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Cody Rhodes, CM Punk Denounce Pat McAfee’s WrestleMania Role as ESPN Crossover Intensifies

McAfee’s on-air role reflects WWE’s ESPN tie-in ahead of WrestleMania.

Overview

  • McAfee, revealed April 3 on SmackDown as Randy Orton’s mystery caller, attacked Cody Rhodes and will be in Orton’s corner at WrestleMania 42.
  • Cody sharpened his pushback in ESPN interviews, calling McAfee a “full-blooded rat” and describing the angle as the “most ill‑received” thing he has seen in wrestling.
  • CM Punk labeled McAfee a “tourist” in the business and warned he would “get checked” for talking about ticket sales despite never having sold tickets himself.
  • On his ESPN show, McAfee mocked fans who wanted The Rock or Vince McMahon as the caller and showcased Rhodes’ title belt after taking it on SmackDown, in what Newsweek framed as TKOESPN cross‑promotion.
  • McAfee added a stipulation on WWE TV that he is done with wrestling if Orton loses to Rhodes, tying his future in the company to the match result this weekend.