Cody Rhodes has escalated his feud with Pat McAfee in dramatic fashion. New footage reveals a late-night incident that unfolded just days before WrestleMania 42.
During the April 15, 2026, broadcast of The Pat McAfee Show, McAfee aired security footage showing Rhodes entering his “ThunderDome” studio and causing significant damage. However, the full story goes beyond broken equipment.
Cody Rhodes retrieves WWE title after The Pat McAfee Show set destruction
The footage, captured the night prior, showed Rhodes entering the studio while a crew member was cleaning.
What followed was less a house call and more a “no holds barred” reclamation.
Armed with a baseball bat, Rhodes smashed a framed photo, slammed a laptop, and knocked over studio equipment. His trail of carnage turned McAfee’s set into more of a backstage brawl than a broadcast hub. However, the centerpiece of the moment wasn’t the destruction — it was what Rhodes came to retrieve.
Rhodes recovered the Undisputed WWE Championship, which McAfee and Randy Orton had taken during a prior SmackDown attack.
McAfee later shared additional footage (via X) of Rhodes leaving the scene, even boarding a plane while McAfee’s own theme music played — a detail that added another layer to an already personal rivalry.
The situation stems from McAfee’s return on April 3, where he aligned with Orton and targeted Rhodes. The pair’s earlier ambush, which saw them leave with the championship, set the stage for this latest development.
Despite the property damage, McAfee stated he will not pursue legal action, keeping the focus firmly on WrestleMania. Rhodes is scheduled to defend the Undisputed WWE Championship against Orton in the Night 1 main event on April 18 at Allegiant Stadium.
With tensions rising and tempers clearly not under control, this feud has gone from verbal shots to literal ones — and WrestleMania may be where the final “set” gets settled.
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