Pat McAfee Teases 'Massive Surprise' Announcement for WWE SmackDown

Rumors swirl about a 'reworked' storyline after last week's controversial reveal on the show.

Apr. 10, 2026 at 2:20am

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A fractured, cubist-style painting depicting the dynamic energy and tension of a WWE wrestling match or competition, with the figures of Pat McAfee and Randy Orton broken down into sharp, overlapping geometric shapes and planes of vibrant red, blue, and yellow colors.The impending clash between WWE personalities Pat McAfee and Randy Orton promises to be a visually captivating spectacle, as their ongoing feud reaches a critical juncture.San Jose Today

After a controversial reveal on last week's WWE SmackDown that Pat McAfee was the one talking to Randy Orton on the phone, McAfee has announced he has a 'massive surprise' to share during this week's episode of the show. Rumors are circulating that the storyline may be 'reworked' in response to the online backlash.

Why it matters

McAfee's announcement could significantly impact the ongoing storyline between him and Randy Orton, one of WWE's top superstars. Fans have been highly engaged with this storyline, and any major changes or surprises could generate significant buzz and interest around the product.

The details

In a statement released on social media, McAfee promised a 'MASSIVE SURPRISE' to be revealed on the upcoming SmackDown episode. He also expressed his belief that Orton is destined to become a 15-time world champion and 'save the business for future generations of wrestling fans'.

  • The announcement is set to take place on the April 10, 2026 episode of WWE SmackDown.

The players

Pat McAfee

A former NFL punter and current WWE commentator who has been involved in an ongoing storyline with Randy Orton.

Randy Orton

One of WWE's top superstars, a 14-time world champion, and the focus of McAfee's recent comments about 'saving the business'.

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What they’re saying

“Randy Orton is gonna save the business for future generations of wrestling fans. That's so incredible to think about.. Very rarely do these types of obviously monumental moments happen in our lifetime.”

— Pat McAfee

“My daughter and baby boy on the way are gonna have a WWE that is thriving.. a WWE that is the greatest form of entertainment on Earth, bar none, because the top of the company is gonna be exactly what it's supposed to be.”

— Pat McAfee

What’s next

Fans will have to tune in to the April 10, 2026 episode of WWE SmackDown to see what McAfee's 'massive surprise' announcement entails and how it impacts the ongoing storyline with Randy Orton.

The takeaway

This announcement from Pat McAfee has generated significant buzz and speculation among WWE fans, who are eager to see how the company will respond to the backlash from last week's controversial reveal. The potential impact on Randy Orton's storyline and future in the company makes this a must-watch moment for wrestling enthusiasts.