A line is being drawn in the sands of Las Vegas as a potential power struggle between WWE and its corporate parent, TKO, appears to be taking shape ahead of WrestleMania 42 this weekend.
After Pat McAfee initially slammed WrestleMania Sunday and its co-headliner CM Punk, he took up with Punk’s opponent, Roman Reigns, following Reigns’ three-minute rebuttal to a recent Punk interview.
On Wednesday, Punk continued complaining about Reigns’ part-time status and how, as a second-generation star, he didn’t
have to grind his way to the top. Reigns responded on Thursday, pointing to Punk’s recent inactivity as world champion and his past failures in the UFC.
Reigns also used the term “internet marks,” implying Punk falls into that category. His language matched McAfee’s phrasing, mocking WWE’s fan base since McAfee aligned with Randy Orton ahead of Orton’s WrestleMania Saturday showdown against Cody Rhodes.
McAfee later reposted Reigns’ message, writing, “It’s all starting to come together for you IWC nerds isn’t it? Your time is up… The Business is about to be saved by Randy Orton on Saturday night and then Roman will drive it home on Sunday night.”
Reigns reposted McAfee’s message and added, “Shopping Indy real estate now.” The comment can be read in two ways. It could be a jab at Punk, meaning Reigns will own the former indie star, or a slick hint that he’s siding with McAfee, who lives in Indianapolis.
When Reigns addressed Punk during Monday’s Raw cold open, he said he had no issue with McAfee, who had taken exception to Punk previously calling him out.
Is that where this is headed, Cagesiders — Orton, Reigns, and McAfee representing TKO, which favors star-driven attractions, while WWE’s traditional roster led by Punk and Rhodes opposes them? Sound off in the comments.
