Pat McAfee says he is living the dream.
Pat McAfee joined ESPN College GameDay in September 2022, bringing his run as a SmackDown commentator to an end for the time being. McAfee made one-off appearances at WWE Royal Rumble 2023 and WrestleMania 39, and he made a surprise return on the September 15 episode of WWE SmackDown. There, he shared the ring with The Rock, who also made a stunning return, and they both hit Austin Theory with a People's Elbow.
In a SmackDown Exclusive, McAfee commented on his return.
“It was an absolute honor. I got the incredible opportunity to come to a SmackDown because the show that I do every single Saturday, College GameDay, is in Boulder, which is up the road. 45-minute drive down here, hopped in a bus, I showered in the bus to get here. As soon as I heard there was an opportunity to do something, I literally sprinted back," McAfee said.
McAfee also shared his thoughts on sharing the ring with The Rock. He called Austin Theory a bum but admitted that he looked good, McAfee then noted that WWE has always been a dream destination for him, and he is grateful for everything he has been able to do during his time with the company.
“That bum, Austin Theory. I was in the ring with him again. He looked good, looking a black tank top. He does look fantastic. It’s just the inside of him that’s terrible. You can’t really change that. But yeah, The Rock and I had a chance to chat earlier today on my show. He was electrifying, and then tonight, to get to be in the ring, I got to see all of it happens. His spinebuster, the People’s Elbow, the eyebrow raise, the ‘It doesn’t matter,’ him starting a ‘You are an asshole’ chant. I was in there for the whole thing. The WWE, my entire life, has been a dream destination. Everything that I’ve been able to do here, I’m incredibly lucky for and thankful for, grateful for it. I try to enjoy. I definitely did that tonight. It’s a dream being back for sure," McAfee said.
McAfee continued by noting how wild being able to share the ring with "Stone Cold" Steve Austin and The Rock has been. He stated that he is living his dream, and he knows every kid that grew up in his generation had that dream as well. McAfee emphasized his gratitude and stated that he is trying to enjoy the experiences.
“It’s so stupid. I got Stunned by Stone Cold at WrestleMania in Texas. Then I got to drink some Steve-weisers with him afterwards. I just got to do a People’s Elbow with The Rock. I’m living, not only my dream, but I know pretty much every kid that grew up in my generation’s dream, so I hope I’m doing you guys proud. I’m trying to enjoy it, and I am beyond thankful for it all," he said.
The former SmackDown commentator was also asked to share his thoughts on the newly "casual" Michael Cole fans have seen in recent months. McAfee made it clear that he likes it, and he also called Cole the greatest of all time. He then teased that he is confident 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 sone 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, a little spice, a little personality. He looks unbelievable. I’m incredibly lucky that I got to work with Michael Cole, and I am still very confident that it will happen again," McAfee said.
It is not known when McAfee will appear again in WWE programming.
Pat McAfee previously said he misses WWE every day, but he can't be there due to timing. Check out his comments here.
Michael Cole has said that he won't leave announcing full-time until he and Pat McAfee can have a run together. Click here to see what he had to say.
Click here to catch up on our coverage of the September 15 episode of WWE SmackDown. For a full review, check out the post-show podcast on our YouTube channel.
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