WWE Rumors on Cody Rhodes' Injury, Roman Reigns' Future and Original WrestleMania Plans for Orton

Bleacher Report catches you up on the latest news from the WWE Universe.

Cody Rhodes Injury Update

Despite retaining his WWE Undisputed Championship against Randy Orton on Night 1 of WrestleMania 42 on Saturday, Cody Rhodes was left with a gruesome eye injury.

Rhodes appeared to suffer the injury when Orton pulled out his banned Punt Kick during a post-match beatdown.

However, a report from PWInsider (h/t Geno Mrosko of Cageside Seats) revealed that Rhodes actually suffered the injury after a punch by Orton prior to his RKO on referee Charles Robinson.

WWE released footage of Rhodes being treated by the medical staff, as his left eye was swollen shut. He also had a noticeable cut above his eyebrow.

While it's not yet known how long the Undisputed Champion will be out of action, WWE announced on Sunday that Rhodes is not medically cleared after the injury, and the medical staff said the damage was "severe."

Future Plans for Roman Reigns Revealed

After defeating CM Punk to win the WWE World Heavyweight Championship in the main event of Night 2 of WrestleMania 42 on Sunday, Roman Reigns is reportedly slated for some fresh new rivalries.

Despite Reigns previously teasing that he could leave WWE if he lost to Punk, a report from PWInsider (h/t Cain A. Knight of Cageside Seats) stated that his contract isn't nearing its expiration date, and there haven't been signs that he's preparing to leave the company.

With the Original Tribal Chief here to stay, he's reportedly in line for some marquee future matchups. According to a report from Bodyslam (h/t Steve Carrier of Ringside News), top heavyweights Gunther and Oba Femi are expected to be featured in Reigns' post-WrestleMania 42 feuds.

While speaking on Wrestling Observer Radio, Dave Meltzer reported that Reigns vs. Gunther would likely be planned for SummerSlam instead of next month's Backlash premium live event. Gunther defeated Seth Rollins at WrestleMania 42, and Meltzer said WWE's "big direction" is to have him go after Reigns' title.

Oba Femi was also successful at WrestleMania 42, defeating Brock Lesnar for the biggest win of his young career. Fans chanted his name during Reigns' appearance on the post-show, and the new champion made it clear that he welcomed the challenge.

"You did a big thing tonight—but I've done that many times, and I've done it with a title on the line. I took it, I defended it," Reigns said. "Let's see how you do through the summer—and then we'll see if you can step up to the greatest of all time."

Reigns' upcoming feuds will surely excite WWE fans who have been patiently waiting to see him go up against Gunther and Oba Femi for quite some time.

Rumored Original WrestleMania 42 Plans for Randy Orton

Randy Orton got the last laugh over Cody Rhodes despite losing their match for the Undisputed WWE Championship at WrestleMania 42, but new reports revealed what was originally planned for the Viper.

Dave Meltzer reported on Wrestling Observer Radio (h/t WrestleFeatures) that the original outcome of the WrestleMania 42 Night 1 main event was for Orton to defeat Rhodes and win his 15th world title.

Orton had aligned with Pat McAfee during the lead-up to his match with Rhodes, which was criticized by most WWE fans. According to PWInsider (h/t WrestleOps), the 46-year-old was originally slated to be part of a program with Aleister Black to bring out the vicious side of his character.

"The role would have involved Aleister Black tormenting Orton, trying to bring out the old Apex Predator version of Orton. The idea was that if Black succeeded, it would prove Orton had never changed or evolved and was still the old Orton deep inside," the report stated. "We are told the idea was that Black and Orton would face off 'Mania weekend, with Orton hesitating to use his punt kick and likely lose, but then later attack Cody Rhodes as a WrestleMania angle, using the punt to bring back the old Apex Predator and prove Black right all along."

Orton had to settle for a post-match beatdown on Rhodes after losing their main-event showdown. A win would've put him in sole possession of third place for the most world championships behind only John Cena (17) and Ric Flair (16).