WWE color commentator Pat McAfee has tested positive for Covid-19 and will likely miss the next two SmackDown episodes.
WWE color commentator Pat McAfee has tested positive for Covid-19 and will presumably be absent from this week’s episode of SmackDown.
McAfee took to social media to let his fans know that he had tested positive for the virus and would be “aht” (out) indefinitely despite being fully vaccinated.
“Fully Vax’d. Very Positive,” McAfee captioned an image of three at-home Covid tests that signified he had indeed tested positive.
“It’s miserable but thankful that my wife and the boys at the office all took tests and they are all negative,” he continued. “This is obviously a sign from the universe, probably telling me that I stink & to stay home for a while.”
Pat also included a photo of a digital thermometer on which his fever was recorded as 104.5 — which is high!
Fully Vax’d.
Very Positive.
Aht Indefinitely.
It’s miserable but thankful that my wife and the boys at the office all took tests and they are all negative..
This is obviously a sign from the universe, probably telling me that I stink & to stay home for a while.
Sadly, McAfee will probably miss the next two episodes on SmackDown at the very least, which is a shame as he’s been a very welcome addition to the WWE broadcast crew.
Pat and his SmackDown broadcast colleague Michael Cole have covered the SmackDown sides of every WWE pay-per-view since McAfee debuted on the blue brand. At the Money In The Bank pay-per-view, the duo shared a historic call when John Cena returned to WWE following the main event after more than a year away. Cole had nothing but good things to say about his colleague while appearing as a guest on a recent edition of The Pat McAfee Show.
“First I do want to say this—and I’ve read a lot about this online as well but it’s absolutely true—you’ve completely revitalized my career,” Cole gushed.
McAfee is a former NFL player who became SmackDown’s new color commentator back in April following a brief but successful stint in NXT where he served as a broadcaster and an in-ring talent. On his SmackDown debut, McAfee was referred to as a “former NXT Superstar” by Michael Cole.
According to a report, Impact Wrestling is set to make a push for Bray Wyatt, who was released from his WWE contract on July 31.
Bray Wyatt’s 90-day non-compete clause doesn’t expire until late October, so wrestling promotions still have ample time to negotiate with the former Universal Champion.
Wyatt was unexpectedly released from his WWE contract on July 31, abruptly ending his 12-year run with the company. Wyatt was reportedly told by John Laurinaitis that he was being let go due to budget cuts.
It was previously reported that Wyatt is bound for AEW, but that apparently isn’t a lock to happen (you can read more about that here). Not only that, but it looks like AEW will have serious competition for Wyatt’s services.
On the Sunday Night’s Main Event podcast (h/t Wrestling.com), Dave Meltzer reported that Impact Wrestling is “really after” Wyatt. At this time, however, it’s unclear if Wyatt is interested in joining them.
Impact Wrestling Executive Vice President Scott D’Amore recently hinted that former WWE superstars Buddy Matthews (Murphy in WWE) and Braun Strowman will soon join the company. Matthews and Strowman were released from their WWE contracts on June 2.
It should be noted that if Wyatt were to sign with Impact or AEW, he would be able to appear in both companies since the two promotions have a working partnership. AEW wrestler Kenny Omega held the Impact World Championship for 10 days. So Wyatt could theoretically be used as a top main event star in both Impact AEW.
WWE somehow missed so many great opportunities with Wyatt. His release may actually end up being a blessing long-term, since Wyatt’s next employer will most certainly maximize his wrestling creativity, uniqueness and skill set.
There will be no shortage of options for Wyatt when it comes to choosing the next chapter of his wrestling career. Former Universal and WWE Champions don’t hit the open market very often, and he would be an ultra-valuable addition to AEW or Impact Wrestling.
Tonight’s WWE NXT episode on the USA Network will feature fallout from Sunday’s Takeover 36 event. The episode was taped on Monday night from the Capitol Wrestling Center in Orlando.
