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Apparently, Pat McAfee wasn’t the only one to go off script on last week’s episode of WWE SmackDown, held in St. Louis, Missouri.
The main target of the commentator and his surprising ally, Randy Orton, last Friday, Cody Rhodes also seemed to have been given permission to improvise, with full freedom to speak his mind.
Despite being attacked by McAfee and Orton at the start of the show, the Undisputed WWE Champion returned to the ring two more times, the last of which happened after the broadcast had ended.
However, according to PW Insider, during Rhodes’ first return—when he attacked Kit Wilson and vowed revenge against McAfee, Orton, and everyone involved in the recent assaults against him—he had complete creative freedom due to the lack of a pre-written script.
Cody Rhodes to WWE management after his response to Pat McAfee being revealed as Randy Orton's ally on SmackDown
— WrestleTalk (@WrestleTalk_TV) April 4, 2026
"Oh no, was that too far? What are you gonna do, fire me? It sure worked out for you the last time!"pic.twitter.com/E11H2HDmIF
Taking advantage of the situation, Rhodes delivered strong criticism of WWE management for involving McAfee in his rivalry with Orton on the road to WrestleMania 42. In other words, Rhodes’ comments were genuine.
This criticism came just before a wave of backlash from WWE fans online, especially after reports surfaced that TKO CEO Ari Emanuel was the main figure behind McAfee’s return.
In fact, it was a particularly rough week for WWE, as fans made it clear that their patience has run out.