Michael Cole Was Genuinely Surprised By Pat McAfee’s Return

People are still buzzing about the 2023 Royal Rumble Premium Live Event. The show was a massive success and had its fair share of memorable moments. There were a lot of returns as expected and the show’s ending will be talked about for years to come. Clearly, this was one of the best Royal Rumble shows in recent history.

One big moment took place right at the start of the show when Pat McAfee’s music hit and he came out to be an announcer and it seems like the WWE Universe weren’t the only ones surprised by MacAfee’s return.

Speaking on The Pat McAfee show, Michael Cole stated that although he is clued in about everything that goes on backstage, he wasn’t told about this and was genuinely surprised.

“Honest to God truth. I usually know everything going on in our world today because of the position that I’m in. This is the first time in probably a decade that I legitimately was surprised at something that happened on the show.”

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“I legit didn’t know if we would ever see you again in the WWE. We talked back in September, and you’d be back after football season, a lot in your life has changed since then, a lot in our company has changed since then. I legit didn’t know if you were ever going to be back. If you notice, I haven’t said much to anyone publicly about when you were coming because no one knew. When I sat down that day, Corey (Graves) and I prepared as a two-man booth like we always do, and when the music hit, when I think of Pat McAfee, I think of the White Stripes.

When the first couple of bars of the new song hit, I didn’t immediately recognize it. Then Hunter [Triple H] was in my ear, ‘Are you going to sell it?’ I mouthed to him in the spy cam, ‘Sell what?’ Then I looked up and saw your video board, and I’m like, ‘You’re ribbing me.’ The music hit, and you came out, I didn’t know what to say because I didn’t know if you were coming out to be an announcer or to be the number one entry in the Rumble because we were starting with the Rumble match. Then I saw you in your blazer, and I was like, ‘He’s coming out to be an announcer.’ I was so excited.”

Pat McAfee then commented that only a few people knew of his return. However, Cole mentioned that he felt disrespected that he wasn’t clued in because it made for a genuine television moment.

During the same interview, Pat McAfee also revealed that the original plan was for him to enter the Royal Rumble match, but he couldn’t get in ring shape for the match. He was more than ready to sit at ringside and commentate the entire night alongside Michael Cole and Corey Graves.

It’s a shame that McAfee couldn’t get in shape for the Royal Rumble match. We’ll have to see if WrestleMania 39 is a different story. As much as it was fun to hear him on commentary, it would’ve been more interesting to see him step inside the ring. Stay tuned to Ringside News as we bring you similar stories.

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