10 Times WWE Wrestlers FINALLY Broke Character (And Why)

8. Michael Cole Sheds His Heel Skin

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WWE Network

Some folks will be scratching their heads and screaming, "Cole isn't a wrestler" at their screens right now. Not so fast, 'cause lil' Mikey has worked some matches over the years, and he was very much cast as a hated heel by the time this terrifying incident happened on the 10 September 2012 Raw.

Cole's co-commentator (and rival) Jerry Lawler suffered a heart attack live on air, and medics whisked the 'King' from ringside to hospital in efforts to save his life. That left Michael all alone, and he had to think on his feet fast. Likely traumatised by what he'd seen and fearing for his friend's life, Cole ditched his heelish ways and winged his way through parts of the broadcast.

He wasn't 'Michael Cole: Heel Announcer' anymore. Instead, Cole broke character, showed his real life humanity and prayed that Lawler would pull through. WWE couldn't continue with the pair's bickering feud after that; Cole also softened his heelish approach immediately from that point on.

The play-by-play man deserves immense credit for his professionalism.

Contributor

Lifelong wrestling, video game, music and sports obsessive who has been writing about his passions since childhood. Jamie started writing for WhatCulture in 2013, and has contributed thousands of articles and YouTube videos since then. He cut his teeth penning published pieces for top UK and European wrestling read Fighting Spirit Magazine (FSM), and also has extensive experience working within the wrestling biz as a manager and commentator for promotions like ICW on WWE Network and WCPW/Defiant since 2010. Further, Jamie also hosted the old Ministry Of Slam podcast, and has interviewed everyone from Steve Austin and Shawn Michaels to Bret Hart and Trish Stratus.