Cody Rhodes Trolls Pat McAfee Before WrestleMania Showdown

WWE Champion Cody Rhodes takes aim at McAfee ahead of their confrontation at the Showcase of the Immortals.

Apr. 15, 2026 at 1:38pm

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An abstract, expressionist painting in neon colors depicting the intense energy and action of a WWE championship match, with the combatants' forms blurred and dissolved into dynamic brushstrokes.The high-octane clash between WWE Champion Cody Rhodes and challenger Pat McAfee promises to be a WrestleMania spectacle filled with unpredictable twists and turns.Indianapolis Today

WWE Champion Cody Rhodes has been trolling Pat McAfee on social media ahead of their showdown at WrestleMania 42. Rhodes posted a video of himself boarding a private jet while playing McAfee's WWE entrance music, and he also shared a photo of the outside of Lucas Oil Stadium, where McAfee spent his NFL career with the Indianapolis Colts. Though Rhodes and McAfee don't have a match scheduled, McAfee will be accompanying Rhodes' opponent, Randy Orton, to the ring at WrestleMania, adding a stipulation that if Orton loses, he must leave the wrestling industry forever.

Why it matters

The ongoing feud between Cody Rhodes and Pat McAfee adds an extra layer of intrigue to Rhodes' Undisputed WWE Championship match against Randy Orton at WrestleMania 42. McAfee's involvement as Orton's cornerman raises the stakes and could lead to further celebrity interference, as happened in Rhodes' title match last year against John Cena.

The details

In the lead-up to WrestleMania 42, Cody Rhodes has been trolling Pat McAfee on social media. Rhodes posted a video of himself boarding a private jet while playing McAfee's WWE entrance theme, 'The Anomaly,' and he also shared a photo of the outside of Lucas Oil Stadium, where McAfee spent his NFL career with the Indianapolis Colts. Though Rhodes and McAfee don't have a match scheduled, McAfee will be accompanying Rhodes' opponent, Randy Orton, to the ring at WrestleMania. McAfee has added a stipulation that if Orton loses to Rhodes, he will have to leave the professional wrestling industry forever.

  • On April 15, 2026, Cody Rhodes posted the video of himself boarding a private jet while playing Pat McAfee's WWE entrance theme.
  • On April 15, 2026, Cody Rhodes posted a photo of the outside of Lucas Oil Stadium, where Pat McAfee spent his NFL career with the Indianapolis Colts.
  • On April 18, 2026, Pat McAfee will accompany Randy Orton to the ring at WrestleMania 42 to face Cody Rhodes for the Undisputed WWE Championship.

The players

Cody Rhodes

The current Undisputed WWE Champion, who is set to defend his title against Randy Orton at WrestleMania 42.

Pat McAfee

The former NFL punter who has aligned himself with Randy Orton and will be accompanying Orton to the ring at WrestleMania 42, adding a stipulation that if Orton loses, he must leave the wrestling industry forever.

Randy Orton

The challenger for Cody Rhodes' Undisputed WWE Championship at WrestleMania 42, with Pat McAfee in his corner.

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What they’re saying

“👀”

— Fightful Wrestling

What’s next

On Friday Night SmackDown on April 17, 2026, Cody Rhodes and Pat McAfee will likely have one more interaction before their showdown at WrestleMania 42 on April 18.

The takeaway

The ongoing feud between Cody Rhodes and Pat McAfee adds an extra layer of intrigue to Rhodes' Undisputed WWE Championship match against Randy Orton at WrestleMania 42. With McAfee in Orton's corner, the potential for celebrity interference remains high, just as it was in Rhodes' title match against John Cena last year.