Damian Priest Didn’t Like Pat McAfee Angle On WWE Smackdown: ‘It Pissed Me Off’

Don’t count Damian Priest among those who are big on Pat McAfee’s big return on last week’s WWE Smackdown, as he delivered a blunt assessment of the angle. McAfee was revealed as Randy Orton’s mystery caller on last week’s show, low blowing Cody Rhodes and allying with Orton while cutting a promo about how WWE’s business is down and Orton will save the industry.

The insertion of McAfee into the Orton and Rhodes WrestleMania 42 feud has drawn strong reactions from just about everyone, and Priest was upfront about his thoughts on the matter when asked in an interview with Gabby LaSpisa. The co-holder of the WWE Tag Team Championships said it wasn’t his taste and that others backstage weren’t pleased with it. You can see highlights below:

On What He Thought of the Angle:

“It sucks. Not a fan. You know, [as] somebody who knows Pat, [I] get a long with him. But for me, that’s not my taste, I don’t think it helps anything. He didn’t need it.”

On the Reaction Backstage:

“So for me — and I’m sure a lot of people aren’t going to be happy I said that, but in the locker room specifically? Like, a lot of us weren’t happy. And that’s real. I was asked by some of the younger talent, like, ‘What did I think?’ And I thought it was bull.”

On McAfee Being Able to Say Whatever He Wanted:

“We’re a PG show, right? But he can come in and he can throw F-bombs, and say whatever he wants. For me, that’s like one of those things where so many other talent, even from one word, could benefit and it’s like, ‘Wow, now they’re up here.’ Instead, you take somebody who’s not even here all the time, and gets away with saying something like that who doesn’t even need it. Not gonna lie, it kinda pissed me off.”

If you use any of the quotes in this article, please credit Gabby LaSpisa with a h/t to 411mania.com for the transcription.

“It sucks…”

I sit down with @ArcherOfInfamy on a new #GabbyAF & he weighs in on @PatMcAfeeShow & @RandyOrton 👀#Smackdown
Full episode drops at 4p ET 🎙️
Watch & subscribe on YT: https://t.co/Hc6ychiyra
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— Gabby LaSpisa (@GabLaSpisa) April 10, 2026