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WWE star Pat McAfee has confirmed tonight’s episode of Monday Night Raw will be his final one for ‘a while’.
The retired NFL player and current commentator currently sits at the announce desk for the red brand alongside veteran broadcaster Michael Cole, but after tonight the team will start to look very different.
Just hours before Raw gets underway, McAfee announced he will be stepping back from his WWE duties as the college football season in the US kicks off.
As part of his role with ESPN College Gameday, he will be gone from Raw as he travels for the weekly show.
‘Last Monday Night Raw Monday for a bit,’ he said in an emotional black and white video of himself driving to tonight’s show with Jelly Roll and Pole Malone’s hit Losers playing in the background.
‘I’m very bummed out that tonight will be my last trip to that wonderful WWE family for a while. Alright, let’s have a day,’ he said.
The 37-year-old star admitted while football season is ‘awesome’, he knows being on the road with WWE is where he’s meant to be.
‘I’m bummed out. Football season’s starting which is awesome, but the WWE family’s where I’m supposed to be,’ he added. ‘I know that – and I hope they do too.’
While this isn’t the first time this has happened, fans are still gutted to see him stepping back, after enjoying his ever-hilarious partnership with Cole on Monday nights.
‘Thank you Pat for all the times you yeeted on the table 🙏🙏 Only miserable people hate on Pat #ThankYouPat,’ wrote @Navtreaks with a nod to Jey Uso’s ‘yeet’ catchphrase and entrance.
‘He will be missed. Look forward to getting him back hopefully in time for [WWE’s move to] Netflix,’ added @TribalMegastar, while @JRam4MVP tweeted: ‘Gonna miss him, him and Cole will remain my favorite commentary duo.’
It remains to be seen who will replace McAfee on next week’s episode of Raw on August 26, as that comes one week before Joe Tessitore officially joins WWE on September 2.
As just announced by @MichaelCole, @JoeTessESPN will be debuting on the commentary team on #WWERaw on September 2 live from Denver, CO with Cole heading back to #SmackDown! pic.twitter.com/OGgCMtJHTI
— WWE (@WWE) August 3, 2024
That show will see the new arrival replace Cole himself at the desk as he makes his debut alongside an as yet unannounced broadcast partner, while Cole will make the move to SmackDown.
It’s not known who will join Cole on the blue brand, but it’s believed Tessitore could be sat alongside Corey Graves and Wade Barrett as part of a three-man booth.
The commentator recently described the move as ‘an honour’, heaping praise on the company’s ‘undeniable’ success in recent years.
‘Being there at WrestleMania XL, one could feel it – from Cody, Seth, Roman and The Rock, to creative and production, these are some of the very best storytellers in TV,’ he said.
‘Corey and Wade are absolute stars and it is my privilege to join their team. Pat and Cole are just magical together and Cole is the greatest to ever sit in that chair. As a lifelong viewer, I’m humbled to join this team and to serve our fans.’
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WWE Raw airs Monday nights at 1am on TNT Sports 1.
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