Trending Now - Cody Rhodes and WWE Express Frustrations Over TKO Direction

WHO:

Newsweek - Cody Rhodes, WWE creative members, TKO, Pat McAfee

Sportskeeda - Cody Rhodes, Triple H

WHAT:

Cageside Seats - Cody Rhodes was made to look like a fool for the second consecutive year at WrestleMania, following a loss to John Cena at WrestleMania 41 on April 7th, 2025.

Cageside Seats - The Rock, John Cena, and rapper Travis Scott were involved in a storyline against Cody Rhodes beginning at Elimination Chamber in 2025.

Cageside Seats - Cody Rhodes lost the Undisputed WWE Championship at WrestleMania 41 due to interference from Travis Scott.

Cageside Seats - Cody Rhodes is set to face Randy Orton for the Undisputed WWE Title at WrestleMania 42 on April 7th, 2026.

Sportskeeda - Cody Rhodes shared a message on social media stating he is focused on moving forward after the attack from Pat McAfee.

Sportskeeda - Cody Rhodes shared a message on social media following the episode of WWE SmackDown that aired on April 1st, 2026.

Newsweek - Cody Rhodes was directed to return to the ring and shoot an unplanned promo on SmackDown.

Sportskeeda - Cody Rhodes cut an unscripted promo about TKO and Pat McAfee on the latest edition of Friday Night SmackDown.

WHERE:

Cageside Seats - The SmackDown event took place at the Enterprise Center in St. Louis, Missouri on April 3rd, 2026.

Newsweek - SmackDown (specific location not mentioned, but it is a WWE event).

Sportskeeda - SmackDown (specific location not mentioned, but it is a WWE event).

WHEN:

Cageside Seats - The match between Cody Rhodes and John Cena at WrestleMania 41 occurred on April 7th, 2025.

Newsweek - The promo occurred on the latest edition of SmackDown (exact date not specified).

Sportskeeda - The promo occurred on the latest edition of Friday Night SmackDown (exact date not specified).

WHY:

Cageside Seats - Pat McAfee and Randy Orton are reportedly on a mission to "save the business" from Cody Rhodes, whom McAfee blames for WWE's creative and commercial issues.

Cageside Seats - Pat McAfee accused Cody Rhodes of representing everything he and the fans hate, blaming him for WWE's creative and commercial issues.

Newsweek - Cody Rhodes and WWE creative reportedly have legitimate issues with TKO's direction.

Sportskeeda - The report indicates frustrations from WWE and Cody Rhodes regarding TKO.

HOW:

Cageside Seats - The decision to involve Pat McAfee in Cody Rhodes' WrestleMania storyline allegedly came from TKO's corporate leadership, specifically Ari Emanuel, who is associated with McAfee.

Cageside Seats - The decision to involve Pat McAfee in Cody Rhodes' WrestleMania storyline allegedly came from TKO's corporate leadership, specifically Ari Emanuel.

Newsweek - WWE creative members directed Cody Rhodes to perform an unplanned promo.

Sportskeeda - Triple H asked Cody Rhodes to cut an unscripted promo.

(UPDATED April 6, 2026 15:12 UTC)

At WrestleMania 41, Cody Rhodes faced John Cena and suffered a loss that marked his second consecutive defeat at the event, largely due to interference from rapper Travis Scott. This storyline, which began at Elimination Chamber in 2025, also involved The Rock and Cena teaming up against Rhodes, while Pat McAfee and Randy Orton are reportedly trying to "save the business" from what they see as Rhodes' negative impact on WWE. The decision to include McAfee in this WrestleMania narrative is said to have come from TKO's corporate leadership, specifically Ari Emanuel, who has ties to McAfee.

(UPDATED April 6, 2026 11:13 UTC)

Cody Rhodes is set to face Randy Orton for the Undisputed WWE Title at WrestleMania 42 April 7th. Reports indicate that Pat McAfee and Randy Orton are on a mission to "save the business" from Rhodes, whom McAfee blames for WWE's creative and commercial challenges. The decision to involve McAfee in Rhodes' WrestleMania storyline is said to have come from TKO's corporate leadership, specifically Ari Emanuel, who has ties to McAfee.

(UPDATED April 6, 2026 05:39 UTC)

on Friday, the SmackDown event took place at the Enterprise Center in St. Louis, Missouri. In a heated rivalry, Pat McAfee accused Cody Rhodes of embodying everything he and the fans despise, linking him to WWE's creative and commercial struggles, which has led to McAfee's involvement in Rhodes' WrestleMania storyline. This decision reportedly came from TKO's corporate leadership, specifically Ari Emanuel, as they sought to heighten the drama surrounding the match between Rhodes and John Cena at WrestleMania 41, which occurred April 7thth, 2025.

(UPDATED April 5, 2026 23:03 UTC)

Cody Rhodes took to social media to share that he is focused on moving forward following the recent attack from Pat McAfee. The message was posted at 17:07 UTC. Fans are eager to see how this situation unfolds in the coming days.

(UPDATED April 5, 2026 21:05 UTC)

Cody Rhodes took to social media to share a message following the recent episode of WWE SmackDown that aired on Wednesday. The announcement came at 21:05 UTC, highlighting his thoughts after the show. Fans are eager to see what this means for his future in the ring.

(UPDATED April 5, 2026 17:07 UTC)

Cody Rhodes made headlines on the latest edition of Friday Night SmackDown after being directed by Triple H and WWE creative to deliver an unscripted promo about TKO and Pat McAfee. Reports indicate that there are ongoing frustrations between Cody Rhodes, WWE, and TKO regarding the direction of the organization. This unexpected moment in the ring highlights the tensions within WWE as they navigate their creative strategies.