WWE talent have free rein to criticise Pat McAfee following his recent appearances on SmackDown that have been heavily criticised by fans.
As reported by Sean Ross Sapp of Fightful Select, “there are no restrictions on talent expressing displeasure in media about the Pat McAfee angle or comments.” During a recent interview with Gabby LaSpisa, Tag Team Champion Damian Priest said the following about the McAfee angle, admitting that it is not something that he is a fan of:
“It sucks. Not a fan. (I’m) somebody who knows Pat, gets along with him, but … for me, that’s not my taste. I don’t think it helps anything. He didn’t need it. So for me, I’m sure a lot of people aren’t going to be happy that I said that. But in the locker room specifically, a lot of us weren’t happy, and that’s real. I was asked by some of the younger talent what did I think, and I thought it was bull. We’re a PG show, right, but he could come in and he could throw F-bombs and say whatever he wants. For me, that’s one of those things that so many other talent – even from (saying) one word – could benefit (and potentially move up the card). Instead, you take somebody who’s not even here all the time and (he) gets away with saying something like that who doesn’t even need it. Not gonna lie, it kind of pissed me off.”
Following weeks of Randy Orton being seen talking on the phone to a mysterious caller, it was later revealed that McAfee was his ally. The former announcer made his way into the ring to deliver a low blow onto Cody Rhodes, then claimed that the business was suffering because Orton was not featured as heavily on the show.
After McAfee cut a confusing promo about the state of WWE, fans called out the segment for not making sense and being a poor payoff to the angle. The YouTube video on WWE’s official channel also has a dislike ratio of 4-1.
Pat McAfee Responds To WWE Fans Who Wanted Someone Else To Be The Ally
Prior to the McAfee reveal, some speculated that The Rock or Vince McMahon could have been Orton’s mystery caller. Speaking on his Pat McAfee Show, McAfee responded to those who questioned why he was the one on the phone:
“‘How come it was McAfee on the phone?’ Because I f*cking called him and told him, that’s why. ‘I wanted it to be The Rock.’ You think The Rock wants to do anything for you? ‘I wanted it to be Vince McMahon.’ Vince? Sorry. It was me. It was me.”
Featured image: WWE
