In just just a few days, the reveal of Pat McAfee as Randy Orton’s mystery ally has turn out to be one of the crucial infamous moments in recent WWE history. Many are still attempting to piece together how this all got here about, with reports suggesting that TKO/Endeavor executive Ari Emanuel was instrumental in McAfee being chosen for the role. This was especially provocative within the wake of previous reports that exposed Emanuel had gotten behind McAfee as an overall personality, and was trying to turn McAfee into the following “Sylvester Stallone.”
Now some more info suggests much more ties between McAfee and WWE’s broadcasting partners could’ve helped play a job. Taking to X on Monday morning, media and strategy executive Blake Avignon reported that Netflix had turn out to be the favourite to land McAfee’s popular podcast, “The Pat McAfee Show,” when it’s rights turn out to be available in the following 12-24 months. Perhaps more notable nonetheless is that Avignon suggests that Emanuel, as McAfee’s agent, might be heavily involved in negotiating McAfee’s next deal.
As for why Netflix would have the advantage over ESPN, which currently airs “The Pat McAfee Show,” it’s believed that Netflix’s attempts to expand into video podcasting, and their current broadcasting take care of “WWE Raw,” where McAfee occasionally serves as commentator, would make the streamer a more ideal landing spot for McAfee. Avignon also sees the logic of the move following McAfee’s “SmackDown” angle and up to date comments from WWE chief content officer Triple H, who noted that McAfee was “the face of WWE” in line with many.
Sources: .@Netflix is predicted to be a primary front-runner to secure @PatMcAfeeShow as his next deal window begins to take shape over the following 12–24 months as his @ESPN deal progresses, with @AriEmanuel now involved in positioning his next deal. Between Netflix’s move into video… pic.twitter.com/P9lfK1Oaro
— Blake “Axe” Avignon (@bobby_s_axelrod) April 6, 2026
Ultimately, McAfee’s next podcasting move, and the way WWE, Emanuel, Netflix, and ESPN will consider, continues to be a ways away from sorting itself out. Within the meantime, McAfee looks to be heavily factored into WWE plans unless Randy Orton loses to Cody Rhodes at WrestleMania 42, wherein case McAfee has vowed to never appear on WWE TV again.