10 Things You Didn't Know About WWE In 2012
5. A Raw Without Commentary
Everybody remembers Jerry Lawler suffering a heart attack at the Monday Night Raw announce booth in September 2012, and while the event carried on through to its conclusion, Vince McMahon's typically cold "show must go on" mantra did not extend to Michael Cole for the remainder of the broadcast.
In something of a forgotten detail from the dramatic and traumatic evening, Cole did not lend his voice to the action after Lawler's collapse during the tag team match between The Prime Time Players and Team Hell No, other than to provide updates on 'The King's condition and to reset the circumstances for anybody potentially just tuning in.
The choice was a solid one.
These were dark hours for many watching at home, and viewers switching on midway through were informed - albeit through silence - that all was not normal. Much good came from something awful that was very nearly even worse - Cole's demeanour was rightfully credited after the fact, instilling some much needed heart into his partnership with 'The King' and putting to rest any lingering heel characteristics from his turn a year prior.