Pat McAfee Reacts to Fan Backlash After WWE SmackDown

Pat McAfee addressed the fan backlash following WWE SmackDown during an episode of The Pat McAfee Show, continuing his current heel turn. After weeks of anticipation, last Friday, Pat McAfee was revealed as the mystery caller who motivated Randy Orton to turn heel to “save the business.”

During the segment, McAfee attacked Cody Rhodes and framed this involvement as support for Orton, referencing the goal of positioning him as a multi-time champion by defeating Rhodes at WrestleMania 42. Their Undisputed WWE Championship match is scheduled for April 18.

On his show, McAfee commented on Rhodes’ current title run. He referenced ticket availability for WrestleMania events in Las Vegas while discussing the broader presentation of the storyline to future generations.

McAfee stated (via F4WOnline), “Somehow, tickets are still available for WrestleMania. Just know that we got some things cooking, and you’re going to want to be in Las Vegas.” He continued, “It’s going to be spectacular. It’s going to be special. Future wrestling generation fans will have to look back on the night that was in Las Vegas and say, ‘That was the moment that the GOAT saved the entire business by becoming 15-time World Champion.’ Shout out to Randy Orton. Thank you, Randy, for doing that.”

He also addressed fan reactions, noting the backlash to his SmackDown reveal as Orton’s ally. Fans speculated for weeks about who the mystery caller could be before McAfee was revealed. McAfee added, “These IWC dipsh*ts, they have no idea. This is for the good of them.”

The former NFL player went on, “They have no idea what they’ve been missing, they have no idea what it’s supposed to look like. Now we change that. That’s the Internet Wrestling Community. They’re not the biggest fans of what happened; they’re pretty upset about it. But they are a part of the problem. They are the ones that said, ‘Yeah, this is what it’s supposed to be, all this stuff.’ It’s like, ‘Nah, let us show you what it’s supposed to be whenever Randy Orton is at the top of the marquee.’”

In addition, McAfee mentioned that further developments related to the WrestleMania card would be announced soon. The exact lineup for both nights is expected to be revealed on ESPN’s Get Up.

Pat McAfee once again goes off on the WWE product and says that Randy Orton will save the business. pic.twitter.com/RFNv02ThWX

— Wrestle Features (@WrestleFeatures) April 6, 2026