WWE has announced the commentary team for tonight’s Backlash premium live event in St. Louis. Michael Cole and Wade Barrett will call the action without a third commentator.
Pat McAfee, typically part of the broadcast team, will instead compete in his first official match since SummerSlam 2022, facing Gunther.
Cole and Barrett have previous experience as a duo, having worked together before Joe Tessitore joined SmackDown’s commentary team last year.
McAfee’s last full-length match was against Baron Corbin in 2022. His WWE in-ring career began in NXT in 2020, facing Adam Cole and later competing in WarGames.
He also had high-profile moments at WrestleMania 38 (defeating Austin Theory) and WrestleMania 39 (a non-match victory over The Miz). McAfee briefly entered the 2024 Royal Rumble before self-eliminating to avoid Bron Breakker and Omos.