Backstage Frustration Over Pat McAfee WrestleMania Involvement – Frustration has reportedly built within WWE over the decision to insert Pat McAfee into the WrestleMania 42 storyline involving Cody Rhodes and Randy Orton.
According to Mike Johnson of PWInsider, several WWE talents have voiced concerns about the direction of the feud. The reaction is not limited to storyline logic, but also centers on the belief that the program between Rhodes and Orton did not require an additional figure.
The rivalry already carried significant history and emotional weight. Adding McAfee into the mix has been viewed by some as unnecessary, with talent feeling that the focus should have remained on the two main competitors heading into one of the top matches at WrestleMania 42.
The situation intensified following McAfee’s SmackDown promo, which he later described as unscripted. While the segment was meant to add depth to the storyline, the content reportedly did not resonate well backstage. Instead, it added to the concerns about the creative direction and how the story is being presented.
Johnson noted that Rhodes has not openly pushed back on the change. However, there is a level of sympathy among talent, as he is now seen as carrying added responsibility within the feud.
“While we are told Rhodes didn’t ‘sell’ the McAfee pivot to anyone, there was still a feeling of sympathy for him having to now have to ‘carry that additional weight,’ as one talent said, leading into WrestleMania,” Johnson wrote.
That phrase has become central to how the situation is viewed internally. Many believe Rhodes is being put in a position where he must manage both the original storyline with Orton and the added layer involving McAfee, while maintaining the importance of the match.
Previous reports have indicated that the decision to include McAfee did not originate from WWE’s creative team led by Triple H. Instead, it is believed to have come from higher-level leadership within TKO, with Ari Emanuel linked to the move.
Rhodes is set to defend the Undisputed WWE Championship against Orton in the Night 1 main event of WrestleMania 42. The match will take place at the Allegiant Stadium in Las Vegas on April 18.
As WrestleMania approaches, the added element continues to draw mixed reactions. While it brings more attention to the storyline, it has also created internal concern about whether it distracts from one of the event’s most important matches.
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