One-half of the WWE Tag Team Champions Damian Priest publicly slammed Pat McAfee's involvement in the Cody Rhodes and Randy Orton rivalry ahead of WrestleMania 42. 'The Archer of Infamy' revealed widespread locker room frustration with the storyline direction.
Speaking with Gabby LaSpisa, when asked about McAfee's surprise addition to the Undisputed WWE Championship picture, Priest didn't hold back his feelings about the situation. He said:
It sucks. Not a fan. You know, I know Pat, I get along with him, but for me, that's not my taste.
Locker Room Frustration Over McAfee's Role
Priest believes the NFL legend's inclusion doesn't benefit the storyline heading into WWE WrestleMania 42 and that McAfee "didn't need it." He also revealed that younger talent in the locker room have approached him about the situation.
So for me, and I'm sure a lot of people aren't gonna be happy that I said that, but in the locker room specifically, a lot of us weren't happy. And that's real. I was asked by some of the younger talent what I thought, and I told them I thought it was bull.
The former US Champion took issue with McAfee receiving special treatment on WWE's PG programming.
We're a PG show, right? But he can come in, throw f-bombs, and say whatever he wants. For me, that's one of those things where so many other talents could benefit from even one word, and it's like, wow, now they're up here."
"Instead, you take somebody who's not even here all the time, who gets away with saying something like that, and who doesn't even need it. Not gonna lie, it kinda pissed me off.
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Reports suggest Pat McAfee was not in favour of the storyline when WWE approached him initially. He was WWE's first preference for a celebrity involvement role at the event. McAfee has now promised a massive surprise to be revealed on tonight's edition of SmackDown.
