Backstage Update on Pat McAfee’s WWE Storyline with Randy Orton & Cody Rhodes Being Dropped

This past Saturday’s WWE WrestleMania 42 Night 1 event in Las Vegas, Nevada featured Cody Rhodes defeating Randy Orton to retain the Undisputed WWE Championship. This match was notable for Pat McAfee declaring during its build that he would completely leave the wrestling business if Orton lost to Rhodes at WrestleMania 42.

Dave Meltzer reported in a recent episode of the Wrestling Observer Radio that his sources stated that McAfee was the one who made the decision to opt out of the storyline feud involving Orton and Rhodes.

Meltzer reported that this was the reason for WWE officials decision to have Rhodes defeat Orton at WrestleMania 42 and why their plans for a tag team match between McAfee & Orton and Rhodes & Jelly Roll was dropped for next month’s Backlash 2026 event.

Meltzer also reported that Rhodes’ status for Backlash is currently uncertain due to his eye injury he suffered at WrestleMania 42.

In regards to the negative online backlash towards McAfee’s involvement in the storyline, Meltzer reported that both Jelly Roll and McAfee were aware of the backlash from fans over the celebrity involvement at WrestleMania 42. Jelly Roll and McAfee reportedly listened and understood the criticisms which led to their decision to back out of the storyline.

Meltzer also reported that while the exact reason why McAfee pulled out is currently not known, the current belief within WWE is that it was due to the very negative fan reaction towards him.