Tonight at WWE Backlash, Pat McAfee will not be yelling “BOOM!” into a headset — he’ll be the one hearing the boom, likely followed by a body slam, courtesy of GUNTHER. The dynamic desk duo becomes a duo-minus-one, as Michael Cole and Wade Barrett take over exclusive commentary duties while McAfee tries not to get chopped into radio silence.
According to PWInsider, WWE’s usual three-man booth of Cole, McAfee, and Barrett will slim down for this premium live event. Why? Because Pat McAfee made the bold decision to protect his broadcast BFF Michael Cole from GUNTHER’s wrath — and found himself locked in a sleeper faster than he can say “Let’s gooooo!”
🎙️ Commentary Realignment
Cole and Barrett will now tag-team the commentary table tonight for Backlash, live from the Enterprise Center in Randy Orton’s natural habitat of St. Louis. While Cole typically teams with McAfee on “Raw,” Barrett holds it down weekly on “SmackDown” with former ESPN voice Joe Tessitore, who will not be at this event — presumably because someone told him what a GUNTHER chop sounds like in person.
🤼♂️ McAfee vs. GUNTHER: From Mic Checks to Chest Chops
What started as McAfee trying to save Michael Cole from “The Ring General” has turned into a one-way ticket to Suplexylvania. GUNTHER, former World Heavyweight Champion and full-time purveyor of violence, now gets his hands on the only man in WWE who’s wrestled at WrestleMania and hosted a college football pregame show the same weekend.
Can McAfee survive? Will Cole emotionally commentate his friend’s impending funeral with professional detachment? Stay tuned.
🔥 Backlash Rundown
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McAfee vs. GUNTHER – “Chop this man into commercial break” energy.
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Lyra Valkyria (c) vs. Becky Lynch – Women’s IC Title. Wings vs. wrath.
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Dominik Mysterio (c) vs. Penta – Intercontinental Title. Family issues vs. face paint.
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Jacob Fatu (c) vs. Drew, Priest, LA Knight – Fatal 4-Way for the U.S. Title.
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John Cena (c) vs. Randy Orton – Final Boss Fight. Last Time Ever™. Legacy on the line.