The Royal Rumble Premium Live Event on January 27 showcased exciting matches and iconic moments, one of which was the unexpected entry of Pat McAfee in the Royal Rumble battle royal. Transitioning from NXT competitor to Friday Night SmackDown announcer, Pat McAfee has proven himself competent in WWE.
During the January 27 event, McAfee joined his commentary partner Michael Cole as the commentator. Surprisingly, he also participated in the Royal Rumble match, which he voluntarily lost, and he addressed why he did that.
Pat McAfee addresses his Royal Rumble appearance
Royal Rumble 2024 featured the legendary moment of Cody Rhodes and Roman Reigns winning the fatal 4-way match. Another iconic moment occurred when Pat McAfee participated in the Royal Rumble match.
Patrick Justin McAfee, aka Pat McAfee, entered the match as the #22 entrant. As he made his way into the ring, he saw Omos and the “Dog Faced Gremlin” Bron Breakker staring him down, prompting him to eliminate himself at the 38-second mark.
I’M IN THE RUMBLE MATCH..
— Pat McAfee (@PatMcAfeeShow) January 28, 2024
WHY DID YOU GUYS LET ME IN THERE#RoyalRumble pic.twitter.com/HW6mcWN9dZ
During the Royal Rumble exclusive, Pat addressed the issue about his entrance. He informed in the interview that he was never told about his appearance in the match and how unprepared he was when he was put into that spot.
He said, ”All of a sudden, 22 up and I’m in the Royal Rumble, nobody gave me the heads up about that. I got my cowboy boots on. Michael Cole let me go in there, that was rude of him I thought we were friends. Then there was a thing in there, 7’3” it was like looking up at a statue of a being. I see little Bron Breaker barking at me, I’m like I’m not supposed to be here right now, I’m not prepared for this. Also, who would I be to take a main event spot at WrestleMania spot from somebody? I got my ass out there. Now I went back in thinking ‘Wait a minute, am I just gonna be a coward?’ Then I realized quickly, yeah I am.”
McAfee’s Royal Rumble self-elimination keeps Michael Cole’s record intact
Michael Cole has been one of the key members of the broadcast desk since he joined the company in 1997. In the Royal Rumble 2012 at Enterprise Center in St. Louis, Missouri, Cole made his Royal Rumble entrance at #20. Cole lasted for 1 minute and 24 seconds but the #21 entrant Kharma ‘closelined’ him. As he tried to escape from her, he was eliminated by Booker T. & Jerry Lawler.
@PatMcAfeeShow couldn’t last longer than the great Michael Cole…record still intact #RoyalRumble pic.twitter.com/fvCIjxXZSx
— McCannIsHere (@mccannhere) January 28, 2024
Interestingly, after McAfee’s self-elimination, Michael Cole bragged about his record at the Royal Rumble match which is the highest ever for any WWE commentator in the battle royal match. Although Pat McAfee could not break Cole’s record, it was still an entertaining match for the fans.
Some superstars like CM Punk could not take the Royal Rumble 2024 victory, but Cody Rhodes got his second victory consecutively. Fans are excited about WrestleMania 40 and how this may finally be the stage where ‘The Tribal Chief’ will be dethroned from his championship.
What do you think about Pat McAfee’s Royal Rumble appearance? Share your thoughts in the comments section below!
