7 Ups & 3 Downs From WWE UK Championship Tournament (Night 1)

Ups...

7. A Fresh Announce Team

Michael Cole Nigel McGuinness
WWE Network

Have you ever wondered what Michael Cole would sound like without Kevin Dunn and Vince McMahon barking through his earpiece all night? Here you go.

Cole's appointment to the UK Tournament seemed like a strange move, particularly given Mauro Ranallo and Daniel Bryan's success in the Cruiserweight Classic, but last night proved it a just decision. It's far too easy to forget how good Michael Cole can be when the reins are off, and he was in rare form in Blackpool.

Raw's Michael Cole is a script-reading company man who spends more time plugging sponsors and reciting catchphrases than selling the action, but the UK Tournament's Cole is quite the opposite. Cole was a classic play-by-play man, calling each match move-by-move and putting the characters over in a way he hasn't done in years. More importantly, he'd done his research: Cole knew something about every single man in the tournament, and he came off knowledgeable, informed, and enthusiastic.

Nigel McGuinness was every bit as good. The former Ring of Honor man hasn't always excelled as a commentator, but his colour analysis helped take the show's presentation to the next level. He's clearly delighted to finally be working for WWE after failing a physical test to sign as a wrestler in 2009, and he'll be a welcome addition if the company deliver on the rumoured weekly UK show.

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Andy has been with WhatCulture for six years and is currently WhatCulture's Senior Wrestling Reporter. A writer, presenter, and editor with 10+ years of experience in online media, he has been a sponge for all wrestling knowledge since playing an old Royal Rumble 1992 VHS to ruin in his childhood. Having previously worked for Bleacher Report, Andy specialises in short and long-form writing, video presenting, voiceover acting, and editing, all characterised by expert wrestling knowledge and commentary. Andy is as much a fan of 1985 Jim Crockett Promotions as he is present-day AEW and WWE - just don't make him choose between the two.