It’s been one week since Pat McAfee returned to WWE—and revealed himself as the mysterious force behind Randy Orton’s recent killer run.
The moment stunned fans in St. Louis and those watching at home. While I initially praised the segment for its shock value and the potential for compelling follow-up, it also drew heavy criticism for feeling random—and for the apparent influence of TKO.
Now, reports indicate WWE may already be reworking plans for McAfee’s involvement. We’ll learn more on SmackDown tonight—and ultimately at WrestleMania—about what that pivot looks like. A year removed from WrestleMania 41, it’s clear the company wants to avoid the kind of backlash that followed the involvement of Travis Scott in the main event between John Cena and Cody Rhodes.
McAfee has already promised a “massive surprise” for tonight’s SmackDown. Here are three realistic directions WWE could take.
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What Is Pat McAfee’s Surprise?
1. A New Faction Emerges
WWE thrives on factions. If a new member—someone like Royce Keys—aligns with Orton and McAfee, it could shift focus away from McAfee alone and toward something bigger. With The Vision's lost momentum, WWE is currently lacking a dominant heel faction.
2. Hell in a Cell Announcement
McAfee could introduce a major stipulation for the Undisputed WWE Championship match at WrestleMania—most notably Hell in a Cell. Traditionally reserved for the climax of a feud, deploying it early could help reframe fan perception of McAfee’s role while injecting immediate stakes into WrestleMania Saturday.
3. The Return of Ric Flair
Ric Flair has been back in the headlines this week following his post on X about WWE “ending” his endorsement deal with Roots of Fight, while his status with AEW remains uncertain. If there were ever a moment to bring him back, this is it. Even a short-term appearance backing Orton would elevate the storyline. Flair still knows how to command—and turn—a crowd, and his presence would give Rhodes plenty of material to work with.
We’ll have full coverage of SmackDown tonight at Athlon Sports.
