At WWE Elimination Chamber 2026, Randy Orton defeated Cody Rhodes, Logan Paul, Trick Williams, LA Knight and Je’Von Evans to win the Men’s Elimination Chamber and become the #1 contender to face the Undisputed WWE Champion at WrestleMania 42.
Meanwhile, Rhodes went on to defeat Drew McIntyre to regain the Undisputed WWE Championship and punch his ticket for Mania on the March 6 episode of Friday Night SmackDown.
This sets the stage for Rhodes to defend his gold against Orton at “The Show of Shows” and could see a legend or current member of the WWE roster stepping in to become the special guest referee for this big time main event.
Here are eight potential WWE special guest referees for Randy Orton vs. Cody Rhodes at WrestleMania 42.
8. Drew McIntyre
Drew McIntyre has been a thorn in the side of so many individuals on the Friday Night SmackDown roster over the past few months.
McIntyre not only stopped Cody Rhodes at every turn in the Royal Rumble and Elimination Chamber from getting another shot at the Undisputed WWE Championship, but he also cost Randy Orton a match against Aleister Black on SmackDown.
Now that McIntyre finds himself on the outside looking in on the Undisputed WWE Title match at WrestleMania 42, he could still play a significant role in the main event match.
McIntyre being chosen to be the special guest referee would play into his role in setting up this showdown between Rhodes and Orton, while allowing him to play an instigator between these two popular babyfaces on the road to Mania.
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7. Sami Zayn
At WWE Royal Rumble 2026, Drew McIntyre defeated Sami Zayn to retain the Undisputed WWE Championship.
Since this loss, fans have seen a more irritable and angry Zayn on Friday Night SmackDown, which has included some tense confrontations with Cody Rhodes.
Recently, Zayn got some advice from Randy Orton on what it took to become a 15-time world champion after his desire to finally win the top prize has gotten in his head.
Placing Zayn right smack dab in the middle of Rhodes and Orton as the special guest referee could be a great way to keep him close to the championship picture and help him to play a major role at WrestleMania 42.
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6. Ric Flair
Wanting to add more interest into WrestleMania 42, WWE could call upon one of the legendary names in pro wrestling history to come in to be the special guest referee at “The Showcase of the Immortals.”
Ric Flair is someone who has not been seen on WWE TV in several years, which could make him the perfect individual to make their return for such a role.
During his formative years in WWE, Flair was the mentor to Randy Orton in Evolution. Meanwhile, Flair is one of the greatest rivals of Cody Rhodes’ father Dusty.
With his connections to both men, it would be interesting to see which way Flair sides if he were to return to be the special guest referee for Orton and Rhodes at WrestleMania 42.
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5. Kevin Owens
Someone else who knows both Cody Rhodes and Randy Orton extremely well is Kevin Owens.
During Cody’s rivalry with The Bloodline, Owens was one of the people who stood side-by-side with him and fought off the group.
Meanwhile, Owens and Orton were close friends before KO turned on both “The Legend Killer” and “The American Nightmare” in 2024.
Considering his neck surgery and the role he has played in both men’s careers over the past few years, it would make sense for Owens to play a role if he were to return to WWE television and make him the perfect special guest referee at WrestleMania.
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4. Triple H
Triple H has made it no secret that he views Cody Rhodes as the cornerstone of WWE right now.
As seen on WWE Unreal, Cody is the closest confidant to the CCO on the roster today.
Meanwhile, Triple H’s history with Randy Orton from their days in Evolution to their longstanding rivalry are both well documented.
Triple H coming from his role behind-the-scenes to become the special guest referee would show just how significant and important this battle between Rhodes and Orton is to him and the company at WrestleMania 42 in Las Vegas this year.
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3. Stone Cold Steve Austin
If anyone is used to returning to WWE to be a special guest referee, it is Stone Cold Steve Austin.
“The Texas Rattlesnake” has been a special guest referee for some of the biggest matches in WrestleMania history, including the Battle of the Billionaires back in 2007.
From world title matches to grudges being settled, Austin is someone who can maintain order and call it right down the middle.
With his experience in the role, Austin could return once more to play the position of special guest referee for this Undisputed WWE Championship match between Cody Rhodes and Randy Orton at WrestleMania 42.
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2. John Cena
Back at WrestleMania 41, John Cena defeated Cody Rhodes to win his record-breaking 17th world title, capturing the Undisputed WWE Championship.
Following this victory, Cena went on to successfully defend the gold against Randy Orton in his hometown of St. Louis. “The Never Seen 17” held onto the title until Rhodes finally beat Cena in a Street Fight at WWE SummerSlam 2025.
Considering his rivalries with both men, WWE could call upon Cena to make a return following his retirement to be the special guest referee.
Wanting to bring more eyes and sell more tickets for WrestleMania 42, WWE would be hard-pressed to find anyone as big as Cena to be in the middle of this bout between Orton and Cena.
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1. The Rock
Over the past few years, The Rock has made returns to WWE that have captured the imagination of the fanbase in a massive way.
Whether it be his “Final Boss” run in the leadup to WrestleMania 40 or playing a memorable role in John Cena’s heel turn, The Rock has helped to shift the road to Mania into high gear.
With the build to this year’s “Show of Shows” not feeling quite as hot, it would make sense for WWE to call on The Rock to drive up interest and intrigue.
Being one of the biggest stars and celebrities in the world today, The Rock would instantly make WrestleMania 42 a hot ticket by simply coming in to be the special guest referee for Cody Rhodes vs. Randy Orton for the WWE Championship.
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