Jonathan Coachman is defending WWE's decision to involve Pat McAfee in the Randy Orton and Cody Rhodes storyline, despite heavy fan criticism following the April 3 episode of SmackDown. The reveal of McAfee as Orton's mystery ally sparked backlash online, with many viewers saying it distracted from the long history between Orton and Rhodes heading into WrestleMania 42.
Coachman made his position clear in a video reaction posted to social media. He believes WWE made the right call by putting McAfee into the storyline in a major way.
"Say what you want about Pat McAfee... it is the perfect way to use him in the WWE," Coachman said.
Coachman Praises McAfee's Work Ethic
Coachman went further, praising McAfee's personality and drive. He pointed out that McAfee stands out compared to most people who step into WWE roles, citing his ability to connect with audiences and his overall work ethic.
"Pat McAfee does everything that I want to do that I try to do on the daily... He's a unicorn. He's different than almost everybody out there because he has hustle, he has heart, he has drive. That's why he can pull this thing off," Coachman stated.
The comments come as WWE faces continued criticism online for the creative direction of the Orton vs. Rhodes program just weeks before WrestleMania 42. Many fans questioned whether inserting McAfee into the storyline helped or hurt the build to what was expected to be a marquee match.
Whether fans agree with Coachman's assessment or side with the critics, McAfee's involvement has become one of the most talked-about elements of WWE programming heading into the biggest event of the year.
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