\n<\/p>\n
Bleacher Report catches you up on the latest news from the WWE Universe.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n
Orton Working Through Injuries<\/strong><\/p>\n<\/div>\n Randy Orton is “working on some injuries” ahead of his WrestleMania 42 match with Cody Rhodes, according to the Wrestling Observer Newsletter<\/em>‘s Dave Meltzer.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n Meltzer said it isn’t a foregone conclusion that Orton will prevail on Saturday night because he could be injured enough to where he can’t carry the belt past WrestleMania (4:45 mark).<\/p>\n<\/div>\n “It Randy doesn’t win, it’s an injury thing,” the longtime insider said. “But Randy’s absolutely supposed to win, yes.”<\/p>\n<\/div>\n Meltzer and colleague Bryan Alvarez both pointed out how Pat McAfee is seemingly revealing the finish of the main event by insisting he’ll leave WWE entirely if Rhodes wins.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n WWE is reportedly looking<\/a> to have McAfee team with Orton in a tag match against Rhodes and Jelly Roll at Backlash in May. <\/p>\n<\/div>\n At the very least, the creative staff is teeing up some sort of payoff involving the four with Orton attacking Jelly Roll last Friday on SmackDown.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n Maybe the result of that is the recording artist exacting some revenge on McAfee as Rhodes successfully defends the title in Las Vegas.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n Orton nursing an injury that makes his post-WrestleMania outlook murky would further embolden the critics who have questioned McAfee’s insertion into the story.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n Having McAfee as The Viper’s mouthpiece can at least make a little more sense if Orton will get an extended stretch as a heel champion. Otherwise, there would’ve been so many better ways to build toward a one-off battle between wrestlers who have as much history as Rhodes and Orton share.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n Potential Double Turn in WrestleMania Title Match<\/strong><\/p>\n<\/div>\n Sami Zayn is set to defend the Intercontinental Championship against Trick Williams on the second night of WrestleMania 42. It could be an important moment for both beyond the title implications.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n BodySlam.net (via WrestlePurists<\/a>) again reported<\/a> the WWE creative team is weighing a double-turn with Zayn and Williams.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n Zayn is a natural babyface, but he can work as a compelling heel just as easily. In addition, the IC champ is currently serving as an example of how goodwill toward a wrestler doesn’t preclude fans from feeling their on-screen character has grown a bit stale.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n The reaction toward Zayn isn’t positive right now.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n From a narrative perspective, the seeds have already been planted for him embracing the dark side. <\/p>\n<\/div>\n His lopsided record against Drew McIntyre and the fact he has never been a world champion in WWE were both part of the story for his Royal Rumble match with McIntyre. A hero becoming a bad guy to pursue something that has eluded him is a time-tested storytelling device.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n Whether a double-turn is successfully executed at WrestleMania, Zayn could definitely use a change of direction.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n Asuka, Iyo Sky Still in Flux for WrestleMania<\/strong><\/p>\n<\/div>\n WWE still hasn’t made a final decision on whether Asuka and Iyo Sky will compete at WrestleMania 42, according to Meltzer (via Steve Carrier<\/a> of Ringside News).<\/p>\n<\/div>\n The company did a big <\/a>reveal<\/a> for its two-night showpiece earlier this month on ESPN. Asuka vs. Sky was noticeably absent.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n Of course, “card subject to change” is one of the oldest cliches in pro wrestling. Nothing is ever final until the show starts.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n On the April 6 edition of Raw, Asuka delivered a pre-taped promo that appeared to be geared toward a WrestleMania encounter. Sky responded on social media and ended her message by saying, “Hope to see you in Vegas.”<\/p>\n<\/div>\n In light of the fact the pair weren’t included on the ESPN reveal the following day, Sky’s wording is telling. Her hoping to see Asuka at Allegiant Stadium is a lot different from laying down a firm challenge.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n There’s no stage bigger than WrestleMania. Pushing this match to Backlash may, however, give it the proper time to feel sufficiently important.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n