WWE Hit SmackDown With Full-Screen Blackouts After Pat McAfee’s Middle Finger Gestures

Pat McAfee caused a production scramble during the April 10, 2026 episode of WWE SmackDown, and it led to WWE throwing up full-screen blackouts during his entrance.

McAfee has been stirring reactions heading into WrestleMania with his ongoing storyline alongside Cody Rhodes and Randy Orton. During his entrance on SmackDown, things took a turn when he repeatedly made an explicit gesture that WWE clearly didn’t want shown on television.

WWE did not actually cut away from the segment entirely, but instead used full-screen blackouts to censor the moment. As McAfee raised both middle fingers during his entrance, the broadcast suddenly switched to a full black screen until the camera returned with a tighter shot that hid his hands.

The situation happened more than once. As McAfee continued walking to the ring and stepped onto the apron, he again flashed the gesture toward the crowd. This time, WWE quickly avoided another blackout by cutting to a crowd shot in what felt like an abrupt production shift.

Those sudden blackouts stood out to viewers watching live, especially because they happened right in the middle of his entrance and made the censorship obvious. McAfee has leaned into an aggressive character in recent weeks, taking shots at multiple WWE names while aligning himself with Randy Orton in the storyline.

So far, there’s no indication that McAfee will face punishment for the gesture. Given his position and visibility heading into WrestleMania, it’s believe the moment will simply be treated as part of the ongoing storyline.

Do you think WWE handled the moment the right way with the blackouts, or did the censorship make the segment stand out even more? Let us know your thoughts and share your feedback.