Pat McAfee is officially stepping away from professional wrestling following the chaotic events of WrestleMania 42, with the news confirmed by his wife, Samantha McAfee. The announcement follows a high-stakes involvement in the Undisputed WWE Championship clash between Cody Rhodes and Randy Orton at Allegiant Stadium.
The 38-year-old media mogul had returned to WWE television earlier this month specifically to back Orton, even going as far as to vow he would never return if ‘The Viper’ failed to secure the championship.
Following the conclusion of the event, Samantha McAfee shared a poignant update on her Instagram story, posting a photo of the former NFL punter resting while wearing a neck brace.
In her post, she formally signaled the end of his wrestling tenure and addressed the physical toll of his final night. She wrote, “First morning since 2017, babe is completely out of the wrestling business, thanks @jellyroll615,” confirming this as his first complete exit from the industry in nearly nine years.
McAfee’s final WrestleMania Moment turned out to be a painful one. Before the main event officially began, he attempted to intervene on Orton’s behalf, only for the Rhodes to retaliate and toss him onto the announce table. The situation escalated when music sensation Jelly Roll delivered a crushing elbow drop on McAfee, resulting in the broadcaster being stretchered out of the arena to a chorus of stunned reactions.
Pat McAfee confirms he is out of the wrestling business. pic.twitter.com/G8TwnnlfDs
— Wrestle Ops (@WrestleOps) April 19, 2026
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Despite the physical toll, the night took a surreal turn when McAfee re-emerged later in the match. Sporting both a referee shirt and a neck brace, he slid into the ring to replace the original official who had been incapacitated. However, things did not get any better from there.
Randy Orton Ended His Alliance With Pat McAfee At WrestleMania 42
The Undisputed WWE Championship saga reached a fever pitch at WrestleMania 42, culminating in a successful title defense for Cody Rhodes against Randy Orton. However, the American Nightmare had little time to celebrate.
Immediately following the bell, a frustrated Orton blindsided Rhodes with a vicious championship belt strike and a devastating Punt Kick, signaling that their bitter rivalry is far from over.
The match was defined by the chaotic interference of Pat McAfee, whose involvement shifted the momentum multiple times. After his initial meddling backfired, leading to a viral beatdown from Jelly Roll, McAfee made a shocking return as a substitute referee in a neck brace. The alliance ended abruptly, however, when Orton leveled the broadcaster with a definitive RKO.
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With McAfee now officially confirmed to be leaving the wrestling business, he will no longer be a factor in this unfolding drama. As the fallout from Las Vegas settles, the spotlight remains fixed solely on the escalating war between Rhodes and Orton for the Undisputed title, marking the start of a new, more personal chapter without McAfee’s participation.
