Pat McAfee Aligns With Randy Orton on SmackDown; Ripley Confronts Jade Cargill Ahead of WrestleMania 42

On SmackDown, Pat McAfee revealed himself as Randy Orton’s mystery caller and joined Orton in an attack on Undisputed WWE Champion Cody Rhodes, claiming he wants to bring back the Attitude Era and teasing a “huge surprise” with WrestleMania 42 one week away. Rhodes searched for McAfee backstage but was warned by Nick Aldis not to pursue him; Jelly Roll also confronted Aldis over the betrayal. Drew McIntyre promised to expose “the real” Jacob Fatu ahead of their unsanctioned bout, and Royce Keys is slated to make his official SmackDown debut following his Royal Rumble appearance.

Rhea Ripley opened the show, challenging Jade Cargill after Cargill’s attack on IYO SKY on Raw, and SKY answered the call—Nick Aldis then made their encounter the main event. The show also featured an early in-ring exchange between Bayley and Alexa Bliss in San Jose, with the match headed into a commercial break as the night continued to build toward WrestleMania 42.

Originally reported by Wrestling Observer: https://www.f4wonline.com/news/wwe/results/wwe-smackdown-live-results-pat-mcafee-speaks/