Former Indianapolis Colts punter turned media personality, Pat McAfee, has once again found himself donning multiple hats. The charismatic star officially returned to the WWE on a full-time basis Monday night. Taking on the role of Raw’s lead color commentator alongside Michael Cole, McAfee’s return marks his second stint as a lead commentator in the WWE.
McAfee previously held the lead commentary position on Friday Night Smackdown from April 2021 to September 2022, before transitioning to a full-time host role on ESPN’s College GameDay. Despite his departure, WWE’s Paul “Triple H” Levesque extended an open invitation for McAfee to return whenever he desired.
Since leaving WWE for GameDay, McAfee has been a fixture on the ESPN platform, traveling the country with the GameDay crew as well as hosting his own show from Indianapolis. However, he hinted at his return to WWE during a December episode of The Pat McAfee Show, setting the stage for his re-entry into the wrestling world.
Having been involved with WWE since 2018, initially as a part-time commentator for NXT events, McAfee’s journey has seen him be featured everywhere from the commentary booth to the wrestling ring itself. He made his in-ring debut in 2020 and has performed with names like The Miz, Adam Cole and even Vince McMahon.
Despite his ESPN commitments and the demanding travel schedule associated with WWE, McAfee’s enthusiasm for the wrestling world has never been in doubt. McAfee continued to make guest appearances with the company even after his first departure. So much so that he has even been rumored to be a DLC option in the upcoming WWE 2k24 video game. His return to WWE coincides with a shakeup in the commentary team, with McAfee stepping in to replace Wade Barrett on Raw.
Controversy on All Fronts
McAfee has been no stranger to controversy in recent months. Recent episodes of his ESPN show saw him embroiled in heated discussions, including one involving New York Jets quarterback Aaron Rodgers linking Jimmy Kimmel to convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein. McAfee also faced criticism for allegedly allowing vaccine conspiracies to go unchallenged on his show.
In the midst of McAfee’s return, WWE itself is grappling with legal challenges, including a lawsuit accusing McMahon and former executive John Laurinaitis of serious charges. McMahon’s resignation from TKO Group, WWE’s parent company, adds another layer of complexity to the situation.
Ultimately, McAfee is a welcomed addition back to WWE as he brings passion and flair back to a position that has been sorely lacking since his first departure.