Cody Rhodes, No Fan of McAfee

Cody Rhodes joined the show and made his feelings about Pat McAfee's role in WrestleMania 42 very clear. The richest prize in the game is, in Cody's words, sitting in a Thunderdome next to Pat McAfee, and that's the most offensive image in wrestling history.

The premise is simple. McAfee is wrestling at WrestleMania. He's holding up the WWE Championship standing next to Randy Orton, the actual wrestler. The belt is currently in Indianapolis, which Rich pointed out is a reachable drive. Could Cody just go take it?

Cody's answer was dry and tactical. He doesn't know the perimeter McAfee has set up. Security at the front door is probably an easy step. He might bring somebody with him because McAfee has a lot of buddies. Rich's aside landed it: real frat house, 11 guys on the show, 11 more in a room doing something.

Rich asked the real question. How has Cody's game plan changed now that there are outside forces in the storyline? Cody leaned into the character. If you're a Cody Rhodes fan during WrestleMania season, outside forces are part of the deal. He's been ready for big moments and big jobs. He also acknowledged the booking logic. WWE WrestleMania is on ESPN for the first time ever. McAfee is part of ESPN. On paper, the fit is natural.

The problem is it doesn't fit in a story about a 20-year wrestler and student of the craft squaring off against a teacher and a mentor. That's Cody's read, anyway. McAfee thinks it fits, and McAfee has the title.

Cody pointed to a rare moment of fan unity. Every type of wrestling fan, he said, is aligned on two things. They're excited about Randy Orton being at WrestleMania. They absolutely don't want Pat McAfee anywhere near it.

The kicker was a respect move wrapped in a shot. In all honesty, Cody granted, McAfee is a pro's pro and a massive entertainer. He's going to bring a twist to this. McAfee is great on College GameDay and great on most of what he does. Cody was a fan before this. But, he added, somebody in the room of 55 dudes around McAfee should have said no. Announce the attendance, maybe. Sing America the Beautiful. Don't pony up against Randy Orton.

Cody closed with the talking-head confidence you'd expect. He enjoyed putting McAfee to the fire on the mic last week. McAfee is out of his depth. WrestleMania will confirm it.