WWE has always been blessed with some of the best creative minds behind the announce table. The likes of Jim Ross and Jerry Lawler in the past have been very popular. In recent times the addition of former NFL star Pat McAfee to the commentary team has been lauded by the fans. Though, a top WWE star has given a disappointing update regarding his future in the Stamford-based company.
Former Intercontinental champion Wade Barrett recently had an interaction with Daily Star. He discussed that McAfee may not return to the SmackDown commentary team anytime soon. Barrett first addressed his current role in the company, “I’m not saying I’m going to be in the SmackDown hot seat for the next ten years or anything like that”.
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“But in terms of the foreseeable, it’s going to be me and Cole going forward. Pat McAfee is always going to be a friend of WWE. He’s an incredibly talented guy and we’re all fans of his, too, but he has a lot on his plate,” added the former King of The Ring.
Fans react to the disappointing update on Pat McAfee’s WWE future
The information from Barrett was met with sadness from all quarters. Social media users took to Twitter to let their discontent on the matter known.
These are some of the top comments:
That’s a shame.. Can’t say I’m surprised though.. The dude is involved in a ridiculous amount of stuff on top of getting ready to be a dad.
— Derek (@DM_Hess) March 16, 2023
Yeah he's a busy guy,I hate that though. McAfee is a very exciting commentator,he brings a lot to the broadcast and the ppvs.
— Angie B (@purp2172) March 16, 2023
All the good commentators always leave…
— RebelWithoutACaws (@RebelCaws) March 17, 2023
I love Wade, but @PatMcAfeeShow just brings so much to the show. This is terrible 😭
— charity (@bigsadcharity) March 17, 2023
I’m gonna miss Pat on commentary. Wade is okay but Pat brings so much more energy on commentary.
— IWCInformant (@IWCInformant) March 17, 2023
Many WWE fans would echo the same sentiment.
Good things just dont last….
— Kuai Reigns (@CoolAsSub0) March 16, 2023
This is ABSURD!!
— Nate De La Garza (@King_DeLaGarza) March 17, 2023
Thats so fucked news. I fucking hate it.
— UT JAN (@Ney_Afg_163) March 16, 2023
Please dont got Pat
— Isaiah da Track Killa (@IsaiahTrack112) March 16, 2023
Barrett has been sharing SmackDown’s mic duties along with Michael Cole in McAfee’s absence. He is slowly and steadily building a good rapport among the fans. Barrett brings in a wealth of experience as a wrestler while commentating on matches but still filling McAfee’s shoes will be a big task.
Although McAfee’s association with WWE can be traced back to 2018, it was only in 2021 that he became a regular fixture in the blue brand’s comms team. He forged a great partnership with veteran announcer Cole that was widely appreciated. But it seems that the wrestling juggernaut’s fans would not be able to enjoy the services of the former NFL star. The former Indianapolis Colts player has had his hands in a lot of pies since last year.
McAfee really has a lot on his plate
He has been involved in a lot of activities beyond his past commitments with WWE. As is common knowledge, McAfee hosts a YouTube podcast The Pat McAfee Show. Apart from this, he also features as an analyst for the ESPN show Thursday Night College Football. Moreover, wife Samantha McAfee is expecting soon and posted a heartwarming tribute to her husband last month.
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It is thus almost impossible for McAfee to appear on WWE programming on a consistent basis. He last acted as a guest commentator at the 2023 Royal Rumble PLE.
Pat McAfee has appeared as a breath of fresh air in WWE’s commentary team. The amount of energy he brought to any event raised the excitement of the fans to the next level. While it will be hard for wrestling fanatics to hear that he would not be a part of the announcing team in the near future, they would be hoping to see McAfee on the WWE announce team again.
What are your reactions to Pat McAfee not appearing in WWE anytime soon?
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Let us know in the comments.
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