A top WWE WrestleMania 42 angle has reportedly gone back to the drawing board amid fan backlash.
After turning heel against Cody Rhodes last month, Randy Orton introduced his mystery caller to the world on the April 3 episode of SmackDown. The show saw Pat McAfee make his surprise return to join The Viper against The American Nightmare.
However, fans on social media were not thrilled about McAfee’s involvement in the Undisputed WWE Championship picture. It appears those online voices have made their way backstage, as creative has reportedly started making revisions to the heated WrestleMania 42 program.
According to WrestleVotes Radio, via Fightful Select, WWE has “reworked” some of the plans ahead of this week’s SmackDown in the aftermath of the negative reaction to the Pat McAfee, Cody Rhodes, and Randy Orton angle.
“WrestleVotes also says that additional outside involvement that was speculated to be Jelly Roll. It was said that WWE went back to the drawing board to discuss any possibilities regarding the story,” the report noted.
CM Punk’s promo this past Monday on WWE RAW was reportedly an indicator of the shift, “with plans becoming fluid throughout the week, as his comments were not part of the plan as of the Friday of the Pat McAfee reveal.”
The World Heavyweight Champion called out Pat McAfee in a heated promo on the April 6 episode of RAW before mentioning Ari Emanuel and the expensive ticket prices for WWE WrestleMania 42.
Another report noted that Cody Rhodes and WWE creative have legitimate issues with Pat McAfee’s involvement in the storyline. The American Nightmare’s shoot-style promo on SmackDown last week was reportedly an indication of frustration with TKO.
ALSO READ: Current Plan For Opening Matches at WWE WrestleMania 42 Night 1 and 2 — Report
