Pat McAfee Turns Heel, Joins Orton vs. Rhodes Feud

WWE commentator's surprise involvement adds new twist to high-profile match

Apr. 6, 2026 at 6:08pm

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A cubist, geometric painting depicting a WWE match between Randy Orton and Cody Rhodes, with Pat McAfee's face emerging from the fractured, overlapping planes of the composition, capturing the chaotic energy and unexpected twist in the storyline.A surprise heel turn by WWE commentator Pat McAfee adds a new wrinkle to the high-stakes match between Randy Orton and Cody Rhodes.St. Louis Today

In a surprising move, WWE commentator Pat McAfee has turned heel and inserted himself into the ongoing feud between Randy Orton and Cody Rhodes. McAfee, who was initially hesitant to take on the role, eventually agreed to a deal that saw him make a shocking appearance on the April 3rd edition of SmackDown, attacking Rhodes and aligning himself with Orton.

Why it matters

McAfee's involvement adds a new layer of intrigue to the Orton-Rhodes rivalry, which has been one of WWE's marquee storylines leading into WrestleMania 41. The addition of a high-profile celebrity like McAfee could help drive interest and attention to the match, but also raises questions about how his role will be handled and whether it will overshadow the core feud between the two wrestlers.

The details

According to reports, WWE initially approached McAfee to be part of the Orton-Rhodes storyline, but he initially turned down the offer. However, the company was persistent and was eventually able to reach a deal with the popular commentator. On the April 3rd SmackDown, emanating from Orton's hometown of St. Louis, McAfee made a surprise appearance, hitting a low blow on Rhodes and aligning himself with Orton.

  • On April 3, 2026, McAfee made his surprise appearance on SmackDown, attacking Cody Rhodes.
  • In May 2025, McAfee briefly feuded with Gunther leading into the Backlash pay-per-view, also held in St. Louis.

The players

Pat McAfee

A former NFL punter who has transitioned into a popular WWE commentator, McAfee is now taking on a new role as a heel, aligning himself with Randy Orton in his feud against Cody Rhodes.

Randy Orton

A veteran WWE superstar and one of the company's top stars, Orton is currently embroiled in a high-profile feud with Cody Rhodes.

Cody Rhodes

The son of the legendary Dusty Rhodes, Cody Rhodes is one of WWE's top babyfaces and is currently feuding with Randy Orton.

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What they’re saying

“Pat McAfee was the first choice and it was from Ari Emanuel, that's where it came from. They wanted celebrity involvement. Originally, Pat McAfee was the choice and he turned it down, and then they were scrambling to get somebody else in the spot. And then obviously, they were able to make a deal with him, so he did it and he was there.”

— Dave Meltzer, Wrestling Observer Radio

What’s next

It remains to be seen how significant of a role McAfee will play in the Orton-Rhodes match at WrestleMania 41, and whether his involvement will be handled better than the Travis Scott appearance at a previous WrestleMania.

The takeaway

McAfee's surprise heel turn and involvement in the Orton-Rhodes feud is a bold move by WWE, one that could help drive interest in the match but also carries the risk of overshadowing the core rivalry between the two wrestlers. The company will need to carefully navigate McAfee's role to ensure it enhances the feud rather than detracts from it.