Overview

• Gunther defeated Pat McAfee via sleeper-hold submission at WWE Backlash 2025 in St. Louis, marking his first major victory since losing the World Heavyweight Championship at WrestleMania 41.
• The match stemmed from an on-air altercation on WWE Raw, where Gunther attacked commentator Michael Cole, prompting McAfee to intervene and later challenge him to a match.
• Pat McAfee, a former NFL punter and ESPN analyst, showcased his toughness, refusing to tap out during the match and later tweeting 'Never tapped aht' to emphasize his resilience.
• The event highlighted Gunther's effort to regain momentum after his championship loss, reaffirming his status as one of WWE's most dominant performers.
• WWE Backlash 2025 streamed live on Peacock in the U.S. and Netflix internationally, with the match further solidifying McAfee’s crossover appeal as both a commentator and competitor.