Pat McAfee Vows to Never Return to WWE if Randy Orton Loses at WrestleMania 42

The ESPN personality made a bold wager on his wrestling future ahead of the big match.

Apr. 4, 2026 at 6:19pm

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Pat McAfee made a surprise return to WWE on Friday night, interrupting a brawl between WWE Champion Cody Rhodes and his WrestleMania opponent, Randy Orton. McAfee then took to social media to make a bold wager, vowing to never return to WWE television if Orton loses to Rhodes at WrestleMania 42. McAfee has been advising Orton over the past couple of weeks and is confident the 'legend killer' will win his 15th world championship.

Why it matters

McAfee's return and bold proclamation have added even more intrigue to the highly anticipated WrestleMania main event between Orton and Rhodes. With McAfee's career potentially on the line, the stakes have been raised significantly for this match, which is expected to be one of the biggest draws of the entire WrestleMania weekend.

The details

After interrupting the brawl between Rhodes and Orton, McAfee took to social media to make his wager, saying 'I'll never be back on any wrestling television if Randy Orton loses at WrestleMania.' McAfee has been advising Orton over the past couple of weeks, and he is confident the 'legend killer' will lead WWE to victory. Rhodes later responded by telling McAfee to 'kiss my a**,' comparing his surprise return to the NWO choosing Disco Inferno over Hulk Hogan.

  • The incident occurred on the April 4, 2026 episode of WWE SmackDown.
  • WrestleMania 42 is scheduled for April 18-19, 2026 in Las Vegas, Nevada.

The players

Pat McAfee

An ESPN personality who made a surprise return to WWE and is now advising Randy Orton ahead of his WrestleMania match against Cody Rhodes.

Randy Orton

The WWE superstar who is challenging Cody Rhodes for the WWE Championship at WrestleMania 42. McAfee has vowed to never return to WWE if Orton loses the match.

Cody Rhodes

The current WWE Champion who will defend his title against Randy Orton at WrestleMania 42.

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What they’re saying

“How about that, marks? (I'll) never be back on any wrestling television if Randy Orton loses at WrestleMania. I don't know how long business will last if that happens, but I will never come back. I am here on a mission to motivate a 6-foo-5, 280-pound monster to lead the WWE. My friend, the legend killer, the GOAT, Randy Orton.”

— Pat McAfee

“Pat McAfee can kiss my a**!”

— Cody Rhodes, WWE Champion

What’s next

The outcome of the WrestleMania 42 main event between Randy Orton and Cody Rhodes will determine the future of Pat McAfee's involvement in WWE. If Orton wins, McAfee has vowed to never return to WWE television.

The takeaway

This high-stakes WrestleMania match has taken on even greater significance with Pat McAfee's bold wager on the outcome. The potential loss of McAfee's star power and influence in WWE adds an extra layer of drama and intrigue to what was already one of the most anticipated bouts of the entire weekend.