Pat McAfee will be behind the desk calling matches for WWE for the foreseeable future, the company announced on July 7. The Friday Night SmackDown color commentator has been a staple of the company's programming since initially landing in NXT back in 2018. He began his time with WWE doing spots as a pre-show analyst ahead of NXT: TakeOver events, and was moved to the blue brand in April of 2021.
That's where he's spent nearly every Friday night since, announcing WWE matches alongside longtime play-by-play commentator, Michael Cole. His brand of color commentary is wholly unique, and McAfee's ability to double as an in-ring performer for big events like WrestleMania 38 and SummerSlam makes him a wrestling unicorn. He's positioned to take on Baron Corbin at the latter show, while he was involved in a monster angle at the most recent 'Mania, sharing the ring with Theory, Vince McMahon, and "Stone Cold" Steve Austin.
McAfee continues to build trust with WWE, and the company announced today that he'd been signed to a new contract extension. From WWE.com's official press release: "WWE today announced that Pat McAfee has signed a multiyear extension with WWE... The new pact will see McAfee entertaining the WWE Universe for years to come." The WWE universe was quick to congratulate him on his new deal. Cole, in particular, shared some meaningful thoughts on Twitter via his @MichaelCole handle: "After 25 years in “the booth,” working with @PatMcAfeeShow is the highlight of each week. His excitement is contagious (even if he almost kicks me when standing on our table) and has helped revitalize my love for our business! @WWE, our fans, and I are lucky to have him!"
Longtime WWE viewers will know that Cole's words ring true. He's been the voice of the company for so long, that sometimes he just seems to go on autopilot. The feeling that he's simply saying everything Vince McMahon is feeding him through his headset is hard to shake sometimes too. That's why McAfee and his unpredictability on the live mic is such a breath of fresh air for SmackDown. Sometimes boisterous commentators can appear to be putting themselves over instead of the talent, but that is the exact opposite of what McAfee does on a weekly basis.
He loves sports entertainment and grew up watching WWE, and that shines through each and every week. In an odd sort of way, Pat McAfee is a stand-in for fans at home, reacting the same way they would whenever big events happen. The most recent example that comes to mind is how he reacted when Liv Morgan cashed in at Money In The Bank. He seemed genuinely excited and surprised, and that energy transfers to the viewers at home. Good on Pat for getting his bag, and even better on WWE to keep this engaging talent locked up for at least another few years.
Sources: WWE.com, @MichaelCole