WWE Smackdown Live Today: Pat McAfee Joins Randy Orton Ahead of WrestleMania

Fans await answers on Cody Rhodes vs. Randy Orton match with McAfee in Orton's corner.

Apr. 10, 2026 at 10:25pm

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A cubist, geometric painting depicting the intensity of a wrestling match between Cody Rhodes and Randy Orton, with fragmented shapes and forms representing the presence of Pat McAfee.The unexpected alliance between Randy Orton and sports personality Pat McAfee adds a new layer of intrigue to their WrestleMania match against Cody Rhodes.San Jose Today

With only two episodes of Smackdown left before WrestleMania 42, tonight's show is expected to provide more insight into the growing rivalry between Cody Rhodes and Randy Orton. Last week, sports personality Pat McAfee unexpectedly interfered in a brawl between the two wrestlers, siding with Orton and kicking Rhodes. McAfee's involvement has added an interesting new dynamic to the WrestleMania match, and fans are eager to learn more about his motivations.

Why it matters

The addition of Pat McAfee to the Cody Rhodes vs. Randy Orton feud has generated significant buzz and intrigue ahead of WrestleMania. McAfee is a well-known sports figure with a large following, and his presence could help drive interest and attention to the marquee match. However, some fans have expressed concerns that McAfee's involvement could overshadow the in-ring abilities of Rhodes and Orton, two of WWE's top talents.

The details

Last week on Smackdown, Cody Rhodes and Randy Orton were engaged in an impromptu brawl when Pat McAfee suddenly intervened, siding with Orton and kicking Rhodes below the belt. McAfee claimed he was tired of 'smaller wrestlers' having long matches, hinting at his disdain for Rhodes' technical wrestling style. The unexpected alliance between McAfee and Orton has left fans wondering about the reasoning behind this new partnership and how it will impact the Cody Rhodes vs. Randy Orton match at WrestleMania.

  • Friday Night Smackdown airs live every Friday at 8 p.m. EST.
  • Tonight's Smackdown episode will take place at the SAP Center in San Jose, California.
  • There are only two more episodes of Smackdown before WrestleMania 42.

The players

Cody Rhodes

One of WWE's top stars and a former Intercontinental Champion, Cody Rhodes is set to challenge Randy Orton for the WWE Championship at WrestleMania 42.

Randy Orton

A 14-time WWE Champion and one of the company's most decorated superstars, Randy Orton will defend his title against Cody Rhodes at WrestleMania 42.

Pat McAfee

A former NFL punter and current sports media personality, Pat McAfee has become a regular contributor to WWE programming and has now aligned himself with Randy Orton ahead of their match against Cody Rhodes.

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What they’re saying

“I'm sick of these smaller wrestlers putting on these long, drawn-out matches. I'm here to make sure that Randy Orton gets the job done at WrestleMania.”

— Pat McAfee, Sports Personality

What’s next

Fans will be eager to see if Pat McAfee's involvement with Randy Orton continues to escalate in the lead-up to their match against Cody Rhodes at WrestleMania 42.

The takeaway

The addition of Pat McAfee to the Cody Rhodes vs. Randy Orton feud has added an intriguing new layer of intrigue and drama ahead of WrestleMania. While some fans have expressed concerns about McAfee's potential to overshadow the in-ring action, his large following and ability to generate buzz could ultimately benefit the marquee match. Regardless, WWE will need to carefully balance McAfee's involvement to ensure the focus remains on the technical skills and storyline between Rhodes and Orton.