Pat McAfee reveals Michael Cole screamed at him backstage at Wrestlemania and what Vince McMahon’s reaction was to the whole situation.
Wrestlemania is not only WWE’s biggest show of the year but arguably the biggest annual event in all of wrestling. Fans around the world wait for the show with bated breath. However, an event of this magnitude can be nerve wrecking for many working tirelessly to ensure its success.
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Pat McAfee learned that the hard way when he got chewed out by Michael Cole for showing up wearing shorts before his appearance on the WrestleMania Kickoff show on the USA network. With no backup clothes available, Cole had to go consult Vince McMahon on the matter.
Pat McAfee reveals Michael Cole screamed at him backstage at Wrestlemania and what Vince McMahon’s reaction was
Pat McAfee was the guest on this week’s After The Bell podcast. He recalled the incident with Cole leading up to Wrestlemania 35. Despite being told not to wear shorts, McAfee had tuxedo shorts tailored himself. This incensed Michael Cole who gave him a piece of his mind.
“It was my first time doing a kickoff show,” McAfee said. “Michael Cole called me a week beforehand. Then I go down there and commentators are always in a suit and tie. That is not how I operate. I wore tuxedo shorts at my wedding.
“The first time I went down there at WrestleMania Takeover in New Orleans, I had shorts on with a sports coat and a tie and a button down. I’m trying to set a precedent on how I am going to dress because if I go in there with a full suit, then that’s the expectation, I don’t own enough suits to do that.
“I finally got to the next WrestleMania in New York. I got there and I was told leading up to it, no shorts. You can’t wear shorts for this. I said I’m not going to wear shorts. Don’t worry about it. I understand this is a big deal.
He starts yelling at me saying I look unprofessional
“I get this tux and tuxedo shorts made,” McAfee continued. “I’m sitting around WrestleMania day wearing the same thing for 5 hours. Now we are 30 minutes before showtime and Michael sees me for the first time and he starts chewing me out.
“In hindsight, I understand. WrestleMania is a lot of pressure on Michael Cole. The last thing he wants to deal with is one of his commentators being the reason he gets yelled at by Vince for ruining a kickoff show. In hindsight, I know that. But at the time, I had been there for 5 hours sweating my ass off.
“He starts yelling at me saying I look unprofessional. I look at him and think, who are you talking to? He was not happy with me. He said no shorts, he never said no tuxedo shorts. I tried to explain that to him but at the time. I got sent back in the dressing room after there was quite a bit of take between me and Michael Cole.
“He had to go talk to Vince because I had no other backup. I had no other clothes. We were 20 minutes before showtime so there really was nothing anybody could do. They had to go ask Vince if it was ok. I was told that Vince’s words were, I’m hip. He looks good.”
H/T WrestlingNews.co
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