In WWE’s high stakes world, careers can change very quickly. For former NFL Pro Bowl punter Pat McAfee, he became a WWE commentator, but his WWE journey almost ended before it really ended due to a heated confrontation between a pair of tuxedo shorts and WWE broadcast veteran Michael Cole.
Recent time ESPN In an interview, McAfee revealed a shocking behind the scenes incident on WrestleMania 35. Arriving at an event he considered a “Sunday Best” – a suit jacket paired with tailored tuxedo shorts – has become an unexpected conflict.
“I’m going, ‘Cole, is it time to rehearse?” and he says, ‘Not.’ And he spits out. “He goes, ‘You’re not broadcast like that’s what’s going on,’ drives me out of the gorilla. Like legal.
The humiliation was exacerbated by the fact that this conflict took place in front of WWE legends, including The Undertaker and Triple H.
Fashion Defense
What made the situation even more frustrating for McAfee was his true belief that his attire was appropriate and fashionable. “I was proud of what I was doing,” explained McAfee. The costumes were not unprecedented. Some showed Cole a photo of NBA superstar Lebron James looking similar.
This evidence forced Cole to backtrack.
“So Michael Cole had to step into the place where I had my tail between my legs. He had to go in and say, ‘Um, it’s actually okay to wear it,'” McAfee said clearly satisfied.
Partnership before it begins
Cole and McAfee’s relationship is currently considered one of WWE’s most powerful commentary partnerships, and the day was almost over.
“This whole partnership on Raw, that’s almost gotten so fast. It ended very, very quickly,” admitted McAfee.
But both experts have found a way to move forward.
“Cole calls me a few days later. We have it in a full conversation and since then, literally… like the best friend,” McAfee revealed. “And I think he learned a lot about me in that moment. I learned a lot about him.”
This incident is a reminder of how tenuous opportunities can be in an entertainment world where small disagreements can quickly escalate. For McAfee, whose WWE career flourished as both a commentator and occasionally an in-ring performer, that moment of tension ultimately brought a stronger partnership with Cole and a deeper understanding between the two passionate experts.
