Summary

A new backstage report suggests Cody Rhodes' promo on the April 3 episode of WWE SmackDown was not part of the show's internal rundown before airtime. The report also claims Rhodes was directed by members of the creative team to go to the ring and "shoot from the hip" after Pat McAfee's attack and the reveal that McAfee had been Randy Orton's mystery phone caller.

The same report says there is a belief among some people in WWE that parts of Rhodes' promo reflected real frustration over TKO being inserted into the WrestleMania 42 storyline. It also states that Cody and others on the creative side reportedly have "legitimate gripes" about TKO getting involved late in WrestleMania builds in consecutive years.

That makes this more than just fallout from a single segment. It adds another layer to a WrestleMania 42 story that was already heating up after Stephanie McMahon confronted Cody Rhodes on Raw and the Randy Orton program kept escalating.

Cody Rhodes' Promo And The SmackDown Layout

According to the report, Pat McAfee was kept hidden ahead of his segment and many within the company did not know he would appear. Michael Hayes and Bobby Roode reportedly produced the angle, and Christian Scovell was listed internally as the writer attached to it.

The more notable detail is what happened after the attack. Rhodes' response promo was reportedly not listed on the planned show format, which feeds into the idea that WWE wanted a more spontaneous reaction once McAfee had been revealed as part of Orton's side of the feud.

Cody Rhodes, TKO And WrestleMania 42

If this reporting is accurate, Cody Rhodes vs. Randy Orton is not just a major WrestleMania 42 program, it is also another example of corporate influence becoming part of WWE's creative process at the last minute. That matters because Rhodes is the WWE Champion going into the event, and any visible friction around his story immediately becomes one of the biggest talking points on the card.

It also gives fans a different way to read Rhodes' promo from SmackDown. Instead of hearing it only as storyline retaliation after McAfee's attack, viewers may now see some of that edge as tied to real unhappiness over how the feud is being shaped heading into WrestleMania weekend.

Quote from Mike Johnson

Mike Johnson reported the following regarding Rhodes' promo:

"The Cody Rhodes promo responding to the attack was not listed internally on the planned rundown for the show. There is a belief among some that some of Rhodes' comments were him shooting about TKO having inserted McAfee into the storyline."

Sources

As reported by NoDQ.