Pat McAfee says his relationship with WWE is stronger than ever.
Aside from appearances at The Royal Rumble and WrestleMania 39, McAfee has been gone from the company since leaving for ESPN College Gameday last September.
During a recent appearance on the SI Media podcast, McAfee told host Jimmy Traina that he’s still in contact with WWE executives and they are working on his potential return.
McAfee said:
Myself, Michael Cole, Nick Khan, Kevin Dunn, Hunter Hearst Helmsley, Vincent Kennedy McMahon, we’re all still very much in contact with each other.
McAfee continued to say that both Khan and McMahon gave him advice when he was negotiating his new deal with ESPN.
He continued:
My relationship with the WWE, I don’t want to say stronger than it’s ever been, but actually stronger than it’s ever been and we are all very much talking about how I get back in the Universe because I love it.
We talked about this earlier, I love it, I think I’m good at it, I think I’m supposed to be in there, I understand why people are doing things, I think that’s why commentating was a good spot for me alongside Michael Cole, the greatest of all time.
Getting to get stunned by “Stone Cold” Steve Austin. I lived out dream after dream after dream over there, I love that place, our relationship is very strong.
We’re working, we’re all trying to figure it out.
McAfee announced last month that he’s signed a deal to bring The Pat McAfee Show to ESPN. Beginning this fall, his show will air on ESPN’s cable channels, YouTube channel, and ESPN+.
The NY Post reported that McAfee’s deal with the network is for five years and $85 million. When reached for comment, McAfee would neither confirm nor deny those numbers, saying:
“Interesting number,” McAfee told NY Post over direct messages on Twitter. “I don’t talk about the business side of it all, the actual numbers and such.”
Former WWE SmackDown color commentator Pat McAfee is taking his popular daily show to ESPN.
First announced by the New York Post Tuesday, McAfee has signed a multi-million dollar, multi-year agreement that is believed to be bringing him more than eight figures per year.
As a result, he will leave behind a four-year, $120 million contract with Fanduel of which he is in the second year. He had already been doing work with ESPN on College GameDay and alternative college football commentary work via Peyton Manning’s production company.
The 36-year-old appeared at the Disney upfront Tuesday to confirm the news, seen below.
*AEW All In sets records, and looking at the biggest crowds in pro wrestling history and how this compares, what we’ve earned about ticketing, what records are within reach and what records are not, as well as the biggest crowds ever in Europe and a man named Jim Londos.
*Evaluating the WWE draft. We look at the depth charts of both brands, questions being asked, will the brand split really be what they say (of course it won’t long run), looking at the NXT talent brought up and more.
*A look at WWE business including heavy quotes from Nick Khan and Paul Levesque on the current state of the business, how much WWE is looking a cutting with the merger with UFC, Khan talks about working under Endeavor.
*Levesque talks the booking of talent
*WrestleMania business notes
*How many people watch Raw or Smackdown on a weekly basis, and the number is far more than you think
*Plans for another major overseas event on hold
*WWE Backlash notes
*Looking at the last three months of wrestling numbers and how it compares with television as a whole
*New Japan Dontaku full coverage as well as the next month of New Japan major shows
*Gable Steveson and others who have done pro wrestling and then gone back to amateur wrestling including the top worker of the 80s who the Olympics banned from competing due to an archaic rule
*Full Saturday UFC coverage
*Pro Wrestling NOAH runs Sumo Hall and the matches and angles
*The most detailed look at pro wrestling ratings, as well s where the changes were, competition and what can be learned from them
*CMLL Champion of Champions tournament
*Major League baseball players go to Arena Mexico
*Unique new idea for running pro wrestling shows explained and talks of it going t the U.S.
