Details on Negative Backstage Reaction to Pat McAfee’s Involvement in Cody Rhodes vs. Randy Orton Feud

Pat McAfee’s involvement in the WrestleMania 42 storyline between Cody Rhodes and Randy Orton has reportedly sparked internal concern among WWE talent, reports PWInsider Elite’s Mike Johnson (h/t WrestlingNewsCo).

According to the report, several performers believe the Rhodes vs. Orton program already had enough history and narrative. The addition of Pat McAfee has been viewed by some as unnecessary within the context of the existing storyline. Some talents backstage argued, “that the match simply did not need an additional element.”

Earlier reports indicated that the direction regarding McAfee came from TKO Group Holdings’ “top brass” rather than WWE’s regular creative team, led by Triple H.

Pat McAfee also delivered an off-the-cuff and unscripted promo on WWE SmackDown tied to the feud, which did not sit well with many of his peers. That appearance drew attention backstage, with some talent reportedly reacting negatively to both the content and its placement within the build to WrestleMania. Sources cited in the report suggested that talent feels Rhodes must now manage additional expectations. Johnson notes that Rhodes didn’t ‘sell’ the McAfee issue to anyone, but that there was still sympathy backstage for him now having to carry the additional weight.

The Rhodes vs. Orton match is scheduled for Night 1 of WrestleMania 42. The program is built on their long-standing history, which dates back to their earlier association in WWE storylines.