Buying or Selling Latest WWE Rumors After WrestleMania 42
The pro wrestling rumor mill continues to churn out reports from the industry's top insiders in the wake of WWE WrestleMania 42, with the latest on Pat McAfee and his sudden disappearance from the company's TV product, despite being omnipresent for the last month.
Dive deeper into the latest on McAfee and more, including whether to buy or sell the reports, in this collection of WWE rumors.
What Happened With Pat McAfee and the WrestleMania Main Event?
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Dave Meltzer of Wrestling Observer Radio reported that Pat McAfee pulled himself out of the storyline amid the negative feedback from WWE fans.
"With the Pat McAfee thing, he opted out, so that's what actually led to everything changing." He added, "That's why the tag match from Backlash was taken off. Orton and McAfee against Jelly Roll and Cody Rhodes, which Cody Rhodes may not be okay for Backlash anyway, you know with that eye."
McAfee was inserted into the program by TKO officials amid lagging WrestleMania ticket sales, with plans dating back as far as the Elimination Chamber premium live event, per a report from Bodyslam+.
Backlash from the reveal of McAfee as Orton's associate was sudden and passionate, with many denouncing the rivalry as nonsensical above all else.
Now, with him out of the equation and the expected tag team match seemingly off the books, especially after Jelly Roll seemingly removed himself from the story in his latest vlog, the Rhodes-Orton rivalry will have to write its own conclusion in a way befitting the talent involved.
Buy or Sell?: Buy, big, because McAFee's presence was never needed, with the caveat that it now renders that whole ordeal meaningless
Cody Rhodes Health Update
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Meltzer reported that Rhodes remains in concussion protocol following the eye injury suffered at WrestleMania but that it is not believed that he suffered a broken orbital bone.
The American Nightmare and reigning undisputed WWE champion added on his official Instagram story, "'You won't lose the eye...' has to be the most positive yet absurd thing I've ever heard in a doctor's office," (h/t WrestlingInc.com).
Rhodes was originally slated for the Backlash premium live event but his status is now in question as he waits to be cleared for competition.
The second-generation star headlined his fourth, consecutive WrestleMania main event in 2026, defeating Orton to retain his title and continue a run that has been met with resistance by fans who have expressed "Cody fatigue."
Buy or Sell?: Buy. Rhodes not having a broken orbital bone, or losing his eye, can only be considered a good thing. With few options at his level in terms of star power, finding a replacement would be difficult.
NXT Stand & Deliver 2027 Update
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NXT Stand & Deliver took place separate from WrestleMania 42 this year, occurring on April 4 from St. Louis, where Tony D'Angelo and Lola Vice captured the NXT men's and women's titles.
According to WrestleVotes Radio on Fightful Select, "as things stand, the NXT brand and Stand and Deliver is not currently planned or expected for WrestleMania 43 week in Saudi Arabia."
The report continued, "WrestleMania is still expected for Saudi."
Johnny Maffei reported that the city of Nashville informed FOX 17 News that WrestleMania 43 was originally slated for the city, but "the date did not work out" and that it is "looking at future years."
Buy or Sell?: Buy. NXT talent was able to take center stage, without the enormous shadow of WrestleMania and the main roster engulfing it. Keeping that brand's show separate may not result in as big a venue, but it lets them shine without being forgotten hours later.
