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CM Punk calls Pat McAfee in heated ‘Monday Night Raw’ segment

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WWE star CM Punk torched ESPN broadcaster Pat McAfee during the opening episode of “Monday Night Raw” after the former NFL player engaged in a major feud ahead of WrestleMania 42.

McAfee sided with Randy Orton as “The Viper” went for the Undisputed WWE Championship against Cody Rhodes. McAfee’s appearance on SmackDown and his late entry into the competition just weeks before WrestleMania 42 sparked outrage from professional wrestling fans on social media.

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CM Punk speaks during Monday Night RAW at Toyota Center on April 6, 2026 in Houston, Texas. (Craig Ambrosio/WWE)

The former Indianapolis Colts punter explained during his Friday night promotion that he wants to change the business for the better, expressing his desire for the company to return to the days of the Attitude Era. He said people like him were “forgotten”. He doubled down on his criticism during his Monday afternoon show, harshly criticizing the internet wrestling community, calling them “falls.”

McAfee also expressed confusion as to why tickets are still available for WrestleMania.

Punk, who is in the middle of his rivalry with Roman Reigns and will defend the World Heavyweight Championship against him at WrestleMania 42, devoted the first 10 minutes of “Monday Night Raw” to Reigns. But then he made time for McAfee.

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Pat McAfee, St. He plays with Cody Rhodes during SmackDown at the Enterprise Center in St. Louis

Pat McAfee died on April 3, 2026 in St. He takes on Cody Rhodes during SmackDown at the Enterprise Center in St. Louis, Missouri. (Craig Melvin/WWE)

He berated the broadcaster and called him “Pat MAGA-Fee,” an apparent reference to President Donald Trump’s appearance on his show last year, and then took aim at McAfee’s manager Ari Emanuel, who is also the CEO and executive of TKO Group Holdings, WWE’s parent company.

“You think you can come here to work, to my job, to pro wrestling, and shut up. You just wrote a check that your short-sightedness can’t cash,” Punk said. “You want to talk about ticket sales? Do me a favor, call that agent who was stupid enough to put you in this business and this show and tell him to lower his ticket prices.”

“I’ll be damned if I have someone who plays football for a living come into my job and talk to me about selling tickets and putting a-es on seats. He’s got a receipt.”

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. With Rhodes defeating Orton, it is certain that Punk and Reigns will take action. These matches are the two possible main events of the show.