Pat McAfee precipitated a manufacturing scramble in the course of the April 10, 2026 episode of WWE SmackDown, and it led to WWE throwing up full-screen blackouts throughout his entrance.
McAfee has been stirring reactions heading into WrestleMania together with his ongoing storyline alongside Cody Rhodes and Randy Orton. Throughout his entrance on SmackDown, issues took a flip when he repeatedly made an specific gesture that WWE clearly didn’t need proven on tv.
WWE didn’t really reduce away from the section completely, however as a substitute used full-screen blackouts to censor the second. As McAfee raised each center fingers throughout his entrance, the published instantly switched to a full black display screen till the digital camera returned with a tighter shot that hid his fingers.
The scenario occurred greater than as soon as. As McAfee continued strolling to the ring and stepped onto the apron, he once more flashed the gesture towards the gang. This time, WWE shortly prevented one other blackout by chopping to a crowd shot in what felt like an abrupt manufacturing shift.
These sudden blackouts stood out to viewers watching dwell, particularly as a result of they occurred proper in the course of his entrance and made the censorship apparent. McAfee has leaned into an aggressive character in current weeks, taking photographs at a number of WWE names whereas aligning himself with Randy Orton within the storyline.
Up to now, there’s no indication that McAfee will face punishment for the gesture. Given his place and visibility heading into WrestleMania, it’s consider the second will merely be handled as a part of the continued storyline.
Do you assume WWE dealt with the second the appropriate approach with the blackouts, or did the censorship make the section stand out much more? Tell us your ideas and share your suggestions.