Pat McAfee took a break from SmackDown when he landed another of his dream jobs at ESPN College Gameday. WWE shook up their announcement teams. Wade Barrett was promoted from NXT to take his place alongside Michael Cole on Friday night, and the WWE Hall of Famer took Barrett’s place on Tuesday night.
There is only one college football game left in the 2022-2023 season, the National Championship game next Monday night (January 9). However, McAfee has made no mention of returning to WWE full-time. And now we have Booker saying he’s keeping the NXT gig — though he laughed a lot when he told his Hall of Fame podcast partner Brad Gilmore and is known to enjoy it, the crowds to edit just because he enjoys it.
The Houstonian didn’t know what that meant for Barrett. However, he loses points for not using the phrase “bad news”.
Here’s what Book said:
“I have to get back to work. NXT Services begin tomorrow. My thing is that this job should only last until the end of December. But like I said, what was the name of the boy who used to work there? … Yes, yes, Wade Barrett. He’s gone and forgotten as you can see [laughs].
“That’s my job now. That’s my job, full time… I’m full time now. I’m at NXT full-time, okay? I’ll be in your ear every Tuesday, at the top of your ear [laughs] … Wade Barrett, I don’t know if they keep him, find him a spot over on Raw or SmackDown or something, but his ass isn’t coming back to NXT… He’s done, he’s done… Bad news for you, Booker T stole this place and i told you i will steal it. I told you I’ll steal it.
“You don’t give me a job expecting someone to come – I’m like Tom Brady. Once I get in there I can’t get out… And the thing is, it wasn’t what I expected or anything, but I’m looking forward to it, I’m looking forward to this new venture.”
If McAfee’s many other endeavors make it impossible for him to work every Friday night, maybe Wade just stays at his current job.
NXT will air its first live episode in three weeks tonight. Maybe then we’ll learn more about Booker and Barrett’s future.