Pat McAfee’s face turned a shade of light red as WWE star Gunther brutally choked him out on Monday’s episode of RAW in a shocking moment between the behemoth and wrestling commentator.
In addition to his ESPN hosting duties, McAfee is a color commentator for the WWE and rarely gets physical with the wrestlers.
Gunther appeared in the middle of WWE’s first post-WrestleMania 41 show, arguing outside the ring with McAfee and the company’s play-by-play commentator, Michael Cole.
The former WWE World Heavyweight Champion, who lost the title to Jey Uso as part of WrestleMania 41, appeared to take exception with the commentators critiques of one of his rare losses.
After Cole made a comment to Gunther about ‘tapping out’ to Uso, he Austrian grappler lost it, putting Cole in a chokehold.
McAfee, who has been more physical with WWE wrestlers in the past compared to Cole, jumped in to save his fellow commentator. McAfee attempted to walk away before Gunther put a rear-naked choke on him, eventually making him pass out.
Pat McAfee’s face turned a shade of light red as WWE star Gunther brutally choked him out
Gunther appeared to take issue with WWE commentators’ criticism of one of his rare losses
McAfee was in the chokehold for nearly a minute before several WWE representatives were able to loosen Gunther’s grip.
McAfee did get to his feet after Gunther’s choke was no longer applied. He did need to be checked out by WWE personnel while being walked off screen.
The ESPN talent was unable to continue with the show, being replaced on commentary by Joe Tessitore.
Gunther is expected to now be storyline suspended for several weeks for putting his hands on a non-wrestler.
McAfee himself may have been written off television by being choked out, as he returned to the company for the most prestigious time of the year for the company, which ended with WrestleMania 41.
Should McAfee take a break from WWE, Tessitore is the natural replacement as part of the RAW commentary team.
