Pat McAfee was recently worn down and mentally drained, mentioning fatigue as the reason behind stepping away from WWE commentary in August. He explained that juggling multiple high-impact roles took a toll, prompting a well-deserved break.
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Background: A Multi‑Role Powerhouse
Pat McAfee’s plate has been overflowing with famous gigs:
NFLuser turned media star – After retiring from the Colts in 2017, Pat McAfee through stand‑up, the wildly popular Pat McAfee Show, and regular ESPN appearances.
WWE colour writer – First soaked into WWE in 2018 with NXT, Pat McAfee became Raw’s full-time colour analyst in early 2025, calling big matches and PLEs alongside Michael Cole.
His energy, signature “Let’s go!” calls, and larger-than-life personality helped Michael Cole reach new heights on the mic.
Exhaustion Behind the Mic
“This is gonna sound like pandering… but I miss WWE every day. … My business has gotten to a point… I’m incredibly busy… timing-wise, I just can’t.”
Pat McAfee admitted health considerations, set off by frequent coast-to-coast trips, forced him to prioritise sustainability over nonstop engagement.
Reaction:
The response to McAfee’s
What’s Next? Return, Renewals, and Recovery
Here’s what lies ahead for McAfee:
Return to WWE Raw – McAfee has already confirmed he’ll be back for Raw’s move to Netflix in early January 2025.
Creative scheduling – In the future, his WWE will be seasonal or flexible, fixed in dialogue with ESPN and WWE and energy drain.
Prioritising sustainability- Expect a rhythm: college football season → WWE off-season → wrestling return → rest cycles. He’s balancing commitments with time for his primary stay.
McAfee himself referred to scheduling around ESPN commitments, while WWE and Cole emphasised his importance but acknowledged the need for flexibility.
Final Thoughts
Pat McAfee’s recent break shines a direct light on the rigours. His honest admission of exhaustion and his decision to step back, but of wisdom; bold, energetic players have to reset. As Pat McAfee plans a return to WWE with smarter scheduling, fans can look forward to hearing his trademark calls without seeing him burn out at the mike.
Vijay Suyal