Summary

Triple H says WWE is not shying away from the backlash tied to Pat McAfee's role in the Randy Orton and Cody Rhodes storyline heading into WrestleMania 42.

On the April 3 episode of *SmackDown*, McAfee was revealed as Orton's mystery phone caller after Orton attacked WWE Champion Cody Rhodes. The angle quickly became a talking point among fans, and that criticism had already escalated to the point where Cody Rhodes publicly said the storyline had been badly received before WrestleMania weekend.

While appearing on ESPN's *First Take*, Triple H was asked by Peter Rosenberg whether that reaction added extra pressure with WrestleMania 42 so close.

Quote from Triple H

"It's always pressure, but the thing is, talk is good, right? People are talking and that is a good thing. Pat, love him or hate him, Pat makes people talk, right? I think that's what's important here, is people are talking. This is going to be an amazing show. This will be incredible, and it will deliver. On all levels."

What Triple H's stance says about Pat McAfee's WrestleMania 42 role

Triple H's answer makes it clear WWE sees the reaction to McAfee as useful noise, not a sign to pull back. By leaning into the conversation instead of apologizing for it, he framed fan anger as part of the build to Cody Rhodes vs. Randy Orton rather than proof the angle has missed completely.

That also suggests McAfee is still meant to be a meaningful part of the WrestleMania 42 presentation. If WWE believed the criticism had badly damaged the match, Triple H likely would have tried to cool the story down. Instead, he pointed directly to the attention McAfee generates and tied that attention to confidence in the main event delivering.

Sources

Paul Levesque while speaking on ESPN's First Take