Pat McAfee’s time in WWE started to wind down once he joined ESPN College GameDay in September 2022. He had been the SmackDown commentator with Michael Cole before that.
He was supposed to return after the college football season, but with his daily radio show, ESPN commitments, and becoming a father, he had to dial back his WWE duties. He did appear at the Royal Rumble and WrestleMania 39 before doing a segment with The Rock and Austin Theory on Friday’s SmackDown.
Following the show, he spoke with Kayla Braxton about the surprise appearance.
“It was an absolute honor, Kayla. I got the incredible opportunity to come to a SmackDown because the show I do every Saturday, College GameDay, is in Boulder, which is up the road. A 45-minute drive down here, hopped in a bus and showered in the bus to get here. As soon as I heard there was an opportunity to do something, I literally sprinted back and then to be in the same with The Rock…”
McAfee, who has talked about wanting to do more in WWE, made it clear that he will get to work with Cole again at some point.
“I love it. He always has to be the buttoned-up guy, doing the play-by-play, which he is the greatest of all time, bar none. I understand there’s a conversation for some other people, but they haven’t been paying attention close enough. What Michael Cole has done throughout his career at the WWE is second to none. But now he’s got a little attitude, spice, and personality. He looks….the dude looks unbelievable. He looks amazing….I’m incredibly lucky that I got to work with Michael Cole, and I am still very confident that it will happen again.”
