On 23 June, Pat McAfee was absent from the WWE Raw commentary booth for a third consecutive week, citing exhaustion as the reason.
This should hardly come as a surprise, as well as working with WWE, he also hosts a two-hour daily podcast – The Pat McAfee Show – and serves as an analyst on ESPN College GameDay.
With such a demanding schedule, travelling across the country each week to attend Raw isn’t easy, despite how much McAfee clearly loves the role.
If the former pro-footballer were to step away, here are some names who could potentially replace him.
5. Wade Barrett
SmackDown colour commentator Wade Barrett filled in on Raw during the first week of Pat McAfee’s absence on 9 June.
As always, the British former WWE star delivered a professional and polished performance.
However, Barrett brings a different dynamic to the commentary booth than McAfee, consistently siding with heels during his analysis.
Could we soon see the former Intercontinental Champion permanently step into McAfee’s role on WWE’s flagship weekly show?
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4. Chris Jericho
On AEW’s now-defunct Friday show Rampage, Chris Jericho was a regular fixture in the commentary booth as an analyst.
In the role Jericho brought his signature wit and deep knowledge of in-ring action, making him both entertaining and insightful.
Could he return to WWE and take on the same role, potentially replacing Pat McAfee on Raw commentary?
It’s certainly a role Jericho could step into at the end of his in-ring career and with his AEW contract reportedly expiring at the end of 2025, perhaps we’ll see this happening sooner than many fans would expect.
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3. Booker T
Arguably the most over move in WWE right now is Stephanie Vaquer’s Devil’s Kiss – thanks in no small part to Booker T’s wildly enthusiastic reactions on commentary.
His over-the-top calls have become been embraced by WWE’s audience, to the point that fans have chanted his name as Vaquer performs the move, making him almost part of the act.
Now that Vaquer has moved from NXT to Raw, could we see Booker T join her on the red brand?
He might just be the only person capable of matching the energy Pat McAfee brings to the booth.
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2. Taz
As a regular part of AEW’s commentary team on Dynamite and pay-per-views, Taz is now one of the signature voices of the company.
He’s been a reliable colour commentator in pro wrestling for over 20 years – beginning in WWE in 2002, through TNA before arriving in AEW.
Taz’s original run in WWE ended in 2009 after he grew frustrated with Vince McMahon’s infamously strict control over what was said in the commentary booth.
Under Paul Leveque’s leadership, previous rules have clearly been relaxed, so a reunion with Michael Cole is likelier now than it previously was.
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1. Corey Graves
In Pat McAfee’s absence, Corey Graves has filled in on Raw over the past two weeks.
At the start of 2025, Graves was moved from commentary roles on Raw and SmackDown to NXT – a change he publicly expressed frustration over.
However, this tension seems to have been ironed out and he recently delivered a well-received performance as lead commentator for the WWE/AAA: Worlds Collide crossover event.
A polished commentator in the WWE house style, perhaps we’ll see Graves return full-time to the Raw booth, where he clearly wants to be.
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