Pat McAfee Goes Off on Toronto for Booing U.S. Anthem
WWE commentator Pat McAfee definitely isn’t holding back when it comes to his feelings about our northern neighbors after a temperature-flaring moment at the WWE Elimination Chamber in Toronto. During a live broadcast, right as American singer Elizabeth Irving launched into the U.S. National Anthem, the Canadian crowd decided booing was the way to go. While the whole night was set to be an epic showdown—dubbed one of the “most stacked” Elimination Chambers ever—the response to the anthem definitely left a sour taste.
In that surreal moment, McAfee, hyper-enthusiastic as always, practically jumped out of his seat, directing a fiery rant straight into the camera. “This is the most stacked Elimination Chamber that the WWE has ever had,” he yelled, “But it kinda sucks that it’s in the terrible country of Canada that booed our national anthem to start this entire thing.” You can totally feel the tension through the screen—McAfee was not about to let that slide!
Now, this isn’t the first time Canadian sports fans have made a fuss about American pride being displayed. With the ongoing political tensions—especially with former President Trump’s infamous threats regarding Canadian trade and tariffs—emotions are running high on both sides of the border. And it’s not merely a wrestling thing; booing the anthem has become a bit of a trend in Canadian arenas, especially when American teams are in town.
For those who need a little refresher, this incident in Toronto resonates with echoes from previous sporting events, where the Canadian crowd has expressed their attitude against the U.S., reflecting a more profound narrative of rivalry and pride in the face of international politics. Whether it’s in hockey, basketball, or now wrestling, the anthem booing is sparking debates. So, who knows? Maybe McAfee’s rant was more about the underlying tension than just WWE theatrics.
Let’s face it—when it comes down to it, a little cross-border rivalry just might be what keeps the spirit of competition alive, especially in the world of sports. But dear Canada, maybe consider cheering instead?
Sources: Celebrity Storm and TMZ, ESPN, Sports Illustrated
Image Credit: Attribution from EXIF: Artist: Alyssa Reeves
