News regarding the backstage reactions in WWE to CM Punk and Pat McAfee’s worked-shoot promos

As seen during the April 3rd 2026 edition of WWE SmackDown, Pat McAfee was revealed as Randy Orton’s mystery phone caller after he attacked WWE Champion Cody Rhodes.

According to Mike Johnson of PWInsider.com, several talents expressed frustration this past week over McAfee being involved in the Cody vs. Orton match. The concerns weren’t just about storyline logic, but also the sense that a match featuring these two and their history didn’t need any extra elements.

McAfee’s comments on SmackDown, which he has insisted were off the cuff and unscripted, only added to the tension. Johnson stated the following…

“While we are told Rhodes didn’t ‘sell’ the McAfee pivot to anyone, there was still a sense of sympathy for him having to ‘carry that additional weight,’ as one talent put it, heading into WrestleMania.”

In regards to Punk’s response to McAfee on RAW, WWE reportedly had a plan for what they expected him to say on RAW, but he went out and delivered a heartfelt promo instead. Johnson noted the following…

“We haven’t heard of any immediate fallout from the segment, but we are told much of what Punk said reflects backstage frustrations that have been building among talent over the past several weeks.

Several talents have voiced concerns about the high ticket prices and the number of unsold seats for the year’s biggest show. They’ve also expressed frustration that, despite the many available seats, only two comp tickets are being provided to performers for the night they’re working, with any additional tickets requiring purchase.”