Tag: Michael Cole

Michael Cole has revealed what he thinks about WWE PLEs expanding to two nights.

WWE is set to present its first-ever two-night SummerSlam event this year. This marks an important change for the company as it\’ll be the first PPV outside of WrestleMania to expand to multiple nights. The Show of Shows first became a two-night event with WrestleMania 36 back in 2020.

The longtime WWE commentator was asked for his thoughts on the matter during a recent interview with WFAN. Michael Cole said that he loves the expansion because it helps combat viewer fatigue:

\”I love the two-night format, especially for our big shows, WrestleMania and SummerSlam. Because we were getting to the point on these big shows where we were going five, six, sometimes seven hours, right? That is viewer fatigue.

I think now we\’re able to get more of our talent on the cards. We can keep the shows to three and a half to four hours. And we have two main events, each and every night.

I actually say four main events because I think the two matches that kick off the show and the two matches that end the show are main events. So I love the two-night format.\”

• Watch: Veteran Tag Team Reunites In Dark Match After SmackDown

Michael Cole also discussed how the fans have started making a vacation out of the big events with various activities taking place throughout the week instead of just the WWE shows on the weekend.

While the WWE veteran is happy about the upcoming event, another star has expressed their frustration about the same. You can check out more about it here.

• Aleister Black Disputes Narrative of His Time In AEW

Michael Cole will soon debut a much more casual look on WWE programming, though this won\’t be by choice. A few weeks ago, Pat McAfee and Cole made a wager on the outcome of the NBA series between the New York Knicks and the Indiana Pacers. If the Knicks won, McAfee would wear a full suit on WWE programming. But if the Pacers advanced, Cole would have to call Monday Night Raw in a tank top.

Tyrese Haliburton led the Pacers to a dominant 125-108 victory over the New York Knicks in Game 6 of the Eastern Conference Finals on May 31. Haliburton delivered 21 points, 13 assists, and six rebounds to lead his team to victory. Pascal Siakam sealed the series and earned Eastern Conference Finals MVP honors with a 31-point performance in the closeout game.

With the result settled, fans can expect Cole to ditch his suit for a tank top on WWE TV soon enough. While the Indiana Pacers are officially headed to the NBA Finals, Cole is headed to the announce desk with a new look.

Michael Cole is a veteran of WWE broadcasting, but even seasoned professionals can have an off night. During the WWE Backlash pre-show, Cole made a notable slip while speaking with Big E and Wade Barrett—accidentally referring to Barrett as \”Stu,\” using his real name on air.

Barrett joined Cole on commentary for Backlash, filling in for Pat McAfee, who was unavailable for the event. Rather than taking his usual spot at the announcer\’s desk, McAfee is set to face GUNTHER during the Premium Live Event.

Barrett made his WWE main roster debut in 2010 during the inaugural season of the original NXT, adopting the ring name fans have recognized ever since. He quickly rose to prominence as the leader of The Nexus and later became a multi-time Intercontinental Champion—making Cole’s on-air mistake all the more awkward.

Bayley has given uncharacteristic props to Michael Cole.

The former Women\’s Champion recently spoke to Chris Van Vliet for a new interview. She opened up about things such as feeling like not being on the same level as Charlotte Flair and Becky Lynch, how much time she has left on her current WWE deal, and more.

The female star is someone who is always giving crap to Michael Cole on WWE TV. Their on-screen rivalry has become one of fans\’ favorite things about Bayley. During the interview, the former champion noted that the two have similar chemistry behind the scene and they keep their rivalry alive even when no cameras are rolling:

\”We’ll be putting stuff together before the show and he’ll be like, ‘Hey Bayley, so I guess I gotta cheer for you tonight because you’re wrestling Liv.’ I’m like, ‘You don’t have to cheer for me, Michael, I don’t care what you do.’ [He goes] ‘Oh, well, screw you then’, and he just flips me off from the chair and I’m in the ring trying to do my work.\”

• The Rock Still Believes In A Cody Rhodes Heel Turn

Like A Mentor: Bayley

Bayley then broke character to praise the longtime WWE commentator. She mentioned how someone like Triple H, who leads all creative is too busy to discuss things all the time. Michael Cole on the other hand, is someone she can always rely on to bounce ideas off of. As a commentator, Cole can also help the character development of stars:

\”He’s just so funny, dude. He’s for real, like a mentor to me. He’s somebody that I can go to, he’s been here for so long, and he’s always available. You can’t always get in Hunter’s ear, Michael Hayes is always available, and he has a very different mindset.