*Why a world title recently changed hands
*A new jump that hasn’t happened but essentially is about to
*Champion Carnival tournament goes to the finals
*Will Ospreay’s future
*70s and 80s star returning to the ring
*Vikingo goes to Australia
*Lots of changes coming to AEW
*Update on plans for the new and revamped AEW television plans
*Hire of Will Washington
*Update on Double or Nothing show
*Lots of competition of AEW next week
*DVR viewership of AEW
*Advance ticket sales for WWE and AEW shows
*Jon Jones talks future
*Lots of new UFC fights
*Bare Knuckle Boxing business notes
*Bare Knuckle MMA shows coming
*More on gold medalist signing with WWE
*Other gold medalists WWE has signed over the years
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Tuesday Update
WWE
The New York Post is reporting that ESPN is the leading candidate for Pat McAfee’s daily show, as he’s considering leaving his FanDuel deal.
Judge Mark T. Pittman on Tuesday dismissed with prejudice a case in which WWE was sued by a WrestleMania 38 attendee after they allegedly suffered hearing loss at the event.
Valerie Coleman, the wife of Superstar Billy Graham, provided the following update on his health on Facebook: “The doctors are continuing to try and prepare me for the worst. And I continue to explain to them that Wayne and I are people of faith and that our God has the final say. I am not in denial about what’s happening to him or blind to what the medical reports say…I just know that the God I serve is greater than any infection and more powerful than any organ failure. Please pray specifically for his blood cultures to come back clear and for his blood pressure to stabilize. At this time they are providing support to prevent his pressure from plummeting and the fact that his cultures continue to be positive is one of the main reasons they are not very optimistic. They think he may have a heart infection but the test that would confirm that is too dangerous for him. All things are possible with God and there is power when believers come into agreement together. Prayer is incredibly powerful and we need all of your prayers. With my whole heart I give thanks to God for each of you and I am grateful beyond words for you all.”
Carlito on Twitter following his cameo at WWE Backlash: “Well….looks like my Indy booking price just went up!!”
NJPW interviewed Dan Moloney, who will participate in the upcoming Best of the Super Juniors tournament.
McAfee announced on Thursday that he and his wife Samantha have welcomed their first child into the world. The baby is a girl, and McAfee noted that the baby and mother are both healthy.
“Today’s a day that @MrsMcAfeeShow and I have been dreaming of,” McAfee wrote. “I can’t wait to see where this foot gets to go beautiful girl. WE LOVE YOU. Baby and Momma are both healthy. Momma and I are floating with joy. This is amazing. Thanks for all of the good vibes.”
The McAfees announced in November 2022 that they were expecting their first child. Samantha detailed her parenthood journey, which included two lost pregnancies where she needed to undergo life-threatening emergency surgeries.
For those of you who haven’t followed along with our parenthood journey, we have lost two pregnancies, I almost lost my life both times with internal bleeding, resulting in losing both of my Fallopian tubes which has caused us to not be able to conceive naturally. In July, we started our IVF journey. It’s hard to put into words what all comes with IVF. It is physically demanding and emotionally challenging for the both of us. Pumping my body with so many hormones, the anxiety, the hope, truly being a human science project. Also despite my many tattoos, I absolutely hate needles so getting shots everyday (sometimes 3 in one day) was not easy on me or for Patrick to have to cause pain to me. I would like to believe IVF has made our relationship stronger.
Dear women and couples trying and battling, I hope this isn’t a trigger but rather serves as hope. Hope that you too can over come the battle of infertility. You will be parents! And remember that after a storm, a rainbow can occur.
Though he’s been away from his full-time role with WWE since starting with ESPN’s College GameDay last September, McAfee made surprise appearances at both the Royal Rumble and WrestleMania earlier this year. McAfee defeated The Miz in an impromptu match at WrestleMania 39 night one.
“A lot of wrestling chatter about me right now.. I think about wrestling everyday..that dream isn’t done,” McAfee tweeted. “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.”
Miz and Snoop Dogg were out in the ring to announce the night’s attendance when Miz said he was disappointed no one accepted his open challenge. As he was about to deliver his catchphrase, McAfee’s music hit and out he came.
