More Details on How Pat McAfee’s Return to WWE Television Came About

Pat McAfee’s revelation as Randy Orton’s mystery caller this past Friday on SmackDown is currently the biggest talking point in the wrestling world, with new details on the controversial decision surfacing regularly. Following the events of SmackDown, BodySlam+ and PWInsider reported that McAfee’s insertion in the Cody Rhodes-Randy Orton feud was an edict that came from Ari Emanuel and the TKO brass.

It was then reported that Cody’s fiery promo later that night was not planned initially and that the negative reaction to the Pat McAfee segment led to the creative team asking Rhodes to “shoot from the hip.”

Later, Fightful reported that McAfee has been added to the WrestleMania 42 main event feud to boost “corporate synergy” between WWE and ESPN. The report added that many in the company are not happy with the decision. In the latest episode of Wrestling Observer Radio (WOR), Dave Meltzer detailed how Pat McAfee’s return to WWE TV came about.

Meltzer said that the former NFL punter was the first choice for celebrity involvement on the Road to WrestleMania 42 and that the call came from Ari Emanuel. However, according to Meltzer, McAfee turned down the offer initially before ultimately agreeing to a deal.

“Pat McAfee was the first choice, and it was from Ari Emanuel; that’s where it came from. They wanted celebrity involvement… Originally, Pat McAfee was the choice, and he turned it down, and then they were scrambling to get somebody else in the spot. And then obviously, they were able to make a deal with him, so he did it, and he was there,” Meltzer said. [H/T: WrestlingNews.co]

Following the events on SmackDown, Pat McAfee took to social media and said that he won’t appear on a wrestling show if Randy Orton fails to beat Cody Rhodes for the Undisputed WWE Championship at WrestleMania 42. The match is set to headline Night One of The Show of Shows in Las Vegas on April 18.