On this day in professional wrestling history...

[Majingir]

Re: On this day in professional wrestling history...



This weekend we also get the finals of the Owen Cup in AEW. Hopefully AEW is able to put together a nice video package with Owen given the limited footage they have access to, and we have a cool ceremony too with the presentation.

But every time I think about that moment, it's still crazy realizing just how few people had cameras back then (at least in terms of bringing them to shows). We do have videos of older moments, most notable being the MSG Curtain Call a few years prior, but very few from this moment. And how much more tragic it would've been if they weren't even airing some video during that entrance (which further made this entrance pointless as they weren't even showing it on PPV).

You can still watch videos on WWE Network of the supposed plan for this entrance though. I think it was an episode of Heat where he actually did the entrance and got "stuck" before he fully got to the ground.

[Gramps91]

Re: On this day in professional wrestling history...

This weekend we also get the finals of the Owen Cup in AEW. Hopefully AEW is able to put together a nice video package with Owen given the limited footage they have access to, and we have a cool ceremony too with the presentation.

But every time I think about that moment, it's still crazy realizing just how few people had cameras back then (at least in terms of bringing them to shows). We do have videos of older moments, most notable being the MSG Curtain Call a few years prior, but very few from this moment. And how much more tragic it would've been if they weren't even airing some video during that entrance (which further made this entrance pointless as they weren't even showing it on PPV).

You can still watch videos on WWE Network of the supposed plan for this entrance though. I think it was an episode of Heat where he actually did the entrance and got "stuck" before he fully got to the ground.

I liked Owen's ring work but my favorite thing he ever did was commentary on King of the Ring 96. He was hilarious that night, had great heel timing. I know he wanted to pursue other things but I would've loved to have seen him have a few years on the commentary table.

[Majingir]

Re: On this day in professional wrestling history...

I know he wanted to pursue other things but I would've loved to have seen him have a few years on the commentary table.

The other sad part about it all was that he actually was close to retirement too (or maybe the "wrestling retirement"). He was at the part of his career where he was slowly winding down and looking ahead to life after wrestling.

I've said it before, I really think he would've had a wrestling school. I definitely could've seen him and Bret running a school together.

[dubcity]

Re: On this day in professional wrestling history...

That Hogan/Taker feud, I always think of back to Survivor Series '91 when Hogan totally worked backstage into thinking Taker hurt him.

[Majingir]

Re: On this day in professional wrestling history...

25 years of Michael Cole

https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=zsfiRgo1Gq0

Crazy thinking he's been a regular on WWE TV for more years than probably anyone.

And on top of all that, he's only missed 2 shows in his career. It comes with the WWE lifestyle, but still crazy to think of.

I'm glad McAfee is Coles partner. Despite everything, I can only think of a few people he has really gelled with on commentary. McAfee is probably at the top of the list.

[J_Posse]

Re: On this day in professional wrestling history...

25 years of Michael Cole

https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=zsfiRgo1Gq0

Crazy thinking he's been a regular on WWE TV for more years than probably anyone.

And on top of all that, he's only missed 2 shows in his career. It comes with the WWE lifestyle, but still crazy to think of.

I'm glad McAfee is Coles partner. Despite everything, I can only think of a few people he has really gelled with on commercial. McAfee is probably at the top of the list.

Wish he would've retired 20 years ago. [emoji38][emoji38][emoji38][emoji38]

I'll never like how Cole calls matches (w/ McMahon screaming in his ear), but he's become less and less insufferable as time goes on.

Official HQ of Bills Backer/Spurs Nation

[Majingir]

Re: On this day in professional wrestling history...

Wish he would've retired 20 years ago. [emoji38][emoji38][emoji38][emoji38]

I'll never like how Cole calls matches (w/ McMahon screaming in his ear), but he's become less and less insufferable as time goes on.

Official HQ of Bills Backer/Spurs Nation

Another thing McAfee has brought to WWE.

Their mould for a commentator really isn't a good one. We've had so many generic/replaceable voices in WWE the last 10-15 years. Commentary goes a long way in making or breaking superstars and moments.

McAfee can get you excited for anything, which is what the job of a commentator should be.

But they want everyone to be like Michael Cole. The "unbiased broadcast journalist" who just calls things and that's it.

Not a knock on Cole, he does the most with what he's given, but he's not in the top 5 best commentators in WWE history.

[dubcity]

Re: On this day in professional wrestling history...

I swear when Cole started he was 10 times better than he is today. He had to replace JR which had people resenting him from the start. But if you go back and listen to him then he sounded fine. Vince eventually turned him into the lifelike robot that exists today. But he is a wealthy man with stroke in WWE, so on a personal level I would imagine all is good.

[mpklub]

Re: On this day in professional wrestling history...

Michael Cole will always suck at commentary.

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[J_Posse]

Re: On this day in professional wrestling history...

I swear when Cole started he was 10 times better than he is today. He had to replace JR which had people resenting him from the start. But if you go back and listen to him then he sounded fine. Vince eventually turned him into the lifelike robot that exists today. But he is a wealthy man with stroke in WWE, so on a personal level I would imagine all is good.

I never liked him when he became the 2nd play-by-play guy, even.

He's just never come across as natural or really a fan of pro wrestling, IMO. Which makes sense if you know some his background & how Vince is up his *** during a broadcast.

Michael Cole will always suck at commentary.

Sent from my SM-N960U using Operation Sports mobile app

I agree. Less insufferable doesn't mean he's close to good just "adequate" (to Vince) for the WWE product.

Official HQ of Bills Backer/Spurs Nation

[Majingir]

Re: On this day in professional wrestling history...

Cole is ok based on who he's with.

Tazz, JBL (I think around the time he retired?), and McAfee he was decent with. Even graves to a lesser extent. I'm watching AE Smackdowns and Cole with Lawler just didnt feel right even then. And once Tazz came along, he did sound better.

But like I said, he's nowhere near the top guy. To me, you need "the voice" to call sports/sports entertainment. I'd take a guy with "the voice" who might ramble on for a bit but can make you excited over someone who can provide insight and call the action but not add excitement.

But when you see all the others like Tom Philips, Vic Joseph and countless others, they all feel like just WWE trying to get Michael Cole 2.0

[Mercury112491]

Re: On this day in professional wrestling history...

Not liking Cole is one thing. Everyone entitled to their opinion and what not. But if you think he sucks at what he does? LOL ok.


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[SmashMan]

Re: On this day in professional wrestling history...

June 8, 1997
WWF King of the Ring

Steve Austin rising up the card a year after Austin 3:16 vs peak Shawn Michaels? You know it's gonna be good.

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[dubcity]

Re: On this day in professional wrestling history...

Imagine if Shawn stays healthy and Bret doesn't doesn't become disgruntled, and we end up with Austin/Rock/HBK/Bret for the entirety of the Attitude Era into Ruthless Aggression. I mean, **** probably blows up somehow, but that is one hell of a group.

[Majingir]

Re: On this day in professional wrestling history...

Imagine if Shawn stays healthy and Bret doesn't doesn't become disgruntled, and we end up with Austin/Rock/HBK/Bret for the entirety of the Attitude Era into Ruthless Aggression. I mean, **** probably blows up somehow, but that is one hell of a group.

Bret didn't leave because he wasn't happy......

Monday Night Wars would've been way different.

Rock was a guy Bret liked, and I'd imagine Austin was too. Bret however didnt seem to approve of the edginess of the company. Would the AE have turned into some HBK guys vs Bret guys type of deal backstage? Rock, Austin, Bret vs HHH, HBK and ???