Real Reason Behind CM Punk vs. Cody Rhodes Feud Revealed

CM Punk and Cody Rhodes’ tense RAW exchange wasn’t just a random post-WrestleMania moment — it was the result of a major creative pivot.

After Punk lost to Roman Reigns at WrestleMania 42 and Cody Rhodes survived Randy Orton, the two crossed paths on the April 20 episode of WWE RAW. Punk said he wasn’t going anywhere, Cody told him “just say when,” and suddenly it looked like WWE was planting seeds for a future WWE Championship feud. Now, the real reason behind that direction has been revealed.

According to Dave Meltzer in the Wrestling Observer Newsletter on April 24, 2026, WWE originally had a different WrestleMania plan in place for Cody — but Pat McAfee asking to end his run changed everything.

It was noted that Randy Orton was originally scheduled to beat Cody Rhodes at WrestleMania. However, due to Pat McAfee asking to end his run and remove himself from the angle, the decision was made to build towards CM Punk vs Cody Rhodes for the WWE Championship as a big match in the future, so WWE switched the result.

The RAW segment now makes a lot more sense. Punk talked about loss, grief, and staying ready for the next title opportunity, while Cody stepped in with a busted eye and challenged him without fully saying it. That “just say when” line was WWE’s way of putting the feud on the table.

Bottom line — the CM Punk vs. Cody Rhodes feud exists because WWE had to pivot after McAfee pulled himself from the angle, and Cody needed to stay protected for a bigger championship program.

Do you think WWE made the right call switching plans to build toward CM Punk vs. Cody Rhodes, or should Randy Orton have beaten Cody at WrestleMania? Let us know your thoughts.