Pat McAfee’s immediate WWE future remains uncertain following his punishing Backlash encounter with Gunther, despite the sports personality insisting he’s “good” after the match. Byron Saxton reported McAfee’s self-assessment during the official Backlash post-show, though noted skepticism about whether this referred to physical condition or simply emotional satisfaction after earning Gunther’s rare post-match respect.
The broadcast team raised questions about McAfee’s availability for the upcoming May 12 Raw in Louisville, where he’s scheduled to resume commentary duties alongside Michael Cole. The uncertainty stems from the one-sided nature of the Backlash bout, where Gunther dominated before finally forcing McAfee to submit to a rear-naked choke.
McAfee’s potential absence would disrupt Raw’s Netflix-era commentary team during a stacked episode featuring CM Punk’s appearance and a high-profile women’s tag match.
The former NFL punter had been actively involved in the match’s physical storytelling, even saving Cole from a potential powerbomb during the contest. WWE typically evaluates performers after such physically demanding performances before clearing them for quick returns.
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