Add as a preferred source on Google Corey Graves addressed the backlash to Pat McAfee and Jelly Roll’s involvement in the feud between Cody Rhodes and Randy Orton, admitting their presence in the Undisputed WWE Championship program felt “inorganic.”
Speaking with Bill Apter, the WWE commentator said the issue was not McAfee or Jelly Roll themselves, but WWE’s timing. According to Graves, fans wanted to see the Rhodes and Orton story unfold naturally, without outside interference landing so close to WrestleMania 42.
“If this had started at the Royal Rumble or Elimination Chamber, with more time to build it, maybe it would not have felt so forced. I think that is what caused the reaction. You could have put anyone in that position and the result would have been the same.”
McAfee was revealed as Orton’s ally in the final stretch of the feud, while Jelly Roll appeared alongside Rhodes. At WrestleMania 42, McAfee attacked Rhodes before the match, was placed on the announce table, and took an elbow drop from Jelly Roll. He later returned dressed as a referee, only to eat an RKO from Orton, which opened the door for Rhodes to win with a Cross Rhodes.
The situation also changed future plans. According to Wrestling Observer Radio, McAfee decided to step away from the story after the negative response, leading WWE to cancel a tag team match planned for Backlash with Orton and McAfee against Rhodes and Jelly Roll.
The angle remains one of the most criticized parts of the WrestleMania 42 build, especially because Cody and Orton already had enough history to carry the feud on their own.