Pat McAfee set to miss WWE Raw on Netflix days after 40-year-old personality’s social media outburst
Pat McAfee will not be commentating on the next episode of Raw on Netflix and may be replaced by a hometown former WWE Champion.
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Pat McAfee set to miss the next episode of Raw amidst Corey Graves' social media outburst (Via WWE)
Pat McAfee left WWE commentary a few months ago to once again focus on the American football side of his career. The 37-year-old returned to the promotion at Saturday Night’s Main Event. Furthermore, he has been a regular on Raw once again since the show debuted on Netflix. However, this move caused a lot of shake-ups in the pre-existing commentary teams, and Corey Graves took the brunt of it.
Pat McAfee will reportedly be absent from the commentary desk on the next episode of Raw on Netflix, set to emanate from Dallas, Texas, on January 20th. The football analyst will have his hands full with ESPN’s mega-event coverage, particularly for the College Football Playoff National Championship MegaCast on January 20th.
Michael Cole and McAfee became the new commentators of Raw since the show moved to Netflix. Therefore, Wade Barrett and Joe Tessitore were shifted to SmackDown. Due to the Voice of WWE getting a new partner, Graves had to join the booth on NXT. Furthermore, he has been very vocal about this demotion.
Graves claimed that he was not getting to enjoy the fruits of his labor, and he was replaced because he wasn’t famous enough. He made a follow-up tweet as well, but all his posts were deleted. Even with McAfee not being on the next episode of Raw, it is unlikely that the Iron City Superstar will return to the Raw commentary team, even for one week only.
Instead, WWE has already announced that JBL will make an appearance on the next episode of Raw. He will likely join Cole in the commentary booth as a nice throwback. After all, the next episode of the red brand even emanates from the former WWE Champion’s home state of Texas.
Jim Ross comments on Corey Graves being replaced by Pat McAfee on the Raw commentary team
Jim Ross, arguably the greatest commentator of all time, also gave his thoughts regarding this drama involving Pat McAfee and Corey Graves. Speaking on his podcast, Grilling JR, he expressed his empathy for the 40-year-old. However, he understood the business aspect of this decision.
It would be unfair to say that Ross does not have a point. Regardless of one’s opinion about McAfee and his commentary, he is surely a huge name even outside of WWE. Thus, he brings in new viewers to the product, something that Graves is not yet capable of doing.
Would you trade Pat McAfee and his massive broadcast platform for Corey Graves? I wouldn’t, to be honest.
Jim Ross on Grilling JR
WWE has severely improved in terms of involving celebrities in their product. Hardworking regular talent is no longer sacrificed for some mainstream names. Even if outsiders do come into wrestling, they have to prove their merit like Bad Bunny and Logan Paul did. However, bringing in McAfee by removing Corey Graves still feels like taking a step back.
Related: (Video) Pat McAfee spotted consoling a crying young fan after Texans’ loss to Ohio State
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Mokshit Batra
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