Overview
- Pat McAfee, revealed Friday on SmackDown in St. Louis as Randy Orton’s mystery ally, turned heel and said he and Orton would “save the business” from Cody Rhodes.
- The reveal drew confusion in the arena and heavy online disapproval, and the episode holds a 0.35 user rating on Cagematch that outlets described as among the lowest for a televised wrestling show.
- Reports citing Bloomberg link the decision to TKO CEO Ari Emanuel, who now represents McAfee, though WWE has not confirmed any executive role in the booking.
- Rhodes responded later on the show by calling out McAfee’s representation and defending his run, in what reviewers criticized as a segment that leaned too far into insider references.
- Analysts say the angle fits a broader pattern of WWE leaning on outside names on the road to WrestleMania 42, listing recent cameos by musicians and online personalities as examples.