Trending Now - Randy Orton's Shocking Return: Heel Turn and Mystery Caller Revealed

WHO:

Cageside Seats - Randy Orton, Cody Rhodes, Pat McAfee

Sportskeeda - Randy Orton, Pat McAfee, Cody Rhodes

WHAT:

Sportskeeda - Randy Orton stated on social media, "I’m not done yet," following the revelation of Pat McAfee as his mystery caller on April 3rd, 2026.

Cageside Seats - The attendance for the April 3rd, 2026 episode of SmackDown was reported as 11,620 tickets distributed, with the arena having a capacity of 22,000 spectators when configured for concerts.

Sportskeeda - Randy Orton's heel turn was part of a storyline that began during the contract signing for the WWE Championship match at WrestleMania 42, which is set to take place on April 7th, 2026.

Cageside Seats - Pat McAfee stated, "The current state of the business sucks, and SmackDown just had its lowest rated episode ever because of it," during his promo on April 3rd, 2026.

PWTorch - The attendance for the April 3rd, 2026 episode of SmackDown was reported as 10,963 tickets distributed, with the arena having a capacity of 22,000 spectators when configured for concerts.

Cageside Seats - Pat McAfee stated during the SmackDown episode, "The Rams left town, the Blues aren’t going to make the playoffs, the Cardinals are ass," while criticizing the state of St. Louis sports.

Sportskeeda - Randy Orton's heel turn was part of a storyline that began during the contract signing for the WWE Championship match at WrestleMania 42.

Cageside Seats - Pat McAfee stated that he is the one who has been advising Randy Orton to "kill everything in WWE."

Sportskeeda - Pat McAfee stated on social media that he has returned to WWE as Randy Orton's mystery caller and has broken his silence regarding his involvement in the storyline.

Cageside Seats - Randy Orton was cheered by live fans in St. Louis during his return on April 3rd, 2026, where he stated that Cody Rhodes lacks the killer instinct to defeat him at WrestleMania 42.

Cageside Seats - Pat McAfee delivered a punt to Cody Rhodes "to the balls" during the SmackDown episode.

Cageside Seats - McAfee criticized the current state of WWE, claiming it "sucks" and that SmackDown had its lowest rated episode ever.

Cageside Seats - Randy Orton returned to WWE SmackDown and performed a heel turn by attacking Cody Rhodes.

Cageside Seats - Pat McAfee was revealed as the mystery caller who had been in contact with Randy Orton.

Cageside Seats - Pat McAfee delivered a punt to Cody Rhodes during the SmackDown episode.

Cageside Seats - McAfee criticized the current state of WWE, stating it "sucks" and referenced the show's lowest rated episode ever.

WHERE:

Cageside Seats - The events took place in St. Louis during the WWE SmackDown episode on April 3rd, 2026.

WHEN:

Cageside Seats - The episode of SmackDown aired on April 3rd, 2026.

Cageside Seats - Randy Orton is set to face Cody Rhodes for the Undisputed WWE Championship at WrestleMania 42.

WHY:

Cageside Seats - McAfee's involvement in the heel turn was to address perceived issues with WWE's current product, stating that Randy Orton is the one who can "save it."

Cageside Seats - The heel turn and McAfee's involvement were motivated by a desire to address perceived issues with WWE's current product.

HOW:

Cageside Seats - During the SmackDown episode, Randy Orton stated, "I will walk out of Las Vegas with the title," referring to his upcoming match at WrestleMania 42.

Cageside Seats - During the SmackDown episode, Randy Orton wore a t-shirt that said, “RKO Everybody – St. Louis” as he made his entrance, and he stated, "I will walk out of Las Vegas with the title," referring to WrestleMania 42.

PWTorch - During the SmackDown episode, Randy Orton wore a t-shirt that said, “RKO Everybody – St. Louis” as he made his entrance.

Cageside Seats - During the SmackDown episode, after McAfee's punt to Cody Rhodes, he cut a promo criticizing the current WWE product, stating that "WWE sucks now with Rhodes as champion."

