Pat McAfee’s Status For 4/10 WWE SmackDown Confirmed
Pat McAfee made a shocking return to WWE on the April 3, 2026, episode of WWE SmackDown. It happened during Randy Orton and Cody Rhodes’ segment, when the two stars were engaged in an intense brawl.
McAfee made a surprise appearance and entered the ring to deliver a low blow to Rhodes, officially turning heel in the process. McAfee then cut a controversial promo, saying that WWE has sucked creatively under Rhodes and that he is on a mission to motivate Orton to lead the company back into success.
According to reports from Fightful Select and PW Insider, WWE Creative or Triple H did not make the decision to incorporate Pat McAfee into Orton and Rhodes’ high-profile storyline. It was reportedly done by TKO leadership, especially TKO CEO Ari Emanuel.
Emanuel made this move to boost corporate synergy ahead of WrestleMania’s debut on ESPN. Later in the night on SmackDown, Cody Rhodes was sent out to deliver a shoot-style promo where he targeted TKO.
The Pat McAfee return storyline has garnered a massive negative reaction online. Fans are not happy with the sudden insertion of the former NFL punter into the storyline so close to WrestleMania 42.
Even creative staff and talent were reportedly frustrated by TKO sticking its nose into the WrestleMania storyline. According to reports, talent backstage were concerned that this move was damaging or counterproductive for the WWE product, as it generated unnecessary heat.
While we are told Rhodes didn’t ‘sell’ the McAfee pivot to anyone, there was still a feeling of sympathy for him having to now have to ‘carry that additional weight,’ as one talent said, leading into WrestleMania. [H/T: WrestlingNews.co]
Following his controversial appearance on SmackDown, Pat McAfee went on social media to announce that if Randy Orton fails to capture the Undisputed WWE Championship at WrestleMania 42, he will never be seen or heard on wrestling television again.
McAfee said, “The only “shock” is that @RandyOrton, the greatest Sports Entertainer of all time, isn’t running @WWE That all changes at Mania… When he becomes 15 TIME WORLD CHAMPION AND SAVES THE BUSINESS for future generations while doing so And if he doesn’t… I’ll NEVER BE SEEN OR HEARD IN THE WRESTLING WORLD AGAIN”
Pat McAfee Will be Present At 4/10 WWE SmackDown
Pat McAfee has spoken again ahead of this week’s Friday Night episode. He revealed that he will be present for the April 10 episode of Friday Night SmackDown. He made this announcement on The Pat McAfee Show on April 8. The April 10 edition of Friday Night SmackDown is scheduled to take place at the SAP Center.
“Friday Night Live from San Jose—I think I’ve got some things to say. I think we’ll have a good time there on SmackDown,” McAfee said on his show. [H/T Ringside News]
Also read: What Cody Rhodes Hopes To Get Out Of WWE Rivalry With Randy Orton
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