Summary

A new backstage report says WWE talent have not been restricted from publicly criticizing the Pat McAfee angle tied to Randy Orton and Cody Rhodes.

The report states there are no restrictions on talent expressing displeasure about the segment or McAfee's comments. That comes after Damian Priest openly knocked the angle, and after Cody Rhodes also questioned how McAfee fits into the story.

That reaction has become part of the broader conversation around McAfee's involvement, which has already sparked fan backlash and other reported backstage frustration over the angle.

Backstage reaction to the Pat McAfee angle

McAfee was revealed as the mystery caller in the Randy Orton and Cody Rhodes storyline. The reveal led into comments from McAfee that buried the direction of the business and the WrestleMania card, which in turn drew criticism from people inside and outside the company.

According to the new report, WWE talent are not being told to hold back if they want to speak negatively about that material in the media.

What this means for Pat McAfee and WWE

Pat McAfee's role is now creating a second story beyond the Orton and Rhodes feud, because the backlash is no longer limited to fan reaction. If talent are also free to speak critically without restriction, the conversation around the angle can keep growing even outside WWE television.

That also puts more attention on how WWE uses McAfee in this program from here. When both Cody Rhodes and Damian Priest are part of the public pushback, the company is dealing with a reaction that touches active roster names as well as the audience.

Sources

As reported by Fightful.