25 Most OUT OF POCKET WWE Attitude Era Moments

19. Bob Holly Threatens Michael Cole

Bob Holly Michael Cole
WWE

The Attitude Era can never make a return. Even if Netflix permitted anything like it, the psyche of the average pro wrestler just isn’t the same. There are no unhinged, dangerous lunatics who don’t give a sh*t left. They do not make them like Bob ‘Hardcore’ Holly anymore. In many ways, this is a good thing. But also…

A perfect set of circumstances converged to make history at WrestleMania 2000. Bob Holly won the Hardcore title by accident as a result of a timing miscue - Crash Holly was meant to just barely escape when the time limit expired, but the bell didn’t sound, so the ref had to count the pin. 

This botch pissed off the guy most prone to getting pissed off at the worst possible time - the biggest show of the year - to get pissed off. Holly was subsequently interviewed by a guy, Michael Cole, who the roster of the day tore to shreds on a daily basis. This was a match made in cruelty heaven. Holly, never the most composed of promos, started to lose his head. It was at this point that Cole asked Holly if, like Crash, he was prepared to defend the title 24/7. Holly said he’d defend it 48/14. He then said that he’d start with Cole. “It don’t matter to me, Michael Cole, ‘cause I will break your ass in half ya little sh*thead”. 

The logistics of such a threat are horrifying to deduce. One can only presume that Holly wished to split Cole in half vertically, with his bare hands, tearing from each ass cheek. 

This is somewhere between Randy Savage reuniting with Miss Elizabeth and Cody Rhodes finishing the story as one of the greatest WrestleMania moments of all-time. 

Contributor
Contributor

Michael Sidgwick (Creative Writing BA Hons) is an editor, writer and podcaster for WhatCulture Wrestling. With over a decade of experience in wrestling analysis, Michael was published in the influential UK institution that was Power Slam magazine, and specialises in providing insights into All Elite Wrestling - so much so that he wrote a book about the subject. You can order Becoming All Elite: The Rise Of AEW on Amazon. Possessing a deep knowledge also of WWE, WCW, ECW and New Japan Pro Wrestling, Michael’s work has been publicly praised by AEW World Champions Kenny Omega and MJF, and Undisputed WWE Champion Cody Rhodes. When he isn’t putting your finger on why things are the way they are in the endlessly fascinating world of professional wrestling, Michael wraps his own around a hand grinder to explore the world of specialty coffee. Follow Michael on X (formerly known as Twitter) @MSidgwick for more!