Fans are going in hard on WWE — and Pat McAfee’s surprise role in the Randy Orton vs. Cody Rhodes storyline is taking most of the heat.
The backlash from the April 3 episode of SmackDown has reached a new level, with the show crashing to a 0.25 rating on Cagematch. That number doesn’t just look bad — it officially makes this the lowest-rated episode of SmackDown in the platform’s history, and the second lowest-rated wrestling event ever, just behind the infamous Heroes of Wrestling in 1999.
The reaction has been fueled largely by the reveal that McAfee was Randy Orton’s mystery ally — a twist that many fans felt completely derailed a feud that had been built on real history between Orton and Cody Rhodes. One fan broke down their frustration in detail, pointing directly at the decision to insert a celebrity into what they felt should have been a grounded WrestleMania storyline.
“What a way to ruin one of the most anticipated feud ever by adding in another celebrity that nobody asked, with the amount of history and relationship that Cody and Randy had, they should have one of the best story and builds going into Wrestlemania, instead they wasting it on phone angle that turns out to be Pat McAfee… speechless, just for him to come and buries the workhorses which has been the best part of the show, genuinely the worst segment I’ve seen in a while, after the horrible brawl they had last week, Stephanie McMahon of all people get me a little hyped for this feud again, only for then completely killed by Pat. No Giulia, Kiana or Tiffany at all, why even bother create a championship if you never going to do anything with it at all, everything after that opening segment is just mindless wrestling that I don’t care until the main event, and to top it all of, the biggest f*** you from the company, basically telling the fans that Carmelo will not make it to the mania card, this show is f***** disgrace.”
Another fan took a broader view of the show, criticizing not just the McAfee reveal but multiple creative choices across the episode — especially considering this was one of the final SmackDowns before WrestleMania 42.
“One of the worst episodes of Smackdown so far. Pat Mcafee? Really? No Bob no some other logical just we’ve replay last year fail. What a waste! Rhea get back Iyo and ok but why? Feud for womens gold on blue side was still not going in good way. Tonga and Howdy… again but this seems a bit better and we’re going to solo vs Tonga. I mean ok. Cardona and black – nobody cares to be fair. Just ok match. Trick anounce next celebrity… Tag teams women again – no one cares nad Nia should be less in ring cause she can injury anybody again… Danhausen was the best part – kinda funny, i like this type of humour and curse work! Cody take his promo and maybe MAYBE we’re going to double turn at Mania, but for now i dont want to think about it. Melo vs Zayn – Sami Hogan is here and know what? Melo and Dragunow without a fight? What the hell is going on US side. If it isnt was a road to Wrestlemania i will take 2/10 but knowing that this was a 3rd last smackdown to Wrestlemania – i can only give 0.5/10 so its going to 0/10 cause i cannot place that halfs and theres more arguments to 0 than 1”
The common thread in the backlash is clear — fans feel the McAfee reveal took focus away from the core story between Orton and Rhodes, and instead turned a major WrestleMania program into something they didn’t ask for.
With the show now sitting at a historic low rating, the reaction isn’t just loud — it’s record-breaking. And with WrestleMania 42 right around the corner, WWE now has to deal with a fanbase that’s openly rejecting one of its biggest storyline directions.
Do you think the Pat McAfee reveal actually hurt the Randy Orton vs. Cody Rhodes feud, or will it pay off by the time WrestleMania 42 hits? Drop your thoughts below and let us know.