The road to WrestleMania is when WWE builds its storylines for the "Showcase of the Immortals," creating iconic moments that lead to must-see matches in the biggest show of the year. The Undisputed WWE Championship feud was headed in that direction earlier this year, but the polarizing introduction of Pat McAfee and Jelly Roll into a main-event matchup has been a controversial topic among WWE fans in recent weeks.See:WrestleMania Night 1 live grades, results for every matchHere's how the McAfee storyline played out on Saturday night during Night 1 of WrestleMania 42:McAfee was the first to make an entrance, flipping double middle fingers as he sauntered down the ramp, something not many (if anyone) has had license to do since Stone Cold Steve Austin at his peak.

Audio also picked up McAfee saying "f*** you" to someone in the crowd.Whether you love him or hate him, people are ALWAYS talking about @PatMcAfeeShow! 👀Stream #WrestleMania LIVE RIGHT NOW on the @ESPN app!➡️ https://t.co/jKAIj8nxxtpic.twitter.com/E77XnmjG9b— WWE (@WWE) April 19, 2026Orton brought some positive energy back into the building with his entrance, which got the usual sing-along from the 50,000+ in Allegiant Stadium. Rhodes got an extended entrance which features close-ups of four mannequins wearing his gear from his many character changes throughout his long WWE career.McAfee took the mic from ring announcer Alicia Taylor to give his own Paul Heyman-style intro - which couldn't really compare to the WWE legend.

Very classy, @PatMcAfeeShow 😒 pic.twitter.com/AtJusfONK2— WWE (@WWE) April 19, 2026Before referee Charles Robinson signaled for the bell to ring, McAfee attacked Rhodes with his microphone. Rhodes rallied and hit a Cross Rhodes on McAfee, then dragged McAfee onto an announce table to pummel him. Jell Roll appeared at ringside and jumped from one announce table to the other, driving an elbow through McAfee and the table.

ELBOW THROUGH THE TABLE 💪@JellyRoll615 takes out @PatMcAfeeShow! Stream #WrestleMania LIVE RIGHT NOW on the @ESPN app!➡️ https://t.co/jKAIj8nxxtpic.twitter.com/mdXA7P9qF0— WWE (@WWE) April 19, 2026Jelly Roll yelled at Rhodes to give the fans what they came for, and medical staff rolled out a gurney to remove an injured McAfee from the area. McAfee capped his performance by raising a middle finger from the gurney.A message for the Vegas crowd on his way out 🙄@PatMcAfeeShowStream #WrestleMania LIVE RIGHT NOW on the @ESPN app!➡️ https://t.co/jKAIj8nxxtpic.twitter.com/EBpokEDcBS— WWE (@WWE) April 19, 2026This may be WWE's way of extracting McAfee from the rest of the show and giving us a match, but I have a feeling McAfee may not be done on Saturday.[UPDATE]: And, indeed, McAfee wasn't done.

Late in the match, after taking an eye gouge to the face from Rhodes, Orton hit a shocking RKO on referee Charles Robinson, taking him out of the match. Rhodes went for a high-risk Cody Cutter off the top rope which was countered by a mid-air RKO, and McAfee - dressed in a referee outfit - came sprinting to the ring to count the pinfall, but Rhodes kicked out at two. umm what? Is @PatMcAfeeShow a legal official? pic.twitter.com/ZTfbkEjopU— WWE (@WWE) April 19, 2026Seemingly fed up with McAfee, Orton hit an RKO on his supposed ally, giving Rhodes enough time to recover and hit a final Cross Rhodes.

Robinson recovered in time to count the pin, and Rhodes retains his title. CODY RETAINS!!! 🤩@CodyRhodes found the killer instinct! pic.twitter.com/pezLMlUMsf— WWE (@WWE) April 19, 2026This article originally appeared on For The Win: What happened with Pat McAfee in WrestleMania main event?