Some of the greatest moments in WrestleMania history are accompanied by soundbites from Jim Ross, Gorilla Monsoon, Jesse Venture and Vince McMahon himself. When fans look back at WrestleMania XXXI, images of Seth Rollins cashing in, Sting and Triple H shaking hands, The Rock and Ronda Rousey taking out The Authority and Brock Lesnar bleeding while gleefully throwing around Roman Reigns will be burned in the memories of fans. What will not be are those soundbites that enhance the moments. Truth be told, Michael Cole, John Bradshaw Layfield and Jerry Lawler are not cut out to do what those play-by-play and color commentators did. In a generation where everything is based in shilling the corporate sponsor, the next pay-per-view or the latest business venture, it makes it virtually impossible for that to happen. Cole is incredibly talented and does not get the credit he deserves for everything he is put in charge of relaying to the audience. With that said, if there is one glaring weakness in his performance, it is putting over the importance of moments in a way that creates those soundbites. King and JBL are background noise for the most part, the latter being particularly awful Sunday night until he uttered the line, run Mrs. McMahon, run" as she was about to come face-to-face with Ronda Rousey. On a night when so many history-making occurrences unfolded in front of 76,000 fans and millions watching at home, one brilliant call would have been nice.
Erik Beaston is a freelance pro wrestling writer who likes long walks in the park, dandelions and has not quite figured out that this introduction is not for Match.com. He resides in Parts Unknown, where he hosts weekly cookouts with Kane, The Ultimate Warrior, Papa Shango and The Boogeyman. Be jealous.
