In news that few expected heading into WrestleMania 42, the April 3 episode of SmackDown has been harshly criticized by viewers, with the show currently scoring a record-low rating for the brand on Cagematch.net. The intense backlash erupted after the reveal that Pat McAfee was Randy Orton’s mystery ally in the heated feud with Cody Rhodes, with many fans feeling the compelling storyline had been ruined by the nonsensical inclusion of the former NFL player.
CageMatch.net remains the leading wrestling database where fans rate shows on a 0-to-10 scale using a weighted formula that balances votes and prevents review bombing. The April 3 episode of SmackDown now sits alongside other notorious lows like NXT Season 3 Episode 4 (0.29) and WCW Thunder #109 (0.32), all remembered for poor booking and fan frustration. This historic flop highlights growing concerns over creative decisions that seem to prioritize outside personalities over core wrestling storytelling.
