A recent promo by Pat McAfee on WWE SmackDown has become a major talking point among wrestling fans and insiders. Reports suggest that several lines delivered during the segment were not written by the usual WWE creative team.
The moment came during an episode of WWE SmackDown and quickly generated debate about how the promo was prepared and who approved the final script.
McAfee Appears as Randy Orton’s Ally
During the episode, McAfee appeared as the surprise partner of Randy Orton in a storyline involving Cody Rhodes, who currently holds the Undisputed WWE Championship.
The segment divided fan reactions, with some viewers enjoying the surprise appearance while others questioned the creative direction of the storyline.
Reports say the decision to involve McAfee in the segment did not come directly from the WWE creative team. Instead, the move was reportedly supported by Ari Emanuel, the head of WWE’s parent company.
Questions About Who Wrote the Promo
Although a writer was assigned to prepare the promo segment, the final words spoken by McAfee in the ring were reportedly different from the original script.
Backstage sources believe McAfee may have been allowed to add some of his own lines during the promo. These changes became noticeable when several unexpected comments were delivered live.
Two specific lines attracted the most attention.
| Line Mentioned in Promo | Why It Drew Attention |
|---|---|
| Comment about WrestleMania 42 ticket sales | Suggested the event was struggling to sell tickets |
| Statement about SmackDown ratings | Claimed a recent show was the lowest rated ever |
According to reports, these remarks were not included in the original script created by WWE’s writers.
Some insiders believe the comment about ratings may have referred to fan ratings on the wrestling website Cagematch, where one episode reportedly received a low score from viewers. However, official television ratings for that show were not the lowest in the program’s history.
Read Also: Pat McAfee Teases Massive Surprise on SmackDown
Backstage Reaction Inside WWE
People working in WWE’s creative department reportedly knew that McAfee’s involvement in the segment came from a decision made at a higher executive level.
However, there is still no clear information about who specifically approved the unscripted remarks delivered during the promo.
Some staff members were reportedly surprised that a fan-rating website was referenced during a live wrestling segment. Moments like that are rarely mentioned during official WWE broadcasts.
What the Promo Means for WWE
The situation highlights how creative decisions in professional wrestling can sometimes come from outside the usual writing team.
Executives, guest personalities, and outside influences can occasionally shape major segments on television.
For viewers, the moment added more tension to the storyline involving Randy Orton and Cody Rhodes. For people inside WWE, it raised new questions about how much freedom performers may have during high-profile segments.
More details may emerge later about how the promo was finalized and who approved the changes. For now, McAfee’s SmackDown appearance remains one of the most discussed segments from the show.
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