Triple H has addressed the Pat McAfee controversy heading into WrestleMania 42 and teased that McAfee’s behavior will have consequences.
Speaking on ESPN’s First Take as part of WWE’s WrestleMania 42 media push, Levesque was asked about McAfee’s involvement in the program between Randy Orton and Undisputed WWE Champion Cody Rhodes. He hinted that McAfee’s outspoken approach will eventually catch up with him while making clear that the real heart of the story remains the match itself.
“There’s something on the horizon for this for sure. When you run your mouth as much as Pat does, eventually somebody’s gonna try to shut it but, really, as a WWE fan, what I’m really looking forward to is that moment, mentor, student, Cody Rhodes, Randy Orton, locking up over that WWE Championship. It’s just a moment that transcends a couple of generations to me and that’s what’s really cool about it,” Levesque said.
Levesque was also asked whether the significant online criticism of WWE’s creative decisions heading into their biggest show of the year adds pressure. He acknowledged the weight of it while reframing the conversation in a way that suited his position.
“It’s always pressure but the thing is talk is good. People are talking and that is a good thing. Pat, love him or hate him, Pat makes people talk, and I think that’s what’s important here is people are talking. This is gonna be an amazing show. This will be incredible and it will deliver on all levels,” Levesque said.
Rhodes defends the Undisputed WWE Championship against Orton, with McAfee in Orton’s corner, in the night one main event of WrestleMania 42 on Saturday, April 18 at Allegiant Stadium in Las Vegas.
If you use any portion of the quotes from this article, please credit ESPN’s First Take with a h/t to WrestlingNews.co for the transcription.
"Love him or hate him, Pat makes people talk. … This is gonna be an amazing show."@tripleh speaks on the controversy surrounding Pat McAfee's involvement in WrestleMania 👀
Stream both nights of #WrestleMania on April 18–19 on the ESPN App with an ESPN Unlimited plan. pic.twitter.com/nJ3Y5JFU3P
— First Take (@FirstTake) April 17, 2026
