In 2015, Michael Cole once again plays the straight play-by-play man behind the announce desk. Accompanied by his real-life friends, John 'Bradshaw' Layfield and Jerry 'The King' Lawler, Cole is regarded as the most recognisable voice on WWE TV. Several years ago, he was tasked with becoming a heel commentator, something the man did to the best of his ability. Starting by bashing Daniel Bryan during the first season of the old NXT program, Cole became brash and bold with his words in 2010. Backing The Miz to the hilt and ignoring his previous unbiased approach, Michael briefly became one of WWE's top heels. The man even had a match at WrestleMania XXVII against Jerry Lawler, winning by Disqualification. Following his ultimate loss against Lawler at the following month's Over The Limit 2011 show, Cole started to tone down his heelish antics. Nowadays, they're completely gone, and there's no reference to the time period. A lot of fans found it difficult to take Cole seriously as a villain, and he seems much more content himself simply being a play-by-play announcer again.
