Fans are still ripping into WWE after the April 3 episode of SmackDown, but Jonathan Coachman is pushing back — especially when it comes to Pat McAfee’s involvement in the Randy Orton and Cody Rhodes storyline.
The reveal of McAfee as Randy Orton’s mystery ally sparked heavy criticism online, with many fans saying the move distracted from the long history between Orton and Rhodes heading into WrestleMania 42. But Coachman made it clear he doesn’t see the decision as a mistake at all.
During his reaction to SmackDown, Coachman defended WWE’s use of McAfee and said the company made the right call by putting him into the storyline in a major way.
“Say what you want about Pat McAfee… it is the perfect way to use him in the WWE.”
Coachman didn’t stop there. He also praised McAfee’s personality and work ethic, pointing out that he believes McAfee stands out compared to most people who step into WWE roles. According to Coachman, McAfee’s drive and ability to connect with audiences make him a valuable piece of WWE programming.
“Pat McAfee does everything that I want to do that I try to do on the daily… He’s a unicorn. He’s different than almost everybody out there because he has hustle, he has heart, he has drive. That’s why he can pull this thing off.”
While fans continue to debate whether the reveal helped or hurt the Orton vs. Rhodes story, Coachman clearly believes McAfee belongs in the spotlight. His defense comes at a time when WWE is facing loud criticism online, with many viewers questioning the creative direction just weeks before WrestleMania 42.
Whether fans agree with Coachman or not, the conversation around McAfee’s role isn’t slowing down anytime soon — and it could play a major role in how this storyline unfolds in the weeks ahead.
Do you agree with Jonathan Coachman that Pat McAfee is being used the right way in WWE, or do you think fans were right to criticize the SmackDown twist? Drop your thoughts in the comments and let us know what you think.