As seen during the April 3rd 2026 edition of WWE SmackDown, Pat McAfee was revealed as Randy Orton’s mystery phone caller after he attacked WWE Champion Cody Rhodes. While speaking on Wrestling Observer Radio, Dave Meltzer of F4WOnline.com noted the following about the segment…
“Pat McAfee was the first choice and it was from Ari Emanuel. That’s where it came from. They wanted celebrity involvement.
Originally from what I was told, Pat McAfee was the choice and he turned it down. Then they were scrambling to get somebody else in the spot, and then obviously, they were able to make a deal with him. So he did it and he was there.” (quote courtesy of WrestlePurists.com)
The only “shock” is that @RandyOrton, the greatest Sports Entertainer of all time, isn’t running @WWE
That all changes at Mania… When he becomes 15 TIME WORLD CHAMPION AND SAVES THE BUSINESS for future generations while doing so
And if he doesn’t… I’ll NEVER BE SEEN OR HEARD… https://t.co/cno7rJZYl4
— Pat McAfee (@PatMcAfeeShow) April 5, 2026