Pat McAfee Shuts Down Royal Rumble Speculation—Or Does He?

Pat McAfee has finally responded to the growing speculation about his possible WWE Royal Rumble return—but his answer might not be what fans wanted to hear.

During The Pat McAfee Show on January 31, CM Punk casually dropped, “See you in the Rumble,” hinting at McAfee’s potential involvement in the 30-man match. But McAfee quickly shot it down, responding, “I’m not in it, brother.”

While McAfee’s denial seems straightforward, longtime WWE fans know better than to take anything at face value. After all, McAfee has deep ties to Indianapolis, making a surprise return in front of his hometown crowd a perfect fit. WWE has also made a habit of keeping major surprises under wraps, and McAfee’s track record of stepping up in big moments only fuels the speculation.

This comes after an earlier report, which noted that multiple sources backstage in WWE were expecting McAfee to be part of the Rumble match. The report fueled excitement among fans, as McAfee’s energy and charisma have always made him a standout performer, whether on commentary or in the ring. His past showings at WrestleMania 38 and WrestleMania 39 only added to the belief that he could be gearing up for another big moment.

This isn’t the first time McAfee has been linked to an in-ring return. His WrestleMania 38 showdown with Austin Theory and impromptu bout against The Miz at WrestleMania 39 proved he’s more than capable in the ring. With the Rumble known for its shocking moments, many are wondering if McAfee is just playing coy.