WWE commentator Corey Graves believes the backlash surrounding Pat McAfee and Jelly Roll at WrestleMania 42 stemmed from their “inorganic” use on the show.
Both men played key roles in the Randy Orton vs. Cody Rhodes feud, despite the wrestlers having extensive history WWE could have utilized instead.
Speaking with Bill Apter, Graves explained that timing was crucial to how fans received their involvement. He noted that WrestleMania and celebrities have been connected since the beginning, but McAfee and Jelly Roll “caught a few strays” in this instance.
“I truly believe it was the timing of it. I think if there had been a little bit more time to work with… I think if there had been a little bit more time and maybe if it had been in a different match,” Graves said.
“I mean, obviously, WrestleMania and celebrities have been synonymous since the beginning. I think Pat and Jelly Roll caught a few strays. I think it was just a matter of people have been waiting for Cody and Randy for so long and they wanted to see that story told and unfold organically.”
Square Pegs in Round Holes
Graves further described the situation as an example of “square pegs in round holes,” noting that the use of McAfee and Jelly Roll simply didn’t fit what fans wanted to see.
Rhodes defeated Orton in the main event of WrestleMania 42 Night One, though Orton attacked him after the match. As per the stipulation, Pat McAfee will reportedly never appear on WWE programming again, though the permanence of such stipulations in wrestling remains to be seen.