Cody Rhodes and others in WWE reportedly have “legitimate gripes” with TKO’s involvement in WrestleMania 42 storyline

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. Later on in the show, Cody returned to the ring and cut a promo.

Mike Johnson of PWInsider.com noted that according to several talents that were spoken to, McAfee was hidden before his segment on Smackdown and people were unaware of his surprise appearance. Michael Hayes and Bobby Roode reportedly produced the segment while writer Christian Scovell was also listed internally.

Johnson noted the following about Cody’s promo…

“The Cody Rhodes promo responding to the attack was not listed internally on the planned rundown for the show. There is a belief among some that some of Rhodes’ comments were him shooting about TKO [WWE’s partner company] having inserted McAfee into the storyline.”

Sources indicated to BodySlam+ that Cody was told from members of the creative team to go to the ring and “shoot from the hip” about McAfee and TKO. It’s believed that Cody and other members of creative have “legitimate gripes” with TKO for sticking their nose in storylines close to WrestleMania multiple years in a row.