McAfee accepted the challenge and Miz attempted to get out of it, saying no one could make the match. Snoop Dogg said as the co-host of the evening, he had the authority to do so and did just that.
McAfee was aided by San Francisco 49ers’ tight end George Kittle who Miz shoved as he was attempting to walk out of the match. Kittle jumped over the barricade and clotheslined Miz as the referee was distracted, leading to McAfee hitting a swanton off the ringpost to the outside.
Shortly after, McAfee hit a punt kick on Miz to get the pin and win.
The now-former SmackDown announcer wrestled at last year’s WrestleMania, defeating Austin Theory before losing a bizarre match against Vince McMahon right afterward. He picked up a win over Happy Corbin at last year’s SummerSlam.
Due to time commitments with ESPN, his daily show and other entities, McAfee had to step away from his SmackDown announcing duties and was replaced by Wade Barrett last fall.
WWE CEO Nick Khan told The Marchand & Ourand Sports Media Podcast that the company has “no plans” for McAfee to be at the event this year. McAfee has not returned to the SmackDown commentary desk following his hiatus to join ESPN College Gameday last year. He made a one-night return at the Royal Rumble in January but is currently not expected back full-time.
Khan said of McAfee:
We have no plans to have him there this weekend.
The world is his oyster. He’s 36 years old and look at his relevancy factor when you talk to young children. I have two young children, when I talk to them it’s often, ‘McAfee, McAfee, McAfee.’ That’s what’s in the wheelhouse for them. So, if you look at any of the traditional buyers, what do they want? They want a young diverse audience. What does McAfee bring? He brings a young, diverse audience. You notice he doesn’t get political, extreme, either way. He has Aaron Rodgers on, he treats him respectfully, develops that relationship, he becomes the go-to home of Aaron Rodgers. You see that with more athletes and Pat. He’s not looking to annihilate anybody or crucify them, he’s looking to have good content and his content has been terrific. So, he’ll determine, ultimately, where he wants his home to be and our hope is that he does more with us.
McAfee’s WWE future garnered speculation earlier this month following Wade Barrett telling the Daily Star his role on the SmackDown commentary team is “as permanent as you can ever be in a role in WWE.”
Shortly after Barrett’s statements, McAfee posted to Twitter that he still has “massive plans” regarding his journey to the WWE Hall of Fame. He wrote:
“A lot of wrestling chatter about me right now.. I think about wrestling everyday..that dream isn’t done,” McAfee tweeted. “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.”
Last month, McAfee reflected on his career and what his future in WWE could hold. He wrote:
“Baby girl on the way… what’s that mean for my future with @WWE? I LOVE it but, they’re allegedly gonna be sold, who’s buying them? Do I want to work/make money for those people?”
McAfee recently announced that he will return to ESPN College Gameday next season.
Despite having a lot on his plate right now, Pat McAfee is still focused on his WWE dream.
McAfee posted a tweet on Thursday night responding to questions about his WWE status. McAfee wrote that, while his business is rather active right now and he and his wife are expecting a baby, he still has “massive” plans for his journey to the WWE Hall of Fame one day.
“A lot of wrestling chatter about me right now.. I think about wrestling everyday..that dream isn’t done,” McAfee tweeted. “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.”
McAfee made a surprise return to WWE commentary at the Royal Rumble this January but hasn’t been on WWE television since then. It was McAfee’s first appearance since putting his WWE role on hold last September to start a new job with ESPN’s College GameDay.
Wade Barrett, who took over for McAfee on SmackDown commentary, recently spoke to the Daily Star about his commentary position. Barrett said his role on SmackDown is “as permanent as you can ever be in a role in WWE.”
Barrett said about McAfee: “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.”
In a tweet last month, McAfee reflected on everything that’s going on with his sports media career and life at the moment. He wrote about WWE: “Baby girl on the way… what’s that mean for my future with @WWE? I LOVE it but, they’re allegedly gonna be sold, who’s buying them? Do I want to work/make money for those people?”
