10 WWE Gimmicks That Overstayed Their Welcome
3. Open Mike Night
Michael Cole (June 2010-September 10, 2012)
Approaching destructive territory here.
Michael Cole, as the straight-laced narrator of WWE programming, be it on RAW or SmackDown is tolerable. Sure he may occasionally make mistakes, miss a call, get his factoids twisted or even grate on your nerves at times, but when he's in his element he's excellent at his job.
But under NO CIRCUMSTANCES should the man who is audible for 98% of the show be put into a position as the antagonist.
Yes, the purpose of a heel is to irritate the crowd. You want someone to kick their ass. For the most part, this works because when the scene's over, the actors leave the stage and the fans can move on to the next thing. Unfortunately, Cole was the obnoxious prick that never left the stage... for over two years.
The nauseating brew of being The Miz' #1 fan, the ridiculous orange singlet and headgear, the atrocious feuds with Jim Ross and Jerry 'The King' Lawler, being part of the reason that three spots in the 2012 Royal Rumble Match were wasted on commentators and contributing to the worst WrestleMania in recent memory had countless hands hovering over the mute button, changing the channel or both. To relief of all viewers, Cole would resume his normal role in September 2012 following a commendable solo performance during Jerry 'The King' Lawler's on-air heart attack.
Admit it though, part of you still wishes that Kharma got her hands on in him in the Rumble.