Kacy Catanzaro and Kayden Carter vs. Gigi Dolin and Jacy Jayne
Appearances by new NXT Champion Samoa Joe, Indi Hartwell and Dexter Lumis, Johnny Gargano, The Diamond Mine, NXT Women’s Champion Raquel Gonzalez, Franky Monet, LA Knight, Tommaso Ciampa, NXT General Manager William Regal, and others
WWE has announced that Saturday’s SummerSlam pay-per-view from Allegiant Stadium in Las Vegas was the most-viewed and highest-grossing SummerSlam of all-time.
SummerSlam 2021 set records for live global viewership, gate receipts, indoor attendance, merchandise sales, sponsorships and social engagement.
WWE issued the following details today:
WWE® DELIVERS MOST-VIEWED & HIGHEST-GROSSING SUMMERSLAM OF ALL-TIME
Annual Event Sets Records for Live Global Viewership, Gate Receipts, Indoor Attendance, Merchandise Sales, Sponsorships & Social Engagement
STAMFORD, Conn., August 24, 2021 – Following a weekend of record-setting metrics, WWE (NYSE: WWE) delivered the most-viewed and highest-grossing SummerSlam in the company’s history.
Highlights include:
* More people watched Saturday’s event live across Peacock and WWE Network than any other SummerSlam in the company’s history. The seven-figure global audience marked a 55% increase over 2020 and a 29% increase over 2019;
* The sell-out crowd of 51,326 broke SummerSlam records for indoor attendance and gate receipts. With tickets purchased by fans from all 50 U.S. states, Saturday’s live gate was more than four times greater than the last SummerSlam held with fans in attendance in 2019;
* Merchandise sales posted an increase of 155% over 2019;
* SummerSlam set a new sponsorship record, growing by 25% vs. 2019 and 18% vs. 2020;
* With more than four million views, Brock Lesnar’s return became WWE’s most-watched Instagram video of all-time – surpassing the video of John Cena’s return at Money In The Bank. In total, SummerSlam videos generated more than one billion views across all WWE social platforms during the week.
New SmackDown Women’s Champion Becky Lynch reportedly asked WWE officials to work as a heel for this run.
As noted, Lynch made her surprise return at WWE SummerSlam on Saturday and defeated Bianca Belair in just seconds to capture the SmackDown Women’s Title, as the replacement for Sasha Banks, who is not cleared to compete. It was later reported that current plans call for Lynch to be the top heel of the blue brand women’s division.
In an update, word now is that Lynch was the one who requested that she be booked as a heel moving forward, according to F4Wonline.com.
There’s no word on when the Belair vs. Lynch rematch will take place, but it will be interesting to see what sort of heel promo Lynch returns to SmackDown with this Friday.
WWE President and Chief Revenue Officer Nick Khan says NXT is undergoing a revamp with production changes expected in the coming weeks.
Khan spoke with Ariel Helwani of BT Sport about the new vision for NXT as they want to change how talent will be developed.
“We are doing a complete revamp on NXT, led by Triple H, who is really one of the architects of the original NXT,” Khan revealed. “What we found — it’s part of why we did the tryout yesterday — what we want to make sure is easy for folks who want to be WWE Superstars, is figuring out how to become WWE Superstars.”
“In terms of an NXT re-brand, look for it in the next couple of weeks. It’s going to have a whole new look, it’s going to have a whole new feel — and we believe — because of a lot of the indie wrestlers, if you will, have come through our system and are in our system with SmackDown and RAW now. We don’t want to just keep doing that same thing, we want to look elsewhere for great, young talent.”
Khan was then asked what he meant by a new look and feel for NXT.
“The look of the show, the production of the show, everything is going to change in the next few weeks,” Khan confirmed.
WWE RAW TAG TEAM CHAMPIONSHIP Randy Orton and Riddle defeated AJ Styles and Omos (c) to win the RAW Tag Team Championship
Alexa Bliss defeated Eva Marie
– After the match, Bliss stands tall as her music hits. Eva is down at ringside, begging Doudrop to help her up. Bliss makes her exit with Lilly, laughing at Eva. Doudrop walks away from Eva and doesn’t help her up. Doudrop takes the mic and announces Eva as the loser of the match. Fans cheer Doudrop on. Eva is shocked at Doudrop’s behavior. Doudrop puts Eva’s jacket on and continues taunting her as Eva seethes, mouth open in shock. Doudrop walks away with Eva’s robe on as Eva yells about how she made Doudrop.
