• WWE Is Reworking The Orton-McAfee-Rhodes Story, Another Celebrity Plan Canceled
WWE is scrambling to fix its creative plans after the massive backlash following Pat McAfee’s surprise entry in the Cody Rhodes vs. Randy Orton feud.
According to WrestleVotes Radio on Fightful Select, the Orton-McAfee-Rhodes storyline is being reworked before tomorrow’s SmackDown.
The original plan was to lean even harder into outside celebrities, with singer Jelly Roll rumored to be getting involved even more (after Orton RKOed him), but the company has reportedly gone back to the drawing board to rethink everything.
The real turning point was CM Punk’s unscripted rant on RAW this past Monday. His comments about corporate interference and high ticket prices weren’t part of the original script, and they completely shifted the energy behind the scenes.
The negative reaction from fans online has been so strong that WWE feels they can’t just ignore it. Plans that seemed solid just a week ago are now changing day by day.
While the higher-ups at TKO wanted more mainstream stars to boost the show’s appeal, the pushback from both talent and fans has forced them to reconsider if adding people like Jelly Roll is actually a good idea right now.
• Big Debut Announced For Tonight’s SmackDown
WWE has announced that Royce Keys (fka Powerhouse Hobbs in AEW) will make his televised SmackDown debut tonight. WWE posted the following promo today:
“I refuse to be defined by where I’m from, but instead by where I’m going.”
From East Palo Alto to the world stage, @RealRoyceKeys’ journey has shaped him into the man he is today. Keys writes another chapter in his story when he makes his official #SmackDown debut TOMORROW!! pic.twitter.com/8vpYJXDIO8
— WWE (@WWE) April 9, 2026
Royce Keys hasn’t appeared on WWE TV since his Royal Rumble debut in Saudi Arabia. He has only worked untelevised matches since then.
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