Report: Backstage News On Pat McAfee Joining The WWE SmackDown Commentary Team

WWE announced on Friday that Pat McAfee would be the new colour commentator on Friday Night SmackDown. 

The announcement came following a shake-up to WWE's broadcast team during which Corey Graves was moved to Monday Night Raw to join Adnan Virk and Byron Saxton in a three-man team, while McAfee was slotted alongside Michael Cole on the blue brand. 

McAfee ultimately impressed fans in his SmackDown debut and Justin Barrasso of Sports Illustrated noted WWE plans to avoid over-producing the former NFL punter and to just let him be himself on air. 

McAfee has also been after a more permanent role on WWE TV for some time, according to Barrasso, and WWE ultimately decided to add him to the SmackDown broadcast team. He previously did commentary on SmackDown following Crown Jewel 2019 as the regular announcers were stuck in Saudi Arabia. 

Furthermore, McAfee's new role doesn't mean his other projects will come to an end and the former Indianapolis Colt plans to continue with his podcast and other commitments.