Michael Cole became the voice of WWE after legendary commentator Jim Ross departed from the company. Cole joined WWE in 1997 and worked as a backstage interviewer until 1999. He then became a play-by-play commentator in 1999.
Michael Cole worked under Vince McMahon’s guidance for more than two decades. In an interview with The Ringer, Cole was asked what it was like when Vince McMahon spoke into his headset.
“I’m not going to lie. There have been times where he [Vince McMahon] has said things to me that were inappropriate. I would go back to Gorilla after the show and get in his face and tell him, ‘That was bullsh-t.’ He respected that I did that. Over the next few years, people still didn’t accept me because they looked at me as being a puppet for Vince. And I think some of that probably was true.
Listen, I’m not a rebel. I’m here to make money and take care of my family and provide myself a good living. And when your boss asks you to do something, you do it. I still think, at that time, I was a hell of a good announcer.”