Cody Rhodes delivered a surprising promo on SmackDown that was not part of the original script, and new details suggest it came from real frustration behind the scenes involving TKO leadership.
According to BodySlam.net, Rhodes’ segment was not listed on WWE’s internal rundown before the show. Instead, he was reportedly instructed by members of the creative team to head to the ring and speak freely about the situation involving Pat McAfee and TKO. The decision came together quickly, making the segment one of the few unscripted moments on the show.
During the promo, Rhodes openly mocked the reveal of McAfee as a key figure in the storyline. He compared it to Disco Inferno being revealed as the third member of the nWo instead of Hulk Hogan. The remark reflected the negative reaction seen online after McAfee’s earlier appearance on the same episode.
Because the segment was put together late, it never appeared on the internal format for the broadcast. That detail highlights how quickly the situation developed during the show.
BodySlam reports that the promo was not just about McAfee. It also pointed to wider frustration within WWE’s creative team. Rhodes and others are said to be unhappy with TKO executives stepping into ongoing storylines, especially in the weeks leading up to major events. Sources claim this has been a recurring issue in recent years.
Previous reports stated that McAfee’s involvement in the storyline with Randy Orton was a corporate decision. The move is believed to have been pushed by Ari Emanuel as part of a larger strategy tied to WWE’s partnership with ESPN and efforts to increase attention on WrestleMania.
Rhodes is now set to defend the Undisputed WWE Championship against Orton in the Night 1 main event of WrestleMania 42 on April 18. The event will take place at Allegiant Stadium.
Cody Rhodes SmackDown Promo Was Unplanned Amid TKO Frustration
WA on Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/wrestlingattitude/
WA on Facebook (Women's Wrestling) - https://www.facebook.com/WrestlingDivas/
WA on X/Twitter - https://x.com/wa_wrestling
WA on Instagram (Women's Wrestling) - https://www.instagram.com/wa_wrestlingattitude/
WA on Google News - https://news.google.com/publications/CAAqBwgKMJf3owsw2oG8Aw
WA on Bluesky - https://bsky.app/profile/wrestlingattitude.bsky.social
