37-year-old WWE star to return at the Royal Rumble despite recent exit? Exploring the possibility 

One of WWE's biggest premium live events of the year is the Royal Rumble. The show features two massive 30-person Royal Rumble Matches, plus a handful of other bouts are also typically booked.

One of the highlights of the Royal Rumble Match is the surprise element. Specifically, special entrants. While it is difficult to predict which superstars from WWE's past, present, and future may show up in either the Men's Royal Rumble Match or the women's iteration of the match type, there may be one likely entrant: Pat McAfee.

The 37-year-old commentator recently revealed he would soon be leaving television due to his commitments to ESPN's College Gameday. He is expected back in January and even noted this on commentary, which is perfect timing for the Men's Royal Rumble Match, especially given recent history.

Pat returned to the 2023 and 2024 Royal Rumble events as a fun surprise for fans, including Michael Cole. He got in the ring, but McAfee also did commentary alongside his real-life friend and on-air partner.

Given that Pat has confirmed he'll be returning in a few months with eyes on Monday Night RAW's big move to Netflix, showing up as a surprise in the Men's Royal Rumble Match right after the show launches could make sense.

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The 2025 WWE Royal Rumble venue also points to a Pat McAfee return

However, there are other reasons to believe that Pat McAfee could be a surprise in the 2025 Men's Royal Rumble Match. Yes, history is in his favor, as is the schedule of when the college football season ends, but the location is also a factor.

The 2025 Royal Rumble will be held in Indianapolis, Indiana. While this might not mean much to some, it is extremely relevant for Pat. When McAfee was an active NFL player, his team was the Indianapolis Colts.

As if that wasn't enough, Pat's other program, The Pat McAfee Show, takes place in a studio in Indianapolis. McAfee will almost certainly be in town during the Triple H-run event in early 2025.

The 2025 Royal Rumble event will be one of many WWE shows in Indianapolis, so it makes sense that the promotion will want to get the local fans excited and use someone so attached to the city. While nothing is official, don't be surprised to see McAfee return to WWE programming beginning on February 1st, 2025, live in the Lucas Oil Stadium.