**MERGED** The Michael Cole Thread
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Initially, I thought of Micheal Cole's new heel role as similar to the role of Jonathan Coachman as a lackey to a higher authority. Cole acted like a big shot due to his association with the GM while Coachman doing the same while sucking up to McMahon.
But lately Cole reminds me more and more of the McMahon role of a tyrant that would get his way due to him having a certain amount of power in the company. McMahon was the boss while Cole is the 'voice of WWE'. McMahon used to have heel figures to do his work and get rid of people that don't agree with him. Cole is starting down this path, using Swagger now to deal with Lawler. I believe the current feud with Lawler is a test run of how well Cole can act in this role. So here's my questions:
What are your thoughts of Cole acting like McMahon? Do you think Cole has what it takes to act that role?
If they decide to use Cole to elevate a mid card face, who do you think would be the best option right now?
But lately Cole reminds me more and more of the McMahon role of a tyrant that would get his way due to him having a certain amount of power in the company. McMahon was the boss while Cole is the 'voice of WWE'. McMahon used to have heel figures to do his work and get rid of people that don't agree with him. Cole is starting down this path, using Swagger now to deal with Lawler. I believe the current feud with Lawler is a test run of how well Cole can act in this role. So here's my questions:
What are your thoughts of Cole acting like McMahon? Do you think Cole has what it takes to act that role?
If they decide to use Cole to elevate a mid card face, who do you think would be the best option right now?
yellowdog22
Dark Match Winner
I personally think that Michael Cole could pull off the heel role as the general manager. The problem that you run into from Vickie Guerrero to Michael Cole is their lack of wrestling ability. I remember back in the day when Bobby Heenan would piss people off and he'd end up getting humiliated, etc. to the fans delight. The problem is that Heenan was a former wrestler and was able to make the payoffs mean something.
Then again, I personally think that the general manager role has run it's course and the WWE should revert back to a Jack Tunney-like President and only have him comment when the state of affairs get really bad.
If he went into managing or a general manager role I'd imagine him having guys like Jack Swagger, Sheamus, etc around him so there could be a myriad of people to be elevated from John Morrison to Daniel Bryan to Evan Bourne.
Then again, I personally think that the general manager role has run it's course and the WWE should revert back to a Jack Tunney-like President and only have him comment when the state of affairs get really bad.
If he went into managing or a general manager role I'd imagine him having guys like Jack Swagger, Sheamus, etc around him so there could be a myriad of people to be elevated from John Morrison to Daniel Bryan to Evan Bourne.
I think Michael Cole could do very well in an authority type role.
WWE has a chance to make Michael Cole an even bigger, more hated heel and they could do that by revealing Michael Cole as the RAW General Manager. His heat would be increased big time during the whole big reveal if they decide to give him the GM job as I don't see how Michael Cole can return to the announcers desk with Jerry Lawler after their match at WrestleMania if he stays on RAW.
He could go to SmackDown permanently and stick with Jack Swagger and hype him up and get on the Swagger-train like he did with Miz and give each other heat.
I think he'd be able to get a great crowd reaction from the fans if he was RAW GM though, they could run a similar story line to Austin and McMahon where a young up and coming face, Bryan maybe due to their history would feud and they could try and recreate that 'rebel against your boss' character. I'm not saying Bryan is the next Austin, no way, but something like a feud with Michael Cole as GM and his posse of guys Miz, Riley and maybe some new guys could help someone to hit a positive note with fans who want to see Cole get his arse kicked.
Maybe not Bryan since he's feuded with Miz before, maybe Morrison.
But yes, Michael Cole is hated enough to pull off a Vince McMahon-esque GM role.
WWE has a chance to make Michael Cole an even bigger, more hated heel and they could do that by revealing Michael Cole as the RAW General Manager. His heat would be increased big time during the whole big reveal if they decide to give him the GM job as I don't see how Michael Cole can return to the announcers desk with Jerry Lawler after their match at WrestleMania if he stays on RAW.
He could go to SmackDown permanently and stick with Jack Swagger and hype him up and get on the Swagger-train like he did with Miz and give each other heat.
I think he'd be able to get a great crowd reaction from the fans if he was RAW GM though, they could run a similar story line to Austin and McMahon where a young up and coming face, Bryan maybe due to their history would feud and they could try and recreate that 'rebel against your boss' character. I'm not saying Bryan is the next Austin, no way, but something like a feud with Michael Cole as GM and his posse of guys Miz, Riley and maybe some new guys could help someone to hit a positive note with fans who want to see Cole get his arse kicked.
