Even Damian Priest Is Not A Fan Of How WWE Is Using Pat McAfee For WrestleMania 42

WWE has been incompetent in including Pat McAfee in the Cody Rhodes vs Randy Orton Feud. Even Damian Priest has publicly criticized the Pat McAfee angle, saying “it sucks” and saying the locker room reaction was largely negative.

The SmackDown Segment That Crossed the Line

The controversy ignited during the April 3 episode of SmackDown. Fans were anticipating the reveal of Randy Orton’s mystery caller, which turned out to be none other than sports media juggernaut Pat McAfee. Which made no sense at all, especially with what Orton was saying on those calls.

Instead of a standard wrestling promo, McAfee delivered a scathing, profanity-laced tirade. He attacked the current state of the WWE product and heavily praised Orton for “saving” the company. From who? It doesn’t help McAfee then says that the product and roster sucks, and that fans should not buy WrestleMania Night 2 tickets on SmackDown last episode. What a great way to promote the biggest show of the year by telling fans not to buy for Night 2.

WWE brass clearly intended for the segment to generate massive heat and elevate the ongoing Undisputed WWE Championship storyline heading into WrestleMania. Also, getting Ari Emanuel’s client some reps to try and make him the next Sylvester Stallone. Yes, this is an actual thing the man himself has said.

Instead, it alienated the talent in the back. The heavy use of profanity on a strictly PG-rated broadcast immediately sparked a backlash among the roster. Established superstars watched a part-time personality bypass the very rules they are punished for breaking.

Why the WWE Locker Room is Frustrated

To understand the frustration, you have to look at the daily reality of a professional wrestler. Full-time WWE superstars meticulously build their characters within the strict boundaries set by network executives and creative writers. They earn their television time through years of bumping in the ring and connecting with the crowd.

Priest explicitly voiced his annoyance over this unequal playing field. He pointed out the sheer unfairness of allowing someone who isn’t a regular competitor to grab a microphone and break the broadcast rules. While Priest noted that he actually gets along with McAfee personally, his critique was aimed squarely at the booking and the execution of the segment.

This is coming from Damian Priest, who rarely complains and is beloved in that locker room. That’s concerning enough, but this friction isn’t entirely new. Heavy-hitters like Cody Rhodes and CM Punk have also recently expressed skepticism and frustration regarding McAfee’s role.

This company didn’t learn its lesson after the Travis Scott fiasco at last year’s WrestleMania. With what they’re doing with McAfee, the morale is low in that locker room. Now there including Jellyroll in this feud too. WWE is just doubling down on this mess.

Frequently Asked Questions

Did Damian Priest call for any formal disciplinary action?

No. Priest simply expressed his frustration and described the general locker-room sentiment. He did not demand that McAfee be punished or removed from television.

Is Pat McAfee leaving WWE over this controversy?

There is zero indication that Pat McAfee is leaving. His role remains part-time and is deeply tied to the ongoing television storylines.

Will this backstage tension alter the plans for WrestleMania?

It could easily influence how the rest of the angle is booked on television. WWE historically adjusts its storylines on the fly based on crowd reactions, business needs, and occasionally, significant internal feedback.

The True Cost of Chasing Cheap Heat

Damian Priest’s blunt assessment that the Pat McAfee angle “sucks” has forced a necessary conversation about fairness within WWE. While the profanity-laced segment absolutely succeeded in getting the internet talking, Priest’s remarks highlight the heavy toll that viral moments can take on a locker room. As the road to WrestleMania heats up, WWE must figure out how to deliver massive spectacles without alienating the locker room.