12 WWE Criticisms That Make No Damn Sense

7. "Michael Cole Is The Worst Announcer EVER"

Jim Ross set the bar so high for professional wrestling commentators that anyone who follows after him would understandably have big shoes to fill. When Michael Cole moved into the role of "voice of WWE," he immediately felt the wrath of a fan base that sees him as a company shill. In that role, he was expected to sell the company's revolutionary network, pimp its social media accounts and pepper into his commentary references to the company's sponsors and dated pop culture references, not unlike his boss used to do. He was met with disdain by fans who wanted a more traditional commentator, one who called every maneuver religiously. And while that is a very reasonable expectation by those who still focus on the "sports" part of sports entertainment, the industry is a much different place than it was when Jim Ross rose to prominence as an on-air personality. It is much more corporate, with greater focus on ad dollars and pleasing those in charge of the corporations that pump WWE full of additional revenue. Add to that the determination by Vince McMahon to make his company socially relevant again, using Twitter and Facebook as invaluable tools, and you have all of the ingredients for a job significantly more difficult than it once was. With all due respect to everyone that ever filled that position. Cole is tasked with juggling so many different pieces of information, while simultaneously calling the action in the ring and getting the stories of each Superstar over, that it is a wonder that he has lasted as long as he has. After all, the turnover at the position elsewhere in the company has been alarming at best, with only Jerry Lawler remaining at the broadcast table as long as Cole. Supported by "Stone Cold" Steve Austin and Paul Heyman, who both spoke highly of the commentator during an episode of "The Steve Austin Show" podcast, Cole is so much better at doing his job than anyone will give him credit for. A student of the game who meticulously studies, reading every article on the company's website as well as others from around the web, he is oftentimes the only link between some of WWE Creative's mangled messes of storylines and common sense. He excels more than anyone is likely to ever give him credit for.