Maybe not Bryan since he's feuded with Miz before, maybe Morrison.
But yes, Michael Cole is hated enough to pull off a Vince McMahon-esque GM role.
Michael Cole doesn't have any real Authority, but seeing the Cole, JBL, Austin Promo a couple weeks back, It really did liken back to the Austin Mcmahon feud style Contract signings. I think Michael Cole is growing too hated for WWE's own good, the commentary has gotten to the point that its nearly "turn off the TV Heat", so revealing himself as GM and letting us know he placed several red herrings in the e-mails to throw us off because "fans are so gullable and stupid" could make him watchable while being a heel. If he stays announcing at this hatred level, I think it might have a negative impact eventually.
The Main midcarder I see him managing, to some degree, is Jack Sthwagger. As far as what face to play it off, thats really hard to see, Swagger is still considered a Smackdown superstar(according to wwe.com rosters) but he could easily just miraculously be traded, so litterally any face on the roster could feud with Swagger. I do see it as pushing Swagger though. The former world champion shtick is gone, he needs the upturn in his career soon.
The Main midcarder I see him managing, to some degree, is Jack Sthwagger. As far as what face to play it off, thats really hard to see, Swagger is still considered a Smackdown superstar(according to wwe.com rosters) but he could easily just miraculously be traded, so litterally any face on the roster could feud with Swagger. I do see it as pushing Swagger though. The former world champion shtick is gone, he needs the upturn in his career soon.
Calderownz
Brilliant Idiot
Personally, I think he's doing great in my opinion. Fans hate him and while some claim that it's this ridiculous "X-Pac heat," I tend to disagree.
They just really hate that he was this nerdy guy that was picked on by guys like JBL and The Rock. Now, he has some power and has gone crazy with it. We remember him as this punk kid, but now he's a quirky egotist who gets what he wants a lot of the time. People resent it.
He's doing brilliantly.
Eventually, I think Daniel Bryan makes the most sense depending on how they go about it. In the short term, he's doing great with making a heel in Jack Swagger matter for obvious reasons.
With Bryan, it just makes sense that they would continue on with hating each other. They could go so many ways with this. They could involve someone or bring someone else in that is the opposite of Bryan in every way that Bryan could end up feuding with. So many options.
I thought exactly the same the other week when Swagger had King in the ankle lock and he was mocking him. This was vintage McMahon. He used to do the same to draw heat.
Cole is doing a great job and I really think he could take it to the next level. He would never be a McMahon because he's a nerd and Vince could build himself up and look like a menacing character but Cole could go down the coward route with ease.
Cole is doing a great job and I really think he could take it to the next level. He would never be a McMahon because he's a nerd and Vince could build himself up and look like a menacing character but Cole could go down the coward route with ease.
BTLion1990
Pre-Show Stalwart
Michael Cole like Vickie Guerrero is a great heel, but seeing as how he is a commentator it doesn't feel as if he could be the Vince of the Attitude Era. He doesn't have any power and therefore is just a nerd who runs his mouth and is a god awful commentator.
I feel they could use him as a manager, much to the effect of Vickie, but in order for him to be truly hated and powerful like Vince is to give him power such as the G.M of RAW. This would create a lot of storylines and heat, they need to get him off the commentary team because he has no idea what he is on about, and maybe he can be like Vince to a certain degree.
I feel they could use him as a manager, much to the effect of Vickie, but in order for him to be truly hated and powerful like Vince is to give him power such as the G.M of RAW. This would create a lot of storylines and heat, they need to get him off the commentary team because he has no idea what he is on about, and maybe he can be like Vince to a certain degree.
Cast your minds back to Brock Lesnar's debut when Paul Heyman was his manager. What would you guys think to a modern day version of this with Michael Cole as Mason Ryan's manager?
Obviously talent-wise (and even Mason Ryan himself would admit this) he is nowhere near as good as Brock Lesnar but he does need a mouth piece, I just don't think the welsh accent will get over as a tough guy. I mean Wade Barret's northern English one does, as does Drew's Scottish (eventhough he doesn't have that strong of a scottish accent) accent aswell as Sheamus' Irish accent but I just feel as Mason Ryan is so much bigger than all of them that the accent just doesn't work.
I just feel with all the talk about Michael Cole going to be someone's manager that Mason Ryan is the only suitable talent for him to manage. He's a power house and needs to get over.
