Theory about Michael Cole's heel turn

[The OP]

I was thinking about how Cole has become a heel and given quite a bit of TV time in recent months, and I started wondering why. I mean, it's funny I suppose, but it's not like Cole is gonna wrestle Daniel Bryan at a PPV or something so what's the point?

Then it hit me: It's because they want Cole to become the new Jim Ross. Now, at this point you might be thinking 'how the hell does Cole becoming an obnoxious windbag make him more like good ol' lovable JR?'. This would be a fair question, and I think the answer is that while Cole has always been seen as a talking head for McMahon, Jim Ross was perceived more as an honest voice; someone the fans could trust. Therefore, what I'm suggesting is that by making Cole a biased announcer they're hoping to change that perception. Before the heel turn, Cole basically WAS McMahon on commentary. Not much of a personality, just somebody to call the action and to make sure the fans know who is the babyface and who is the heel, and if there's an angle involved, etc.

Essentially, I think they felt they needed to make one of the current announcers into a character the way JR was a character, and Cole had seniority.

[Dub H]

If its their plan...they are doing completely wrong

[The OP]

It has sort of worked though, insofar as they have established Cole as pro-Miz, anti-indie, etc. Almost like an anti-JR. There's no way they could've made Cole into a babyface like JR though, even WWE seems to know he isn't likeable enough for that.

[wcw]

Makes sense but I just think they wanted to vary up their commentary and Cole came up with a good character. Plus to the reintroduction of the announce team that hates each other is a good thing.

All in all I wish they would get someone with a real professional sounding voice to be a commentator. I know professional announcers might not know much about the product but if WWE was serious about their announce crew they would have a pro announcer (Or someone with a real pro sounding voice) call FCW matches for a year and then bring him up (Pay a guy enough and he would do it).

The announce team is such a vital part of the show it really adds to the atmosphere of an event.

[BorneAgain]

Jan 4, 2011 2:07:58 GMT -5 @wcw said:

Makes sense but I just think they wanted to vary up their commentary and Cole came up with a good character. Plus to the reintroduction of the announce team that hates each other is a good thing.

All in all I wish they would get someone with a real professional sounding voice to be a commentator. I know professional announcers might not know much about the product but if WWE was serious about their announce crew they would have a pro announcer (Or someone with a real pro sounding voice) call FCW matches for a year and then bring him up (Pay a guy enough and he would do it).

The announce team is such a vital part of the show it really adds to the atmosphere of an event.

I think Stanford has potential at being the neutral play by play guy, in contrast to a heel Cole and face Lawler/Matthews.

[greeby]

I know Vince McMahon commentary, I lived through seven years of Vince McMahon commentary. Cole couldn't match up to Vince if he spent a thousand years on it.

[The OP]

He got him...no he didn't.

[theshowstoppa]

BIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIG BACK BODY DROP!

[Threadkiller [Classic]]

Jan 4, 2011 1:57:03 GMT -5 The OP said:

I was thinking about how Cole has become a heel and given quite a bit of TV time in recent months, and I started wondering why. I mean, it's funny I suppose, but it's not like Cole is gonna wrestle Daniel Bryan at a PPV or something so what's the point?

Actually, Dave Meltzer mentioned in a recent Observer Radio about a week ago that they were training Cole to referee and to take minor bumps, so make of that what you will.

[Fade is a CodyCryBaby]

Something that has been said (and i paraphrase)

"The best characters are just the same guys personality but with the volume turned all the way up".

Think about how many characters in WWE's history that has applied to.
Cole now joins those ranks.

[Snaptastic]

As far as Cole taking minor bumps; I could believe it. He ate an RKO a few weeks back afterall.

[Burst]

I see a lot of potential in Scott Stanford to be a good, old-school McMahon type of announcer, right down to his more radio-than-TV-sounding voice. Hopefully seeing him doing backstage interviews last night is testing the waters for moving him onto the Raw desk. The best combination in my own opinion if Punk is going to be back to wrestling full time would be Stanford on play-by-play and fully heeled Cole on color, or if Cole leaves the desk to be a manager or fall into the GM or Mr. McMahon role, put Regal on color.

'Course everything assumes Lawler finally retires...

[Summerfest]

Jack Korpela is a more likeable less-nerdy Striker, Stanford is the next JR, and Mathews is f***ing awesome. The thing about these three is that they've been learning the names of moves for years through research and watching the product, as opposed to the current commentators bar Striker, who seem to have th knowledge of an average fan.

[Citizen Zero]

Cole is 176 pounds of wasted heat. Attach him to a damned wrestler already.

[Greer]

Like it was said in the Raw thread last night...Cole had more heat than every member of Nexus in the ring during that segment, including Wade and Punk.

He's gotta be doing something right.

"May I have your attention please?" and "And I quote..." are honestly getting the biggest heel reactions and heat than any wrestler in the company.

It's Vickie Guerrero levels of heat.

[clifford]

I have very little to add to this thread except

WHATTAMANOOVA

OH MY

[Greer]

Jan 4, 2011 14:36:04 GMT -5 clifford said:

I have very little to add to this thread except

WHATTAMANOOVA

OH MY

"ONE, TWO AND...NO!"

Seriously Vince? He pinned him after and arm drag. Calm down.

[The Ichi]

Jan 4, 2011 13:58:51 GMT -5 Citizen Zero said:

Cole is 176 pounds of wasted heat. Attach him to a damned wrestler already.

I actually think that "non-wrestler heat" can be the best kind. For another example, see Vickie Guerrero. The fact that these two rarely get any physical comeuppance because they're not wrestlers riles the fans up way more than your average heel wrestler who's taking bumps all the time anyway.

I wouldn't mind seeing more non-wrestler heels, provided they're done right and aren't just evil authority figure #261.

[crimsonwolf]

I'm going to sound like a broken record, but the Cole Heel/Troll character works best when there's someone to challenge him. That's why when Cole is with someone like Matthews, Punk, or Striker he doesn't get carried away. With it's just Cole and King, it's almost like Cole is acting for two (trying to heel it up while be PBP).

A lot of the accusations against him is that he's been hogging all of the attention, but I just don't see it. He's actually toned it down considerably, and save for that Swagger for Daniel Brian match in November, only really goes crazy when the Miz comes out. I think they're trying to build up the Miz and Cole to be comparable to Austin and JR and Triple H and King.

[Sharpy Snow]

One question I do have: Is there any face he will outright cheer for now aside from Cena or Orton?

This is my main problem with Cole. He'll cheer guys on like Miz, Del Rio and Ziggler, boo the likes of Bryan and Truth out of the building, turn on his own broadcast partner and closest he has to a friend out of fanboyism. A heel basically.

Then Cena or Orton walks out and suddenly Cole is back to his old face ways, going on about how Cena will NEVER GIVE UP or start squeeling with joy as "THE VIPER COILS UP! HE HEARS VOICES!"