Former NFL punter Pat McAfee has made strides in the WWE since his debut as an analyst for NXT TakeOver in 2018. Balancing his commitments with ESPN and “The Pat McAfee Show,” he has taken on roles as a commentator and occasional wrestler for the company. Recently, McAfee has been involved in the storyline for WrestleMania 42, aligning himself with Randy Orton against Cody Rhodes, the current Undisputed WWE Champion.
CM Punk Critiques Pat McAfee’s Wrestling Role
During an interview on “All The Smoke,” WWE World Heavyweight Champion CM Punk shared his perspective on McAfee’s trajectory in wrestling. Punk acknowledged the industry’s tendency to embrace individuals who can attract viewers but cautioned against overlooking authenticity. He remarked, “Wrestling…sometimes to a fault, embraced people that we believe can get eyeballs on our product.” He noted that attracting attention is different from selling tickets, implying that McAfee, despite his popularity, does not necessarily grasp what it means to be integral to the wrestling business.
McAfee’s Wrestling Journey
- Debuted as an analyst: NXT TakeOver, 2018
- First in-ring match: Against Adam Cole, 2020
- Other notable opponents: Austin Theory, Baron Corbin, The Miz, Vince McMahon
- Latest match: Against GUNTHER at WWE Backlash 2025
Punk expressed concern over McAfee’s perception as an outsider in wrestling, suggesting that he has forgotten his status as a “tourist.” Although he acknowledged McAfee’s talent, he emphasized that success in one field does not translate to success in wrestling.
Upcoming WrestleMania Clash
The storyline involving McAfee has elicited negative reactions from fans and WWE talent alike. WWE World Tag Team Champion Damian Priest openly criticized the narrative, while Rhodes dismissed it by comparing McAfee to a clown amongst soldiers preparing for battle. With WrestleMania 42 on the horizon, Punk showed confidence in Cody Rhodes’ ability to address McAfee’s disruptive presence in the storyline.
Punk stated, “Cody’s going to handle it…he’s going to get checked.” He expressed frustration with McAfee’s comments regarding ticket sales, arguing that someone with no direct experience in the industry should refrain from making such statements.
McAfee’s Intentions
McAfee’s association with Orton is primarily rooted in a desire to “save the business,” claiming they aim to ensure Orton’s victory at WrestleMania. He has raised concerns about subpar ticket sales leading up to the event and even offered discount promotions. Interestingly, McAfee vowed that should Orton lose, fans would never see him in wrestling again.
Punk seems to welcome this notion, reinforcing that McAfee should be mindful of the potentially dangerous path he’s navigating in wrestling. With WrestleMania 42 fast approaching, all eyes will be on Rhodes and McAfee as the storyline unfolds, especially with Punk focused on his own match against Roman Reigns.
