6 WWE Pat McAfee Plans After Randy Orton Vs. Cody Rhodes At WrestleMania 42

Published: Apr 13, 2026 by SP3 | Last Updated: Apr 13, 2026 by SP3

Born in Harlem, New York and now living in the Bronx, Sid Pullar III aka SP3 is a lifelong wrestling fan who has been covering the industry for over nine years as a podcaster and writer. His passion for the industry has been documented with over 3,000 videos on YouTube and 8,000 written pieces across multiple outlets, such as WrestleTalk, Sports Illustrated and more.

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6 WWE Pat McAfee Plans After Randy Orton Vs. Cody Rhodes At WrestleMania 42

On the April 3 edition of Friday Night SmackDown, Pat McAfee was revealed as the mystery supporter for Randy Orton in his feud with Cody Rhodes over the Undisputed WWE Championship.

McAfee has announced that if Orton does not win against Rhodes at WrestleMania 42, he will leave WWE forever.

If “The Viper” wins, WWE will have to come up with plans for McAfee in the company moving forward.

Here are six potential WWE Pat McAfee plans after Randy Orton vs. Cody Rhodes at WrestleMania 42.

6. Facing CM Punk

CM Punk referred to Pat McAfee as “Pat MAGAfee” on the April 6 WWE Raw, with McAfee responding to Punk by calling him a fraud on the April 10 SmackDown

On the April 6 edition of Monday Night Raw, CM Punk cut his latest “Pipebomb” promo on Roman Reigns, Vince McMahon, The Rock and Pat McAfee.

Cutting down McAfee for his statements about ticket sales, Punk threatened to beat up the former NFL punter.

This led to McAfee making some disparaging remarks back at Punk on the April 10 edition of Friday Night SmackDown.

Following WrestleMania 42, this could lead to McAfee facing off with Punk in a singles match in the weeks after “The Showcase of the Immortals.”

5. Taking Credit For The Record Gates At WrestleMania 42

Randy Orton’s WWE WrestleMania 42 main event against Cody Rhodes will be the third of his career

Since being revealed as Randy Orton’s ally, Pat McAfee has been making insults about the current state of WWE heading into WrestleMania 42.

Disrespecting the on-screen product and the fact that tickets are still available for Mania, McAfee has even gone as far as to offer 25% off the remaining seats for “The Show of Shows.”

Regardless of how many tickets are sold for Mania, it feels like WWE will set more record gates for this year’s “Showcase of the Immortals.”

McAfee taking credit for any records they achieve for WrestleMania 42 weekend would be fitting for his current character right now.

4. A Celebrity Match Against Jelly Roll

Jelly Roll and Pat McAfee on WWE SmackDown

Jelly Roll picked up his first win in WWE on the March 27 episode of SmackDown, defeating Kit Wilson

On the April 10 edition of Friday Night SmackDown, country music star Jelly Roll confronted Pat McAfee for Randy Orton’s attack two weeks prior.

After McAfee insulted Jelly, it led to the Grammy Award winner physically threatening the former NFL punter.

Then, Orton laid out Jelly backstage and in front of the fans, which could open the door for another singles match for the music artist.

Jelly facing McAfee in a big time celebrity matchup could be a bout that would attract casual fans to see these two prominent names going at it inside the squared circle.

3. Teaming With Randy Orton vs. Cody Rhodes & Jelly Roll At WWE Backlash 2026

Cody Rhodes and Jelly Roll on WWE SmackDown

Cody Rhodes and Jelly Roll left WWE SmackDown together after being attacked by Pat McAfee and Randy Orton

While a singles match between the two celebrities might be interesting, reports have circulated that WWE has another match in mind for Pat McAfee and Jelly Roll.

Randy Orton has been listening to McAfee as his mystery caller and supporter, who believes he can save the business by winning the Undisputed WWE Championship at WrestleMania 42.

Meanwhile, Jelly has the back of Rhodes and is not happy with this attitude change that has taken place for “The Legend Killer.”

Orton and McAfee teaming to face Jelly and Cody would make for a massive main event match at the WWE Backlash 2026 premium live event.

2. Creating A New Faction Led By Randy Orton

Randy Orton and Pat McAfee stand over Cody Rhodes on WWE SmackDown

Pat McAfee revealed himself to be Randy Orton’s mystery caller on the Friday, April 3 episode of SmackDown

Pat McAfee has been disparaging the current state of WWE and feeling like stars like Cody Rhodes don’t represent the company in the same way talent did during “The Attitude Era.”

Feeling like Randy Orton could lead the way for another wrestling boom period and might have enough to help McAfee form a new faction.

McAfee and Orton creating a stable would be intriguing to watch considering how they have ostracized themselves from the rest of the WWE roster.

Whether it be alongside the likes of Aleister Black or Drew McIntyre, this new stable led by Orton and McAfee could become the biggest in all of WWE today following WrestleMania 42.

1. Becoming An Authority Figure

Pat McAfee turned heel in WWE for the first time since his spell in NXT in 2020, on the April 3 episode of SmackDown

Pat McAfee has played a variety of different roles on WWE TV since coming to the promotion in 2020.

Whether it be as a commentator or in-ring competitor, McAfee has showcased himself to be enthusiastic about everything in the company.

With McAfee looking to change the business with Randy Orton becoming a 15-time world champion at WrestleMania 42, the former NFL punter could take this one step further by gaining even more power.

McAfee becoming an authority figure would give Orton everything he needs to stand atop of WWE long after his match with Cody Rhodes at WrestleMania 42.