Pat McAfee’s WWE Storyline Role Believed to Come From TKO Leadership

TLDR

According to PWInsider Elite, there is a growing belief within WWE that Pat McAfee's insertion into the Randy Orton and Cody Rhodes storyline came from TKO leadership rather than WWE's creative team. The move is reportedly tied to WWE's broader media plans and their agreement with ESPN, particularly the deal to broadcast the first hour of each WrestleMania night on linear television. McAfee was revealed as Orton's mystery ally on SmackDown and has promised to walk away from wrestling television if Orton fails to win at WrestleMania 42.