Anyway what are you guys' views on this??
Obviously talent-wise (and even Mason Ryan himself would admit this) he is nowhere near as good as Brock Lesnar but he does need a mouth piece, I just don't think the welsh accent will get over as a tough guy. I mean Wade Barret's northern English one does, as does Drew's Scottish (eventhough he doesn't have that strong of a scottish accent) accent aswell as Sheamus' Irish accent but I just feel as Mason Ryan is so much bigger than all of them that the accent just doesn't work.
I just feel with all the talk about Michael Cole going to be someone's manager that Mason Ryan is the only suitable talent for him to manage. He's a power house and needs to get over.
Anyway what are you guys' views on this??
What I am suggesting is not for Cole to be a manager. To me the heel manager wants his client to win, usually against face and cheats to do so. When I think of the Mcmahon role, I think of the tyrant that is just an obstacle to the face wrestlers, he doesn't care who wins as long as the face loses.
As of right now, he seem to be the person with the most authority on-screen right now. He is appearing in every show and this builds an impression that he has some say in the company kayfabe wise. What I see is more of Vickie's consultant role for Cole rather than a mere manager. Only this time he has no favourites like Vickie who was usually locked with a heel wrestler because of storyline. Cole can switch his muscles for hire much like Mcmahon used to do.
As of right now, he seem to be the person with the most authority on-screen right now. He is appearing in every show and this builds an impression that he has some say in the company kayfabe wise. What I see is more of Vickie's consultant role for Cole rather than a mere manager. Only this time he has no favourites like Vickie who was usually locked with a heel wrestler because of storyline. Cole can switch his muscles for hire much like Mcmahon used to do.
brochester8
Getting Noticed By Management
You know what I agree, If they are going to do something with him outside of Nexus he needs help and why not Michael Cole as he is one of the top heels. I feel this could make him very interesting as a singles competitor.
This speaks volumes for Michael Cole. We all seem agreed that him stepping away from announcing would be a positive for the WWE due to the strength of his character right now. Yes, it would undoubtedly work if Cole was to be someones mouthpiece. At the moment, Mason Ryan has, or rather did have, CM Punk to do his talking really.
However, Mason Ryan would need a manager to talk for him, and why not Cole (He is an absolute heat machine at the moment)
The possibilities for Cole are endless, which is a testament to how much work he, and WWE, has put into his character lately.
However, Mason Ryan would need a manager to talk for him, and why not Cole (He is an absolute heat machine at the moment)
The possibilities for Cole are endless, which is a testament to how much work he, and WWE, has put into his character lately.
TheLoneCharles
It's Turkey Season
I completely agree, but this needs to be taken even further: give him his own stable.
Mr. McMahon had his best heel moments when he had the corporation and later the corporate ministry.
I think a returning Skip Sheffield could potentially be a candidate....he's a freaking monster that gives some really bad promos. But you can really insert any combination of wrestlers into that stable and they would get alot of exposure.
Mr. McMahon had his best heel moments when he had the corporation and later the corporate ministry.
I think a returning Skip Sheffield could potentially be a candidate....he's a freaking monster that gives some really bad promos. But you can really insert any combination of wrestlers into that stable and they would get alot of exposure.
I actually like your idea. They are planning to push him and Micheal Cole as a manager would be perfect.
I personally have thought about this idea and came up with a scenario.
Mania Cole lose to Lawler. Punk loses to Orton.
Punk is angry that Nexus didn't help them and he ends Nexus. Cole loses to Lawler and blames Swagger. Cole dissapers until after Extreme Rules as does Ryan.
After Extreme Rules on Smackdown Micheal Coles interupts Swaggers match. Says he has got somebody better than Swagger and he will prove it to him. Mason Ryans music hits. Mason Ryan storms into the ring and DESTROYS swagger.
They fued and Mason Ryan dominates roster until after SummerSlam where he becomes a maineventer on the brand.
I personally have thought about this idea and came up with a scenario.
Mania Cole lose to Lawler. Punk loses to Orton.
Punk is angry that Nexus didn't help them and he ends Nexus. Cole loses to Lawler and blames Swagger. Cole dissapers until after Extreme Rules as does Ryan.
After Extreme Rules on Smackdown Micheal Coles interupts Swaggers match. Says he has got somebody better than Swagger and he will prove it to him. Mason Ryans music hits. Mason Ryan storms into the ring and DESTROYS swagger.
