WWE is going to double down on using celebrities in major roles, despite recent criticism from the fan base about this. Pat McAfee and Jelly Roll becoming major parts of the Randy Orton vs Cody Rhodes feud at WrestleMania 42 caused a lot of fan backlash to WWE’s storytelling. Both Jelly Roll and McAfee appeared unhappy with it and wanted to take a step back after fulfilling their WrestleMania agreements.
411mania reported information from Fightful’s Patreon about TKO and WWE loving the celebrities with plans to continue:
“WWE was reportedly extremely happy with all the celebrities’ performances at (WrestleMania 42). Additionally, Fightful notes that celebrity involvement with WWE isn’t stopping anytime soon. Although it was reiterated to Fightful that celebrity crossovers will slow down following WrestleMania season, there are still plans for celebrities to be figured into WWE programming in the near future, as early as this summer.
Fightful also notes that no names were given as far as what celebrities are planned for future angles. NFL legend Tom Brady was reportedly contacted about appearing in WWE, but the report says it’s unknown why the appearance didn’t come together.”
WWE was content with the use of celebrities throughout WrestleMania weekend. Popular streamer iShowSpeed and rapper Lil Yachty joined McAfee and Jelly Roll as the names involved. WWE believes they still get more positives from this, despite fans complaining and creating negative momentum.
Why This Is A Problem For WWE Fans
WWE has always used celebrities going all the way back to the 1980s when Muhammad Ali, Mr. T, Cyndi Lauper, and others were part of the first WrestleMania. Vince McMahon loved using famous pop culture figures, but it usually made more sense within the confines of WWE.
The TKO era has seen celebrities forced into storylines that drastically change the show. Orton vs Rhodes was supposed to be about their long history in a dream match between a mentor and protégé both holding great star power today.
However, TKO’s involvement saw McAfee as the main priority and changing the story to fit him and Jelly Roll better. WWE fans were happy with the road to WrestleMania 42 and blamed that storyline most of all. TKO wanting more celebs means they could be forcing them into main event angles for the hopeful mainstream attention.
Tom Brady Was Named In Reports
The report from Fightful named NFL legend Tom Brady as someone that was contacted by WWE about appearing in the future. Brady had some moments of trash talk with WWE wrestler Logan Paul about which sport is harder.
This turned into Brady playing into it by going overboard with his comments calling out professional wrestling. Rumors circulated that conversations between both sides meant that Brady could be appearing at WrestleMania 42.
Brady is not currently expected to be involved, but the communication there and his backstory playing into wrestling insults created an opportunity. TKO would offer Brady huge money to appear in a storyline as one someone still considered one of the most popular names in the NFL world today.
WWE Planning To Continue Controversial Idea With Fan Backlash