Overworked and Exhausted, Pat McAfee Puts WWE on Hold

After several weeks away from the commentary desk on WWE Raw, Pat McAfee has finally shared the reason behind his sudden absence. During an episode of his daily ESPN broadcast, The Pat McAfee Show, the former NFL punter confirmed that mounting exhaustion was the driving force behind his decision to take a break from his WWE commitments.

According to McAfee, the break was timed strategically to fall between two major WWE premium live events: Money in the Bank and Night of Champions. He explained that this window felt like the right time to pause and catch his breath, as the intensity of his schedule had become overwhelming. He thanked the WWE team for their support and understanding and noted that the decision was also a way to focus on his personal life and regain balance.

WE team for their support and understanding and noted that the decision was also a way to focus on his personal life and regain balance.

Since the beginning of 2025, McAfee has been juggling a packed calendar. He hosts a five-day-a-week show for ESPN, leads a media company with more than ten employees, and is also a full-time father to a two-year-old daughter. In addition, he returned to the WWE Raw commentary team in January, just as the program entered its new era streaming on Netflix. The combination of these roles created an unsustainable pace, and McAfee began to feel the toll on his health and well-being.

After the Money in the Bank event, McAfee officially stepped away from WWE programming. Wade Barrett was the first to temporarily replace him on commentary. In the following weeks, Corey Graves joined Michael Cole, helping maintain the consistency and energy of the Raw broadcast during McAfee’s time away.

New Commitments Keep the Pressure On

Although McAfee has stepped away from WWE, his schedule remains full. On July 14, The Pat McAfee Show is set to broadcast live from Atlanta to cover the MLB Home Run Derby. The show will air from the Coca-Cola Roxy, located next to Truist Park, as part of ESPN’s coverage of All-Star Week. This event further illustrates the ongoing demands McAfee faces outside the WWE ring.

In response to criticism from fans on social media regarding his absence, McAfee was transparent. He pointed out that he has been working nonstop since a trip to Dublin last year, even before the college football season began. His message was clear. The pressure of maintaining multiple major roles eventually catches up, even for the most energetic media personalities.

No Set Return Date

At this moment, there is no confirmed date for McAfee’s return to WWE Raw. His comments suggest that the break was carefully coordinated around WWE’s event calendar, minimizing disruption to the show’s flow. This pattern is not new for McAfee, who previously stepped away during football season as well.

His temporary exit from WWE highlights the growing strain placed on individuals who operate across several platforms in today’s fast-paced media landscape. McAfee’s case is a powerful reminder that even the most dynamic figures must prioritize mental health, family, and sustainability when the demands of success become too heavy to carry alone.