Pat McAfee almost wasnt part of Randy Orton and Cody Rhodes feud and now we know how it actually came together. Dave Meltzer revealed on Wrestling Observer Radio that McAfee was the first choice for celebrity involvement in the WrestleMania 42 build but initially turned the role down before eventually agreeing to it. Meltzer explained that the push to bring McAfee in didnt start with weekly creative it came from higher up, specifically from Ari Emanuel, who wanted celebrity involvement tied into the main event program. That part is key because it shows WWE didnt have a backup locked in right away and were actively looking for alternatives after McAfee initially said no. According to Meltzer, things changed quickly once a deal was worked out, leading directly to McAfees appearance on the April 3 SmackDown: And then obviously, they were able to make a deal with him, so he did it, and he was there. That appearance saw McAfee align with Randy Orton and attack Cody Rhodes a moment that immediately sparked backlash and raised questions about how the decision was made. This update fills in a major gap. While earlier reports pointed to corporate influence behind the move, it now confirms McAfee wasnt just brought in on a whim he was the original target, briefly passed on the role, and then circled back into the storyline once terms were finalized. So, with WrestleMania 42 approaching, its clear this angle was carefully pushed into place even if it didnt come together as smoothly as it may have looked on TV. Do you think WWE should have stuck with a different option after McAfee initially turned it down, or did they make the right call bringing him back into the storyline? Let us know your thoughts. G Add as a preferred source on Google
