Backstage WWE and AEW Rumors on Cody Rhodes vs. Randy Orton, Royce Keys and More

It is WrestleMania season in WWE and if the build to the 2026 event is any indication, the only thing certain is that plans can—and will—change.

The latest on the Undisputed WWE Championship match at The Showcase of the Immortals in Las Vegas on April 18-19 headlines this collection of wrestling rumors and backstage reports, which also includes:

What's going on with Royce Keys?

Which current champion is poised to move on from her brand sooner rather than later?

An update on David Finlay's AEW debut.

Dive deeper into those topics with the latest from wrestling's top insiders.

Latest on Cody Rhodes, Randy Orton, Drew McIntyre WrestleMania Plans

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Mike Johnson of PWInsider Elite reported that Cody Rhodes vs. Randy Orton for the Undisputed WWE Championship was the active plan for WrestleMania 42.

Sean Ross Sapp of Fightful Select confirmed that report but added that the match was known well over a month ago. He wrote: "Fightful was told by a source as far back as January that both Cody Rhodes and Randy Orton were aware of the plan being pitched for WrestleMania."

He added that Rhodes was involved in the men's Royal Rumble and Elimination Chamber matches to help boost the star power in those contests.

The teases for a Rhodes-Orton championship bout go back well over a year, when The Viper caught on camera gesturing toward or staring at the gold, a subtle hint that his friendship with The American Nightmare was strong but his desire to win a 15th world title might be stronger.

Drew McIntyre is the reigning undisputed WWE champion but will defend his title against Rhodes Friday night on SmackDown, likely bringing an end to his reign.

Plans have been in flux to the point that it appeared Rhodes and Jacob Fatu would either do battle one-on-one or join McIntyre for a Triple Threat match.

BodySlam+ on Patreon reported that the Rhodes-Orton match was decided on much later and that McIntyre and Fatu will now square off at The Show of Shows before the Scot is expected to leave to film the latest Highlander reboot.

Regardless of when the contest was decided upon, Rhodes vs. Orton is seemingly a change in plans from when it was decided McIntyre would dethrone the former, indicative of the ever-changing nature of plans in the WWE writers room right now.

Royce Keys Update

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Johnson also reported for PWInsider Elite WWE has not "shelved" Royce Keys, nor does it have any intention to do so. Instead, he is getting "acclimated to the company's production style" (h/t Cageside Seats for the transcription).

Keys was a surprise entrant in the men's Royal Rumble match before being featured on Stephanie McMahon's podcast, but he has yet to appear on WWE TV.

With that said, if there are no plans as of this moment for him to appear on the WrestleMania card, perhaps it is best to keep him off the show and heat him up after The Showcase of the Immortals, rather than rush him onto Raw or SmackDown, with no direction and risk lessening the eventual impact of his presence.

Whatever the case may be, Keys (formerly Powerhouse Hobbs in All Elite Wrestling) has big-time potential to be a major star for WWE. He has the look, the athletic pedigree, and he can mix it up with wrestlers of all styles.

Taking time to maximize his contribution to the show and the reaction the fans will give him is the right call.

Kendal Grey Moving on from Evolve

Kendal Grey has been one of the breakout stars of Evolve, which airs on Tubi every week, but her time as its women's champion may be coming to an end.

BodySlam+ reported the 24-year-old will move on from that brand in the near future.

Grey has earned rave reviews for the speed with which she has picked up the in-ring portion of the business. It has become increasingly clear with every in-ring performance that she is confident, uber-athletic and a star in the making, hence the appearances she has already made for NXT.

That brand and its brimming women's division would be the logical next stop as Grey moves up the ranks and prepares to be one of the stars of the WWE women's division for the foreseeable future.

News on David Finlay Signing with AEW

David Finlay has signed with AEW, per Sapp for Fightful Select.

It is a multi-year deal between the two sides and furthermore, Finlay's former War Dogs tag team partners, Clark Connors and Gabe Kidd, are also now under contract with the promotion.

The group will be known simply as "THE DOGS" moving forward.

Finlay is a former IWGP Global Heavyweight champion. Despite his greatest successes occurring in New Japan Pro-Wrestling, he wanted to return stateside and compete in America. He will do that now, for a promotion in which former NJPW talent has had considerable success.

The third-generation competitor and son of legendary tough guy Fit Finlay will now have an opportunity to make a name for himself, alongside the same men with whom he caused havoc during their time in Japan.