After weeks of speculation, it was revealed on SmackDown that the mystery man on the phone with Randy Orton and offering “voices in his head” was none other than… Pat McAfee. The former NFL star turned WWE commentator and podcaster showed up unannounced, turning heel by striking Cody Rhodes in the sensitive area before cutting a promo on his goals to save the professional wrestling business at the side of Orton. The segment was on the receiving end of widespread criticism online, prompting reports on who was behind this decision.
Both PWInsider and BodySlam+ have revealed that the decision to turn Pat McAfee heel and include in the main event WWE Championship program was one that came straight from the mouth of TKO’s Ari Emanuel, who just so happens to be the Hollywood agent of McAfee. This edict is believed to have come from up above and approved by Triple H, leading to it unfolding on WWE TV.
The belief is that those in TKO are of the opinion that McAfee’s crossover potential will help boost WrestleMania interest in the lead up the show, particularly due to his ties with ESPN, ultimately boosting ticket sales. Cody Rhodes would come out later on the show and ridicule the reveal, comparing it to if the nWo’s third man was Disco Inferno. McAfee's return contradicts his recent comments remarking that he was "done" with WWE for the time being.
Here's a YouTube link to the segment in case anyone wants to see how dumb it it.
12 Comments
rozodru@piefed.world · 7 pts · 133d
who in the living hell, on this planet right now, is going to say "Pat McAfee is going to be at Wrestlemania!? oh man I have to GO NOW! I need to get couple thousand dollars together SO I CAN GO SEE PAT MCAFEE!"
Answer: no one. no one is thinking that, and if someone IS thinking that they need serious help.
Cody vs Randy on it's own right was fine, they have history, it'd be a good match. but now you're going to throw in a couple MAGA c-tier celebrities into the mix...how can anyone in their right mind watch WWE? seriously tell me so I don't think you're mentally ill.
Add all this to the fact we're likely NOW going to get a LA Knight v IShowSpeed match at WM...Convince me why WWE is still worth watching, I dare you.
siv9939@lemmy.zip · 5 pts · 133d
I've had people tell me they keep watching because WWE has the wrestlers they know. Sure, AEW has it's fair share of former WWE talent, but some people have always watched Raw, and always will. I'm sure for some it's less about the wreslting, and more just a habit at this point.
PDFuego@lemmy.world · 5 pts · 133d
Was he the one they stuck in his own DLC pack in one of the games with a bunch of his podcasting non-wrestler friends nobody had ever heard of and nobody would ever use?
siv9939@lemmy.zip · 4 pts · 133d
Yep, one and the same.
PDFuego@lemmy.world · 4 pts · 133d
I just read the article about McAfee vs McMahon at WM on Wrestlecrap, wowee. That's pretty clearly not his fault, but those are the only two things I know about him so I hope their boost to ticket sales is good 🤷 Either way I was past the point of ever considering watching WWE again a long time ago, so whatever. I'll read about it if it's enough of a trainwreck that anyone bothers to mention it ever again.
Montagge@lemmy.zip · 5 pts · 133d
Wow that seems like a special kind of terrible!
BowserBasher@lemmy.world · 3 pts · 133d
I don’t even think it’s going to matter what they try and do, the fans are still cheering for Orton and want him to win the title. He attacked Rhodes, they cheered. He attacked Cardano, they cheered. This week they cheered (yes it was a home town crowed). People love Orton and want to see him as champ again, maybe if Rhodes wasn’t the one defending it may have been different but I only see one outcome on this.
cerebralhawks@lemmy.dbzer0.com · 3 pts · 133d
Haven't watched in years. I liked Randy Orton — especially "Rated RKO" when he partnered with Edge. Edge was one of my favourite new wrestlers. Especially after his match with Mick Foley, the no holds barred harcore match — I just realised this was like 20 years ago. Orton was cool though. I used to joke that the "Orton pose" was rapidly slapping the mat (tapping out) but I did enjoy his performances.
Also glad to see Cody Rhodes is still up there. I remember him being in the Spirit Squad, Vince McMahon's male cheerleader squad — they existed on-screen to support Vince against the new DX; behind the scenes, they were scouting new talent. Dolph Ziggler also came from that outfit, maybe one other guy who lasted, so all in all, I'd say mission accomplished. They were obvious heels but most of them had skills and decent presence.
JakoJakoJako13@piefed.social · 4 pts · 133d
Cody was never in Spirit Squad. You might be thinking of Kenny. He was the only other member besides Ziggler to have a singles run. He's currently a producer with NXT.
cerebralhawks@lemmy.dbzer0.com · 2 pts · 132d
Maybe. Or it's probable that because Cody Rhodes came up around the same time I just assumed he was. Either way, I appreciate the clarification.
cupcakezealot@piefed.blahaj.zone · 2 pts · 131d
"(whispers) don't get vaxxed.... but also fight cody" - pat mcafee probably
JelloBrains@piefed.zip · 2 pts · 132d
Private equity, such a beautiful thing. /s