Wade Barrett says he will be at the SmackDown commentary table for the foreseeable future.
The 42-year-old told The Daily Star recently that his role on Friday nights is “as permanent as you can ever be in a role in WWE.”
Barrett was moved from the NXT broadcast team to SmackDown last October after Pat McAfee left for ESPN College GameDay. WWE stated at the time that McAfee would return to the position once the college football season was over. McAfee made a surprise return to the commentary desk at the Royal Rumble but has not resumed his previous duties on SmackDown.
Barrett says that it will be him and Michael Cole at the SmackDown commentary position going forward.
Barrett said:
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.
A social media post by McAfee in February cast doubt on the 35-year-old’s WWE future.
McAfee wrote:
Baby girl on the way… what’s that mean for my future with @WWE? I LOVE it but, they’re allegedly gonna be sold, who’s buying them? Do I want to work/make money for those people?
Man… brain’s been COOKIN
Excited to get back but I love this annual think sesh at the beach with my bride..
The future of #PMSLive has been a lot of fun to think about..
Going thru all of the numbers.. facts are facts.. We’ve really been quite a fucking disruptor in this… pic.twitter.com/GoFUtwTLRc
Barrett was under contract to WWE as an in-ring performer from 2006 until 2015. He is a former King of the Ring winner and five-time Intercontinental Champion. Barrett joined the NXT broadcast team in 2020.
Pat McAfee says the original plan was for him to be in the men’s Royal Rumble match.
The SmackDown announcer returned to WWE on Saturday for the first time since joining ESPN’s College GameDay last September. He addressed his return on Monday’s Pat McAfee Show and said his goal was to enter the Rumble match itself but ultimately felt he wasn’t in good enough shape to do so.
McAfee said:
A lot of people thought I was going to be in the Royal Rumble, a lot of people thought that I was going to be there. That was not figured out until late last week. I mean, that really came together pretty quick.
Not that there was any bad relations or anything, it’s just my schedule for the last five months and everybody’s schedule, especially in WWE… My wife’s pregnant, with what the schedule was… There was no bad beef or anything. It was just like ‘I don’t want to have to train enough to go into that Royal [Rumble].’
McAfee would continue to say that when he left WWE in September, management expressed that the Rumble was the perfect time to return.
They said immediately, Hunter and everybody and Nick, and Stephanie at the time, were like, ‘You know, Rumble, that’s like a perfect time to come back because that’s when people come back, and it’s after college football season or whatever.’ And I was like ‘perfect, alright’ because I actually need something to keep me in shape. I always get fat. I actually need something to keep working out for and I tried. Everybody saw me, I was getting after it there.
McAfee was asked if he was in good enough shape for a short appearance in the match.
I think I could have but I don’t want to disrespect anybody.
There’s only so many spots and when you’re in there, there’s a lot of danger, there’s a lot s**t that can happen.
So I told them, I think maybe week 14, week 13 of the season, I’m like, ‘Hey, just want to let you know, this season’s been a grind this year with Gameday being an extra work day…’
I told them, ‘Hey, I’m not going to be able to be in good enough shape for Rumble, don’t want to direspect Royal Rumble or anything like that.’
It was the goal, Royal Rumble was the goal, I wasn’t able to keep up because of Gameday getting dropped in and what that schedule became.
McAfee praised WWE, and specifically Kevin Dunn, for keeping his return a secret. He also kept it a secret from Michael Cole, who joined the Pat McAfee Show as a guest on Monday as well.
