The creative direction that ultimately led to Pat McAfee’s role at WrestleMania 42 began as a very different story involving Aleister Black.
According to PWInsider, a pitch developed in January centered on Black tormenting Orton and attempting to bring out the old Apex Predator version of the character. The idea was built around the notion that if Black succeeded in drawing that side of Orton out, it would prove that Orton had never truly changed or evolved as a person and that the darker version of him was always lurking underneath.
The plan called for Black and Orton to meet in a match over WrestleMania weekend, with Orton expected to hesitate before using his punt kick and likely lose the bout. The story would then continue with Orton attacking Cody Rhodes using the punt as a WrestleMania angle, with the assault serving as proof that Black had been right all along and that the old Apex Predator was still very much alive.
It is unclear how far the pitch progressed through WWE’s creative process before the direction changed. However, PWInsider notes that clear echoes of the original concept carried over into what actually aired, including the return of the Apex Predator character and Orton punting Rhodes at WrestleMania 42. At some point, McAfee’s involvement effectively replaced the version of the story that had featured Black in the central antagonist role.
Black worked the Andre the Giant Memorial Battle Royal on SmackDown this week.
