Jacob Fatu
– Jade Cargill vs. Naomi
– World Tag Team Championship: War Raiders (c) vs. The New Day
– Rey Mysterio vs. El Grande Americano (Chad Gable in a mask)
Night 2
– Undisputed WWE Championship: Cody Rhodes (c) vs. John Cena [Main Event]
– Women’s World Championship: IYO SKY (c) vs. Bianca Belair vs. Rhea Ripley
– Intercontinental Championship: Bron Breakker (c) vs. Finn Balor vs. Penta vs. Dominik Mysterio
– WWE Women’s Tag Team Championship: Liv Morgan & Raquel Rodriguez (c) vs. Bayley & Women’s Intercontinental Champion Lyra Valkyria
– Sin City Street Fight: Drew McIntyre vs. Damian Priest
– AJ Styles vs. Logan Paul
