Former NFL kicker and current media personality Pat McAfee will be getting the opportunity of a lifetime when he competes on night two of WrestleMania 38. Taking place on April 3 inside AT&T Stadium in Dallas, Texas, McAfee has a chance to live out a dream against his opponent Austin Theory.
McAfee, who started making appearances in WWE in 2018, became the official announcer for WWE's flagship show Friday Night SmackDown on FOX in April 2021. Before then, McAfee was working within WWE's feeder system NXT brand. He actually wrestled very well against NXT veterans. McAfee was even involved in a feud with former WWE superstar Adam Cole at one point, using his football background and athleticism to his advantage.
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Theory, 24, made his pro wrestling debut in 2016. An Evolve Champion, Theory competed for places like The Crash Lucha Libre and Full Impact Pro. He signed with WWE in 2019 and made an immediate impact in NXT. During the start of the COVID-19 pandemic, Theory competed on RAW, appearing in major storylines. He would later return to NXT but would make his return to the RAW brand in 2021.
Why is Pat McAfee wrestling Austin Theory?
Over the past few months, there were rumors regarding a potential match between McAfee and Vince McMahon. McMahon, 76, teased a match when he went on The Pat McAfee Show, in what would be his first match since 2012. Speaking with McMahon, McAfee was offered an opportunity to compete at WrestleMania. McMahon stated he would handpick McAfee’s opponent.
According to Dave Meltzer of the Wrestling Observer, McMahon had second thoughts about advertising himself fighting just in case the two couldn't deliver without "all the smoke and mirrors.” As a result, Theory became the opponent in the match. Theory approached McAfee on SmackDown and stated he was his opponent. Both men have harassed one another each time they are together since the announcement.
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McAfee, who bought a wrestling ring for his backyard, is ready to live out his dream.
"I get to live out a dream...but don't get this s--- twisted, I have been preparing for this my entire life," McAfee stated, via FOX Sports Radio. "I've wrestled at WrestleMania in my mind millions of times and this dream, hopefully, inspires others to have the same damn one.”
Why Austin Theory?
Theory ended up in a storyline in November 2021 where he returned McMahon's stolen Cleopatra's Egg, earning him a shot at the WWE Title. Falling short, Theory ended up being mentored by McMahon, appearing in various backstage segments with the boss. This is based on the real and on-screen idea that Theory is McMahon's special project.
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Competing in several high-profile matches thanks to his relationship with McMahon, Theory wanted more. He continued to try and get McMahon's attention and attempted to involve himself in the McAfee interview. Theory was rejected, but it ended up leading to something bigger.
Now, the two will be facing off in a regular wrestling match. There may be a chance McMahon gets involved. Both men now have opportunities to wow fans and make a surprising impact on “The Grandest Stage of Them All.”