Cole had the following to say to McAfee on the show:
I spoke with you a number of times throughout the day on Saturday. In fact, you sent me a couple of pictures of you and the stooge, Boston Connor, sitting in front of the golf simulator. You asked me who the big surprise was for the Rumble, you asked me if Brock was coming, you asked me if it was going to be a great show. I text you back, ‘It would be an unbelievable show if you were there.’ And you were like, ‘Yeah, maybe next time or whatever’ and that was it, and then I never heard back from you. The next thing I know, I sit down at the desk and Corey and I do our on-camera to start the show and your music hit.
McAfee also mentioned that plane trouble led to him arriving less than 30 minutes before the event started.
Cole also said he wasn’t sure if McAfee would ever return to WWE.
I legit didn’t know if we were ever going to see you again in WWE. I know that we talked back in September that you would be back after the football season. A lot in your life has changed since then, a lot in our comapny has changed since then. I legit did not know if you would be back.
Pat McAfee tweeted after the Royal Rumble: “That was awesome. Massive thank you to the folks of the WWE Universe that were in that AlamoDome.. I’ll remember that ‘hello’ forever. So grateful to be back tonight..shahtaht @MichaelCole & @WWEGraves. GREAT to see the WWE family backstage again. I’ve missed everyone
That was awesome
Massive thank you to the folks of the WWE Universe that were in that AlamoDome.. I’ll remember that “hello” forever 🙏🏻
Saturday’s Royal Rumble pay-per-view opened with McAfee making his surprise return to WWE commentary. He joined Michael Cole and Corey Graves to form a three-man commentary team for the PPV.
Wade Barrett was introduced as Cole’s new broadcast partner on SmackDown when the new commentary teams debuted in October. Barrett previously was part of the NXT announce team.
McAfee joined SmackDown as a color commentator in April 2021. In July 2022, McAfee signed a multi-year extension of his WWE contract.
McAfee has wrestled five matches for WWE in the past. He was in action at both WrestleMania and SummerSlam last year. McAfee defeated Austin Theory and lost to Vince McMahon at WrestleMania. At SummerSlam, he defeated Baron Corbin.
Pat and Samantha McAfee are expecting their first child.
Samantha posted to social media on Wednesday announcing the news. She noted that the couple’s pregnancy journey was a particularly difficult one.
“For those of you who haven’t followed along with our parenthood journey, we have lost two pregnancies, I almost lost my life both times with internal bleeding, resulting in losing both of my Fallopian tubes which has caused us to not be able to conceive naturally. In July, we started our IVF journey. It’s hard to put into words what all comes with IVF. It is physically demanding and emotionally challenging for the both of us. Pumping my body with so many hormones, the anxiety, the hope, truly being a human science project. Also despite my many tattoos, I absolutely hate needles so getting shots everyday (sometimes 3 in one day) was not easy on me or for Patrick to have to cause pain to me. I would like to believe IVF has made our relationship stronger.”
“Dear women and couples trying and battling, I hope this isn’t a trigger but rather serves as hope. Hope that you too can over come the battle of infertility. You will be parents! And remember that after a storm, a rainbow can occur.”
Pat McAfee released the following statement as well:
“From the emergency surgeries, both of which I was told that I might lose my wife (those were wild days) all the way thru this entire IVF process.. you’ve been an absolute badass Sam.”
“Your persistence and resilience has been nothing short of inspiring… it certainly hasn’t been an easy road but, nothing worth having comes easily. I can’t wait to be a parent with you. I love you.”
“We appreciate the hell out of all of the support from our friends and family thru this all. My parents, Sam’s parents, her friend group, my dudes… literally everybody in our universe has helped us thru this. We are eternally grateful.”
After about 150 shots, a surgery, a transfer, countless blood tests, waiting on embryos, genetic testing, hoping for a big fat positive on a pee stick. So much support from family & close friends. We are beyond happy & blessed to announce our double rainbow baby! @PatMcAfeeShowpic.twitter.com/PJRjhXCrqb
WWE commentator Pat McAfee has picked up a significant new role in sports media that will see his commentating career on SmackDown put on hold.
