Update on Pat McAfee WWE RAW Absence – Pat McAfee has now missed five straight episodes of WWE RAW, with Corey Graves continuing to serve as his replacement on commentary next to Michael Cole. While fans have been wondering about McAfee’s status, the former NFL punter turned media personality has shed some light on his absence — and hinted that it may not be ending anytime soon.

On June 25, McAfee revealed that his time away from RAW is largely due to the demanding schedule he kept over the past year, including back-to-back commitments with ESPN College GameDay and WWE’s high-profile events.

“Continuing to just kind of catch up on life as a whole,” McAfee explained. “I was getting pretty exhausted there. So shoutout to everybody at the WWE looking out for me, too. Very, very thankful.”

McAfee’s calendar remains packed, with his show broadcasting live from the Coca-Cola Roxy in Atlanta this weekend as part of the MLB Home Run Derby festivities. Given that RAW airs this Monday from Birmingham, Alabama, it’s highly unlikely he’ll be back at the desk for that show either.

This isn’t the first time McAfee has stepped away from WWE during college football season. In previous years, he has routinely taken a break from weekly programming to prioritize his ESPN duties. The 2025 NCAA season officially kicks off on August 30 in Columbus, Ohio — a date that signals McAfee’s regular WWE appearances may be on hold until the season concludes in early 2026.

In McAfee’s absence, Corey Graves has received praise from fans for seamlessly returning to the RAW commentary booth. Viewers have highlighted his strong chemistry with Cole and his more traditional, narrative-driven style — reminiscent of classic WWE commentary duos.

While no official return date for McAfee has been announced, his latest comments strongly suggest that fans shouldn’t expect him back as a weekly fixture on RAW anytime soon. However, with McAfee remaining on good terms with WWE and expressing gratitude for their flexibility, it’s likely he will continue to appear for select major events or guest spots in the future.

Update on Pat McAfee WWE RAW Absence

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