They fued and Mason Ryan dominates roster until after SummerSlam where he becomes a maineventer on the brand.
Hollywood Naitch
The current reigning and defending
I think if they are planning to take Cole away from the announcers desk then he NEEDS a heel stable. He is an absolute MEGA HEEL right now, and would be perfect leading a heel stable.
Mason Ryan would be an excellent choice as a wrestler to manage. He doesnt have the strongest mic skills, but would immediately get heat as a heel if Michael Cole managed him.
I think this would be a great idea!
Mason Ryan would be an excellent choice as a wrestler to manage. He doesnt have the strongest mic skills, but would immediately get heat as a heel if Michael Cole managed him.
I think this would be a great idea!
Mindshatter
Occasional Pre-Show
I agree and it has been proven that it works. It will be another repeat of Ziggler and Vickie. I believe we could maybe put Mason Ryan on the hunt for the IC/US title and then see how he goes from there. Then perhaps elevate him to the main event later on. A slow and controlled build up like with Miz and Ziggler will work wonders for both Cole and Ryan.
i agree.
mason ryan needs to get out of nexus because other than his debut, he's been pushed to the side. he was billed as the next batista but since he debuted this has happened.
Destroys cena
Introduced on the next raw and gives a terrible promo
Pushed to the side
Dominates the rumble with nexus before getting owned by super cena
Squashes r-truth in the botchiest match of the night
Pushed to the side some more
Loses to orton
Punted by orton.
he doesn't look like becoming the next batista anytime soon so this idea would be a great way to get him over. nexus isn't getting him over and a solo run would be awful
mason ryan needs to get out of nexus because other than his debut, he's been pushed to the side. he was billed as the next batista but since he debuted this has happened.
Destroys cena
Introduced on the next raw and gives a terrible promo
Pushed to the side
Dominates the rumble with nexus before getting owned by super cena
Squashes r-truth in the botchiest match of the night
Pushed to the side some more
Loses to orton
Punted by orton.
he doesn't look like becoming the next batista anytime soon so this idea would be a great way to get him over. nexus isn't getting him over and a solo run would be awful
Midnite Express 2009
Getting Noticed By Management
I do not see Michael Cole as a Mr. McMahon whatsoever. He's a good heel character with a lot of upside, however, plugging him into the same socket as Vince is way over Cole's head and somewhat of an insult to McMahon and what his character meant/means.
Everybody knew Vince was the owner of the company. Michael Cole, last that I was aware of, owns nothing. Everybody knew Vince had legit heat (at least coming from the fans) due to the Bret Hart/Shawn Michaels "Bret screwed Bret" fiasco. Michael Cole's heat (while it can be legit coming from the fans) is tied into Jerry Lawler. Lawler, albeit a fantasy champion in some people's eyes, is no real threat to anything Cole has or wants to have, unlike Steve Austin who was a threat to Mr. McMahon losing control of his company and what he believed a WWF Champion should have been & behaved. Michael Cole may end up a heel manager, which would be ironic since there aren't any heel managers or legit "managers" anymore anyway. I'd like to see who they pair him up with, however, I doubt it will last long & Cole will one day be back to his usual spot, behind a desk and in front of a mic.
That being said, we can't compare everyone who comes along to Mr. McMahon, his character or what he overall was playing. The Mr. McMahon character, in its heyday, was the biggest thing next to Steve Austin during that time period. Mr. McMahon was unique, and while Michael Cole may be unique, it's not on par with what Vince's character was. I somewhat understand where you're coming from, but again, Michael Cole should NOT be compared to Vince & I highly doubt he's even going for that. He's a character playing the role of someone who's furstrated with the old guard, Vince was someone frustrated with the new guard. Nice try, but no, not the same.
Everybody knew Vince was the owner of the company. Michael Cole, last that I was aware of, owns nothing. Everybody knew Vince had legit heat (at least coming from the fans) due to the Bret Hart/Shawn Michaels "Bret screwed Bret" fiasco. Michael Cole's heat (while it can be legit coming from the fans) is tied into Jerry Lawler. Lawler, albeit a fantasy champion in some people's eyes, is no real threat to anything Cole has or wants to have, unlike Steve Austin who was a threat to Mr. McMahon losing control of his company and what he believed a WWF Champion should have been & behaved. Michael Cole may end up a heel manager, which would be ironic since there aren't any heel managers or legit "managers" anymore anyway. I'd like to see who they pair him up with, however, I doubt it will last long & Cole will one day be back to his usual spot, behind a desk and in front of a mic.
