WWE commentator and former NFL punter Pat McAfee didn’t hold back Saturday night as he called out Canadian wrestling fans for booing the U.S. national anthem ahead of the WWE Elimination Chamber in Toronto.

Canadian spectators started the controversy at the Rogers Centre by drowning out Elizabeth Irving’s rendition of “The Star-Spangled Banner” with boos. The jeers responded to ongoing tensions over President Donald Trump’s tariff threats against Canada. But McAfee wasn’t having it.

Pat McAfee Slams Canada for booing US anthem
Pat McAfee showing his discomfort (Photo via X/ @PWUnlimited)

 

Pat McAfee Unleashes Verbal Smackdown

Pat McAfee Slams Canada for booing US anthem
Pat McAfee (Photo By Kirby Lee/Imagn Images)

McAfee, known for his animated personality and unfiltered commentary, wasted no time addressing the crowd’s reaction.

“Kinda sucks that it’s in the terrible country of Canada that booed our national anthem to start this entire thing!” McAfee ranted on the WWE broadcast. “These are the most-stacked Elimination Chambers the WWE has ever had, and this is how we start?!”

His remarks instantly ignited a firestorm on social media, with fans split on his stance. While some supported his frustration, others dismissed his comments as unnecessary and inflammatory.

Pat McAfee didn’t stop there. Later in the night, he warned: “They booed the national anthem, they’re going to need to stop doing that, or the whole place is going to be [expletive].”

While McAfee has built a reputation for speaking his mind, this latest outburst struck a nerve, highlighting the growing tensions between U.S. and Canadian sports fans. The booing of a national anthem- regardless of the country- remains a divisive issue, often sparking fierce debate over respect and patriotism.

As WWE’s Road to WrestleMania continues, one thing is clear that Pat McAfee won’t be backing down from calling out what he sees as blatant disrespect. Whether fans love him or loathe him, he’s making sure his voice is heard.