Pat McAfee Talks Planned Royal Rumble Return & Why It Fell Through

Fans have come to expect surprise returns at the annual Royal Rumble. Most of the time, these returns occur through surprise entrants in the rumble. However, last night featured a surprise return for the commentary team. For the last few months, Pat McAfee has been away from WWE and covering college and NFL football.

Fans have come to expect surprise returns at the annual Royal Rumble. Most of the time, these returns occur through surprise entrants in the rumble. However, last night featured a surprise return for the commentary team. For the last few months, Pat McAfee has been away from WWE and covering college and NFL football.

RELATED: Injury Paused Royal Rumble Plans To Tease A Rey and Dominik Mysterio WrestleMania 39 Match Smackdown commentator and former NFL star Pat McAfee made his long-awaited return to WWE this past Saturday night. His return opened the show, and he promptly joined Corey Graves and Michael Cole at the commentary desk.

Pat McAfee Was Originally Meant To Compete In The Rumble

While speaking on his podcast, The Pat McAfee Show, McAfee discussed the original plan for his WWE return. He revealed that he was at one point slated to compete in the 2023 Royal Rumble, but didn't feel as though he could get in shape in time. The following transcription has been provided by Fightful:

There was speculation, a lot of people talking about it, a lot of people thought I was going to be in the Royal Rumble, a lot of people thought I was going to be there. That was not figured out until late last week. That came together pretty quick. Not that there was any bad relations, it's just my schedule for the last five months, and everyone's schedule, especially in the WWE, my wife is pregnant, there was no bad beef or anything, it was just, 'I don't want to have to train enough to get into the Royal Rumble.

He went on to explain how he could've maybe worked a few minutes in the Rumble, but didn't want to disrespect the event or take up a spot.

I think I could have (done a couple minutes in the Rumble), but I don't want to disrespect anybody. There were only 29 guys who came out because where the fuck was Rey Mysterio? Is he okay? There are only so many spots and there is a lot of danger and shit that can happen. I told them, maybe week 13 or 14 of the season, 'Hey, want to let you know, the season has been a grind with Gameday being an extra work day, I'm not going to be able to be in good enough shape for Rumble. I don't want to disrespect Royal Rumble. I'm just letting you know where I'm at right now.

ncG1vNJzZmivp6x7tbTErKeoqqSowaa%2BjZympmeglsFuucKanZ6dXamurbfSZqelmZ6jsqV50aiwmqRdp8KursueZKudpKq%2Fr3nWobBmoaRis6a4y2aroaqfqrSpew%3D%3D

 Share!