WWE’s Original Plans for Randy Orton at WrestleMania 42 Revealed

TLDR

According to PWInsider, WWE originally planned for Aleister Black to face Randy Orton at WrestleMania 42 in a storyline where Black would psychologically torment Orton to bring back his "Apex Predator" persona. The pitch involved Orton hesitating to use his punt kick and losing the match, followed by a post-match angle where he would attack Cody Rhodes with the punt to prove Black was right about Orton never truly changing. Pat McAfee's role at WrestleMania ultimately replaced the planned Black storyline, though the core concept of Orton reverting to his darker persona remained intact.