Pat McAfee casts doubt on his potential WWE return.
In July 2025, Pat McAfee announced that he needed to step away from his WWE commentary duties, citing exhaustion from juggling between his commitments with the promotion and ESPN. He made a one-off return at Wrestlepalooza 2025 and hasn’t returned to the company since.
While recent reports suggested that he could return to WWE television soon, Pat McAfee’s latest update might suggest otherwise. Answering fan questions while promoting the NFL Free Agency edition of The Pat McAfee Show on his Instagram stories, McAfee noted that he feels like a WWE return is something that’s not supposed to happen. While he’s grateful to have worked for the promotion and shared the commentary desk with Michael Cole, he believes the business is in a good spot without him.
“Will I be returning to the WWE in the future? I don’t think you ever say never, especially with WWE. But right now, it does not feel like it is something that’s supposed to happen. It feels like that business has kind of passed me by a little bit,” Pat McAfee said. “Grew up loving it, dreamed to work in it, feel honored that I had the opportunity to work alongside the GOAT Michael Cole, but I feel like the biz is in a good spot without me. I’ll continue to watch.”
Is Pat McAfee working the fans with the update?
With WrestleMania 42 fast approaching, WWE would want all hands on deck. With this year’s event being the first to livestream on the ESPN streaming service in the United States, fans cannot rule out Pat McAfee’s potential return. So it will be interesting to see if he is working everyone with his comments. However, if it turns out to be legitimate, his new Hollywood commitments could be the reason he’s stepping out of his WWE role.
Read More: WWE Star Admitted He Has No Details About His WrestleMania 42 Plans
If you use this transcription, please credit the source, H/T WrestleZone, and link to this page.
