Michael Cole set for tank-top commentary after losing NBA bet to Pat McAfee

WWE commentator Michael Cole is set to swap his usual suit and tie for a tank top on an upcoming episode of Monday Night RAW, all thanks to a playful wager gone wrong. The Indiana Pacers’ emphatic 125-108 win over the New York Knicks in Game 6 of the NBA Eastern Conference Finals didn’t just secure their spot in the NBA Finals, it also cost Michael Cole a bit of his trademark style.A few weeks ago, Cole and his WWE broadcast partner Pat McAfee made a light-hearted bet. If the Knicks advanced, McAfee would have to appear on WWE programming in a full suit. If the Pacers won, Cole would have to call an episode of RAW in a tank top. With Indiana’s win, the result of the wager is now official, Cole is going sleeveless.

Pacers star Tyrese Haliburton led the charge with 21 points, 13 assists, and six rebounds, while Pascal Siakam delivered a powerful 31-point performance to secure the win and earn the Eastern Conference Finals MVP.

The Pacers will now face the Oklahoma City Thunder in the NBA Finals beginning June 5.WWE, quick to embrace cross-promotional moments, has already begun marketing the outcome. The company launched a “Knicks Choke” t-shirt on WWEShop, showcasing Haliburton mocking the Knicks with a nod to Reggie Miller’s iconic gesture from the 1990s.

Fans can’t wait to see Michael Cole go sleeveless

Fans on social media were quick to weigh in on Cole’s impending wardrobe change.

While some joked about the “viewer discretion” required for Cole’s new look, others expressed surprising enthusiasm.

“Michael Cole in a tank top will still look better than that substitute math teacher,” one user quipped on X (formerly Twitter). Another fan simply said, “This is going to be good.”The moment reflects WWE’s increasing willingness to blend sports, entertainment, and pop culture in unexpected ways.

Cole, a seasoned broadcaster with over two decades of experience, seems to be taking it all in stride.While the exact episode of RAW featuring Cole’s new attire hasn’t been confirmed, it’s expected to happen in the lead-up to WWE’s Money in the Bank event on June 7.Until then, fans can only wait to see just how committed Cole is to honoring his end of the bet - no sleeves, no excuses.