Jonathan Coachman Says Celebrities Shouldn’t Be In WWE Main Event Storylines After Embarrassing SmackDown

The backlash to the April 10, 2026 episode of WWE SmackDown didn’t stop with fans. After the show ended, former WWE personality Jonathan Coachman jumped into the conversation—and he didn’t hold back.

Coachman took to social media shortly after SmackDown wrapped and posted a blunt message reacting to the show’s direction, especially the celebrity-heavy storyline involving Pat McAfee and Jelly Roll. While reacting to what he saw on the broadcast, Coachman fired off a short but direct tweet that made his frustration clear.

“Emergency Smackdown take: WHAT ARE WE DOING? I mean seriously what are we doing.”

Attached to that tweet was a video where Coachman expanded on his thoughts, saying he felt embarrassed watching the segment just days before WrestleMania. He made it clear that his frustration wasn’t directed at the talent themselves, but at the creative direction behind the scenes.

While explaining why he felt the segment missed the mark, Coachman questioned the logic of offering ticket discounts so close to WrestleMania and whether that actually helps fans or the business.

“I never make a video on Friday night, but this is embarrassing, the business that I've been in for 25 years. Individually, I love Cody, Randy, Legends, hall of Famers, Jelly Roll, one of my favorite performers, Pat McAfee, a unicorn. Respect. It's not their fault. But are you serious? Eight days before WrestleMania, we're gonna do the equivalent of walking out there and having Pat McAfee say, I'm doing you a solid… here's a coupon, everybody.”

Coachman also questioned how realistic it is for fans to suddenly change their plans because of discounted tickets, especially with travel costs already locked in so close to the event.

“In what universe does a family of four say, oh, I get 25% off tickets tonight, so let me go book ,000 worth of plane tickets to go to Vegas and spend another three to ,000 after I get there on eight days notice because you offered me a discount.”

He continued by arguing that celebrity involvement shouldn’t take priority in major WrestleMania storylines, especially when the event is already close and ticket sales are largely set.

“Celebrities, no matter how much they train, should not be used in main event storyline as a prop… are really going to sell any more tickets. With eight days to go from people outside of Las Vegas, what are we doing?”

Coachman finished his video by suggesting the creative direction felt rushed and poorly planned, even questioning how certain ideas were approved in the first place.

“You're dragging Jelly Roll… out on his back on the floor… it's again, not their fault they're given this garbage… Who's writing this stuff? It's time just to rip it all up and start over.”

His comments add to the growing reaction surrounding this week’s SmackDown, which already saw strong negative feedback online from viewers reacting to the segments featuring Cody Rhodes and Randy Orton getting pulled into the angle.

With WrestleMania just days away, reactions like this from a longtime wrestling personality show how divided opinions are becoming about the direction WWE is taking heading into its biggest show of the year.

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