Randy Orton & Pat McAfee vs. Cody Rhodes & Jelly Roll Reportedly Planned For WWE Backlash
WWE are planning a major tag team match in the wake of WrestleMania 42.
Last week’s episode of Friday Night SmackDown saw Pat McAfee align with Randy Orton ahead of his challenge for Cody Rhodes’ Undisputed WWE Championship at WrestleMania 42. Another celebrity name heavily involved in the build-up to the bout has been Jelly Roll, and it now appears that a tag team match could be on the cards following the conclusion of WrestleMania.
According to Dave Meltzer in the latest edition of the Wrestling Observer Newsletter, part of the deal for Pat McAfee’s WWE return will see him team with Randy Orton to take on Cody Rhodes and Jelly Roll at WWE Backlash on May 9.
“As part of the deal, McAfee will team with Orton against Rhodes & Jelly Roll coming out of WrestleMania and be a key match at the Backlash PPV on 5/9, at least as of plans that were confirmed to us by multiple people and were still in play at press time.”
-Dave Meltzer
Cody Rhodes is set to defend the Undisputed WWE Championship against Randy Orton during Night One of WrestleMania 42 on April 18 at Allegiant Stadium, with Pat McAfee set to be in Orton’s corner.
Following his return, Pat McAfee took to social media to claim that should Randy Orton fail to capture the Undisputed WWE Championship at WrestleMania 42, then he would never be seen on wrestling television again. With plans seemingly in place for McAfee beyond WrestleMania, the report could indicate that Orton is likely to emerge from Las Vegas as the Undisputed WWE Champion.
Elsewhere in this week’s edition of the Wrestling Observer Newsletter, Dave Meltzer noted that many people within WWE believed the direction of the Pat McAfee angle was one of the most counterproductive moves the company has made in some time.
With both talent and fans seemingly far from pleased by the angle, Je’Von Evans recently addressed some of Pat McAfee’s comments on the professional wrestling business. You can read more about that here.
As always, we’ll aim to provide any further updates on plans for Randy Orton to team with Pat McAfee to take on Cody Rhodes and Jelly Roll at WWE Backlash as soon as we hear more.
