Going In Raw: A Pro Wrestling Podcast

TKO Really Gave Us MORE Pat McAfee | WWE SMACKDOWN REVIEW

·1 hr 22 min·5 clips
Steve reveals TKO doubled down on Pat McAfee despite a crowd telling him to 'get out' during a disastrous SmackDown promo.
The episode opens with Steve expressing frustration over TKO giving more screen time to Pat McAfee after a SmackDown promo where the crowd rejected him. Steve and Larson break down McAfee's segment, noting the lack of logic in his sudden heel turn and how it detracts from the Cody Rhodes vs. Randy Orton feud. They speculate on backstage influences, possibly from TKO management. The hosts then shift to positive segments, praising Royce Keyes' video package debut for its authentic focus on his background and his match against Berto. They discuss Solo Sikoa confronting Keyes, setting up a potential feud. Next, they cover Rhea Ripley and Jade Cargill's storyline, highlighting the personal turn that improved the build, but express concern over Io Sky's uncertain WrestleMania match status. The review moves to Trick Williams' match against Matt Cardona, with Lil Yachty adding effective celebrity support, and Sami Zayn's promo questioning his boos. They briefly touch on Drew McIntyre's jail cell promo against Jacob Fatu and the Danhausen vs. Kit Wilson match. The episode concludes with fan questions, blind power ranks of movies and wrestling moments, and announcements for WrestleMania coverage and a predictions challenge with a custom championship prize.

As heard by us

A cold SmackDown reaction to Pat McAfee becomes the episode's clearest test of WWE's disputed WrestleMania direction.

The episode frames TKO's apparent push to give Pat McAfee more time as a stress test for whether WWE is listening to its own audience. The hosts stay close to the SmackDown reaction, pointing to a promo met with long quiet stretches, scattered calls for McAfee to go away, and an…

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Why you'd press play

When Pat McAfee gets more SmackDown time and the crowd is already telling him to go away, this is your argument.

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