section_path: Production/Storylines/Cancelled match
section_name: Cancelled match
paragraph_text: Cancelled match
  
  At Bad Blood on October 5, 2024, fans captured footage of Kevin Owens attacking Cody Rhodes as the latter was entering his bus after the event went off the air. In the following weeks, Owens and Rhodes's mutual friend, Randy Orton, attempted to maintain peace, only for Owens to attack Orton in the parking lot, believing Orton aligned with Rhodes over him. At Crown Jewel on November 2, Orton and Owens were scheduled for a match; however, both engaged in a brawl throughout the arena with Owens getting the upper hand, with the match never officially beginning. On the following SmackDown, another brawl between them led to Owens performing a piledriver on Orton, taking him out until Elimination Chamber: Toronto in March, where Orton returned and attacked Owens after Owens' victory over Sami Zayn in an unsanctioned match. On the following SmackDown, Orton spoke about the issues he had with Owens and vowed to get revenge, leading to Orton challenging Owens to a match at WrestleMania 41, which was made official. However, during the April 4 episode of SmackDown, it was revealed Owens would be unable to compete due to requiring neck surgery, causing the match to be canceled.
  
  At Bad Blood on October 5, 2024, fans captured footage of Kevin Owens attacking Cody Rhodes as the latter was entering his bus after the event went off the air. In the following weeks, Owens and Rhodes's mutual friend, Randy Orton, attempted to maintain peace, only for Owens to attack Orton in the parking lot, believing Orton aligned with Rhodes over him. At Crown Jewel on November 2, Orton and Owens were scheduled for a match; however, both engaged in a brawl throughout the arena with Owens getting the upper hand, with the match never officially beginning. On the following SmackDown, another brawl between them led to Owens performing a piledriver on Orton, taking him out until Elimination Chamber: Toronto in March, where Orton returned and attacked Owens after Owens' victory over Sami Zayn in an unsanctioned match. On the following SmackDown, Orton spoke about the issues he had with Owens and vowed to get revenge, leading to Orton challenging Owens to a match at WrestleMania 41, which was made official. However, during the April 4 episode of SmackDown, it was revealed Owens would be unable to compete due to requiring neck surgery, causing the match to be canceled.