WWE

Pat McAfee Addresses His WWE Future

Pat McAfee reaffirms he's done with WWE during a social media Q&A, while ESPN adds him to Monday Night Countdown.

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Pat McAfee Addresses His WWE Future

Pat McAfee has once again shut the door on a WWE return, four months after wrapping up his run with the company at WrestleMania 42.

During a social media Q&A, McAfee was asked whether he might show up on WWE programming again next year. He made it clear he plans to stick to the promise he made ahead of the company’s biggest show of the year.

“I made a promise that I would never, ever be seen on WWE television ever again. And Cody Rhodes won. He is the one. Maybe I was wrong about what I was saying. But no, wrestling fans can sleep soundly knowing that I will never be back over there.”

The promise was tied to the Cody Rhodes vs. Randy Orton Undisputed WWE Championship match on Night One of WrestleMania 42 on April 18. McAfee had staked his pro wrestling future on Orton winning the title.

Orton came up short. McAfee got involved during the match, hitting the ring in a referee shirt to try to help Orton, but wound up eating an RKO from his own ally. Rhodes seized the moment, hit the Cross Rhodes, and retained.

McAfee’s plate remains full outside of pro wrestling. On Wednesday, August 19, ESPN announced he’s joining the Monday Night Countdown lineup for the 2026 NFL season alongside Scott Van Pelt, Jason Kelce, Marcus Spears, and Jason McCourty. He’ll also continue hosting The Pat McAfee Show and working on College GameDay.