Overview
- Cody Rhodes, who defended the Undisputed WWE Championship against Randy Orton on Saturday, left with his left eye swollen shut and was placed in concussion protocol according to the broadcast.
- WWE’s on-air medical update reported an orbital injury, three sutures to Rhodes’ face, and four staples to the back of his head, with no timetable for his return.
- WWE pulled Rhodes from a scheduled Sunday meet-and-greet at WWE World, yet viral photos and Yahoo Sports showed him later posing with fans with the eye still swollen.
- Reporting Tuesday from the Wrestling Observer, cited by Bleacher Report, said his availability for the May 9 Backlash event is up in the air and that he did not suffer a fracture, with protocol steps described as precautionary.
- Orton struck Rhodes with the title belt and delivered a punt after the bell to close Night One, and Rhodes then appeared on Raw on Monday to exchange words with CM Punk, signaling flexible booking paths once he is cleared.