Paul Levesque on The Pat McAfee Show recap: WWE on Netflix, offers high praise for Nick Khan, labels Jacob Fatu a gamechanger, comments on Damian Priest hanging on the ropes

By Jason PowellProWrestling.net editor (@prowrestlingnet)

Below are highlights of WWE CEO Paul Levesque’s appearance on Monday’s edition of “The Pat McAfee Show” on ESPN and YouTube. The show can be watched in full below or via the show’s YouTube page.

-Levesque talked about holding an NXT event at McAfee’s studio. Levesque said he was going to go to Shawn Michaels, and then he and McAfee shook it off.

-McAfee and Levesque discussed WWE’s deal to bring the 2025 Royal Rumble and future WrestleMania and two-night SummerSlam events to Indianapolis. Levesque said McAfee was the biggest advocate for WWE coming to Indianapolis.

-Levesque once talked about working in Russia and said the fans were crazy despite the product not being broadcast on Russian television. Levesque attributed their fandom to the smuggling that takes place.

-Levesque talked about the Netflix deal and what a big deal it is for the company internationally. He talked about all the international events they have done. Levesque said American fans will have to step up their reactions because “the international fans are shaming them.”

-There was a shot of Chad Gable from the Wyatt Sicks angle. Levesque said Gable is still alive and “you’ll probably see him compete” on Raw. McAfee responded with bewilderment (although Gable is advertised for a Triple Threat Money in the Bank qualification).

-McAfee brought up Nick Khan. Levesque said he doesn’t think he’s met a businessman who is more intuitive in terms of what’s going on. He said people on the investor calls seemed to want to get Khan’s opinion on what was happening in the sports world, just like with WWE. Levesque said Khan is not a big sports fan, although he knows what is going on. Levesque said Khan is heavily involved in martial arts and WWE. Levesque said he and Khan hit it off well and now get to work with him on a daily basis. Levesque said many people are very good at what they do, but he considers Khan a genius.

Powell’s POV: I was among the investor call listeners who enjoyed Nick Khan’s comments on sports media rights. Khan is missed on the TKO investor calls.

-Levesque was asked if he thinks about fans seeing the show for the first time as it goes global via Netflix. Levesque said to always keep that in mind. He talked about giving basic knowledge to people who don’t know what’s happening.

Powell’s POV: Wait, Levesque doesn’t expect unknown viewers to “Google”?!? Imagine that.

-Levesque was asked about the nerves he had as a wrestler, compared to the nerves he has in his current position. He compared it to the nerves parents feel when they look at their children. He said he was invested in so many wrestlers trying to make their dreams come true. Levesque said he thinks the butterflies are worse for him now, especially if they do something dangerous. Levesque talked about the Damian Priest spot at Clash at the Castle. Levesque was afraid Priest might tear something or break his leg. Levesque thought they should call the match off, but he got word from the ring that Priest was doing well. Even then, he thought Priest would have problems once the adrenaline wore off, but he said he’s doing fine.

-McAfee recalled getting drunk when he was a rookie in the NFL and ordering a wrestling ring in the middle of the night. McAfee recalled doing some basic things after the ring was set up and how much it hurt. Levesque talked about why wrestlers hate it when people say what they’re doing is fake.

-Levesque was asked how things will change if Raw moves to Netflix. Levesque said they spent a lot of time on that. Levesque said it’s a different animal. He talked about censorship on television when fans sing holy shit. McAfee brought up The Rock. Levesque said you can’t tell Rock what to do and he does what he does. Levesque said they won’t have those restrictions on Netflix. He said being live globally is a game-changing moment. Levesque said the world is moving towards streaming and he believes people will look into other sports to see what they are doing.

-Levesque was asked when Roman Reigns might return. Levesque said Solo Sikoa is setting himself up as the chieftain. He spoke of Sikoa, Tama Tonga and Tonga Loa. Levesque brought up Jacob Fatu joining the group and called Fatu “a game changer.” Levesque talked about how Raw and Smackdown are shaping up heading into SummerSlam. He teased the long-term possibility of a clash between The Bloodline and The Wyatt Sicks.

-Levesque labeled McAfee as the most popular announcer. McAfee said not everyone feels that way. They joked about the ongoing joke that Michael Cole’s birthday is every Monday. A Wyatt-style “You Lied” graphic interrupted them. A short time later they wrapped up Levesque’s performance.

Powell’s POV: McAfee’s studio is in Indianapolis, where Raw is being shown tonight. Michael Cole also appeared in the studio shortly after Levesque’s segment and talked sports with McAfee and his regular crew.