Cody Rhodes isn’t mincing his words ahead of his big match at WrestleMania 42. Surprisingly, he thinks Pat McAfee’s return might have actually helped him.
Rhodes is set to defend the Undisputed WWE Championship against Randy Orton on WrestleMania. It’s one of the biggest matches of his career, with decades of history between the duo. McAfee, who emerged as Orton’s mystery caller, will be in the Viper’s corner.
Cody Rhodes suggests crowd reaction proves his point about Pat McAfee
While speaking on the WrestleMania 42 Countdown with Joe Tessitore, Rhodes didn’t hold back. He said McAfee has brought fans together.
According to the WWE Champion, McAfee’s recent actions, like talking about the Attitude Era, using insider terms like “marks,” and speaking openly on his own show, haven’t gone down well with fans.
“Pat McAfee is talking about the Attitude Era while representing Randy Orton, who debuted long after the Attitude Era. He’s doing catchphrases, and he’s going on his own show. He’s talking about the IWC, he’s talking about calling people marks,” Rhodes said.
Rhodes compared this narrative by using an anecdote from wrestling legends like Bill Watts, who believed fans should be treated with respect.
“I’ve mentioned this to Pat even before. Bill Watts, old-timey wrestling promoter, he used to make sure that people who called them ‘marks’, he corrected them and said, ‘Oh, actually they’re customers.’ Not only are they customers, when you’re someone who grew up in the business and every meal you got was because of it, they’re not just customers, they’re family,” Rhodes added.
Rhodes, who received some mixed reactions during live events said things feel different after McAfee returned. He believes that fans have united against McAfee, and it actually helps him.
“So here I am a polarizing wrestler that half the crowd is booing and half the crowd is cheering already. Pat, you’ve given me a gift because for the first time in the centuries that the sport of pro wrestling has existed, everyone can agree on one thing- No one wants Pat f*cking McAfee at WrestleMania,” Rhodes said.
Rhodes also criticized the storyline reveal that out of all people, McAfee was the mystery caller helping Orton.
Read More: Cody Rhodes Calls Pat McAfee Storyline The ‘Most Ill-Received Thing’ In Wrestling History
