**MERGED** The Michael Cole Thread

[mattlind12]

I did exactly what you do...internet. Right now, RAW is on and its a commercial so hopping on the internet for a minute is no big deal...but when Cole comes on, I lose all interest and hop on the internet, get some food, smoke a cigarette, something else besides listen to him.

I have been watching wrestling since I was probably 6 or 7, so only about 15 years, but in those 15 years, I can not think of a gimmick or segment that made me actually "ignore" the program.

 

[JH27]

I don't ignore it but I do go on the internet or go to the kichen or whatever I need to do. It's not that he is that much of a heel its just that it actually gets uncomfortable watching him just.

Theonly other time I have ever done this in my 20 years of watching wrestling was the Katie Vick angle with Triple H. (hate to bring that up)

 

[Hazardous]

The family thing is a little harsh, but Lawler obviously ok'd it or they wouldn't be doing it. The thing that gets me is how they are treating the Divas with him telling them to "end this already! no one cares about you!" They have it hard enough as it is, and this is just killing the division. Vince wants us to take these women serious as entertainers (not wrestlers remember) then maybe they should actually allow them to try! Not make them to look like shit on national TV

 

[JH27]

The family thing is a little harsh, but Lawler obviously ok'd it or they wouldn't be doing it.

That is all well and good but the death of the kings mother is really fresh and will obviously have people that knew her and this might be a bit much for them. I mean imagine if one of your relatives had just died a month ago then you turn on TV and hear someone badmouthing them, You would be pissed and rightly so

 

[kris8524]

vet good replies everyone, and i actually think this is worse than the Katie Vick thing because we all knew that was bs, but they keep forcing this down our throats.... and with the divas issue I think that Awesome Kong will eventually destro Cole over his statements.

 

[lenguy]

I do, I don't have to watch every segment. There are things I just don't like to watch. mostly anything to do with the divas, anything Vicki Guerrero and anything Miz. Those are the times I usually flip the channel. I don't have to like everything, and I don't and if I don't like it I simply don't watch it.

 

[Azane]

The Fact hes getting the IWC to hate him just proves how fabulously hes doing his job, as much as hes making everyone hate him, people can't wait to see him Jerry and Stone Cold stomp him to death. If it wasn't for the fact that wrestling was scripted, I'd be kind of appalled, but do you see Jerry Lawler letting a scene go ahead that he finds utterly distasteful and disgusting? He signs off on any use of his family in story.

 

[kris8524]

The Fact hes getting the IWC to hate him just proves how fabulously hes doing his job, as much as hes making everyone hate him, people can't wait to see him Jerry and Stone Cold stomp him to death. If it wasn't for the fact that wrestling was scripted, I'd be kind of appalled, but do you see Jerry Lawler letting a scene go ahead that he finds utterly distasteful and disgusting? He signs off on any use of his family in story.

See that is what I am talking about, I have watched wrestling since before the internet... and I honeslty do not like Cole at all do not think he deserves to be on tv...it is not a heel dislike it is a dislike that makes me think it is worse than anythin WCW, ECW, TNA, AWA, WWE/WWE, or NWA has or could ever do it is terrible I do not watch it and the fact that he needs Austin and lawler to get us to even pay attention is bad.

 

[JH27]

The Fact hes getting the IWC to hate him just proves how fabulously hes doing his job, as much as hes making everyone hate him, people can't wait to see him Jerry and Stone Cold stomp him to death. If it wasn't for the fact that wrestling was scripted, I'd be kind of appalled, but do you see Jerry Lawler letting a scene go ahead that he finds utterly distasteful and disgusting? He signs off on any use of his family in story.

But the thing with this is though he isn't getting propper heel heat its more a case of people tuning out and deciding not to watch or maybe having it on in the background while doing something else, its not I have to watch this to see if he is going to get his ass kicked

 

[Hazardous]

See that is what I am talking about, I have watched wrestling since before the internet... and I honeslty do not like Cole at all do not think he deserves to be on tv...it is not a heel dislike it is a dislike that makes me think it is worse than anythin WCW, ECW, TNA, AWA, WWE/WWE, or NWA has or could ever do it is terrible I do not watch it and the fact that he needs Austin and lawler to get us to even pay attention is bad.

So for you this is worse than Russo as World Champ? Or some D-list movie star? Or the crucifixion thing they did in ECW that ended up being the reason Kurt Angle was appalled by them? I think not. Cole is just a male version of Vicky. Cheap heat.

 

[marklouis]

The first week or two I found Cole mildly amusing, but now I think it's just boring. He's doing the same stuff week after week-making the same cracks about Lawler's family, having Swagger do the same things, & each segment ends the same-Cole with an ankle lock on someone or watching Swagger apply the ankle lock to someone. It's just not that creative anymore. By the way, I feel sorry for Swagger. Last year he was readying to win money in the bank & he was a couple of weeks away from being World Heavyweight Champion. Now he's nothing more than Cole's lackey.

