Former NFL punter and charismatic commentator Pat McAfee has transitioned from a guest appearance at the Royal Rumble to a full-time role as a commentator on WWE Raw. McAfee, known for his entertaining and unfiltered style, made a dramatic entrance at Amalie Arena in Tampa, Florida, setting the stage for his unexpected return to professional wrestling.
As WWE Raw kicked off on Monday night, McAfee"s signature theme song echoed through the arena, signaling his presence at the commentary desk alongside play-by-play veteran Michael Cole. The announcement, made by Cole, confirmed that McAfee would now be a permanent fixture in the Raw broadcast team.
BREAKING: @PatMcAfeeShow & @MichaelCole are the brand new commentary team on #WWERaw every Monday! pic.twitter.com/y8cOEpDigv
— WWE (@WWE) January 30, 2024
McAfee"s return to the WWE commentary booth comes as a surprise, given his sporadic appearances over the past two years and his other commitments, including hosting The Pat McAfee Show on ESPN and his role on College GameDay. The decision to bring McAfee on board full-time for television"s longest-running weekly episodic program indicates WWE"s recognition of his unique charm and rapport with the audience.
The timing of McAfee"s return coincides with WWE"s recent announcement of a rights deal with Netflix, slated to take effect in January 2025. Until then, Raw will continue to air on the USA Network through September, with the interim hosting situation for the flagship show still up in the air.
While McAfee"s commitments to WWE Raw are now solidified, questions linger about his dual roles in sports entertainment and college football. The 36-year-old commentator has publicly committed to continuing with College GameDay for the 2024 season, adding an extra layer of intrigue to his already dynamic career.