The New York Post reported on Tuesday night that McAfee is joining ESPN’s “College GameDay” as a full-time member of the show. “College GameDay” airs live on Saturday mornings every week during college football season.
McAfee will be in Austin, Texas this Saturday, where “College GameDay” is airing from ahead of the University of Texas facing the University of Alabama.
While the New York Post initially reported McAfee will remain with WWE, McAfee said on his show Wednesday that WWE felt it was better for his health and family and such if he focused on the ESPN opportunity even though he wanted to do both.
“I’m still very much part of the WWE family,” he said.
SmackDAHN will be on hold for a little bit while I do College GameDay.. I'm still VERY much in the WWE family & will still be doing things with WWE#PMSLivepic.twitter.com/bhSpOYg3wW
Paul “Triple H” Levesque weighed in on Twitter to further explain and reiterate that McAfee will remain associated with WWE.
.@PatMcAfeeShow approached us about his amazing opportunity with College GameDay. We’d never stand in Pat’s way, as he continues to architect his exceptional career.
Pat will remain a member of the @WWE Universe and we look forward to his return. #UpToSomethingSZN
McAfee posted a tweet last night noting that he’ll discuss the details of his “College GameDay” deal on Wednesday’s show.
“GameDay is a show that I’ve been a fan of FOREVER,” McAfee wrote. “So many moving parts including real cool conversations w/ the fine folks from WWE..all moved quickly. Will lead show manana w/ all the deets.”
McAfee, who calls SmackDown on Friday nights alongside Michael Cole, signed a multi-year contract extension with WWE this July. That month also saw McAfee step into the ring, with him defeating Happy Corbin at SummerSlam.
On the first episode of his radio show since SummerSlam, Pat McAfee reflected on his performance against Happy Corbin.
McAfee defeated Corbin at SummerSlam after hitting a low blow and then a Code Red where he jumped from the second rope. After defeating Theory and losing to Vince McMahon at WrestleMania 38, SummerSlam was the third match that McAfee has had on the WWE main roster.
McAfee said on his radio show that SummerSlam was different than WrestleMania because it didn’t take place indoors. McAfee said he should have trained differently by planning for the humidity.
I did do the Swantone Bombini. I will say, I did not expect the ring posts to look the way they looked while I was climbing up there. There were some moments in that match that were really like, ‘Should have prepared differently.’ For instance, just walking into the stadium, I took a nice deep breath of that humid air — and it was thick. It was sauna thick down there. Because it was supposed to rain. Projections of the weather for like two weeks, to a week out, even the morning of are like, ‘Yeah, rain’s coming.’ And whenever it’s hot and rain’s coming, that means it’s humid as f*ck. And I didn’t even think about that as I was training in my basement in air conditioning. That immediately hit me day of. I’m walking in and, ‘Oh no, this is not in an arena. This is not in an enclosed area. This is going to be hot as f*ck out here.’ And as I’m walking around I start sweating [and] I’m like, ‘I haven’t even done anything and I am drenched.’ I started to hydrate earlier. Started to hammer some waters and Gatorades. Definitely thought though, ‘Should have trained differently for this one. Should have went outside a little bit.’ We’ll learn for later. A little bush league on my part not to think about it being outside.
A lot of my offense off the ropes and with the ropes. Ropes are wet, obviously, a little slick, humid. The shoes I was wearing, had not worn them on ropes. So there was a lot of things that as they are happening I was thinking to myself, ‘F*cking idiot. Bush league. You are so dumb.’ I go up for the base jump to catch f*cking Bum Ass Corbin off guard. And I felt real good about that like as I was flying through the air. And then left foot on first, whoosh, I felt like I had nothing under me. Luckily, grab onto him like I’m a god damn koala bear. Hang onto him, bruise up the shins on the ropes. As it is happening, they say you have so much adrenaline you don’t feel anything out there, that’s a lie. As my shins were bouncing on the ropes, ‘Oh, I’ve never been hurt so bad.’ Superplex happens, I thought it was over there.
