Pat McAfee joined the WWE broadcast team a few years ago and for some time he was regularly calling the action on Friday Night SmackDown alongside Michael Cole. However, McAfee stepped away from WWE to focus on college football last year and he has yet to return on a regular basis. Wade Barrett replaced Pat McAfee on SmackDown and he recently indicated to The Daily Star that the change is permanent.
“It’s as permanent as you can ever be in a role in WWE! Historically things have always been switched around and teams have been moved from here to there, and I’m not saying I’m going to be in the SmackDown hot seat for the next ten years or anything like that. 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. I am sure he’ll come in and out from time to time and be involved in various roles but, as far as I’m aware, he’s not going to be sat in the SmackDown hot seat for now at least.”
Pat McAfee recently addressed his status with WWE and he insisted that he’s not done with wrestling when he posted the following on Twitter:
“A lot of wrestling chatter about me right now.. I think about wrestling everyday..that dream isn’t done. My business is currently rather active and exigent…+ baby on the way…timing is everything. I still have MASSIVE plans for my journey to the WWE HOF someday. Believe that.”
A lot of wrestling chatter about me right now..
I think about wrestling everyday..that dream isn’t done.
My business is currently rather active and exigent…+ baby on the way…timing is everything
I still have MASSIVE plans for my journey to the WWE HOF someday.
Believe that. pic.twitter.com/WzBZcPL6M2
— Pat McAfee (@PatMcAfeeShow) March 17, 2023
McAfee last appeared on WWE programming when he called the action at the Royal Rumble premium live event. There’s currently no word on when he could be making his next appearance. Stay tuned for updates.
