Pat McAfee Unsure About WWE Return: 'Business Has Passed Me By'

ESPN personality says the WWE schedule has become too demanding for him to continue as a commentator.

Published on Mar. 9, 2026

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Pat McAfee, the popular ESPN personality and former NFL punter, has expressed doubts about a potential return to his role as a WWE commentator, stating that the wrestling business 'has kind of passed me by a little bit.' McAfee, who has split time between ESPN and WWE since 2021, cited the demanding travel schedule and 365-day calendar of WWE as factors that have made it difficult for him to continue in the commentator role.

Why it matters

McAfee's comments suggest that the grueling demands of the WWE schedule have taken a toll, and he may be stepping away from his high-profile role as a WWE commentator. This could signal a shift in the company's on-air talent lineup and potentially open the door for new voices to emerge.

The details

McAfee has not appeared on WWE programming since June 2022, shortly after his brief feud with Gunther at Backlash. In a July 2022 radio interview, McAfee acknowledged that the exhaustion from juggling his ESPN responsibilities and the WWE calendar had finally caught up to him. With the WWE's non-stop schedule and the added travel burden of appearing at pay-per-view events, McAfee seems to have recognized that a full-time return may not be feasible.

  • McAfee last appeared on WWE programming in June 2022.
  • In July 2022, McAfee spoke about the exhaustion from his demanding schedule.
  • McAfee has not returned to WWE since his brief feud with Gunther at Backlash in 2022.

The players

Pat McAfee

A popular ESPN personality, former NFL punter, and former WWE commentator who has expressed doubts about a potential return to the WWE due to the demanding schedule.

Gunther

A WWE wrestler who had a brief feud with McAfee in 2022.

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What they’re saying

“I don't think you ever say never, especially with the WWE. But right now, it does not feel like it is something that is supposed to happen. It feels like that business has kind of passed me by a little bit.”

— Pat McAfee (Instagram)

“I feel like the business is in a good spot without me. I'll continue to watch.”

— Pat McAfee (Instagram)

The takeaway

McAfee's comments suggest that the demanding schedule and travel requirements of the WWE have become too much for him to continue in his high-profile commentator role. This could signal a shift in the company's on-air talent lineup and potentially open the door for new voices to emerge, as the wrestling business continues to evolve.