Cody Rhodes and some other names in WWE really aren’t happy with TKO influencing storylines heading into WrestleMania 42.
Friday night’s episode of WWE SmackDown saw Pat McAfee reveal himself as the mystery person on the phone with Randy Orton. McAfee cut a shoot-style promo that blamed Cody Rhodes for ratings and ticket sales going into WrestleMania. Later that night, Rhodes came back to the ring and responded with a fiery speech about McAfee being a grifter. He also took a shot at WWE brass, asking if they’d actually fire him again.
Now, a new report suggests that Cody Rhodes and some members of the WWE creative team aren’t just playing the part. It’s said that they have legitimate issues with McAfee’s insertion into the storyline. According to a new report from Bodyslam.net (via Patreon), Rhodes was told by members of the WWE creative team to “shoot from the hip” about McAfee and TKO.
It was noted that Rhodes and other unnamed members of the WWE creative team have legitimate issues with TKO once again sticking their noses in storylines so close to WrestleMania for the second year in a row.
Fans will remember that last year, Travis Scott became a major part of Rhodes’ storyline with John Cena at WrestleMania 41. That move was reportedly a TKO call. TKO Executive Chairman Ari Emanuel is reportedly the one behind McAfee getting added to a major storyline this year.
Bloomberg recently reported that Emanuel is trying to turn McAfee into the “next Sylvester Stallone.” Some fans believe McAfee’s addition to the WrestleMania 42 storyline is another attempt to do so.
