• Tony Khan Adds To WrestleMania 42 – Night 1 Discourse Amid Fan Backlash
The road to WrestleMania 42 was chaotic, with many fans voicing disappointment over the build heading into the show. John Cena even acknowledged that criticism at the start of Night 1.
Tonight’s event also drew mixed reactions. Several matches were short, the show featured a heavy amount of advertisements, and the ending left many confused. Just weeks after aligning with Pat McAfee, Randy Orton took him out before going on to lose to Undisputed WWE Champion Cody Rhodes.
The booking, presentation and pacing of the show have led to widespread criticism online, with fans questioning multiple decisions coming out of Las Vegas.
AEW President Tony Khan took to X immediately after the show went off the air, posting a promotional message for the upcoming episode of Dynamite. The timing immediately sparked reactions from fans, with many online joking about how quickly the post went up after the event ended.
Here’s what he tweeted:
“AEW is where the best wrestle!
This week, don’t miss
Wednesday Night #AEWDynamite,
live nationwide
8e/7c/6m/5p,
early 5pm start time on the west coast this week!
Thank you all who watch AEW!
See you at Dynamite this Wednesday night!”
This is not the first time Khan has timed his social media activity around major WWE events.
LATEST: Complete WrestleMania 42 Saturday Results – 3 Returns, 3 Title Changes
• Pat McAfee’s WWE Career Has Ended
Pat McAfee returned to WWE earlier this month to reveal himself as the mystery caller talking to Randy Orton. He took shots at the current state of pro wrestling and helped The Viper take out Undisputed WWE Champion Cody Rhodes.
The former Colts punter had vowed to never appear in WWE again if Orton lost at WrestleMania 42, and that scenario played out in tonight’s main event.
McAfee was taken out by Cody Rhodes and Jelly Roll before the match began and was stretchered out after showing the middle finger to the crowd. He later returned at the end as a referee after Orton attacked official Charles Robinson with an RKO. In a surprising betrayal, Orton then turned on McAfee, before Rhodes ultimately defeated The Apex Predator.
Orton’s loss means McAfee can no longer appear in WWE. This effectively ends Pat McAfee’s WWE career after 8 years. During this time, he competed in a handful of matches while also working as a commentator.
However, this could also be a swerve, as McAfee did not sign any official contract barring his WWE return if Orton lost and only made the claim verbally, which he could potentially walk back.
Still, the ending of WrestleMania 42 – Night 1 felt like the end of McAfee’s latest run, likely fueled by the strong fan backlash towards his involvement in the storyline between Orton and Rhodes.
