Pat McAfee has been missing from WWE Raw commentary for the past few weeks, attributing his absence to fatigue. The former NFL punter, who hosts “The Pat McAfee Show,” shared that he’s been trying to catch up on life following the Money in the Bank and Night of Champions events, which left him feeling quite exhausted.
Balancing a demanding schedule, McAfee oversees a team of 14 employees and runs a growing business, all while producing and hosting a five-day-a-week show and caring for his two-year-old daughter. Since resuming his full-time WWE commentary role in January 2025, he has been juggling his ESPN show, WWE duties, and other responsibilities. Wade Barrett has temporarily taken over McAfee’s role on Raw since Money in the Bank.
Adding to the complexity, ESPN announced that “The Pat McAfee Show” will broadcast live from Atlanta on July 14th, along with live coverage of the Home Run Derby. This highlights the ongoing challenge McAfee faces in managing his commitments to both ESPN and WWE. Responding to social media criticism, McAfee defended his decision by emphasizing his heavy workload, stating he creates and hosts shows five days a week.
He has not provided a specific timeline for his WWE return but indicated that his break was carefully planned around WWE’s event schedule, taking time off strategically between Money in the Bank and Night of Champions. This absence marks roughly three weeks away from WWE, where McAfee has served as Raw’s lead analyst since the show’s debut on Netflix earlier this year. His pattern of taking breaks during the football season underscores the demanding nature of balancing multiple high-profile roles.
McAfee’s situation highlights the difficulties talent face when working across multiple major platforms, having to balance their personal health with professional obligations in today’s fast-paced media environment.
Fan Take: McAfee’s temporary absence is a crucial reminder of the toll that juggling multiple careers can take, even on top WWE talent. For fans, this break could lead to fresh commentary energy upon his return, while also opening the door for new voices to step into the WWE spotlight.
