The latest Cody Rhodes injury update following WrestleMania 42 has provided some relief — the Undisputed WWE Champion has been told he will not lose his eye. Rhodes suffered a gruesome eye injury during his championship defence against Randy Orton at WrestleMania 42 Night 1, and despite the severity of the damage, backstage reports indicate the injury may not keep him out of action for an extended period.
Here is everything we know about the Cody Rhodes eye injury, his concussion protocol status, and when he might return to the ring.
For complete coverage of the event, see our full WrestleMania 42 results.
What Happened To Cody Rhodes At WrestleMania 42?
Cody Rhodes retained the Undisputed WWE Championship against Randy Orton in the Night 1 main event of WrestleMania 42 at Allegiant Stadium in Las Vegas. During the 22-minute match, Rhodes’ left eye became severely swollen, eventually swelling completely shut before the match was over.
The exact cause of the Cody Rhodes eye injury remains unclear. According to Dave Meltzer of the Wrestling Observer, the injury likely occurred either from a punch by Orton during a slugfest sequence or from accidental head contact during a Cody Cutter into RKO spot. The injury was not caused by Orton’s post-match Punt Kick, as Rhodes’ eye was already visibly swollen before the match ended.
After winning the match, Rhodes was attacked by Orton, who stole the championship belt, struck Rhodes with it, and delivered a Punt Kick to close WrestleMania Night 1. The post-match assault worsened an already brutal situation.
How Serious Is The Cody Rhodes Eye Injury?
WWE’s backstage correspondent Jackie Redmond provided an official update during the WrestleMania 42 Night 2 pre-show. WWE confirmed that Rhodes required three sutures to the face and four staples to the back of the head, and suffered severe damage to his orbital socket. WWE also confirmed that Rhodes was not medically cleared, with no official timetable for his return.
However, subsequent backstage reports have offered a more optimistic picture:
No orbital bone fracture — According to Meltzer, the current belief is that Rhodes did not suffer a broken orbital bone, which would have required an extended absence. The eye has not been fully examined yet, but early indications are positive.
Concussion protocol is precautionary — Rhodes has been placed in WWE’s concussion protocol, which means no physicality is currently allowed. However, the belief backstage is that he did not actually suffer a concussion, and the protocol was implemented as a precautionary measure.
Rhodes confirmed he won’t lose the eye — In a statement on Instagram, Rhodes revealed that his doctors informed him he would not lose his eye. He shared a photo of the gruesome black eye and thanked fans for their support.
Rhodes appeared on the Raw After WrestleMania on April 20 with the black eye still clearly visible in the highlights, confronting CM Punk in a segment that teased a future Undisputed WWE Championship match between the two.
When Will Cody Rhodes Return To The Ring?
The Cody Rhodes return timeline remains uncertain but the early signs are encouraging.
WWE has not set an official return date. However, several factors suggest Rhodes could be back relatively quickly. The fact that WWE had him appear on Raw just two days after WrestleMania — and even tease a future championship match with CM Punk — indicates they do not believe the injury will require a long layoff.
The next major question is whether Rhodes will be cleared in time for WWE Backlash on May 9 in Tampa, Florida. His status for Backlash has not been confirmed. If he is cleared, a continuation of the Orton rivalry — with Orton pursuing his 15th world title after the post-WrestleMania attack — is the most likely direction.
Rhodes is advertised for SmackDown on April 24 in Fort Worth, Texas, though advertised appearances are not always a guarantee of an in-ring return, and he could appear in a promo-only role while the eye heals.
What’s Next For Cody Rhodes?
Even with the injury, the storyline direction for Rhodes is clear. Randy Orton’s post-match attack at WrestleMania — stealing the belt, delivering the Punt Kick, and standing over the fallen champion — set up an ongoing rivalry that will likely run through Backlash and beyond.
At the same time, the segment with CM Punk on Raw opened a second potential feud. Punk hinted at a future championship opportunity by saying “you never know when a championship opportunity will fall out of the sky,” and Rhodes responded with “just say when.” A Rhodes vs Punk match for the Undisputed WWE Championship — possibly at SummerSlam in August — is now firmly on the table.
For now, the priority is Rhodes’ health. The Cody Rhodes injury update is broadly positive — no fracture, no concussion, and the champion has been told he won’t lose his eye. But WWE will continue to evaluate him in the coming days before making any decisions about his Backlash status.
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