How Pat McAfee’s WWE Career Really Began
Pat McAfee has explained how his WWE career really began and calls his first taste of the company the greatest day of his life.
Pat McAfee has now been associated with WWE for several years and is the co-commentator on the company’s flagship show, Raw, alongside Michael Cole.
During his time in WWE, McAfee has also got in the ring several times, beginning with a memorable NXT feud against Adam Cole before he found himself fighting on the grandest stage of them all at WrestleMania 38 against both Austin Theory and, bizarrely, Vince McMahon.
Speaking in a clip taken from Stephanie’s Places, Pat McAfee explained to Stephanie McMahon how his run in WWE began with a phone call that led to the greatest day of his life:
I got a text from a random number. It was like, ‘Hey, this is Michael Cole, do you have a minute?’ I’m like, this is fake. ‘We’re looking for somebody to be on the NXT panel.’
They invited me down to Louisiana and I viewed it as the greatest day of my life. I’ve been a pro bowler multiple times, I kicked off a Super Bowl, and getting asked to go be a part of the NXT kickoff panel was maybe the best phone call I’ve ever got in my life. From that moment on it’s like, what do you need me for, how can I be a part of it?
The call that started it all for @PatMcAfeeShow 📱👀
The newest episode of #StephaniesPlaces with guest Pat McAfee streams TOMORROW on @espn+! pic.twitter.com/tkpMFA1jd4
— WWE (@WWE) May 6, 2025
Pat McAfee Competing At Backlash
What likely won’t be among the greatest days of McAfee’s life will be May 10. That is the day that WWE Backlash takes place, and Pat McAfee is set to face Gunther at the event.
The issues began with an irate Gunther took his frustrations of losing the World Heavyweight Title to Jey Uso out on Michael Cole. Pat McAfee fought The Ring General off, which led to Gunther choking McAfee out.