Pat McAfee’s SmackDown Return Was Mixed Internally and Driven by ESPN Corporate Synergy

Fightful Select has shed significant light on the backstory behind Pat McAfee’s surprise return to WWE SmackDown as Randy Orton’s mystery caller — and the picture that emerges is more complicated than a straightforward creative decision. According to the report, McAfee’s return was made in an effort to boost interest in the show and for corporate synergy between WWE and ESPN. Several people internally were not in favor of the direction of the “this place sucks” promo angle, feeling that such angles rarely work in professional wrestling.

The internal reaction was described as mixed. Some within the company viewed the audience response as “heat,” while others argued it was not the kind of heat the promotion needed. PWInsider separately reported that McAfee’s comeback was an Ari Emanuel call, with the TKO CEO having been very high on McAfee and the entertainment space. Despite the suggestion that this indicated Triple H was no longer leading creative, Fightful clarified that is not the case — Triple H is still leading “week-to-week creative and the vast majority of the program.”

SmackDown’s Pat McAfee Segment Helped the Episode Rank Among the Show’s Lowest-Rated Episodes Per Cagematch

The segment’s reception was not strong. According to Cagematch user ratings, the April 3 SmackDown ranked among the lowest-rated episodes in the show’s history following the McAfee reveal. WWE sources told Fightful Select that McAfee is factored into upcoming programming through WrestleMania 42, suggesting his involvement will continue despite the divisive reaction to his return. McAfee himself had previously denied rumors of a WWE return before making his surprise appearance.