Pat McAfees WrestleMania plans didnt just change at the last minute they were scrapped after he decided to step away amid negative fan reaction. During Wrestling Observer Radio, Dave Meltzer addressed the situation and explained that McAfee choosing to opt out played a major role in changing WWEs creative direction around WrestleMania weekend. That decision led to the removal of a previously planned tag team match that had been expected to take place at Backlash. According to Meltzer, the shift came after both McAfee and musician Jelly Roll became very aware of the criticism surrounding celebrity involvement in wrestling. While both are known to be fans of the business, the reaction from the audience reportedly weighed heavily on the situation. Meltzer explained that the belief backstage was that fan reaction played a key role in McAfee stepping away from the plans. He added that both McAfee and Jelly Roll were paying attention to how fans were responding to celebrity involvement in wrestling storylines. Meltzer also clarified that there wasnt confirmation of a single specific reason, but the prevailing belief backstage was that fan backlash was the driving factor behind the decision. He also noted that WrestleMania weekend itself was filled with last-minute adjustments and confusion behind the scenes, which only added to the situation. McAfee had previously inserted himself into the WrestleMania conversation after revealing himself as Randy Ortons mystery phone caller on the April 3, 2026 episode of SmackDown. He even made a bold public promise that if Orton failed to win the WWE Championship at WrestleMania 42, he would never be seen or heard on wrestling television again. Cody Rhodes ultimately retained the title, and now new details suggest McAfees absence may have been tied to backstage reaction and shifting plans. With fan reaction influencing creative decisions at such a major event, it raises questions about how much public opinion should shape WWE storylines moving forward. Do you think fan backlash should influence celebrity involvement in wrestling, or should WWE stick to its plans regardless of online reaction? G Add as a preferred source on Google
