Published: Mar 1, 2026 by Jamie Toolan | Last Updated: Mar 1, 2026 by Jamie Toolan
Jamie has been covering the world of wrestling for four years and currently holds the position of Assistant Editor of WrestleTalk.com. During his time working for WrestleTalk.com he has written and published over 4,000 news and feature articles covering events and happenings from WWE, AEW, TNA and a variety of international and independent wrestling promotions.
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Randy Orton has addressed hitting an RKO and pinning Cody Rhodes to win this year’s Men’s WWE Elimination Chamber Match.
After a match that saw two interferences from masked men – one of which was Seth Rollins – and further interference from Undisputed WWE Champion Drew McIntyre, it was Randy Orton who won this year’s Men’s Elimination Chamber and booked his spot in a main event match at WrestleMania 42.
Speaking to ESPN immediately after his Chamber win, Randy Orton said he’s “on top of the world” as he heads into his 21st WrestleMania on April 18-19:
“How does it feel? It feels really f’n good man. This is my second Chamber win. As a matter of fact I was looking at the stats, I’ve been doing this 26 years, this is my 196th PLE, or as we used to call it, a pay-per-view.
“It’s my 10th Elimination Chamber and I’m going to wrestle in my 21st WrestleMania and I’m going to win my 15th World Heavyweight Championship at that WrestleMania. My friend I am on the top of the world right now.”
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Orton was then asked about Drew McIntyre’s involvement in the match, with “The Viper” saying he had to take advantage of his interference in order to win, even if it came at the expense of his “long-time friend” Cody Rhodes:
“Like I said this is my 10th Chamber, anything can happen inside this dome, inside this cage, it is relentless, so many variables. So, when that door opens and you get not one but two masked men, and then you get Drew McIntyre, I had to take advantage of the situation.
“I’ve been doing this forever and I know I can’t do it literally forever right? I’m at the tail-end of my career so I’ve got to get it while the getting’s good my friend.
“Drew came in he involved himself in the match, Cody was down, in a heartbeat I made that decision to drop Cody with an RKO. Now he’s a long-time friend, I hate doing it.
“Do I really hate doing it? No, I don’t. I’m going to WrestleMania, I’m main eventing WrestleMania, I deserve to be in the main event of WrestleMania and let’s just say ticket sales are gonna pick up baby.”
If you use this transcription or any portion of it please credit WrestleTalk.com and link to this page.
It remains to be seen who Orton will face in Las Vegas, as Nick Aldis announced during the Elimination Chamber post show that Drew McIntyre will defend his WWE Championship against Cody Rhodes on the March 6 episode of SmackDown.
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