Earlier today, a report emerged that indicated that Pat McAfee's insertion into the Cody Rhodes - Randy Orton storyline as Orton's mystery caller was a decision made by TKO executives that ultimately didn't go over well with either the audience or WWE's creative team.
PWInsider Elite has more details on the situation, noting that McAfee was hidden before the first segment and no one seemed to be aware that he was going to be unveiled as the reveal. The Rhodes promo that came later in the program was confirmed to not be in the planned rundown and some people backstage believed it was Rhodes shooting about TKO pushing McAfee into the storyline.
PWInsider Elite also confirms that the decision to have McAfee as the mystery caller was an edict from TKO officials to WWE's creative team rather than an idea that originated within WWE's team. Dave Meltzer tweeted yesterday that the instruction came directly from Endeavor and TKO CEO, Ari Emanuel. Emanuel is also McAfee's agent.
The report speculates that McAfee's inclusion gives ESPN a "new promotional dimension" for the upcoming WWE WrestleMania 42, given McAfee is popular on ESPN and its audience. While not explicitly stated, the assumption seems to be that McAfee's involvement will trigger additional interest for WrestleMania with it being the first WrestleMania on ESPN.
