For the fifth week in a row, Pat McAfee did not appear on the WWE RAW commentary team, with Corey Graves joining Michael Cole to call the show. As McAfee’s presence expands across various media platforms, his consistent return to WWE broadcasting seems unlikely in the near future.
McAfee cites demanding schedule for continued absence
On a recent episode of The Pat McAfee Show, the host explained that managing several high-profile projects has taken a physical and mental toll. He mentioned needing time to recover and expressed gratitude toward WWE for their support during this period.
“Continuing to just kind of catch up on life as a whole,”
McAfee said.
I was getting pretty exhausted there. So shoutout to everybody at the WWE looking out for me, too. Very, very thankful.
—Pat McAfee, Host
Upcoming events further limit McAfee’s WWE availability
McAfee’s demanding calendar shows no immediate slowdown. This weekend, his show will broadcast live from the Coca-Cola Roxy near Truist Park in Atlanta as part of MLB’s Home Run Derby festivities, making it unlikely he will appear on next Monday’s RAW event in Birmingham, Alabama.
Previous scheduling conflicts and future WWE return prospects
This is not the first occasion McAfee has stepped back from WWE duties due to other commitments. During the college football season, he remains a key analyst on ESPN’s College GameDay. With the 2025 college football season kicking off August 30 in Columbus, Ohio, McAfee is expected to focus on that role through the season’s end, potentially postponing his regular WWE commentary until early 2026.
Corey Graves fills in effectively during McAfee’s absence
Corey Graves’ return to the RAW commentary desk has been positively received by many fans, who appreciate his traditional, story-driven style alongside Michael Cole. Graves’ steady presence has helped maintain strong broadcast quality while McAfee is away.
Looking ahead: sporadic WWE appearances likely for McAfee
It remains uncertain whether McAfee’s WWE commentary role will be limited to occasional or special events moving forward. Meanwhile, audiences can continue to enjoy his weekly talk show and expect him to return to WWE commentary whenever his busy schedule permits.
Our Reader’s Queries
Q. Is WWE Raw kid friendly?
A. Many fans expected the new streaming service to allow edgier storylines and language. However, WWE president Nick Khan and chief content officer Paul “Triple H” Levesque confirmed that WWE Raw will stick to its “TV-pg” rating.
