Pat McAfee to face Gunther at WWE Backlash

Originally posted on F4WOnline.com | By Ethan Renner | Last updated Apr 28, 2025 11:05 PM ET

ESPN and WWE commentator Pat McAfee will step into the ring at Backlash next week.

As revealed on Monday’s WWE Raw, McAfee will go one-on-one with Gunther at the Backlash PLE set for Saturday, May 10.

Gunther attacked McAfee and Michael Cole in storyline on last week’s Raw after expressing his displeasure with their commentary following his WrestleMania 41 World Heavyweight Championship loss to Jey Uso.

In a follow-up, a storyline suspension was issued to Gunther by Raw general manager Adam Pearce. Pearce was absent from Monday’s Raw, with SmackDown GM Nick Aldis stepping in to handle the show in his place.

McAfee cut a promo on Monday’s Raw stating that he was a hard worker, and loyal to Cole. He said that when Gunther attacked Cole last week he had crossed a line, and called out Aldis while petitioning for a match against Gunther for Backlash.

Aldis stated that he had discussed the possibility with Pearce, and was authorized to make the bout official for the Saturday, May 10 event in St. Louis.

One-on-one at #WWEBacklash?! pic.twitter.com/XGnxQfjCYX
— WWE (@WWE) April 29, 2025

Already signed for Backlash, John Cena will defend the Undisputed WWE Championship against Randy Orton, and Women’s Intercontinental Champion Lyra Valkyria will defend against Becky Lynch.

A Jey Uso vs. Logan Paul World Heavyweight title match was also teased for Backlash during Monday’s Raw, but has yet to be made official.

The WWE Backlash lineup is listed below. Our full report from Monday’s WWE Raw is available here.