But Cole is there watching everything, watching every girl’s match, watching all the guys’ matches, and he’s been doing it and calling matches forever. So getting his mindset on things is always super helpful. He really is the best, and he really wants the best for everybody, but not everyone uses him as an outlet, but he’s so knowledgeable, and I’ve learned a lot from him.\”

Apart from this, Bayley also talked about her pandemic injury, revealing that it was much worse than people know. Per the WWE star, she is still dealing with the effects of it and even now she can\’t do things like leg curls or running.

• Cathy Kelley Training For Potential New WWE Role (Report)

WWE commentary legend Michael Cole and Jey Uso recently showed up at a special show known as the \’Big Night AHT,\’ hosted by none other than NFL legend and WWE Raw commentator Pat McAfee.

It is needless to mention how much McAfee loves \’Yeeting\’ during Jey Uso\’s entrance. Well, the NFL legend brought out Jey Uso for a surprise appearance in PPG Paints Arena in Pittsburgh for a \’Yeet\’ session. \’Main Event\’ Jey Uso, who recently blasted his critics, even put up noted on social media that he \”needed\” the experience.

McAfee\’s commentary partner, Michael Cole, also appeared on the show. Pat McAfee introduced Cole as the \’GOAT\’ and revealed he would be doing the play by play commentary for the Sumo wrestling match. Michael Cole then came out with a bottle of Whiskey in his hand. Michael Cole called McAfee his best friend and gave a shoutout to him for the event. The segment ended with them drinking some \’Jack Daniels.\’

The show also included stars like Jelly Roll, Wiz Khalifa, Parker McCollum, and Snoop Dogg.

Pat McAfee hosted \’Big Night AHT\’ in his hometown of Pittsburgh. The main aim to host this was to give fans a show for all kinds of entertainment. McAfee wanted the show to feature a variety of entertainment acts.

McAfee had described the show as different from his typical weekly Pat McAfee Show. However, his co-hosts were still a part of the show. The name of the show is officially \”Big Night AHT with Pat McAfee and Friends.\” It is pronounced \”Big night out…\” but the word \”aht\” replaced the word \”out,\” as it would be big night out instead.

Logan Paul may be one of the most hated WWE Superstars, but he doesn’t see it that way. On Impaulsive, the United States Champion insisted that fans actually love him—despite the chorus of boos he receives at every event.

\”I feel loved and revered,\” Logan said confidently.

WWE commentator Michael Cole immediately shot that down.

\”Yeah… no.\”

The exchange continued as Logan defended his connection with the WWE Universe, even citing his mom’s opinion. \”My mom said the people who boo me are simply wrong,\” he added.

Cole, a 28-year WWE veteran, explained why Logan draws so much heat.

\”Why do they hate Logan Paul? Because he’s a cocky prick,\” Cole said bluntly.

Despite the fan reaction, Logan has proven his toughness inside the ring. He revealed that during his high-profile match against Roman Reigns, he suffered a torn MCL—but still finished the bout.

\”I tore my MCL in my third match against Roman, but I had to keep going,\” Logan said.

\”In WWE, if you’re hurt, you can’t show it unless it’s part of the story. You have to do the opposite of what’s true.\”

Cole agreed, pointing out that WWE stars work through injuries in a way that other athletes don’t. \”A football player tears his MCL, he’s out of the game. You guys? You keep going.\”

Between his undeniable athleticism and natural ability to generate reactions, Logan Paul is proving to be one of WWE’s most compelling figures—whether fans love him or not.

Veteran WWE announcer Michael Cole recently discussed Corey Graves’ controversial demotion during an appearance on Impaulsive, admitting that he still doesn’t fully understand the circumstances surrounding the decision.

\”I love Corey,\” Cole said. \”Beside McAfee, he’s probably the best partner I’ve ever had. But I still don’t understand all the dynamics of what happened.\”

Graves was reportedly removed from a key commentary position after making critical remarks about WWE on social media. According to Cole, the intent behind Graves’ comments may have been misunderstood.

