WWE Reworks SmackDown Plans After Backlash Over Pat McAfee Angle

WWE is already making changes — and the Pat McAfee situation is now directly impacting SmackDown plans.

After Pat McAfee confirmed he’ll appear on WWE SmackDown in San Jose, a new update reveals the company has gone back to the drawing board following the negative reaction to his involvement in the Cody Rhodes and Randy Orton storyline.

According to WrestleVotes Radio on Fightful Select, WWE has reworked parts of its creative plans for SmackDown after the backlash to the segment. What was originally expected to continue as planned is now being reassessed in real time.

The report notes that additional outside involvement had been discussed—including celebrity names like Jelly Roll—but those ideas are now part of a broader rethink. WWE is said to have gone back to the drawing board to assess any possibilities regarding the story going forward.

There’s also an important detail about how quickly things shifted. Sources told Fightful that CM Punk’s comments on Monday’s Raw reflected this change in direction—and weren’t originally planned just days earlier.

Punk’s remarks were not part of the plan as of the Friday that McAfee was revealed as Orton’s ally on SmackDown. That suggests WWE creative has been fluid all week, reacting to feedback and trying to recalibrate before SmackDown airs.

With McAfee still set to appear and WWE adjusting plans on the fly, SmackDown suddenly becomes must-watch—not just for what happens, but for how different it might look compared to what was originally planned.

So now the question—does WWE pivoting this quickly show they’re listening, or does it signal bigger issues with creative direction heading into WrestleMania? Drop your thoughts and feedback below.