6 Ups & 4 Downs From WWE SmackDown (Mar 18)
4. Pat McAfee’s Promo
McAfee is a natural at this.
If the announcer was a foot taller and had muscles for days, then Vince McMahon might even borrow an old nWo catchphrase and make Pat WWE Champ "4 life". Seriously through, this promo was another good piece of work from McAfee, and it did a lot to set up his first WrestleMania match.
Credit must go to Austin Theory for playing his part well too. He consistently comes across as an entitled brat who's hiding behind the influence and power of McMahon; Austin is also believably growing in confidence the more and more he does so. It's a robust story, one that should serve him well in the future.
WWE are giving away just enough physicality between this pair to tease fans. This week, Theory shoved his rival before taking a powder and avoiding the rage burning inside McAfee. That'll be unleashed at 'Mania, and it should be worth the wait.