Pat McAfee is a headline machine. From WWE rings to ESPN College GameDay, he’s always making waves. Fresh off his GameDay duties, where he just wrapped up his college football championship commentary and picks, it’s easy to forget his other gig. Remember that emotional farewell on WWE Raw back on August 19th? That wasn’t just a casual goodbye; it was a ‘see ya later’ for the rest of 2024. McAfee, ever the showman, made it clear where his heart lies, even during football season. “Very bummed out. Football season is starting, which is awesome. But the WWE family is where I’m supposed to be. And I know that’s true,” he confessed. So, while he’s dissecting college football Saturdays, a part of him is definitely missing the squared circle.

But don’t worry—his WWE story isn’t over yet. With Raw moving to Netflix in January 2025, both McAfee and WWE fans are already counting down the days for his return!

Long Island was already buzzing when Saturday Night’s Main Event returned, expecting Jesse Ventura as the only special guest. But when chants of “Let’s go!” filled the arena, the crowd went wild as McAfee made a surprise entrance, setting the stage for an unforgettable NBC special. His Big Comeback even drew a special guest from the college football world—a national championship semi-finalist coach showing up at WrestleMania? Now that’s a crossover!

Even outside the ring, McAfee has been dominating screens with his show, blending humor, hot takes, and sports analysis. On January 31, 2025, he brought former NFL star AJ Hawk and WWE’s Sheamus onto the show, serving up nonstop laughs. McAfee tweeted, “@OfficialAJHawk lost the vest you gave him @WWESheamus 😂😂 #PMSLive,” giving fans a glimpse into their wild chemistry.

But here’s where things take a jaw-dropping twist—

Turns out, it wasn’t just wrestling fans glued to their screens—Notre Dame’s head coach, Marcus Freeman, was spotted in the crowd, soaking in the action with his wife, Joanna, and their kids. One Reddit user posted: “As a wrestling fan, this was cool to see. Though I did hear some boos when he was shown…must be some angry IU fans in attendance.” McAfee himself reshared the moment on X, captioning it, “MARCUS FREEMAN IS IN THE HOUSE.”

Fans expected fireworks at this year’s Royal Rumble, with legends like Cena, Punk, Rollins, Reigns, Flair, Sky, and Bayley all in the mix. Rumors of surprise returns from The Rock, Lynch, and Styles were swirling. But then—boom—McAfee stole the show before it even began with a thrilling voiceover for the cold open. “I know what you’re thinking: ‘Oh, Pat McAfee…Super original…nail a hot cold open…how you doin’!’ Well, you know what? You’re damn right.”

And just like that, the Road to WrestleMania got even more electrifying.

Pat McAfee’s bromance with Marcus Freeman

Pat McAfee is everywhere—and that’s exactly why fans can’t get enough of him. From hyping up Royal Rumble to keeping college football fans on their toes, he’s mastered the art of entertaining. But here’s the thing—just weeks ago, when college football championships were heating up, McAfee was right there showing his love for Marcus Freeman.

When Freeman appeared on GameDay ahead of the Ohio State vs. Texas Cotton Bowl Classic, McAfee greeted him in classic Pat fashion: “You’re a very handsome 39 years old…the hairline once again STUPENDOUS.”

And while it’s all fun and games, McAfee’s respect for Freeman as a coach runs deep. When people questioned Notre Dame’s strength of schedule and whether they deserved a playoff spot, McAfee didn’t hesitate to lay down the facts: “Notre Dame has 2 wins over 2 teams currently ranked in the top 25…I think that’s a big deal when you’re talking about strength of schedule.”

Of course, McAfee keeps it real. On GameDay’s final pick segment, he went with Ohio State as his national champion. But that didn’t change the fact that he’s been silently rooting for Freeman and giving him his flowers all season long.