There was a moment in the match where McAfee hit a Swanton Bomb from the top rope to a standing Corbin on the outside. McAfee said it was tough to keep his balance, but he ultimately hit the move the way he wanted to.
As I’m climbing up there, I’m like, ‘Oh no, foot slipping a little bit on that second rope, shouldn’t be a problem.’ Then I get up onto that third rope and I’m like, ‘Oh no, I should have done a little bit more work maybe in these shoes on top on that thing.’ I think I was too Italian, I went too hard with the [gesturing to the crowd]. And it threw me off. I felt the gravy of the humidity running me down. Once I caught just one little brief second, boom, out of nowhere on Corbin. Hit that thing perfect. Hit that thing exactly how I wanted to hit it. Felt good about it. Some people were tweeting me, giving me way too much credit. ‘Did you see him make it appear as if he was off balance so he could keep us all at the edge of our seat? That is what it’s all about.’ I wanted to let you know that was not the case. If you could’ve heard what was going on in-between my ears when I was up there. Immediate regret is the sound of what was talking in my brain. Happy the body was able to figure it out. If you see, left foot rebalances on the rope a little bit further down. That could have been catastrophic. If there was any on that one [his other foot], you’re talking full split, I’m down. So I’m very thankful for the ropes, making it happen up there.
McAfee clarified that it was a Code Red that he used to beat Corbin and not a Destroyer. McAfee said he’s never done the move to anyone before but this felt like the right time and place for it.
McAfee said it wasn’t the cleanest match he’s ever had, but he was happy to get out of it with a win. McAfee brought up that he and Corbin dreamed about this moment while they were both trying to make the Indianapolis Colts in 2009. McAfee played up the storyline between him and Corbin, saying that he’s willing to let bygones be bygones after SummerSlam but he doesn’t know how Corbin feels.
Wasn’t the cleanest match I’ve ever had. I certainly wasn’t prepared for the humidity, as I should have been. But I’m pumped to get out of there with a dub. And Bum Ass Corbin and I talked about that 13 years ago. Although he’s still a scumbag. We haven’t talked since the match, so I have no idea what our next encounter is going to be. I’m a bygones be bygones guy. We fought, we can move on. I don’t know how he is, especially with what he’s become with WWE.
It was announced last month that McAfee has signed a multi-year contract extension with WWE. He calls SmackDown every Friday night alongside Michael Cole.
The wrestling world is reacting today to the news of Vince McMahon’s retirement as the Chairman and CEO of WWE.
McMahon announced his retirement on Friday in the wake of a misconduct scandal first reported by the Wall Street Journal last month. WWE has confirmed that McMahon is stepping away from all of his roles including as head of creative. He continues to be the company’s majority shareholder, however.
Mick Foley, Pat McAfee, AEW’s Tony Khan, Renee Paquette, and more have reacted to the news:
Thanks to you wrestling fans and your great support of @AEW, I’m grateful to now be the longest-tenured CEO in pro wrestling.
Thank you very much to every single person who watches @AEWonTV!
See you for Friday Night #AEWRampage on @TNTdrama @ 10pm ET/9pm CT/10pm PT *TONIGHT*!
After winning a gold medal in 1996, I found my 2nd calling because of @VinceMcMahon … thank you for believing in me and giving me the opportunity of a lifetime. I Love you Vince. P.S. I’m still Vince’s favorite @steveaustinBSR 😁 pic.twitter.com/H8vVF91lwn
McMahon’s retirement comes as he was under investigation by the WWE Board of Directors regarding settlement payments made to multiple women he allegedly had affairs with. According to reports from the Wall Street Journal, McMahon agreed to pay more than $12 million to four women over the past 16 years.
In a statement released on Friday, Stephanie McMahon was referred to as the Chairwoman and Co-CEO of the company. Nick Khan was also listed as a Co-CEO.
