{"id":313302,"date":"2026-04-04T14:51:23","date_gmt":"2026-04-04T09:21:23","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/ebiztoday.news\/?p=313302"},"modified":"2026-04-04T14:51:23","modified_gmt":"2026-04-04T09:21:23","slug":"fans-irate-over-randy-ortons-mystery-caller-reveal-updated-ewn-fan-reactions-included","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/ebiztoday.news\/index.php\/2026\/04\/04\/fans-irate-over-randy-ortons-mystery-caller-reveal-updated-ewn-fan-reactions-included\/","title":{"rendered":"Fans Irate Over Randy Orton’s Mystery Caller Reveal (UPDATED – eWn Fan Reactions Included)"},"content":{"rendered":"
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The Road to WrestleMania 42 took a surprising activate this week\u2019s episode of WWE SmackDown. Randy Orton returned to his hometown of St. Louis and got here face-to-face with Cody Rhodes. What was meant to be a heated confrontation quickly drew backlash following the reveal of Pat McAfee as Orton\u2019s mystery caller.<\/p>\n

Orton kicked off the show to an enormous hometown ovation, claiming that Rhodes lacked the killer instinct needed to defeat him at WrestleMania 42. \u201cThe Viper\u201d referenced his family at ringside and spoke about fighting for his legacy. The Undisputed WWE Champion didn\u2019t wait long to reply, rushing the ring and immediately brawling with Orton.<\/p>\n

McAfee then entered the ring wearing an \u201cRKO Everybody\u201d shirt and shocked the group<\/strong> by delivering a low blow to Rhodes.<\/p>\n

McAfee then cut a lengthy promo, revealing himself because the voice guiding Orton in recent weeks. He claimed that he had been pushing Orton to \u201cdestroy the whole lot\u201d<\/em><\/strong> and went on to criticize WWE, questioning why smaller stars receive television time. He referenced the Attitude Era and even took aim on the declining rankings and unsold tickets for WrestleMania 42.<\/p>\n

The segment closed with Orton continuing his assault on Rhodes, while McAfee declared their mission was to \u201csave the business.\u201d<\/strong><\/em><\/p>\n

Despite WWE\u2019s apparent intent to create a serious, dramatic moment, the response from fans was largely negative. Many felt the rivalry between Orton and Rhodes was already compelling enough without added twists, arguing that their shared history could have carried the feud by itself. Some fans labeled the segment \u201cembarrassing,\u201d<\/em><\/strong> while others called it a missed opportunity.<\/p>\n

You possibly can take a look at the reactions below, including some from the eWn commenters themselves:<\/p>\n

Colton Tyson wrote, \u201cI knew it was going to be disappointing. Oh, my God. Who considered this pile of sh\u2014?\u201d<\/em><\/strong><\/p>\n

Kris Mystery responded with emojis, writing, \u201c\ud83e\udd23\ud83d\ude05\ud83d\ude04\ud83e\udd23\ud83d\ude05\ud83d\ude04\u201d<\/strong><\/em><\/p>\n

Froot added, \u201cThis makes Hector Guerrero coming out of an egg appear to be Gone with the Wind.\u201d<\/em><\/strong><\/p>\n

R Lucas stated, \u201cWell they wanted Orton to get booed. This may do it\u201d<\/em><\/strong><\/p>\n

ReignFall chimed in with, \u201cWhat other horrid ideas were pitched before this one looked like the most effective option?\u201d<\/em><\/strong><\/p>\n

Captain Charisma said, \u201cHAHAHA\u201d<\/em><\/strong><\/p>\n

Aristides Castiglioni stated, \u201cAnd as expected the \u201cbrain\u201d ended up being someone nobody gives a rattling about.\u201d<\/em><\/strong><\/p>\n

KTemple147 wrote, \u201cHow disappointing! What’s Triple Hs fascination with McAfee!?!\u201d<\/em><\/strong><\/p>\n

dguvnorspecial1 wrote, \u201cSaid on here before.. It\u2019s the WWE be prepared to be dissatisfied.\u201d<\/strong><\/em><\/p>\n

Kevdaman said, \u201cFrom the Rock to McAfee ? I did just like the McAfee and Adam cole feud during NxT but McAfee was a correct heel that point. That is just strange. There isn’t a link between him and Orton.\u201d<\/em><\/strong><\/p>\n

Nate G stated, \u201cLol you get McAfee cause WWE couldn\u2019t close the deal on Jericho\u201d<\/strong><\/em><\/p>\n

philaman01 added, \u201cCompletely baffled. By which area(s) is Orton weak that they needed to pair him up with McAfee?\u201d<\/strong><\/em><\/p>\n

The Fifth Horseman said, \u201cThis isn\u2019t going to work for me, brother.\u201d<\/em><\/strong><\/p>\n

AJs Hook wrote, \u201cThis may very well be considered one of the worst Manias of all time\u201d<\/em><\/strong><\/p>\n

Jon Hekasi said, \u201cWWE has lost it.\u201d<\/strong><\/em><\/p>\n

And at last, ManThatRulzTheWrestlingWorld wrote, \u201cThis is the reason AEW rankings are improving because everyone just watches the WWE highlights on YouTube now.\u201d<\/em><\/strong><\/p>\n

You can even take a look at some additional reactions below:<\/p>\n

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I’m not even sure I can discover a silver lining in what I just watched. All the history that Randy Orton and Cody Rhodes have, and Pat McAfee yelling about missing the Attitude Era like every awful wrestling Twitter account is what we went with? Oof. #Smackdown<\/a><\/p>\n

\u2014 Erin (@RinHeelLove) April 4, 2026<\/a><\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n<\/div>\n

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This Randy vs Cody feud got even worst by the inclusion of Pat McAfee. Wtf are we doing \ud83d\ude10. Hey @WWE<\/a> make Oba vs Brock WrestleMania night 1 the primary event. This Randy vs Cody is not working for me #WWE<\/a> #Smackdown<\/a><\/p>\n

\u2014 Yahi Wrestling (@YahiNation) April 4, 2026<\/a><\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n<\/div>\n

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Think that\u2019s got to be probably the most embarrassing wwe segment ever <\/p>\n

You\u2019ve got Cody vs Randy that must be the simplest layup of all time <\/p>\n

And pat mcafee out here talking about bad rankings and wrestlemania tickets still being on sale and being on the opposite end of the phone pic.twitter.com\/kETv2oiRyh<\/a><\/p>\n

\u2014 Decca (@Decca_67) April 4, 2026<\/a><\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n<\/div>\n

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Welp, that was absolutely terrible and an enormous disappointment! Pat McAfee? Really? Pat’s great and all, but he doesn’t belong on this story. Cody\/Randy might’ve been the most popular feud @WWE<\/a> had; it’s definitely now not that. #SmackDown<\/a><\/p>\n

\u2014 George Montes (@george_montes) April 4, 2026<\/a><\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n<\/div>\n

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Cody Rhodes and Randy Orton have more on-screen history than almost anyone in WWE. And so they\u2019re using Jelly Roll and Pat McAfee to reinforce the story.<\/p>\n

What are we doing? WHAT ARE WE DOING?\ud83e\udee3#SmackDown<\/a>#WWE<\/a> pic.twitter.com\/63qHoMrXCO<\/a><\/p>\n

\u2014 Adam (@AdamWrestling84) April 4, 2026<\/a><\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n<\/div>\n

NOTE:<\/strong> If you’ve any news suggestions or podcast recaps that you simply\u2019d wish to send in for us to post (full credit will probably be given to you), please email me at [email\u00a0protected]<\/span>.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n