WWE News: Commentary Icon Praises Pat McAfee's Growing Body Of Work

A commentator’s role in the pro-wrestling industry is just as important as the performers who are doing the moves inside the ring, and few of them know how hard the job is.

Michael Cole, 53, has been working in WWE since 1997 and was promoted to the play-by-play announcer of SmackDown in 1998, a position that he occupies to this day along with other responsibilities outside of on-screen programming.

He has been front-and-center for fans watching at home as he calls the action as they happen in the ring, but it is not beyond him to compliment those who he sees has a future in the role.

In an appearance on The Ringer’s “The Press Box” podcast, Cole revealed that he is more than happy to take former Indianapolis Colts punter Pat McAfee under his wing.

“He (Pat McAfee) is the most energetic and enthusiastic person I’ve ever been around. He makes everyone around him better. He makes everybody around him want to enjoy the product,” Cole said.

“Pat and I have developed an insane amount of chemistry. I hired Pat five years ago to do some panel work for NXT pre-shows, brought him on board last year, and knew he was going to be a huge hit. I was shocked that he actually wanted to come work for us and work with me.”

As Cole noted, McAfee made the move to pro wrestling back in 2018 before making his in-ring debut against then-NXT standout Adam Cole and the rest of the Undisputed Era through much of 2020 and the following year.

His matches stood out amongst fans because of how natural he looked inside the ring while also being charismatic enough to hold his own on the microphone.

After his time in NXT, McAfee was promoted to working alongside Cole on SmackDown and has already produced memorable moments such as dancing to Shinsuke Nakamura’s theme and this all-time great call about Brock Lesnar.

McAfee brings a certain youthfulness and excitement to the commentary team that WWE has not seen in years and it is all for the betterment of the product.

Cole recognizes this fact and it is likely that McAfee will be the next man up once he decides to call it a career down the road.

“He’s just an incredible guy to work with. He’s a fan, and you can tell that he’s a fan when you listen to him. He’s just so over the top and so excited and so energetic. He’s the classic extrovert, and I’m the classic introvert, and that’s why it works so well together and we’ve become so extremely close,” Cole explained.

McAfee will have his first in-ring match in nearly two years when he faces Austin Theory at Night 2 of WrestleMania 38 this Sunday, April 3.