Pat McAfee joined Michael Cole at the SmackDown announce desk in April 2021.
The former NFL star quickly became a hit with fans due to his childlike enthusiasm and seemingly endless energy. However, in September 2022 McAfee took a break from WWE after landing a presenting gig with ESPN.
McAfee was initially replaced by Corey Graves, before WWE made a number of changes to their commentary teams a month later. As part of the re-shuffle, Wade Barrett joined Michael Cole on SmackDown, Booker T moved to NXT alongside Vic Joseph and the Raw Commentary returned to being a two-person booth.
Jimmy Smith left the company with Kevin Patrick joining Graves calling the action.
McAfee made a shock return at the Royal Rumble to commentate on the show with Michael Cole and Corey Graves, but this appears to have just been a one-off.
Speaking in a recent interview, Wade Barrett said that his role with the blue brand was as “permanent as can ever be in WWE,” casting doubt on McAfee’s future. These comments came after the man himself said that he was unsure whether he would want to work with WWE’s new owners, whoever they may end up being.
Writing in the Wrestling Observer Newsletter, Dave Meltzer noted that there are currently “no plans” for McAfee to return to WWE.
Pat McAfee Responds To Speculation Around His Future
As the speculation around his future continued to increase, McAfee took to social media to try and clarify the situation. The announcer said that he thinks about wrestling every day and that the dream isn’t done.
“My business is currently rather active and exigent…+ baby on the way…timing is everything I still have MASSIVE plans for my journey to the WWE HOF someday. Believe that.”
Since taking his first steps into WWE in 2020, Pat McAfee has wrestled five times, including bouts at WrestleMania and SummerSlam.