Cageside Seats - During the SmackDown episode, Pat McAfee entered the ring wearing an RKO shirt and sunglasses, and he delivered a swift punt to Cody Rhodes, which was part of the heel turn alongside Randy Orton.

Cageside Seats - Pat McAfee entered the ring wearing an RKO shirt and sunglasses, and he cut a promo criticizing WWE while assisting Randy Orton in his attack on Cody Rhodes.

(UPDATED April 5, 2026 01:18 UTC)

Randy Orton took to social media to declare, "I’m not done yet," following the surprise reveal of Pat McAfee as his mystery caller during the on Friday episode of SmackDown. That event drew an attendance of 11,620 fans, filling part of the arena's 22,000-seat capacity when set up for concerts. During the show, Orton also confidently stated, "I will walk out of Las Vegas with the title," as he prepares for his match at WrestleMania 42.

(UPDATED April 4, 2026 23:01 UTC)

Randy Orton's heel turn is heating up the storyline leading to the WWE Championship match at WrestleMania 42, which is just days away April 7th. During the recent SmackDown episode, Orton made a bold entrance wearing a t-shirt that read, “RKO Everybody – St. Louis,” and confidently declared, "I will walk out of Las Vegas with the title." Meanwhile, Pat McAfee criticized the current state of the business, stating that SmackDown just recorded its lowest-rated episode ever during his promo on Friday.

(UPDATED April 4, 2026 17:04 UTC)

The on Friday episode of SmackDown drew an attendance of 10,963 fans, with the arena capable of holding up to 22,000 for concerts. During the show, Pat McAfee took a jab at St. Louis sports, saying, "The Rams left town, the Blues aren’t going to make the playoffs, the Cardinals are ass." Additionally, Randy Orton made a memorable entrance wearing a t-shirt that read, “RKO Everybody – St. Louis.”

(UPDATED April 4, 2026 15:03 UTC)

Randy Orton's recent heel turn is part of a storyline that kicked off during the contract signing for the WWE Championship match at WrestleMania 42. Pat McAfee has revealed that he has been advising Orton to "kill everything in WWE," which he emphasized during a SmackDown episode after delivering a punt to Cody Rhodes. In that promo, McAfee criticized the current WWE product, declaring that "WWE sucks now with Rhodes as champion."

(UPDATED April 4, 2026 09:06 UTC)

Pat McAfee has announced his return to WWE as Randy Orton's mystery caller, breaking his silence on social media about his involvement in the storyline. During the latest episode of SmackDown, McAfee made a dramatic entrance wearing an RKO shirt and sunglasses, and he delivered a swift punt to Cody Rhodes, marking a significant heel turn alongside Orton. This unexpected twist has fans buzzing as McAfee re-enters the ring with a bold statement.

(UPDATED April 4, 2026 07:15 UTC)

Randy Orton made a triumphant return in St. Louis on Friday, where he received a warm welcome from fans and declared that Cody Rhodes lacks the killer instinct needed to defeat him at WrestleMania 42. During the recent SmackDown episode, Pat McAfee delivered a shocking punt to Rhodes and criticized WWE's current state, claiming it "sucks" and that the show had its lowest rated episode ever. McAfee's heel turn appears to be a response to these concerns, as he suggested that Orton is the one who can "save" the organization.

(UPDATED April 4, 2026 05:20 UTC)

Randy Orton made a shocking return to WWE SmackDown on Friday, performing a heel turn by attacking Cody Rhodes in St. Louis. During the episode, it was revealed that Pat McAfee was the mystery caller who had been in contact with Orton, and he delivered a punishing kick to Rhodes. McAfee, wearing an RKO shirt and sunglasses, took the opportunity to criticize WWE's current state, claiming it "sucks" and referencing the show's lowest rated episode ever. This dramatic turn of events sets the stage for Orton to face Rhodes for the Undisputed WWE Championship at WrestleMania 42. The heel turn and McAfee's involvement were driven by their desire to address what they see as significant issues with WWE's product.