NEWNow you can listen to Fox News articles!
WWE superstar CM Punk blasted ESPN host Pat McAfee during the first segment of “Monday Night Raw” after the former NFL player was included in the main event ahead of WrestleMania 42.
McAfee teamed up with Randy Orton as “The Viper” went for the WWE Undisputed Championship against Cody Rhodes. McAfee’s appearance on SmackDown and his late entry into the feud just weeks before WrestleMania 42, sparked outrage among professional wrestling fans on social media.
CLICK HERE TO WATCH ONE OF THE GAMES ON FOXNEWS.COM
CM Punk speaks on Monday Night RAW at the Toyota Center in Houston, Texas, on April 6, 2026. (Craig Ambrosio/WWE)
The former Indianapolis Colts player explained during a promo Friday night that he wanted to change the business for the better, and expressed his desire for the company to return to the days of the Attitude Era. He said people like him have been “forgotten.” He also made several criticisms during his Monday afternoon show and took a swipe at the internet wrestling community, calling them “dips—s.”
McAfee also expressed confusion as to why WrestleMania tickets are still available.
Punk, who is in the middle of his feud with Roman Reigns and will defend the World Heavyweight Championship at WrestleMania 42 against him, gave the first 10 minutes of “Monday Night Raw” to Reigns. However, he had time for McAfee.
WWE CHAMPION STEPHANIE MCMAHON BEATS CODY RHODES BACK ON ‘MONDAY NIGHT WATCH’
Pat McAfee beats Cody Rhodes during SmackDown at the Enterprise Center in St. Louis, Missouri, on April 3, 2026. (Craig Melvin/WWE)
He insulted the broadcaster, calling him “Pat MAGA-Fee” in reference to President Donald Trump’s appearance on his show last year and then pointed to McAfee’s agent, Ari Emanuel, who is also the CEO and director of TKO Group Holdings – the parent company of WWE.
“You think you can come here on business, my business, to wrestle, and run your mouth. Well, you just wrote your narrow check– you can’t cash it,” Punk said. “You want to talk about ticket sales? Help me, call that agent who made a fool of himself to get you into this business and this game and tell him to lower the ticket prices.
“I’ll be damned if I’ll have you, a man who kicked football for a living, come into my business and talk to me about selling tickets and putting es on the seats. You’ve got a receipt coming your way.”
Fox News Digital has reached out to TKO Group Holdings for comment.
WrestleMania 42 will take place on April 18 and 19 at Allegiant Stadium in Las Vegas. Punk and Reigns are sure to work when Rhodes takes on Orton. Those games are two of the most important events in the game.
Pat McAfee and Randy Orton join forces during SmackDown at the Enterprise Center in St. Louis, Mo., on April 3, 2026. (Craig Melvin/WWE)
CLICK HERE TO DOWNLOAD THE FOX NEWS PROGRAM
The official card is expected to be revealed on Tuesday.
Follow Fox News Digital’s sports coverage on X and register at the Fox News Sports Huddle.
