7 Ups & 6 Downs From WWE SummerSlam 2022

6. Michael Cole/Commentary

WWE SummerSlam 2022 Corey Graves Michael Cole
WWE.com

Let's take a minute to talk about Michael Cole.

The "Voice Of WWE" has got it right in the neck from pro wrestling fans for decades. He's been called Vince McMahon's puppet, and was ridiculed for having the cheek to replace Jim Ross as the company's lead play-by-play announcer. Some criticisms have been valid, but others haven't.

Credit where credit is due: Cole was noticeably having a blast during this year's SummerSlam. During Pat McAfee vs. Happy Corbin, Corey Graves quipped, "I liked you more when you weren't allowed an opinion". Not missing a beat, Cole replied with, "A lot has changed" before going hard on previously-frowned upon language like "wrestling" and "wrestlers".

Michael even fired off a line about Big Boss Man at SummerSlam 1991, which definitely wouldn't have happened with Vince in his ear behind the curtain. Cole was loose, relaxed and seemed to relish the chance to do his job without McMahon screaming in his ear.

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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.