Photo: Andy Lyons
Former Indianapolis Colts punter and current SmackDown color commentator Pat McAfee was the subject of numerous viral memes during his WrestleMania debut on Sunday (April 3) night.
McAfee defeated rising WWE superstar Austin Theory in a show-stealing match just before the WrestleMania 38 main event.
McAfee, joined by the Dallas Cowboys Cheerleaders, walked out to 'Seven Nation Army' by The White Stripes and punted a football into the stands at AT&T Stadium in Arlington Stadium during his entrance.
The former All-Pro punter went on to have a spectacular match in which he shocked many viewers with his in-ring abilities, which included doing a backflip off the ropes onto his feet, clean-hopping back to the top rope, and landing a superplex on Theory.
After the win, McAfee lost an impromptu match to WWE CEO Vince McMahon -- with major interference from his protegeé Theory -- which led to WWE Hall of Famer 'Stone Cold' Steve Austin coming down to the ring to give Theory a 'Stone Cold Stunner.'
Austin celebrated by sharing a beer with McAfee, before giving the former Pro Bowl punter a Stunner, which led to a viral clip of McAfee on the ground pouring beer into his mouth as he appeared to be in a daze.
Hours after the event, McAfee's wife, Samantha, shared a video of her husband feeling the effects of the match -- and clearly the 'beer bash' -- as they flew back to Indianapolis.
Numerous Twitter users praised McAfee's WrestleMania performance during the event's live broadcast.
McAfee, who has previously appeared in several matches for WWE's televised developmental brand NXT, was offered the opportunity to compete in a WrestleMania match by McMahon during an appearance on the Pat McAfee Show last month, which the host quickly accepted, once calling it "a dream."
Theory, a rising star who has been McMahon's on-screen protégé in recent months, revealed himself as McAfee's opponent during the March 4 episode of SmackDown, which resulted in Theory slapping the popular commentator after making the challenge.
McAfee has shared numerous posts of himself training in Indianapolis during the lead-up to WrestleMania.
WWE announced McAfee would join veteran play-by-play man Michael Cole on the Friday Night SmackDown announce team in April 2021, after having previously worked numerous angles with current All Elite Wrestling star Adam Cole and his faction, Undisputed Era, during his time in NXT.
The 34-year-old was a two-time Pro Bowl selection and first-team All-Pro punter during his eight-year NFL career, as well as being credited as Pro Football Focus' punter of the decade for the 2010s.
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