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WWE star CM Punk torched ESPN announcer Pat McAfee in the opening segment of “Monday Night Raw” after the former NFL player became involved in a major feud ahead of WrestleMania 42.
McAfee aligned himself with Randy Orton as “The Viper” seeks the WWE Undisputed Championship against Cody Rhodes. McAfee’s appearance on SmackDown and his late entry into the rivalry a few weeks before WrestleMania 42 caused the discomfort of professional wrestling fans on social networks.
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CM Punk speaks during Monday Night RAW at the Toyota Center in Houston, Texas on April 6, 2026. (Craig Ambrosio/WWE)
The former Indianapolis Colts punter explained during his promotion Friday night that he wanted to improve the business and expressed his desire to see the company return to the days of the Attitude Era. He said people like him “have been forgotten.” He doubled down on his criticism during his show on Monday afternoon and attacked the internet wrestling community, calling them “downers.”
McAfee also expressed confusion over why tickets for WrestleMania were still available.
Punk, who is in the midst of his own feud with Roman Reigns and will defend the World Heavyweight Championship at WrestleMania 42 against him, dedicated the first 10 minutes of “Monday Night Raw” to Reigns. But of course, he had time for McAfee.
WWE LEGEND STEPHANIE MCMAHON SLAPS CODY RHODES ON HIS RETURN TO ‘MONDAY NIGHT RAW’
Pat McAfee kicks Cody Rhodes during SmackDown at the Enterprise Center in St. Louis, Missouri on April 3, 2026. (Craig Melvin/WWE)
He berated the station, calling him “Pat MAGA-Fee” in an apparent reference to President Donald Trump’s appearance on his show last year and then took aim at McAfee’s agent, Ari Emanuel, who is also the CEO and director of TKO Group Holdings, WWE’s parent company.
“You think you can come here to the business, my business, to professional wrestling, and talk trash. Well, you just wrote a check that your tight ass can’t cash,” Punk said. “Do you want to talk about ticket sales? Do me a favor, call that agent who was dumb enough to get you into this business and this show and tell him to lower the ticket prices.
“I’ll be damned if I’m going to let you, someone who kicks a soccer ball for a living, come into my business and talk to me about selling tickets and putting a-es on the seats. You’ll get a receipt.”
Pak Gazette Digital has contacted TKO Group Holdings for comment.
WrestleMania 42 will take place on April 18 and 19 at Allegiant Stadium in Las Vegas. Punk and Reigns will surely be in action with Rhodes taking on Orton. Those matches are the two likely main events of the show.
Pat McAfee and Randy Orton join forces during SmackDown at Enterprise Center in St. Louis, Missouri on April 3, 2026. (Craig Melvin/WWE)
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The official card will be revealed on Tuesday.
