Michael Cole Hints At Eventual WWE Retirement Plans

Veteran WWE commentator Michael Cole has been with the company nearly 30 years, and has taken on a variety of roles, including briefly at one point, in-ring competitor, while also remaining a voice of the product. After so many years in the business, Cole recently commented on his retirement plans in an interview with "OutKick," where he revealed he signed a multi-year deal last year. While he's not ready to hang it up just yet, Cole remains self-aware.

"I'm 59, going to be 60 this week, actually. I want to get to retirement age," he said. "I'd like to get to 65, if I can. But, one of the things that I've been very adamant about, and I've talked to Paul Levesque about this. I've talked to my producers, my boss, Lee Fitting, and I've made sure, I want them to know that if they believe that I'm slipping at all I want to know, because I want to get out at the top of my game. I don't want to hang on and do this 'til I'm 75 or 80 years old."

Cole said he knows that there are broadcasters not just in wrestling, but throughout sports who hang on too long and "become shells" of their former selves. He explained he wants to go out with people remembering him for how good of a commentator he is, not that he wasn't able to finish a show. He also said his life has gotten easier over the years, outside of all the travel, after deciding he just wanted to be a talent, and not take on other roles, like being in charge of all the other announcers in the company.

If you use any quotes from this article, please credit "OutKick" and provide a h/t to Wrestling Inc. for the transcription.