In a development no one had on their 2025 wrestling bingo card—but everyone should have—Pat McAfee has officially challenged GUNTHER to a match at WWE Backlash, after regaining consciousness and most of his dignity.
Last week on WWE Raw, GUNTHER—who had recently lost his World Heavyweight Title and also possibly his Wi-Fi password—decided to take out his rage on poor Michael Cole, a man who has suffered more trauma ringside than most war correspondents. This prompted Pat “Voice of the Gridiron” McAfee to leap to Cole’s defense.
Unfortunately, GUNTHER responded with a handshake from hell, wrapping McAfee into a sleeper hold so efficient it got five stars from the National Napping Association. GUNTHER was suspended faster than you can say “Ring General Hospital.”
This week, a slightly more vertical McAfee took the mic, delivering a fiery promo that included equal parts passion, confusion, and patriotic metaphors. He admitted he’d lost sight of who he was—briefly forgetting whether he was a football analyst, podcast host, or part-time vigilante—but found clarity once he remembered GUNTHER’s grip around his throat.
Calling out Nick Aldis (who’s apparently filling in for Adam Pearce like a substitute teacher with real authority), McAfee asked for the suspension to be lifted so he could fight GUNTHER fair and square. Aldis, showing the kind of leadership you only find in a group project, said “No,” but then suggested they just book the match anyway. Problem solving. Incredible.
McAfee instantly agreed, marking his first singles match in two years, and potentially his first televised murder, if GUNTHER decides to break out the Vienna sausage chops.
Backlash now features an NFL punter vs. a walking slab of European granite. Who wins? The fans. And possibly the paramedics.