Lead Announcer Michael Cole Leaves The Raw Commentary Team

Many fans expected some serious changes to happen with the new season of Raw and the launch of SmackDown Live on Fox. Changes are already afoot, as the company has confirmed that Michael Cole will leave the Raw announcing team immediately.

WWE’s Press Release On Michael Cole’s Departure

The WWE released a full press release about Michael Cole’s departure from Monday Night Raw. However, the press release also shows that other announcers are affected indluding Corey Graves and Renee Young.

“As part of WWE Premiere Week, new voices will be brought to the Raw, NXT and SmackDown broadcasts. Raw’s new announce team will include play-by-play from Vic Joseph with Dio Maddin and WWE Hall of Famer Jerry “The King” Lawler serving as analysts; NXT play-by-play will be called by Mauro Ranallo with Beth Phoenix and Nigel McGuiness as analysts; and SmackDown will feature Michael Cole handling play-by-play, Corey Graves serving as analyst and Renee Young as a Special Contributor.”

Based on the press release, we will be getting two “new” voices on Monday Night Raw. Instead of Michael Cole as the lead announcer, we will be getting Vic Joseph alongside Dio Maddin and Jerry “The King” Lawler.

His Career and WWE Contributions

Michael Cole has been an announcer for a long time. He originally started his career as a journalist on CBS radio where he received his first big assignment in 1988, where he covered the US Presidential Campaign. He would also cover Bill Clinton’s campaign in 1992.

In 1997, Michael Cole started working for the WWE. He originally started as a backstage interviewer and would become the co-host on the LiveWire Show. Later in the year, he became one of the three announcers on Raw, alongside legends such as Jim Ross and Kevin Kelly.

Two years later, Cole would be moved to the SmackDown brand, where he was the play-by-play announcer. Between 1999 and 2008, Michael Cole was not really involved in wrestling storylines. However, this changed in 2010, as he would become the centre of one of the WWE’s most talked about storylines.

Feud With Jerry Lawler

Things changed for Cole in 2010, as he became a “heel” announcer. In his role, picked arguments with Daniel Bryan. But, it would eventually lead to an unforgettable feud with Jerry Lawler.

During a tables, ladders, and chairs match for the WWE championship between The Miz and Jerry Lawler, Cole interfered. It led to The Miz retaining his championship, but also a feud with Lawler.

The feud between Lawler and Cole would lead to a match at WrestleMania XXVII, which in turn led to other funny matches such as the “Kiss My Foot” match.

Cole has made sporadic appearances in the wrestling ring over the years, but he has been a staple as the lead announcer. Now that he is leaving Raw for SmackDown, it is certainly the end of an era. Whether this is a permanent or temporary change, the announcing team will never be quite the same again. Like Jim Ross, Cole has been a mainstay. So, let’s hope these are not the final announcing moments of Michael Cole.