Cody Rhodes Calls Pat McAfee Angle “Worst Received Thing in Wrestling History”

Posted by admin on April 15th, 2026

Cody Rhodes did not hold back when discussing the reaction to Pat McAfee being added to his WrestleMania 42 storyline with Randy Orton.

Speaking on the SI Media podcast with Jimmy Traina, Rhodes was asked whether he follows online feedback about the angle. He responded with a direct assessment of how fans have reacted.

“This is the most ill-received thing in the history of wrestling. Gobbledy Gooker was one, Shockmaster was up there, but that was kind of funny. This is, the entire fandom, your fans, my fans, independent wrestling fans, casual fans, cinema fans, every single fan who has ever said ‘wrestling,’ has received this with, ‘Huh? What? Okay.’ Worst received thing in the history of wrestling.”

Despite that criticism, Rhodes also pointed out positives regarding McAfee’s involvement and his status outside of WWE.

“I want to say something on the bright side because I have to be an optimist. On the bright side is Pat McAfee is a huge star and one, if not the, face of ESPN. His College GameDay stuff is legendary. He’s a great athlete and he loves wrestling. He’s just trying to help our party. I respect him and that. On the other side of it, I’m in tune with the online audience, but it’s everybody in the audience. We all see it. I look at that and ask myself, kind of like when I was doing Stardust or given a bone on my way up, ‘How can we make this something?’”

Rhodes made it clear that the negative response does not concern him when it comes to the match itself. He pointed to Orton’s current form as the main reason for his confidence.

“Why I’m not worried about it at all is because Randy Orton is the guy I’m wrestling. He is arguably the best he’s ever been. Before he turned on me, crowds were reacting to Randy in an insanely positive way because they were feeling the love. It was a respect thing. They saw John go. Randy is not going yet. He’s the hottest he’s ever been. Wrestler-wise, he might be the best he’s ever been. That, to me, I know bell-to-bell that we’re going to be just fine. Pat, where that fits in, I’m excited to stand at the plate. If you want that spot, that’s it. There are others who run from that. John Cena dealt with this for years and years. I’m dealing with it too.”

Rhodes is set to defend the Undisputed WWE Championship against Orton in the night one main event of WrestleMania 42 on April 18 at Allegiant Stadium, with McAfee scheduled to be in Orton’s corner.