WWE is adjusting its creative plans heading into this Friday’s SmackDown.
According to Wrestlevotes Radio on Fightful Select, WWE has reworked some of the plans for SmackDown following the reaction to the Pat McAfee, Cody Rhodes, and Randy Orton angle. Additional outside involvement had been speculated, with Jelly Roll among the names discussed. WWE is said to have gone back to the drawing board to assess any possibilities regarding the story going forward.
Sources told Fightful that CM Punk’s comments on Monday’s Raw were an indicator of the shift in direction, with plans becoming fluid throughout the week. Punk’s remarks were not part of the plan as of the Friday that McAfee was revealed as Orton’s ally on SmackDown.
McAfee returned to WWE last Friday, aligning with Orton and taking part in an attack on Rhodes. He has since stated that Orton will “save the business” by winning his 15th championship at WrestleMania 42. Punk responded on Raw by calling McAfee “Pat MAGAfee” and calling for WWE to lower ticket prices, a promo that reportedly went off script.
On Wednesday, McAfee announced that The Pat McAfee Show will not air on Thursday or Friday this week, as he will be in San Jose for SmackDown. “Friday night, live from San Jose. I think I got some things to say. I think we will have a good time there on SmackDown,” McAfee said.
This Friday’s SmackDown takes place at the SAP Center in San Jose, California and will be the final SmackDown before WrestleMania 42. Orton challenges Rhodes for the Undisputed WWE Championship in the night one main event on April 18.
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