In the realm of pro wrestling, few announcing pairs have better chemistry than WWE Raw‘s Michael Cole and Pat McAfee. However, their broadcasting camaraderie was not always smooth sailing. Recently, during an appearance on Logan Paul’s Impaulsive podcast, Cole recounted a past conflict with McAfee that nearly led the former All-Pro punter to walk out of the company’s biggest event of the year, WrestleMania 35 in 2019, where McAfee was scheduled to guest host the pre-show.
“Me and him got really, really close. And then our relationship imploded for a night,” Cole reflected. Serving as a VP and the main announcer, Cole recalled being caught off guard when McAfee arrived wearing tuxedo shorts instead of a formal outfit. “I’m like — in front of everybody, which was my bad — ‘what the f**k are you doing? Dude, you’re in f**king shorts. It’s WrestleMania,’” Cole remembered, noting the presence of high-profile figures like Stephanie and Vince McMahon during the reprimand.
“You little bro’d him,” Paul remarked, to which Cole conceded, “I did.” Unsurprisingly, McAfee was upset, seriously considering leaving the show after the public dressing down. “He stormed off and I’m like, ‘Where the f**k are you going? I’m not doing the show,’” Cole continued. McAfee was in the locker room packing his bag, expressing, ‘You just embarrassed me in front of everybody in this company.’ Cole admitted he hadn’t viewed it from that perspective but acknowledged McAfee was right, and thankfully, they managed to resolve their issues.
Michael Cole on Pat McAfee almost walking out after he yelled at him in front of everyone
“Wtf are you doing? Dude you’re in f****** shorts it’s WrestleMania.”
(Impaulsive) pic.twitter.com/q6tybmrud2
— Vick (@Vick_8122) February 18, 2025
Ultimately, McAfee’s shorts became one of the more unforgettable moments of an otherwise unremarkable WrestleMania. Even though he was appearing on a limited basis at the time, he later transitioned to a full-time announcer and part-time wrestler for WWE, even taking part in his own match at WrestleMania just three years later. While McAfee continues to be a polarizing figure in sports media, he has found a welcoming home in pro wrestling, appealing to a fanbase that appreciates his distinctive personality. Nevertheless, it’s clear that his early days with WWE were marked by challenges during what was a transformative time for both Cole and the organization.
