Pat McAfee is set to face one of the most formidable challenges of his WWE career at Backlash in St. Louis, where he will go head-to-head with Gunther. This matchup marks WWE’s first Premium Live Event following WrestleMania 41, and anticipation is high, particularly since McAfee was blindsided by Gunther on the episode of Raw that aired after WrestleMania.
While McAfee has experience in high-stakes matches, taking on prominent wrestlers like Adam Cole and Austin Theory, his battle with Gunther is poised to be among the most intense yet. Gunther has proven to be a powerhouse in the WWE, with only three pinfall losses since his arrival on the main roster, suffering defeats exclusively to Jey Uso, Cody Rhodes, and Sami Zayn.
In a relevant commentary piece on WWE.com, NFL writer and correspondent for The Pat McAfee Show, Mark Kaboly, shared insights and his predictions for the match. He didn’t shy away from expressing the high potential for the fight to become chaotic, highlighting McAfee’s athleticism and competitive spirit. “This showdown has every indication that it could get ugly… really ugly,” Kaboly explained, emphasizing that while McAfee has a stellar track record, he faces steep odds against Gunther.
Kaboly also made mention of Gunther’s chilling warning to McAfee: “By only the grace of God can lift my arms off your throat.” Despite these daunting circumstances, he suggested that the match might not conclude with Gunther’s victory — hinting that there could be a surprising intervention post-match, possibly by WWE Hall of Famer Goldberg or even other notable figures like Jey Uso or Michael Cole.
Notably, there are discussions within WWE about Goldberg’s return, potentially related to his much-anticipated retirement match, especially after his last appearance where he encountered Gunther at Bad Blood in Atlanta.
McAfee’s resilience and unpredictability keep fans hoping for a stunning outcome in this fierce matchup. There’s a sense of excitement that something unexpected could transpire, possibly reshaping the dynamics of WWE’s ongoing narrative.