WWE US CHAMPIONSHIP Damian Priest defeated Sheamus (c) to win the WWE US Championship
WWE SMACKDOWN TAG TEAM CHAMPIONSHIP The Usos (c) defeated Rey and Dominik Mysterio
WWE SMACKDOWN WOMEN’S CHAMPIONSHIP Bianca Belair (c) vs. Sasha Banks
Carmella makes her way to the ring and SmackDown Women’s Champion Bianca Belair looks annoyed. The crowd seems deflated at the match change. Belair seethes as Carmella does her entrance, laughing at her. Belair takes the mic and says it may not be tonight but sooner than later it will be she and Sasha Banks in the ring, but until then… she’s just going to take her frustrations out on Carmella and beat her dusty little self, right now, Belair says. They argue as the bell hits but the music interrupts and out comes Becky Lynch to a big pop. Lynch is fired up as is the crowd. Belair is also hyped up as Lynch heads to the ring.
Becky’s shirt says “The Man’s Back In Vegas.” Becky looks at both competitors, then kicks Carmella and throws her out of the ring. Becky tells Belair she’ll be right back. Becky goes to ringside and sends Carmella into the steel steps. Fans chant Becky’s name now. Becky comes back in and faces off with Belair as fans cheer them on. The staredown goes on for a minute as the crowd gets louder. Becky asks for a mic and proposes she and Belair blow the roof off the stadium, for the title. Belair tares Becky down and gestures for the match to happen. The bell rings and the match is on.
WWE SMACKDOWN WOMEN’S CHAMPIONSHIP Becky Lynch defeated Bianca Belair (c) to win the WWE SmackDown Women’s Championship
Lynch offers her hand for a shake but instead she decks Belair in the jaw, and drops her with the pumphandle slam to win the title in seconds.
Drew McIntyre defeated Jinder Mahal Veer and Shanky banned from ringside.
WWE RAW WOMEN’S CHAMPIONSHIP Charlotte defeated Nikki A.S.H. and Rhea Ripley to win the RAW Women’s Championship
Edge defeated Seth Rollins
WWE CHAMPIONSHIP Bobby Lashley (c) defeated Goldberg by Referee Stoppage
– Lashley looks shocked as the referee calls the match. Lashley brings a steel chair int he ring and takes Goldberg’s leg out as he gets back up. Lashley goes to unload with chair shots now to keep Goldberg down until the referee stops him. Lashley screams at Goldberg while delivering chair shots. Lashley continues to focus on the leg while keeping Goldberg down. Goldberg’s son Gage runs in and jumps on Lashley’s back but Lashley puts him down with The Hurt Lock. MVP stands with Lashley now. MVP takes the mic and says there was no way Lashley could’ve know that was Goldberg’s son attacking him from behind, it could’ve been anyone. Lashley raises the WWE Title at ringside as MVP announces him as the champion. The music hits as MVP and Lashley head to the back. Goldberg checks on his son and yells out at Lashley, saying he’s going to kill the champ.
WWE UNIVERSAL CHAMPIONSHIP Roman Reigns (c) defeated John Cena
– After the match, Reigns stands tall as Heyman rings the title to him. The music hits and Reigns celebrates. The music stops and Brock Lesnar’s familiar music interrupts, sending Allegiant Stadium into a frenzy. Reigns is riled up and Heyman looks very worried. Lesnar is jacked up as he marches to the ring. Lesnar stands on the ring steps and smiles while staring Reigns down. Lesnar enters the ring and stares Reigns down. Lesnar gets closer, nodding at Reigns and Heyman. Lesnar has a few words for Reigns but we can’t hear them. Reigns backs away as fans boo. Reigns exits the ring, still staring Lesnar down. Heyman backs away with Reigns, mouth still hanging open. Reigns raises the Universal Title in the air and says not tonight. Lesnar’s music starts back up as he raises his arms in the air, playing to each side of the crowd as they cheer him on. Reigns and Heyman head to the back. WWE SummerSlam goes off the air with Lesnar standing tall in the ring.
