McAfee Stuns WWE! Cole ‘Taken Aback’ by Shocking Return

McAfee Stuns WWE! Cole ‘Taken Aback’ by Shocking Return

WrestleMania 42 is just two nights away in Las Vegas, and the WWE universe is buzzing with anticipation. This year’s event promises a spectacle like no other, with the first hour of Night One airing live on ESPN 2 and the rest of the action on ESPN. Longtime WWE commentator Michael Cole joined SportsCenter to preview the massive event, but he admitted he was surprised by a major development.

Bella Twins Eye Tag Titles in WrestleMania Return

WWE Hall of Famers, The Bella Twins, are set to make their mark on Night One of WrestleMania. They will compete in a Fatal Four-Way tag team match for the Women’s Tag Team Championships. This marks their first WrestleMania appearance since 2015, and they’ve made it clear they’re aiming for gold.

Liv Morgan Earns Main Event Spot

Liv Morgan secured her main event opportunity by winning the 2026 Royal Rumble. Her path to the top match became clear after she was confronted by the Women’s World Champion, Stephanie Vakair, on Monday Night Raw. Morgan responded with a surprise attack the following week, officially choosing Vakair as her WrestleMania opponent.

Orton’s Vicious Attack on Cody Rhodes

The championship match for Night One is set: Cody Rhodes defends the WWE Undisputed Championship against Randy Orton. The rivalry took a dangerous turn when Orton blindsided Rhodes during a contract signing, leaving him injured. Rhodes retaliated the next week, setting the stage for a deeply personal battle.

Pat McAfee’s Unforeseen Intervention

Adding a shocking twist to the Cody Rhodes vs. Randy Orton feud, Pat McAfee emerged during a recent confrontation. McAfee unexpectedly low-blowed Rhodes, aligning himself with Orton.

Cole expressed his surprise at McAfee’s actions, stating, “I’m sort of taken aback at what Pat has done here. I never expected in a million years for Pat to come out the way that he did, align himself with Randy Orton in this very personal affair.”

Cole on McAfee’s Return and Motives

Michael Cole, who has a long history with McAfee, admitted he was caught off guard. “I’ve known Cody for over 20 years… It’s also no secret how I feel about Pat.

Pat and I were extremely close. We called many shows together,” Cole explained. While glad to see McAfee involved with WWE again, Cole is unsure about the way he returned.

Cole believes McAfee and Orton think they can change the wrestling business for the better, but he also suggested McAfee enjoys the spotlight and being part of the main event, a sentiment the company welcomes. “Pat is just so such an exciting individual. He is someone who loves this business so much,” Cole added.

Night Two Main Event: Punk vs. Reigns

Night Two’s main event features CM Punk defending the World Heavyweight Championship against Roman Reigns. Cole detailed the deep history between these two stars. Punk rose from independent wrestling promotions to become a WWE champion before leaving the company over a decade ago.

Reigns’ Decade of Dominance and Punk’s Return

Meanwhile, Roman Reigns became the face of WWE during Punk’s absence, carrying the company for ten years. Cole suggested Reigns feels disrespected by Punk’s return, especially with fans calling Punk “the best in the world” after Reigns’ long reign. “Roman’s got a chip on his shoulder that CM Punk has returned now to WWE, that he’s getting cheered by the fans, that people out there are saying CM Punk is the best in the world, and that really irks Roman Reigns after Roman has carried this company for so long on his back,” Cole stated.

WrestleMania 42: A Global Spectacle

Cole emphasized WrestleMania’s status as “the greatest spectacle in all of live entertainment,” blending top athletes with incredible entertainment. The two-night extravaganza will air live on ESPN and ESPN 2 this Saturday and Sunday, with coverage beginning at 6 PM Eastern on ESPN 2 for Saturday’s show.

Catch WrestleMania 42 this Saturday and Sunday in Las Vegas. Stream it on the ESPN app using the ESPN Unlimited plan. Coverage begins 6 PM Eastern on ESPN 2, with the rest of the action on ESPN on Sunday.

Source: Michael Cole says he’s ‘taken aback’ by Pat McAfee’s return before WrestleMania | SportsCenter (YouTube)