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Pat McAfee Returns to WWE, Attacks Champion Cody Rhodes

4/4/2026

29 2 Full Breakdown

Summary

Story summary

Pat McAfee returned to WWE on April 3, 2026, at SmackDown in St. Louis, aligning with Randy Orton.
The heel turn saw McAfee attack WWE Champion Cody Rhodes, escalating their rivalry.
McAfee criticized WWE as having 'passed him by' and called Orton the solution.
The storyline aims to boost WrestleMania ticket sales after weak demand, with the main event set for April 18–19, 2026, in Las Vegas.

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Story summary

Pat McAfee returned to WWE on April 3, 2026, at SmackDown in St. Louis, aligning with Randy Orton.
The heel turn saw McAfee attack WWE Champion Cody Rhodes, escalating their rivalry.
McAfee criticized WWE as having 'passed him by' and called Orton the solution.
The storyline aims to boost WrestleMania ticket sales after weak demand, with the main event set for April 18–19, 2026, in Las Vegas.