“Embarrassed me in front of everyone,” WWE veteran berated Pat McAfee in Vince McMahon’s presence; former NFL punter almost ditched WrestleMania
The longest-tenured WWE commentator once chastised Pat McAfee in front of the company officials at WrestleMania 35.
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Pat McAfee, Michael Cole and Vince McMahon [via- WWE]
Pat McAfee‘s early days with WWE can be traced back to 2018. Since then, he’s been under a contract with the pro wrestling juggernaut. Along the way, he forged countless relationships, but one that conspicuously stands out is the bond he shares with Michael Cole. However, things did get messy one night. Cole recounted that incident on Logan Paul‘s IMPAULSIVE podcast.
The veteran WWE play-by-play infamously reprimanded McAfee backstage at WrestleMania 35. Cole was caught off guard by the Boomstick’s quirky attire for Mania where he showed up in tuxedo shorts. Minutes before WWE went on-air, Cole bumped into Pat at the Gorilla position, and that’s when the WWE vet realized the former NFL punter wasn’t dressed appropriately to do the kickoff show.
Michael snapped, and he went off on the 37-year-old in front of everyone, including Vince McMahon and Stephanie McMahon. Back then, Cole didn’t pay heed to it in the heat of the moment, but has now admitted that he was definitely in the wrong. The Voice of WWE then recalled that McAfee was so embarrassed that he stormed off and was about to leave the building.
(He says) ‘I’m not doing the show.’ He goes back and he’s packing his bag to leave, he goes ‘you just embarrassed me in front of everyone in this company.’
Michael Cole via IMPAULSIVE podcast
MICHAEL COLE TELLS A STORY ABOUT YELLING AT PAT MCAFEE AND ALMOST MAKING HIM ALMOST QUIT THE SHOW 😭
— FADE (@FadeAwayMedia) February 18, 2025
(IMPAULSIVE) pic.twitter.com/b2vtHP4T4W
Somehow, things worked out, and the said professionals kept their differences aside to get the show going. When Cole consulted with Vince about Pat’s shorts, the former WWE chairman had no issues with it. Michael quipped that McMahon was playing into the moment as he’s someone who just likes to “stir the sh*t.”
Cole asserted that whatever transpired between him and McAfee eventually bolstered their ties, and they’ve been best friends ever since. The WWE Universe is well-versed with the camaraderie they share and how well it complements their on-screen chemistry.
How Pat McAfee’s WWE return recently aroused a controversy?
Last month, beginning from Raw’s Netflix debut, Pat McAfee returned to the commentary desk alongside Michael Cole. That move had a domino effect on WWE’s across-the-brand announce tables. Joe Tessitore, who was the play-by-play for Raw for months, got moved to SmackDown.
He joined Wade Barrett on the blue brand, replacing Corey Graves. In hindsight, it was McAfee’s arrival that cost Graves his main roster spot. The latter was quite upset about it and caused a social media outburst. Corey later deleted those posts on X, evoking speculation among fans that he grew apart from WWE.
Some even alleged that it was a work, but it didn’t turn out to be one. Cole addressed the situation in the aforementioned interview with Logan Paul. Calling it a strange situation, the 56-year-old said that he loves Graves to death. The latter is still figuring out his role with WWE now that he lends his voice to NXT.
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