Pat McAfee exits WrestleMania on a stretcher before main event
Pat McAfee in the main event at WrestleMania? Here's how that played out on Saturday night.
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 match Here'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 ! š Stream #WrestleMania LIVE RIGHT NOW on the @ESPN app!
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com/E77XnmjG9b ā WWE (@WWE) April 19, 2026 Orton 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.