Actually, I either change the channel or mute the TV anytime I see The Miz. I have absolutely no interest in anything he does. And tonight was just lame. Hey, let's turn the W upside down! How creative.

 

[CaptainZaltan]

I have no idea what you're talking about. Most of my wrestling fan friends have agreed that heel Cole is one of the best heels we've seen in pro wrestling in years. Personally, I just think that Cole is so good at being a heel that he's legitimately managed to piss off viewers to the same degree that only a real life douchebag like XPac would normally be capable of. Ripping on Jerry's mother was obviously orchestrated to add to that. Of course, Lawler was obviously ok with it, or else it wouldn't have happened. And if you really look at the segment over again, you can see Cole's demeanor change just for a second before mentioning the family; I doubt he was completely comfortable doing it. Cole is just playing the role he's been given, and doing it well.

As for whether or not people are turning the channel; well, you might be. But the WWE does examine ratings breakdowns of various segments, and they are confident enough in Cole's heel character to put him in the co-main event at Wrestlemania. That's got to mean something.

Off topic though, I did turn the channel when HHH came to the ring to stare intently at the Wrestlemania sign some more.

 

[yellowdog22]

I find it hilarious how people are saying that the Cole stuff makes them feel uncomfortable.

This isn't some rookie that's been thrown into an angle, this is Jerry Lawler who has been in the business for many years.

This is the guy who laced into a recovering alcoholic and poured Jim Bean onto Jake Roberts. This is a guy who made fun of Bret Hart's mother when she couldn't defend herself. Lawler understands how to get an angle over and sometimes you have to get personal to do that. Younger wrestlers should take notice and interject those scathing comments into the feud (and no I don't mean by having the announcer say, "This isn't in the script folks."

 

[Decarow]

By the way, I feel sorry for Swagger. Last year he was readying to win money in the bank & he was a couple of weeks away from being World Heavyweight Champion. Now he's nothing more than Cole's lackey.

This time last year, Jack Swagger was at the bottom of everyone's radar. At least people are paying attention to him this time. And who knows, he might have lots in store for him. Cole might become his manager and he'll go on to do great things. We just don't know about the future.

But onto the topic. I multitask when watching wrestling. In fact, the only time I was actually glued tonight was when HHH and Miz gave their promos. I think Cole is head over heels better than he was a year ago.

 

[kris8524]

So for you this is worse than Russo as World Champ? Or some D-list movie star? Or the crucifixion thing they did in ECW that ended up being the reason Kurt Angle was appalled by them? I think not. Cole is just a male version of Vicky. Cheap heat.

Yes this is exactly what I am saying it is worse than the montreal screwjob, HBK overselling for Hogan or even Jarret just laying down for Hogan. They were wrestling storylines and the Russo wining title was an accident... I absolutely do not pay attention to Cole not at all I thought he looked terrible even when he got the beer spilled all over him. He is not a wrestler nor a manager just an announcer it is ridiculous. Afetr this he is not going to be able to go on in any story he will just have to repeat the same stuff with someone different.

 

[I_Like_All_Wrestling]

What Cole is doing to Lawler is essentially what Lawler did to Bret Hart in the late 90s, just turned up a notch. That said, I don't really care for angles where real family issues are brought in. I didn't like it with Eddie and Rey, I don't like it in TNA with Angle and Jarrett, and I don't like it with Cole and Lawler. But that doesn't make me change the channel.

What does make me change the channel?
- Divas matches
- Matches with with "monsters" or "strong guys" like Mark Henry, pre-comedy Kahli, Big Show, Kane, etc...
- Anything with Vicki Guerrero, and sometimes Cole or Teddy Long

You've got to be kidding me if you say that everything is up to par with what it should be. For the most part, WWE is awful at the moment. Let's be honest here.

 

[sTyLnK]

Cole is entertaining and plays the role of a heel very well. You can blame the WWE for the stuff they're making him say, but alas he is still entertaining. He plays the weaselly coward perfectly. You just want to kick his teeth in so it goes to show you he's progressed pretty well in the role.

But I do change the channel if the Miz is on. *shutters* Everything about him is just awful. I don't want to go into depth about him though because this is not the right place to.

 

[TheManOf1004Holds]

I tevo'd raw tonight and while i usually like most mc segments, when i watched him come out dressed like jr i immediatly hit the fast foward button. I almost forgot, i almost always mute the tv when michael cole is interrogating anyone in the ankle lock. it's just damn annoying haha.

