How long has Michael Cole been with the WWE?

Michael Cole is a pro wrestling commentator and journalist from the United States. He is also known by his birth name Sean Michael Coulthard. Cole was born on December 8, 1966, in Syracuse, New York, United States. He was first a student at S.I. Newhouse School of Public Communications. From there he graduated with a B.A. in broadcast journalism in 1988. Cole is one of the most popular faces in the realm of professional wrestling as a commentator.

He started his career at CBS Radio in 1988. Cole got his first high-profile assignment in Michael Dukakis's presidential campaign. He was also a reporter for Bill Clinton's presidential campaign in 1992. As a reporter Cole covered the 51-day siege in Waco, Texas, USA in 1993. He spent almost a year in the Yugoslavian Civil War the next year. He was assigned to cover the impact of the Oklahoma City bombing in 1995 and returned to the presidential campaign in 1996.

Michael Cole’s WWE Career

Michael Cole has been with the WWE for around three decades as of September 2024 (27 years approx). The Voice of WWE Maggle was first hired by The World Wrestling Federation (WWF) in 1997. Since then, Cole has been a part of the WWE and has worked as a backstage interviewer and commentator for almost three decades as of September 2024.

RAW Backstage Interviewer (1997–1999)

Cole came to the WWE at the recommendation of Todd Pettengill in mid-early-1997. He first worked as a voice-over artist and became a host later in the promotion. He was first seen as an interviewer with The Legion of Doom around the same time. he secured his place as one of the announcers along with Jim Ross and Kevin Kelly. Later he replaced Jim Ross due to his illness and continued in that role till WrestleMania XV in 1999.

SmackDown Announcer (1999–2008)

Cole was chosen as the play-by-play announcer of SmackDown after the show was introduced by the WWE in 1999. Apart from announcing, Cole was involved in several storylines with famous wrestlers. He continued in that role till 2008 and worked with other well-known wrestlers and announcers such as JBL, Tazz, Jerry Lawler, and Mick Foley.

Returned to the RAW brand (2008–2009)

Cole was again drafted to RAW in the 2008 draft after almost 10 years with the SmackDown. In 2008, Kane attacked Cole and he was later saved by his commentary team partner Jerry Lawler. He first wrestled as a tag team partner of Lawler for the World Tag Team Title in a losing effort.

Feud with Jerry Lawler as a Heel (2010–2012)

Michael Cole filled in as the lead commentator for the initial three seasons of NXT. He first turned heel in 2010 and showed disrespect toward face grapplers and their fans. He became the representative for the Anonymous Raw General Manager in 2010. Cole self-proclaimed himself as the "Voice of WWE" around the same time. He started favoring The Miz and Cole's admiration for him crested when he interfered in a match between Jerry Lawler and The Miz which cost Lawler the WWE Title.

This prompted a fight with Lawler which finished in a WrestleMania XXVII match. Cole with Jack Swagger as his coach dominated the game by disqualification. The rivalry saw a "Country Whipping" match at Extreme Rules and a "Kiss My Foot" match at Over the Limit. Cole had to kiss Lawler’s foot and apologize which finished their fight.

He wrestled irregularly and proceeded with his heel persona throughout 2012. During this time he lost to Zack Ryder in a match and faced defeat against Jim Ross and John Cena as a tag team partner of Alberto Del Rio. Cole would take part in the 2012 Royal Rumble and was quickly eliminated by Jerry Lawler.

Face Turn (2012–present)

Michael Cole received praise for his professionalism during Jerry Lawler's heart attack in 2012. Despite being a heel then, Cole kept viewers updated on Lawler's physical status. He turned face as he started leaning toward the face wrestlers. He welcomed Lawler in 2012 upon his return and solidified his face persona.

Brock Lesnar attacked Cole which prompted a storyline injury in 2015. He later invited Byron Saxton as a color commentator on RAW. Cole got back to SmackDown with Corey Graves and Renee Young after spending four years on RAW. He formed a popular commentary duo with Pat McAfee later.

In 2023, Cole simultaneously worked on RAW and SmackDown with Wade Barrett and Graves. Cole left SmackDown in 2024 and rejoined McAfee on RAW. He was involved in feuds with Bayley, Dominik Mysterio, etc. as part of the storyline. He was frequently featured against Dominik Mysterio in his storyline with his father Rey Mysterio.

Michael Cole’s WWE Awards

Michael Cole won The Slammy Awards four times in the WWE. He won the awards in 2009, 2010, 2011, and 2013.