Pat McAfee Joins WWE Smackdown Live Announce Team

Friday morning, WWE announced that Pat McAfee will debut as the new commentator on Smackdown, joining Michael Cole at ringside. This comes after Corey Graves moved to Raw, to join Byron Saxton and new commentator, MLB and NHL announcing veteran Adnan Virk, on that show’s new announce team.

Previously, ring veteran Samoa Joe was a member of the Raw commentary team but was recently released, along with other WWE superstars. Tom Phillips will head to being the backstage voice of 205 Live as well as continue to be senior manager of on-air talent. In addition, Phillips will oversee special projects for WWE’s programming on Peacock and at the WWE Performance Center in Orlando.

McAfee dropped the news with a huge social media announcement to WWE fans.

“For as long as I can remember WWE has been a company that I have admired, both for its incredible staying power of creating riveting entertainment and for its ability to connect people all over the globe,” McAfee said. “I’ve been fortunate to try a lot of cool professions but working for WWE was the one I looked forward to most.”

He also stated how “incredibly honored and grateful for the chance to give back to the business” he now has. McAfee said he’s excited to sit “at the same table that legends have graced” and he’s ready to get to work.

With a resume that includes being a popular stand-up comedian and former All-Pro punter for the Indianapolis Colts, McAfee is also the host of The Pat McAfee Show, which is simulcast both on YouTube and on Sirius XM Channel 82 Mad Dog Sports Radio. Additionally, McAfee hasn’t shied away from getting into altercations with WWE performers. Last year he was involved in a feud with NXT Champion, Adam Cole.