 

[Athena]

The Fact hes getting the IWC to hate him just proves how fabulously hes doing his job, as much as hes making everyone hate him, people can't wait to see him Jerry and Stone Cold stomp him to death. If it wasn't for the fact that wrestling was scripted, I'd be kind of appalled, but do you see Jerry Lawler letting a scene go ahead that he finds utterly distasteful and disgusting? He signs off on any use of his family in story.

True, but the heat he's getting from the live crowd and many members of the IWC isn't heat like HHH and SCSA had during their tag titles run. It's the "go away heat" where people don't hate the character of Michael Cole, they hate Michael Cole the person.

It's gotten to the point where I have to mute the broadcast of Raw to actually enjoy the wrestling on the show. I understand he has to be a smug prick to further the storyline, but in recent weeks it's become so overdone that it detracts from the overall product. I sincerely hope that these next few weeks leading into Wrestlemania are the last we see or hear of Cole behind the announce desk for a long time.

 

[bigbootydaddyV]

i don't change the channel, i hardly ever do, mainly because I don't wanna miss something by forgetting to change it back, but I do hop on the net or something when cole is in the ring. I know it's not going to be that entertaining, though the stuff with BC and Lawler was good, with someone like Lawler the family stuff doesn't feel forced or tasteless since you know he's a pro and can handle it all professionally. Sometimes you can see them just forcing a guy into a storyline, but with Lawler I wouldn't be surprised if these were all his idea. As for Cole, he's got heat sure but like others have said it's more of a you just suck at this heat rather than his character has heat. I feel like they could have just as easily got someone better to do the exact same thing and we'd enjoy it 10x more. His commentary is awful and the fact that he flip flops from heel to face so much is ridiculous... he needs to go listen to some bobby heenan commentary adn see what it's like to cheer the heels and to really hate the main face. As for wanting to see him get his ass kicked, sure... but it's not because he's doign such a great job i wanna see it but rather i'm just looking forward to seeing the other guy like SCSA or DB come out.. again they could be beating up anyone and i'd be excited just to see them. Cole is VERY replaceable imo and i wish they would just do it already.

 

[Fire Marshall Bill]

I change the channel during his segments. Some of you say you just hop on the internet, but that still gives him ratings. I refuse to give that mans segments ratings. He's been so forced down our throats that it's making me sick. I have already told myself I will watch past WM to see the debuts of Kong and Sin Cara and see where they go. But if he is not toned down by the time their pushes start to slow, I am taking a break from WWE. Yes, it has gotten that bad for me. I can still watch TNA. At least that show can sometimes be so bad it's good.

 

[Little Jerry Lawler]

The Cole/Lawler feud is the best one being built for Wrestlemania right now. Cole is the top heel (that's right) in the WWE right now and he's kicked it up a notch. Lawler has been tremendous in helping Cole as well and the heat on Cole and Swagger to an extent is marvelous. The crowd cannot wait to see Lawler beat the hell out of Cole and I wouldn't have it any other way. This is Michael's shining moment and the one thing about Wrestlemania I look forward to.

 

[Ferreira]

Honestly? I don't give a shit. It doesn't bother me at all.

It's not like he is saying that he killed Jerry Lawler's mom or something. Nah, you watch movies, don't you? Don't they have murderers or even worse? Sure, Jerry Lawler's mom passed away soon, but if he gives them thumbs up I don't see what's the problem.

About the subject, I don't usually change the channel because of a bad segment, I change it or skip the video (because I don't usually watch it on TV) when there is someone I don't like, Hornswoggle might be a great example. It doesn't make me wanna watch it and it bothers me that someone is watching this and actually booking it.

So, promos don't make me change the channel, after all they are trying to make you connect with the characters and the storylines, if I don't like it, I wont watch the match, but I wont skip the promos. I will skip the matches, I don't watch most of the matches anyway, it's not like there is something in the matches that make me wanna watch them, of course, I will watch title defenses because they mean something, 1 on 1 matches on RAW, SmackDown, etc., I don't usually waste my time unless they are great wrestlers...

 

[DMac84]

I do not change the channel... Michael Cole is the only thing Entertaining about Raw right now. Except for when The Rock is live, but that almost never happens.

 

[deforty]

I don't change it because of Cole, I would rather watch that than a crappy Diva's match who should be using their better wrestlers (Gail, Beth, and Natie) but that is another topic. I change it during most of the show or go online and get on here. The stories are weak right now except for Cole/Lawler and Cena/Miz/Rock, the rest are not compelling to me. I mean right now I am waiting for someone to dump something on top of cole and his crappy Cole Mine and I so want to see Austin show up before WM and stun him. But back on topic. The shows are lackluster I want to see good Tag teams, good matches and decent stories. I like Punk but the new Nexus is horrible and is probably done now....thank you Randy!!! Miz makes me want to change the channel also I can not stand looking at his Kermit the Frog face as he keeps saying how awesome he is, I just want to hit him too.