The feud involving Cody Rhodes, Randy Orton, and Pat McAfee is expected to continue beyond WrestleMania 42 with a match on the books for May.
Dave Meltzer of the Wrestling Observer Newsletter reports that a tentative tag match involving Orotn & McAfee against Cody Rhodes & Jelly Roll is expected for WWE Backlash on May 9. POST Wrestling had also been told about the possibility of a tag match for the May 9 show.
Jelly Roll last appeared on the March 27 episode of SmackDown and was attacked by Orton with an RKO.
McAfee was revealed last week as the “mystery caller” communicating with Orton. The two attacked Rhodes and followed with a promo by McAfee in a segment that was soundly criticized.
POST Wrestling was first alerted to the McAfee storyline just before the March 23 episode of Raw in Boston. However, we were told later in the week that the angle was “off,” with new ideas being pitched for the caller’s identity. But the plan changed again with McAfee appearing on the April 3 episode of SmackDown.
McAfee will be appearing on tonight’s episode in San Jose, California, and is promising a “massive surprise”.
Last week’s reveal resulted in Friday Night SmackDown attracting its largest audience since September 5, 2025.
Backlash takes place on Saturday, May 9, at the Benchmark International Arena in Tampa, Florida.
