Cody Rhodes calls WrestleMania 42 his most enjoyable since return to WWE

Cody Rhodes says he enjoyed WrestleMania 42 more than any other since he returned to WWE in 2022.

What happened at WrestleMania 42?

On the first night of WrestleMania 42 on 18 Jun 2026, Cody Rhodes headlined as the Undisputed WWE Champion against Randy Orton. The match capped a storyline critics slammed for adding Pat McAfee and Jelly Roll to the build. Rhodes still defended the booking, telling WWE Unreal Season Three he never got angry about the direction. *“I never got on the side of being angry and frustrated,”* he said. *“If we can’t take these ingredients and put them together and make something special, I don’t know if we’re worth the WrestleMania main event.”*

Why the build sparked backlash

Rhodes called the inclusion of Pat McAfee and Jelly Roll *“full blown sacrilege”* in wrestling terms. He argued McAfee’s mass audience risked overshadowing Orton’s chase for a record-tying 15th world title. *“Pat McAfee is a massive star. He has eyeballs on everything that he does,”* Rhodes said. *“Should Pat McAfee be involved with Randy Orton going for his 15th championship? You think about things wrestling fans have gotten mad about in the past, this had the potential to be that.”* Yet he insisted the controversy never derailed his own focus.

How Rhodes felt about the event

Rhodes admitted he actually enjoyed WrestleMania 42 more than any since his 2022 return. *“I probably enjoyed WrestleMania 42 more than I’ve enjoyed any WrestleMania since I’ve been back because I got tasked with, can you keep this on the tracks?”* The comment underscores his buy-in to the product’s creative risks. Elsewhere on the card, CM Punk referenced a pitch he’d made for himself and Rhodes for John Cena’s final match, adding extra context to Rhodes’ night.

What it means for Cody Rhodes’ title run

By embracing the chaotic build, Rhodes reinforced his role as the face of WWE’s top title scene. His willingness to defend the booking-even amid fan skepticism-signals confidence in his ability to deliver under pressure. The performance at WrestleMania 42 keeps his momentum heading into the next chapter of the Undisputed Championship chase.