Pat McAfee was not an automatic "yes" when WWE came calling ahead of WrestleMania 42, according to Dave Meltzer.
Speaking on Wrestling Observer Radio, Meltzer revealed that McAfee was WWE's first choice for a celebrity involvement role at the event, but he initially turned the offer down, leaving the company scrambling for an alternative.
Pat McAfee was the first choice and it was from Ari Emanuel, that's where it came from. They wanted celebrity involvement," Meltzer said.
Originally, Pat McAfee was the choice and he turned it down, and then they were scrambling to get somebody else in the spot. And then obviously, they were able to make a deal with him, so he did it and he was there.
Ari Emanuel's Push
The involvement of TKO Group CEO Ari Emanuel has been central to the McAfee story from the start. Per PWInsider, there is a widespread belief backstage that the decision to insert McAfee into the Randy Orton vs. Cody Rhodes feud came from TKO leadership rather than WWE creative.
Bodyslam.net separately reported that Emanuel, who also serves as McAfee's personal agent, believes the ESPN personality will help elevate the match and drive mainstream attention ahead of the event.
McAfee appeared on the April 4 episode of SmackDown as the surprise ally of Randy Orton, revealed as the mystery caller Orton had been speaking to in recent weeks. The appearance came roughly a month after McAfee publicly suggested his time in wrestling had "kind of passed" him by.
WrestleMania 42 Context
The booking is also tied to WWE's new ESPN partnership. Per Fightful Select, McAfee's role is partly designed to serve as "corporate synergy," giving the Disney-owned network a recognizable face to promote the first-ever WrestleMania broadcast on ESPN platforms.
Cody Rhodes defends the Undisputed WWE Championship against Randy Orton on Night 2 of WrestleMania 42, set for April 18-19 at Allegiant Stadium in Las Vegas.