\”He put something out there,\” Cole explained. \”He said he was just trying to generate interest in a storyline, but I don’t think the company saw it that way.\”

Endorsement and Uncertainty

Cole did not confirm whether Graves’ demotion was permanent but hinted that ongoing discussions might be taking place.

\”I think he and the company are working it out,\” Cole said.

While WWE has embraced more personality and creative freedom among its announcers, Cole acknowledged that boundaries still exist.

\”We’re given more freedom now, but that doesn’t mean you can say anything you want,\” he noted.

Despite the situation, Cole remains a strong supporter of Graves’ work.

\”He’s an unbelievable commentator,\” he said. \”I hope he stays with us, because he’s one of the best.\”

For now, Graves’ future with WWE remains uncertain, but Cole’s remarks confirm that the situation was not part of a scripted storyline.

Watch Michael Cole’s full interview on Impaulsive with Logan Paul:

Veteran WWE announcer Michael Cole revealed on Impaulsive that having PRIME’s logo on the WWE ring mat would have been unimaginable under Vince McMahon’s leadership.

\”Vince thought the mat was sacred,\” Cole explained. \”But it’s 2025 now, and the world has changed.\”

Logan Paul, whose PRIME brand is now a WWE sponsor, responded enthusiastically. \”For me, it’s fantastic. It’s the future,\” he said.

Cole noted that WWE’s business strategy, particularly under Triple H and Nick Khan, has shifted significantly from McMahon’s traditional approach.

\”We always used to say, ‘Oh, the mat has to be clean,’ but now? You’ve got multiple logos on there.\”

The discussion highlighted WWE’s evolving approach to revenue generation and brand partnerships. Paul, who has leveraged his influencer status to merge social media and professional wrestling, pointed out how this shift benefits both sides.

\”It’s gotta be the right brands,\” Paul added. \”But let’s be real, you’re gonna get your head smashed in over a Wingstop logo? That’s amazing.\”

Cole agreed that WWE’s mindset has evolved dramatically, creating new opportunities for crossover branding.

\”This would’ve been unheard of five, ten years ago,\” he said. \”But it makes sense—this is a multi-billion-dollar entertainment business now.\”

With PRIME’s growing presence in WWE, it’s clear the company’s leadership is embracing modern marketing strategies in ways McMahon never did.

Watch Michael Cole\’s full interview on Impaulsive with Logan Paul:

WWE has announced significant shakeups to the commentary teams of its two flagship shows, WWE Raw and WWE SmackDown. The changes take effect over the next couple weeks, starting with next week\’s Raw and completing the following Friday, when SmackDown returns to the USA Network after a 5-year run on FOX.

Michael Cole Shifts to SmackDown

Corey Graves filled in for Pat McAfee at the commentary booth for this week\’s WWE Raw. McAfee is on hiatus and is returning to his other gig hosting ESPN College GameDay. Graves and Cole will reunite on September 13 for WWE SmackDown\’s big homecoming on the USA Network. The duo has worked extensively together over the years and is regarded as one of WWE\’s strongest teams.

Enter Joe Tessitore

With today\’s \”Voice of WWE\” changing brands, WWE has tapped veteran broadcaster Joe Tessitore to serve as the new lead announcer for Raw starting next Monday, September 2, 2024. Tessitore has decades of experience in broadcasting, including working with ESPN doing play-by-play for Monday Night Football and coincidentally College Game Day.

Wade Barrett joins Tessitore on Monday nights. Former Nexus leader has proven himself to be an asset in recent years; calling action on Raw, SmackDown and NXT.

Don\’t expect to see Michael Cole leave WWE anytime soon as he has signed a new deal with the company.

Bryan Curtis of The Ringer reported that Cole penned a fresh contract in the spring which will keep him with the company for the foreseeable future. However, the tenure of the contract was not mentioned.

Michael Cole is arguably one of the greatest commentators of all time. Cole, a former news reporter, has lent his legendary voice to iconic moments in the company. In the company, he even had a short heel run and even scored a win at WrestleMania 27.

