Why WWE Fans Love Michael Cole Now

2. The Pat McAfee Effect

Michael Cole WWE
WWE

Right now, one could argue that Pat McAfee is the most entertaining act in the entire WWE. He may 'just' be a commentator - for the most part, at least - but McAfee brings an energy and passion to the product that is unmatched.

Along with that energy and passion, the former NFL star has also allowed Michael Cole to have, well, fun.

When watching SmackDown these days, you can absolutely tell that Cole is having a blast at the side of McAfee. Pat has the same sort of a vibe that a kid has when left to their own devices in a sweet shop; he is ecstatic to be where he is, he gets excited at everything he sees, and there's a genuineness and everyman charm prevalent that makes you immediately root for him.

Pat forces any commentary colleague to loosen the proverbial tie, to unbutton the proverbial top button. Even if Cole wanted to remain stoic and serious at all times, it would be impossible to do so when your partner in crime is gyrating on the announce desk and playing air guitar while Shinsuke Nakamura makes his way to the ring.

By accident or design, the presence of Pat McAfee has forced Michael Cole to be more natural and laid back, and two have become a legitimate highlight of weekly WWE programming.

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Senior Writer
Senior Writer

Once described as the Swiss Army Knife of WhatCulture, Andrew can usually be found writing, editing, or presenting on a wide range of topics. As a lifelong wrestling fan, horror obsessive, and comic book nerd, he's been covering those topics professionally as far back as 2010. In addition to his current WhatCulture role of Senior Content Producer, Andrew previously spent nearly a decade as Online Editor and Lead Writer for the world's longest-running genre publication, Starburst Magazine, and his work has also been featured on BBC, TechRadar, Tom's Guide, WhatToWatch, Sportkskeeda, and various other outlets, in addition to being a Rotten Tomatoes-approved film critic. Between his main dayjob, his role as the lead panel host of Wales Comic Con, and his gig as a pre-match host for Wrexham AFC games, Andrew has also carried out a hugely varied amount of interviews, from the likes of Robert Englund, Kane Hodder, Adrienne Barbeau, Rob Zombie, Katharine Isabelle, Leigh Whannell, Bruce Campbell, and Tony Todd, to Kevin Smith, Ron Perlman, Elijah Wood, Giancarlo Esposito, Simon Pegg, Charlie Cox, the Russo Brothers, and Brian Blessed, to Kevin Conroy, Paul Dini, Tara Strong, Will Friedle, Burt Ward, Andrea Romano, Frank Miller, and Rob Liefeld, to Bret Hart, Sting, Mick Foley, Ricky Starks, Jamie Hayer, Britt Baker, Eric Bischoff, and William Regal, to Mickey Thomas, Joey Jones, Phil Parkinson, Brian Flynn, Denis Smith, Gary Bennett, Karl Connolly, and Bryan Robson - and that's just the tip of an ever-expanding iceberg.