That being said, we can't compare everyone who comes along to Mr. McMahon, his character or what he overall was playing. The Mr. McMahon character, in its heyday, was the biggest thing next to Steve Austin during that time period. Mr. McMahon was unique, and while Michael Cole may be unique, it's not on par with what Vince's character was. I somewhat understand where you're coming from, but again, Michael Cole should NOT be compared to Vince & I highly doubt he's even going for that. He's a character playing the role of someone who's furstrated with the old guard, Vince was someone frustrated with the new guard. Nice try, but no, not the same.
I've been saying this for literally months, glad to see someone else sees the writing on the wall here. With Vince getting older and older and becoming less and less involved with the on-screen product, it makes perfect sense that they'd start grooming the next big authority figure persona, and who the hell better than the heat magnet that is Michael Cole? It's clear they're grooming him for the Mr. McMahon authority figure role, my guess is he'll likely be revealed as the anonymous GM (if The Rock isn't) and the booking pretty much writes itself from there. Cole is great in his current heel role, plus getting him away from the announcer's table would only be icing on the cake for most of us, so let's hope they do really go ahead and pull the trigger on Cole being the new Mr. McMahon-like authority figure.
WJDwjdWJDwjd
Getting Noticed By Management
Cole as Mason Ryan's manager.... Hmmm... Interesting. Mason Ryan is going to need a mouthpiece of sorts to survive. He does have the really cool accent, but I'm not too impressed with what I've heard mic wise so far. I suppose Cole would be a great manager for an up and coming superstar like Mason Ryan. Why not? Though I like this Cole/Swagger pairing lately, I'm not opposed to the idea of Cole managing Mason Ryan. It would be certainly an interesting combination.
Xemmy
of the Le'beau family
It's brilliant. The reason it's brilliant is because as much as we hate that tyrant character, Mr. Mcmahon himself has trouble playing the role these days. Alot of the audience can't help, but respect him as the creator of the WWE. Because of that, Mcmahon has had to try really hard to get the audience to hate him in recent years. Michael Cole on the other hand is someone virtually no one respects, and most of us hate hearing his voice. He'd be the perfect decendant, or reincarnation of that role.
I like that I idea. Even though I think Cole is a bit over the top at times, his heel character is the most intriguing on roster.
I'll take this thread a step futher... How about Cole continue announcing AND manage a stable of wrestlers to include Ryan Mason... Some of you may be old enough to remember the Hennan Family...it was insanely over in the 80's and 90's and helped establish many of the WWF's top heels during the era. How about the Cole Mine as a stable? It could lead to Cole saturation but it could help elevate talents like Mason Ryan while he continues to develop into a star.
I'll take this thread a step futher... How about Cole continue announcing AND manage a stable of wrestlers to include Ryan Mason... Some of you may be old enough to remember the Hennan Family...it was insanely over in the 80's and 90's and helped establish many of the WWF's top heels during the era. How about the Cole Mine as a stable? It could lead to Cole saturation but it could help elevate talents like Mason Ryan while he continues to develop into a star.
Youngsleez
Occasional Pre-Show
i think Ryan should stay in Nexus, and have Nexus built as a group kind of like NWO, where Punk can get the WWE title and the other members gain the other belts, then eventually they merge with the Corre, and then the two groups dominate on both shows, and eventually by Survivor Series the rift happens, and the two groups battle each other and Ryan would kick out Punk some way, or turn on Punk and would become the new leader of Nexus.
ok, i have been watching wrestling for a lil over 20 years. Over the time there have been some bad segments and terrible ideas. I however though, can not stand Micheal Cole. It is not a hate like you have for Ric Flair that made you listen to him, it is a hate like you cant stand to watch. He is worse than Mike Adamle or any other idea ever, the only thing that keeps me watching is Jerry Lawler being involved if it wasnt for Lawler this would not be able to be going on.
So, my question is, Do you change the channel( or do something else like get on the internet like I am now) during the time Micheal Cole is on. If not, is there any segment you feel is worse and that makes you ignore WWE for that time.( and please keep it WWE as i do not want to mention the other FED in this)
Thank you and I hope to read your replies
So, my question is, Do you change the channel( or do something else like get on the internet like I am now) during the time Micheal Cole is on. If not, is there any segment you feel is worse and that makes you ignore WWE for that time.( and please keep it WWE as i do not want to mention the other FED in this)
Thank you and I hope to read your replies
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