It was back in 1997 that Cole joined WWE and he is still going strong. He started doing backstage interviews at the time during the Attitude Era. In the next couple of years, he became a play-by-play commentator and served Smackdown in the 2000s. Over the years he has cemented his legendary status as the \’Voice of WWE.\’ 

In the past, Vince McMahon gave various talking points to Michael Cole in his headset during the shows which was uncomfortable for the veteran. This is something several other announcers have also criticized. Now that Vince is not in charge anymore, Michael Cole has freedom as he uses more stats and shares real-life backstories on the wrestlers. Cole shared his experience and also recalled how he confronted Vince McMahon. During the interview with The Ringer, he said:

“I’m not going to lie. There have been times where he has said things to me that were inappropriate. I would go back to Gorilla after the show and get in his face and tell him, ‘That was bullshit.’ He respected that I did that. Over the next few years, people still didn’t accept me because they looked at me as being a puppet for Vince. And I think some of that probably was true. Listen, I’m not a rebel. I’m here to make money and take care of my family and provide myself a good living. And when your boss asks you to do something, you do it. I still think, at that time, I was a hell of a good announcer.”

Currently, Michael Cole serves as the commentator for Raw alongside his broadcast partner Pat McAfee.

• Michael Cole Encourages WWE Broadcasters to Find Their Own Voice

A new trailer for Godzilla X Kong: The New Empire has a WWE feel to it, thanks to the promotion\’s commentary duo of Corey Graves and Michael Cole. 

Taking to Instagram, Graves shared the new trailer that features himself and Cole providing a voiceover for the action. In the caption, Graves said that it\’s an \”amazing thrill\” to have his voice in the trailer considering that he grew up obsessed with monster movies. 

https://www.instagram.com/p/reel:C4-oZktudww

Godzilla X Kong: The New Frontier

The new film is a sequel to 2021\’s Godzilla vs. Kong and the fifth film in the MonsterVerse franchise that began with 2014\’s stand-alone Godzilla film. While the two behemoths were adversaries in the previous film. Godzilla X Kong: The New Empire sees the pair forced to team up to defeat a powerful, climate-changing Titan from destroying the Earth\’s surface. 

Graves & Cole in the Movies

While neither Corey Graves nor Michael Cole appear in Godzilla X Kong: The New Empire, the pair have featured in films in the past. Graves played Gunnar in 2011\’s Kingdom of Gladiators and played himself in 2020\’s The Main Event, a WWE Studios production. 

Cole has been in four films from WWE Studios which were all animated features. He made his acting debut in 2014\’s Scooby-Doo! WrestleMania Mystery as himself. He would appear in the film\’s sequel \’Curse of the Speed Demon\’ as well as Surf\’s Up 2: WaveMania and The Jetsons & WWE: Robo-WrestleMania!

WWE television is usually live, so you never know what will happen during a broadcast. Michael Cole can attest to that 100%, and sometimes it results in an impromptu amazing segment.

Michael Cole wore Valhalla\’s antlers during the March 3 episode of WWE RAW, and he had an experience of ecstasy. Those antlers had been absent for weeks, but Cole fulfilled a childhood dream by wearing them. Valhalla later revealed in an interview that Cole was unaware of the moment before it occurred on the show.

Cole & The Antlers

Michael Cole has shown a particular interest in Valhalla\’s antlers. After their absence for several weeks, he started to become a sad commentator, and he called out how the former Sarah Logan was missing her headgear. Then, things took a turn during a recent episode of RAW in San Antonio.

Valhalla made a dramatic entrance with her antlers, and in a memorable moment, she placed them on Cole. This overjoyed Michael as he proclaimed that a boyhood dream was achieved. Pat McAfee was thrilled to have witnessed this firsthand.

The crowd chanting Michael Cole's name after he got the antlers

My god he deserves this and Cole is having the time of his damm life #WWERaw pic.twitter.com/v30luXAdPx

— CrispyWrestling (@CrispyWrestlin) March 5, 2024

Cole continued his commentary seamlessly while wearing the antlers, and even mentioned that it fulfilled a childhood dream. He might not have been able to hear anyone in his ear during the match, but Triple H has been much more hands-off when it comes to commentary, contrary to Vince McMahon\’s overwhelming edicts.

During an interview with Steve Fall, Valhalla talked about Michael Cole wearing her antlers on Monday Night RAW. Valhalla disclosed that Michael Cole was unaware of the spot before it happened on the show.

