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

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

McAfee joined Randy Orton as “The Viper” goes for the Undisputed WWE Championship against Cody Rhodes. McAfee’s appearance on SmackDown and his late entry into the rivalry with a few weeks left before WrestleMania 42 sparked aggravation from pro wrestling fans on social media.

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

The former Indianapolis Colts punter explained during his promo Friday night that he wanted 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 have “been forgotten”. He doubled down on his criticism during his show Monday afternoon, taking a swipe at the internet wrestling community, calling them “dips—s.”

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

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

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

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

“You think you can come here to the business, my business, to professional wrestling, and run your mouth. Well, you just wrote a check that your narrow a– can’t cash,” Punk said. “You want to talk about ticket sales? Do me a favor, call the agent who was foolish enough to get you into this business and this show and tell him to lower the ticket prices.

“I’ll be damned if I want you, someone who kicked a football for a living, to come to my business and talk to me about selling tickets and putting a–es in seats. You’ve got a receipt coming your way.”

Pakinomist Digital reached out to TKO Group Holdings for comment.

WrestleMania 42 is set to take place on April 18 and 19 at Allegiant Stadium in Las Vegas. Punk and Reigns are sure to be in action with Rhodes taking on Orton. These matches are the two likely main events for the show.