WWE has reportedly changed direction on a planned tag team match following WrestleMania 42, with Pat McAfee stepping away from the storyline.

McAfee was part of the Undisputed WWE Championship angle at WrestleMania 42, which drew strong criticism from fans. The storyline ended in a confusing way when Randy Orton turned on McAfee during the closing moments of the match.

Earlier reports from Dave Meltzer indicated that WWE was planning a celebrity tag team match for Backlash. The proposed bout would have seen Orton and McAfee face Cody Rhodes and Jelly Roll. However, those plans have now been dropped.

Speaking on Wrestling Observer Radio, Meltzer explained that McAfee’s decision to opt out directly impacted the creative direction.

“With the Pat McAfee thing, he opted out, so that’s what actually led to everything changing,” Meltzer said.

Bryan Alvarez also discussed the situation, noting that the tag match was removed from consideration.

“That’s why the tag match from Backlash was taken off. Orton and McAfee against Jelly Roll and Cody Rhodes, which Cody Rhodes may not be okay for Backlash anyway, you know with that eye.”

McAfee had previously stated that he would leave pro wrestling if Orton lost at WrestleMania 42. He later confirmed that he would honor that commitment, which contributed to the change in plans.

Additional insight was provided regarding the reaction from both McAfee and Jelly Roll. The two were reportedly aware of the criticism surrounding celebrity involvement in the WrestleMania storyline.

Meltzer noted that fan response played a key role in the situation.

“They were very cognizant of what has been said about celebrities in wrestling and both of them love wrestling and I think that they realized that there was a lot of negative sentiment about it. And they listened and they understood and I think they saw the fan side of it. And I think that that’s what led to this.”

He added further clarification on what WWE believes led to McAfee’s decision.

“I was told that the belief was that it was due to the reaction that he pulled out. It wasn’t like anything else,” Meltzer said.

Jelly Roll also addressed McAfee directly in a recent vlog, stating that neither of them belonged in the ring and suggesting they return to their respective fields.

At this stage, the planned Backlash match has been scrapped, and WWE has adjusted its direction following the WrestleMania 42 fallout.

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