Brian Damage
This Week in Wrestling: Week 14 of 2026
For a few weeks, WWE creative teased a storyline where Randy Orton was talking to someone and referred to them as “family.” People started fantasy booking who that mysterious caller was. Could it be his father Cowboy Bob Orton, perhaps Arn Anderson, or maybe someone from NXT. After a few weeks of a build up, the mystery person on the other end of the phone that Randy was speaking to wound up being Pat McAfee. To say the reveal was absolutely crapped on would be an understatement. Fans completely gave the reveal a hearty thumbs down, with some going as far as calling it WWE’s version of WCW’s infamous “Fingerpoke of Doom.”
While I personally wouldn’t take it to that level, it definitely did nothing to advance the angle between Cody Rhodes and Randy Orton heading into Wrestlemania. It was a letdown no question and if the reports are to be believed, the decision was from above Triple H’s head. Reportedly, it came from TKO boss Ari Emanuel for whatever reason.
What made the entire situation worse and this is where WCW comes into play, instead of just doing the reveal and leaving it at that, Cody returned to the ring and basically admitted to the fans that it was a horrible angle. That was something WCW did plenty of in their existence. Do something bad and then admit that it was really bad not long after…just confirming to fans what they witnessed.
As bad as the situation was/is, I am willing to see where, if it goes anywhere at all. I am a patient wrestling fan who likes to see things develop over time. I will admit though, this was pretty damn bad.
Photo Gallery
Jeanie Clarke aka Lady Blossom in WCW
Lacey Evans
Kiera Hogan
Harley Cameron
Saraya
Mickie James
Ash by Elegance
Kiana James and Charlotte Flair
Chelsea Green
Priscilla Kelly
CJ Perry
Karissa Rivera
Video Gallery
Dick the Bruiser doing a commercial for a radio station in Detroit.
PYGOD
I’m I the only who liked the Pat McAfee angle?
Luke
Are you sure you liked the actual angle and not just the people involved?
177613735
I’m willing to let it play out, but on the surface, I am not liking it.
Seafort
I still think that this is leading towards Cody snapping at WrestleMania. He goes full heel to retain the title – tired of betrayals and malefactors like Pat. And backing him up is his new Elite faction – Saints, Page, Keyes. People who owe their fledgling WWE careers to him, people he trusts (for now).
Randy becomes the babyface coming out of WrestleMania, Pat either does a stretcher job or becomes Randy’s defacto babyface cheerleader.
Luke
I loved the Cody-Randy angle, couldn’t wait for the match. Then Stephanie comes out and emasculates Cody. Eh… And then Pat. Thing is, Pat knows how to be a heel and he probably would have been a world champion if he started wrestling sooner and cared about it more, but he was put in a no-win situation. How do you succeed if someone wants you to sit in a pile of shit? How do you do it well?
177613735
Excellent points made. Pat has a ton of heel charisma. It just doesn’t fit well here. I am willing to see where this entire story goes.
Luke
Just watched their segment on this week’s Smackdown. I no longer have any desire to watch this match at all. Even Randy sucks now. Whoever is writing this is making Tony Khan look like Alfred Hitchcock.
177613735
Supposedly, it is coming from TKO CEO Ari Emanuel. For what reason, I have no clue.
dunnwell 77
From what I’ve read on the net, Mr Emanuel thinks that as McAfee is famous outside of WWE, he’ll shift WM tickets as sales are sloooooooow, also the 25% discount announced on Smackdown. Personally I think sales are slow because of the other main event. Reigns still has some interest, but on the whole I think that the part timer who shows up on mania, appears once every three months on TV, and dictates where, when and how he’s going to drop the belt is played out in most fan’s minds, they want to actually see the champ regularly. I cling to the hope that Pepsi man goes over, or even better, if he is dropping it, Bron Brekker is recovered by the raw before mania, beats everyone that tries to enter the ring, be it for a match or promo until he gets himself a match for the title shot, and absolutely batters Reigns into retirement.
One can hope I suppose.
Luke
Yeah, me too, it just hurts that I was genuinely excited for something in an age where there is barely anything to be excited about and then they go and ruin it…