It was a night of milestones and mayhem on the Netflix debut of WWE Raw, but leave it to Pat McAfee to turn a routine commentary segment into a comedic highlight. While hyping up The Rock’s return, McAfee dropped a nugget that had fans scratching their heads—and probably had the TKO board chuckling backstage.
McAfee, brimming with enthusiasm, sang The Rock’s praises:
“He’s the biggest star on planet Earth. He’s the founder of Teremana and Zoa and Papatui. But he’s the actual director of the board, the Final Boss here at the WWE!”
Let’s pump the brakes, Pat. While The Rock is indeed on the board of TKO Group Holdings (WWE’s new overlord post-UFC merger), calling him the “director of the board” might be pushing it. Unless, of course, the board has a secret policy about naming their biggest shareholder “Final Boss”—in which case, we fully support it.
What The Rock Is Cooking on the Board
The Rock officially joined TKO’s board last year, solidifying his role in the company’s future while purchasing significant stock shares. Most recently, he upped his stake in TKO by 50 percent, flexing not just his muscles but his financial clout.
His appointment marks a full-circle moment for the People’s Champ, whose family has deep roots in professional wrestling. When the announcement was made, The Rock expressed gratitude for the opportunity to sit at the metaphorical table his grandfather and father helped build.
The Real Boss Moves
In reality, the TKO board is chaired by Ariel Emanuel, with Mark Shapiro running operations as President and COO. The Rock’s role is prestigious but advisory—think more “wise council” than “boss-level raid.”
McAfee’s mix-up, while hilarious, was a reminder of his charm: loud, proud, and occasionally prone to adding his own creative flair to reality. No harm, no foul, right?