Veteran WWE commentator Michael Cole has has been with the company for nearly 30 yearsand has taken on various roles, including, at one point, briefly, an opponent in the ringwhile still remaining the sound of the product. After so many years in the business, Cole recently commented on his retirement plans to A interview with “OutKick”. where he revealed he had signed a multi-year deal last year. Even though he’s not ready to hang it up just yet, Cole remains conscious.
“I’m 59, actually I’ll be 60 this week. I want to reach retirement age,” he said. “I would like to reach 65 years old if I can. But one of the things I’ve been very adamant about, and I’ve talked about this with Paul Levesque. I’ve talked to my producers, my manager, Lee Fitting, and I’ve made sure they know that if they believe I’m flying out because I don’t want to know what my game is. Stay and do this ’til I’m 75 or 80.
Cole said he knows there are broadcasters, not only in wrestling but throughout the sport, who hang around too long and “become shells of their former selves.” He explained that he wanted to go out with people who remember him for how good a commentator he was, not because he couldn’t finish the show. He also said his life has gotten easier over the years, outside of all the travel, after he decided he just wanted to be a talent and not take on other roles, like managing all the other hosts in the company.
If you use any quote from this article, please credit “OutKick” and credit ah/t Wrestling Inc. for the transcription.