Why is Pat McAfee a WWE announcer as ‘childhood dream’ realized?
Pat McAfee is returning to WWE to fulfil his childhood dream. The former Indianapolis Colts punter-turned-media personality has had previous stints at the commentary desk for the flagship Monday Night Raw programme, and has also made appearances on other brands including NXT and SmackDown. McAfee has worked with WWE for a number of years now and will return from hiatus in 2025Getty He last appeared on WWE TV back in August, before he announced he was taking a hiatus to serve as an analyst on ESPN’s College GameDay show for the 2024 college football season. But ahead of Raw’s $5 billion move to Netflix, McAfee has shared an update, confirming that he will be returning in the new year. “An absolute honor to be asked back,” he tweeted on Wednesday, December 4. “A childhood dream realized every single time I’m lucky enough to be in an arena with the WWE Universe. “Can’t wait to be talking into a microphone next to Michael Cole again. He’s the (GOAT). “I’m excited to tell the worldwide audience on Netflix how great the WWE Superstars are… and how big of scumbags some of ‘em are too. Let’s go.” While McAfee now well known in the professional wrestling world, his jump from the NFL came as a bit of a surprise at the time. So exactly how did the former punter end up at the commentary desk? McAfee has been involved with WWE since 2018 when he started as a part-time commentator with NXT, the developmental brand. He also served as a pre-show host for WrestleMania in 2019. McAfee has featured both at the commentary desk and in the ringGetty As part of NXT, he was involved in some storylines, including one with former NXT Champion Adam Cole. At NXT TakeOver XXX in August 2020, McAfee had a match against Cole, in which he was defeated. His storylines also included his own stable – named The Kings of NXT – which included Pete Dunne, Ridge Holland, Danny Burch and Oney Lorcan. They feuded with Cole’s stable, the Undisputed Era, and were defeated at the NXT TakeOver: WarGames event in December 2020. Four months later, it was announced that McAfee had been moved to the SmackDown brand, where he went on to serve as color commentator alongside Michael Cole. During that time, he also had a number of other on-screen feuds, one of which saw him share the ring with Stone Cold Steve Austin and Vince McMahon at WrestleMania 38. McAfee has even stepped inside the ring at the Royal Rumble and WrestleManiaGetty He continued with WWE until September 2022, before taking a hiatus for College GameDay that year. McAfee returned in both 2023 and 2024, and two days after a surprise appearance in the Royal Rumble match back in January, he made his full-time return to WWE on Raw as part of the new commentary team with Cole, sticking around until August. And with his latest College GameDay stint drawing to a close, McAfee will soon be back at the desk, living out his childhood dream once again.
Pat McAfee is returning to WWE to fulfil his childhood dream.
The former Indianapolis Colts punter-turned-media personality has had previous stints at the commentary desk for the flagship Monday Night Raw programme, and has also made appearances on other brands including NXT and SmackDown.
He last appeared on WWE TV back in August, before he announced he was taking a hiatus to serve as an analyst on ESPN’s College GameDay show for the 2024 college football season.
But ahead of Raw’s $5 billion move to Netflix, McAfee has shared an update, confirming that he will be returning in the new year.
“An absolute honor to be asked back,” he tweeted on Wednesday, December 4.
“A childhood dream realized every single time I’m lucky enough to be in an arena with the WWE Universe.
“Can’t wait to be talking into a microphone next to Michael Cole again. He’s the (GOAT).
“I’m excited to tell the worldwide audience on Netflix how great the WWE Superstars are… and how big of scumbags some of ‘em are too. Let’s go.”
While McAfee now well known in the professional wrestling world, his jump from the NFL came as a bit of a surprise at the time.
So exactly how did the former punter end up at the commentary desk?
McAfee has been involved with WWE since 2018 when he started as a part-time commentator with NXT, the developmental brand.
He also served as a pre-show host for WrestleMania in 2019.
As part of NXT, he was involved in some storylines, including one with former NXT Champion Adam Cole.
At NXT TakeOver XXX in August 2020, McAfee had a match against Cole, in which he was defeated.
His storylines also included his own stable – named The Kings of NXT – which included Pete Dunne, Ridge Holland, Danny Burch and Oney Lorcan.
They feuded with Cole’s stable, the Undisputed Era, and were defeated at the NXT TakeOver: WarGames event in December 2020.
Four months later, it was announced that McAfee had been moved to the SmackDown brand, where he went on to serve as color commentator alongside Michael Cole.
During that time, he also had a number of other on-screen feuds, one of which saw him share the ring with Stone Cold Steve Austin and Vince McMahon at WrestleMania 38.
He continued with WWE until September 2022, before taking a hiatus for College GameDay that year.
McAfee returned in both 2023 and 2024, and two days after a surprise appearance in the Royal Rumble match back in January, he made his full-time return to WWE on Raw as part of the new commentary team with Cole, sticking around until August.
And with his latest College GameDay stint drawing to a close, McAfee will soon be back at the desk, living out his childhood dream once again.
