Michael Cole joined WWE in 1997 as a backstage interviewer before becoming one of the lead play-by-play announcers. During a recent appearance on Impaulsive with Logan Paul, Cole discussed his transition from CBS radio, where he covered Presidential elections and the Yugoslavian civil war, to professional wrestling.
I will never ever disparage Vince McMahon. He has his personal issues and whatnot, but from a professional standpoint, I’ll never disparage the man. I would not be here today without Vince. He gave me everything. Stuck with me when I was learning to be a wrestling guy, wasn’t a wrestling guy when I came here.
When asked about Vince McMahon’s faith in him, Cole explained the factors behind their professional relationship.
I think there were two things. Jim Ross, obviously, was the man. I still think the greatest ever. I think Vince understood JR was getting older and he needed to bring in somebody younger. Because of my background, I was a good announcer at the time. JR came to WWE already a wrestling guy. Me being new and fresh and not a wrestling guy, Vince was able to mold me how he wanted me to be an announcer. He stuck with it. Even when I sucked in the beginning and the fans hated me, Vince stuck with me. I talk to Michael Hayes about this all the time. It’s amazing that I’ve lasted in this company this long because there are certain things that would set [Vince] off and he would go, ‘Okay, you’re done. You’re fired.’ Sometimes, for no reason, but he stuck with me 100% of the time. So, I’ll never disparage the man.
McMahon resigned from WWE/TKO in January 2024 following a lawsuit filed by former WWE employee Janel Grant accusing him of sexual assault and sex trafficking. The lawsuit remains active.