Pat McAfee, once known for kicking punts in the NFL, has since become a major name in sports media and WWE. From hosting his own ESPN talk show to surprising fans in the wrestling ring, McAfee has worn many hats. And now, it looks like he might be ready to put the WWE headset—and possibly his wrestling boots—back on.
Pat McAfee’s Break from WWE
McAfee has been away from WWE since June, stepping back mainly due to burnout. In the months that followed, he stayed busy with ESPN’s College GameDay and his hit podcast. With fall football keeping him occupied, there wasn’t much room for WWE. But now, according to a report by Fightful Select, WWE is expecting his return very soon.
While there’s no confirmation on exactly how McAfee will be involved—whether on commentary or in the ring—it’s clear WWE wants him back in the mix.
His WWE Commentary Career So Far
Pat McAfee first joined WWE as an announcer for NXT, where he showed off his natural charisma and deep passion for wrestling. From there, he moved up to SmackDown, where his energy and chemistry with Michael Cole made him a fan favourite.
When Raw shifted to Netflix, McAfee briefly joined the commentary team there too. His blend of humour, real sports knowledge, and genuine love for the business made him a standout voice on WWE TV.
Not Just a Talker—McAfee Can Wrestle Too
McAfee isn’t just a voice behind the desk—he’s also had several matches inside the WWE ring. His most recent bout took place at WWE Backlash, where he faced off against Gunther. The match was built around a storyline in which Gunther bullied Michael Cole, and McAfee stepped up to defend his friend. Though he lost the match via chokeout, the feud was featured on the Netflix series WWE Unreal.
Some of McAfee’s other major matches include:
- WrestleMania 38: Beat Austin Theory, then lost an impromptu match to Vince McMahon.
- WrestleMania 39: Defeated The Miz in another surprise match.
- SummerSlam 2022: Faced Happy Corbin in a highly praised bout.
- NXT Era: Had a heated feud with Adam Cole and took part in the 2020 WarGames match.
What’s Next for McAfee in WWE?
With the Royal Rumble happening this weekend in Saudi Arabia, there’s speculation that McAfee could return as a surprise entrant. After all, he did appear in the 2024 Royal Rumble match, which was eventually won by Cody Rhodes.
Fans are buzzing about potential matches for McAfee down the line. Some exciting names being thrown around include:
- Cody Rhodes – A major main event attraction.
- CM Punk – If the timing is right, this would be a blockbuster.
- Logan Paul – A celebrity clash that could draw big attention.
Even if McAfee doesn’t wrestle full-time, his name always generates excitement. Whether he shows up in a match, returns to commentary, or surprises fans at a pay-per-view, he’s guaranteed to bring energy and attention with him.