“No one knew I was doing that, especially not Michael Cole. That reaction of his was 100% organic and he had no idea that was happening. He just really loves those stinking antlers so I’m just gonna keep trying to integrate them as best I can.”

What\’s next for Valhalla\’s Antlers

We will have to see how WWE books Valhalla at WrestleMania 40. If she makes an appearance at the show of shows, you better believe she will break out her best set of antlers.

Michael Cole has given a lot to WWE, and he continues to be an anchor for their commentary team. We can only hope that he finds this much elation in the future, but he might be chasing that dragon in search of something to give him the same high that Valhalla\’s antler experience put him though.

SEScoops will have more on this story and so much more as things break. Keep checking back throughout the day, because you never know what headlines will pop up next.

Fans should get used to hearing Michael Cole on commentary for years to come, at least if Michael Cole is to be believed. 

Cole has been with WWE for close to three decades after joining the promotion in 1997 on the recommendation of Todd Pettengill. A former war correspondent, Cole\’s career in WWE has seen him call the action at countless events, enjoy a brief heel run, and even get a win at WrestleMania 27. 

The Heir Apparent

With decades in the industry, Cole has developed a keen eye for what works and what doesn\’t at the commentary table. In a recent interview with Awful Announcing, the veteran spoke about Corey Graves\’ journey in WWE thus far and teaching him the proverbial ropes. 

\”[It was] a matter of giving him the opportunity to sit side by side for many years, to watch, learn, study, and see how I do things.\”

Cole added that he is pleased that Graves was given the opportunity and sees a very bright future for the SmackDown commentator.

“And at the end of the day, when we gave him the shot? He’s been killing it. I believe he’s the heir apparent.”

Corey Graves

While Cole sees Graves as his heir, the 40-year-old is hardly a newbie to the commentary desk. After his in-ring retirement in 2014, Graves joined the NXT commentary team before being moved to the Raw desk in 2016. Graves current calls the action on SmackDown alongside Wade Barrett.

WWE provided Michael Cole with a fantastic life where he can experience some incredible things. It seems that this week\’s episode of RAW included a moment that he\’s been dreaming about since his childhood.

Valhalla from the Viking Raiders is known for her fierce energy, face paint, and antlers. Whenever she doesn\’t have the antlers, Cole is a sad man. This week on RAW, the former Sarah Logan placed those antlers on Michael\’s head, and it was a joyous experience, to say the least.

The crowd chanting Michael Cole's name after he got the antlers

My god he deserves this and Cole is having the time of his damm life #WWERaw pic.twitter.com/v30luXAdPx

— CrispyWrestling (@CrispyWrestlin) March 5, 2024

Michael Cole Living The Dream

Michael Cole and Pat McAfee have incredible chemistry on commentary, and there is no debating that. So, when Cole gets excited, Pat gets hyped as well. This all added up to an incredible moment during the February 4th episode of RAW.

During the latest episode of RAW in San Antonio, Michael Cole experienced a memorable moment when Valhalla showed up with her antlers after several weeks without the presence of her headgear. Every time she showed up without antlers, Cole it out and he was noticeably bummed about it.

In an unexpected turn, she adorned Cole with the antlers, who seamlessly continued his commentary while wearing them. Michael even held his headset in his hand, only speaking into the microphone to accommodate his new Viking drip. He was very happy to make this change, as he obviously had nobody in his ear giving direction during that match.

Michael Cole whenever he sees antlers: pic.twitter.com/ASEyHjXqZq

— MUKARRAM (@NeverSeen_17) March 5, 2024

While taking to Twitter, Michael Cole uploaded a photo of himself alongside Pat McAfee, with Cole wearing the antlers. Cole expressed that his boyhood dream had finally come true. It might have been the antlers, or fans chanting his name, but it was still an incredible moment. 

”A boyhood dream has come true.”

A boyhood dream has come true. #WWERaw pic.twitter.com/G5NGYPBV8X

— Michael Cole (@MichaelCole) March 5, 2024

What\’s Next For Michael Cole

Michael Cole has dedicated 27 years to his tenure in the company, and he has been able to separate his home life and career in WWE. Only time will tell when he steps away from commentary, but bringing McAfee back to join him on the RAW announce team has arguably revived the seasoned play-by-play announcer.

SEScoops will have more on this story, just in case there are further developments with Michael Cole and Valhalla\’s antlers.