Pat McAfee Taking Leave From WWE - Here's What We Know

Pat McAfee is one of the most dynamic voices in all sports. The pro-bowl punter turned media maven is never not on the camera or the mic. His lust for life and passion for sports have made him one of the most sought-after voices in the game. With that, though, comes the need for balance and sacrifice. He can’t be everywhere at once. This is why Pat decided to take a step back from WWE for the fall as he takes on his new full-time role on ESPN College GameDay.

It’s an absolute honor 2 have this tweet tweeted about me.

GameDay is a show that I’ve been a fan of FOREVER

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

? DUMBEST LIFE OF ALL TIME https://t.co/wC4vhzUJIv

— Pat McAfee (@PatMcAfeeShow) September 7, 2022

Is Pat McAfee Leaving WWE for good?

It doesn’t appear that way. McAfee seemed to imply that he would be back in WWE after the college football season ends. College football runs through the early part of January.

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#PMSLive pic.twitter.com/bhSpOYg3wW

— Pat McAfee (@PatMcAfeeShow) September 7, 2022

If I had to guess, I would say that he returns to SmackDown in time for the Royal Rumble and is on commentary for the significant early-year events leading up to WrestleMania. I also assume he’ll be filming some unique content and will continue to be involved in a big way.

McAfee just signed a new deal with WWE over the summer, and presumably, he will continue to honor that deal moving forward.

#WWE has signed Pat McAfee to a new deal weeks before his #SummerSlam match@WWEUK @WWEPR https://t.co/Eod3nBUxgO

— Metro Entertainment (@Metro_Ents) July 7, 2022

Fans React To The News

Pat McAfee juggling his own talk show, WWE Smackdown, and College GameDay from three different cities in a 24-hour spanpic.twitter.com/y0uN0KCTqJ

— Front Office Sports (@FOS) September 7, 2022

Who will replace him? Some fans want NXT’s Wade Barrett or Nigel McGuiness to step up.

Would love to see Nigel or Barrett fill in on #SmackDown for McAfee. #WWE

— Bryan | Pardon the Wrestling (@PTW_TV) September 7, 2022

This would be a great time to bring up someone new and exciting. With Cole’s calm and steady presence, there needs to be a firework next to him. Might I suggest…Bayley?

BAYLEY BEING BACK IS LITERALLY
MICHAEL COLE’S NIGHTMARE ? pic.twitter.com/knOx5EMS8v

— Daphne  (@The_Starstruck) August 23, 2022

I hereby nominate Bayley to be Michael Cole’s Smackdown broadcast partner when Pat McAfee is off for college football. I’m sure he’d love it ? https://t.co/Jtnu5lmur1

— Chris The Twin Dad (@ChrisTheTwinDad) September 7, 2022

The Heat is real between the two.

What’s @itsBayleyWWE‘s issue with @MichaelCole?

Bayley explains why she can’t stand him on #WWETheBump: pic.twitter.com/74hCAM8yDf

— WWE (@WWE) September 7, 2022