Cody Rhodes Wins Big, NFL Trades Shake Up Draft

Rhodes Finishes His Story, Eagles Trade AJ Brown Rumors Swirl

The wrestling world is buzzing after Cody Rhodes seemingly cemented his legacy at Wrestlemania, while the NFL landscape is shifting with significant trades and contract extensions just ahead of the draft. The Pat McAfee Show crew broke down the weekend’s biggest stories, from playoff upsets to massive player movement.

Rhodes Completes His Journey

Cody Rhodes is celebrating a monumental victory, declaring his personal story complete after a dramatic showing at Wrestlemania. The journey from the independent circuit, through NXT, and onto the main WWE stage has culminated in what many are calling a defining moment for the sport. Rhodes spoke about his path, mentioning his training under Rip Rogers and his time in developmental leagues, highlighting the culmination of years of hard work.

“I came up in the Indies. IWA East Coast. War Pig.

I went through development NXT. Commentated and wrestled down there. Get WWE.

Commentated. Lucky to do that. Did pre-shows.

Lucky to do that. Wrestled. Lucky to do that.

Reed. Lucky to do that. Managed.

Lucky to do that. It’s been a hell of a run. Thank you, wrestling.

Hell of a run. Did it all.”

The events surrounding the match, however, were chaotic. Pat McAfee detailed an incident where he was involved in a physical altercation, leading to him wearing a neck brace.

He described being caught in the crossfire of a confrontation involving Jelly Roll and Randy Orton, which he felt impacted the main event. Despite the personal turmoil and physical setbacks, Rhodes managed to secure his victory.

NBA Playoffs Start Slow, NHL Delivers Early Excitement

The NBA playoffs kicked off with mixed reactions, as many games were described as ‘boring’ by the show’s hosts. However, the NHL playoffs immediately brought the intensity.

The opening weekend saw a fierce fight between the Carolina Hurricanes and a rival team right after puck drop, featuring notable players like Brady Tkachuk and Jordan Staal. This immediate physicality set the tone for the league’s postseason.

While the NBA’s top seeds seemed to dominate early on, there was a notable upset: the number one seeded Detroit Pistons fell to the Orlando Magic. This loss, described as a ‘joke’ by some, marked a wire-to-wire victory for an eighth seed over a top seed, a rare occurrence in the league. The Pistons’ performance drew criticism, with many questioning their ability to compete despite having a strong regular season.

NFL Sees Major Trades and Extensions

The NFL world was rocked by a significant trade as defensive lineman Dexter Lawrence was sent from the New York Giants to the Cincinnati Bengals. The Bengals reportedly gave up their 10th overall pick in the upcoming draft and signed Lawrence to a large extension. This move is seen as a major boost for the Bengals’ defense, addressing a long-standing weakness as they aim to compete with Joe Burrow at quarterback.

In other NFL news, offensive tackle Trent Williams signed a two-year, $50 million extension with the San Francisco 49ers. This deal keeps a key piece of their offensive line in place and provides flexibility for their draft strategy. The 49ers are prioritizing keeping their core players happy as they continue to pursue a Super Bowl title.

Rumors are also swirling about a potential trade sending wide receiver AJ Brown from the Philadelphia Eagles to the New England Patriots. While no agreement is in place yet, sources suggest a deal involving a future first-round pick could be worked out after June 1st, due to salary cap implications. This move would significantly alter the Patriots’ receiving corps as they look to rebuild.

Source: The Pat McAfee Show Live | Monday April 20th 2026 (YouTube)