Randy Orton and Pat McAfee’s WWE Alliance Brings An Unlikely Twist
Randy Orton is set to challenge Cody Rhodes for the Undisputed WWE Championship at WrestleMania 42 in Las Vegas. On the road to WrestleMania, The Viper has joined forces with former NFL punter Pat McAfee.
The alliance officially took place on April 3, 2026, during the opening segment of Friday Night SmackDown, where The American Nightmare confronted Orton in his hometown. As the two began to brawl, McAfee made a surprise return and attacked Rhodes with a low blow.
Following the attack, McAfee grabbed a microphone and revealed that he was the one speaking to Orton on the phone over the past few weeks, advising him in his quest to become a 15-time world champion. His return and sudden involvement in the Rhodes vs. Orton storyline sparked some controversy among fans.
McAfee also made things personal by taking a shot at Cody Rhodes, positioning himself as someone who understands the bigger picture and backing Orton as the rightful top guy heading into WrestleMania 42.
Rhodes fired back with a strong promo of his own. He targeted the corporate side of WWE, including TKO Group Holdings, suggesting that outside names like McAfee are being brought in to influence things.
Ex-WWE Star Ryback Defends Pat McAfee Amid Backlash Over WrestleMania 42 Angle
Ever since McAfee’s return, the wrestling world has been buzzing. Former WWE star Ryback also weighed in, defending McAfee amid the criticism on Twitter.
He said WWE made a smart choice bringing him in due to his mainstream appeal and large audience, especially through his show on ESPN, which could attract more casual viewers to WWE and the storyline.
Ryback also urged fans not to judge the angle too early, believing it will peak at WrestleMania 42. He said:
“Happiness is a choice, and so is how we view things. The angle with Cody Rhodes, Randy Orton, and Pat McAfee isn’t finished yet, so let it play out. Not every moment in a storyline is going to be a chartbuster, peaks and valleys are part of what make the payoff matter.”
“The biggest show of the year is where stories peak, not two weeks before. McAfee brings real mainstream appeal with a massive audience and his show on ESPN, which puts more casual eyes on WWE and this storyline. If after it all you’re not happy, speak your truth, but don’t judge the movie before the final scene.”
Happiness is a choice, and so is how we view things. The angle with Cody Rhodes, Randy Orton, and Pat McAfee isn’t finished yet, so let it play out. Not every moment in a storyline is going to be a chartbuster, peaks and valleys are part of what make the payoff matter. The…
— RYBACK (@Ryback) April 4, 2026
Ryback worked for WWE for around 12 years from 2004 to 2016. He first appeared as a finalist on Tough Enough 4 in 2004. He made his debut on the main roster in 2010 as Skip Sheffield, a member of The Nexus.
He left WWE in August 2016 following a public contract dispute. One of the reasons he walked away from WWE was his creative frustration and lack of equal pay. Following his WWE departure, he transitioned into a YouTube content creator and even started his own supplement company called Feed Me More Nutrition.
Also read: What Cody Rhodes Hopes To Get Out Of WWE Rivalry With Randy Orton
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