As WWE Raw prepares for its highly anticipated move to Netflix in a few months, veteran announcer Michael Cole has confirmed his involvement in the transition. A staple of WWE since 1997, Cole recently revealed that he signed a long-term contract with the company, ensuring his presence for years to come.
Earlier this year, Bryan Curtis of The Ringer first broke the news of Cole’s new deal with WWE.In a follow-up, Cole shared additional details during a recent interview with Sal Licata of WFAN. He stated, “I still feel like I have a lot left in me. I just signed a long-term deal with the company, I’ll be doing this for a few more years. I’ll be back on Netflix doing Monday Night Raw in January.”
Michael Cole has the best reactions
This confirmation has left fans excited about his return to WWE Raw as it prepares to debut on Netflix. Cole had previously been moved to SmackDown earlier this year, where he teamed up with Corey Graves on commentary. Meanwhile, Wade Barrett and Joe Tessitore were assigned to WWE Raw.
Now, with Cole’s return to the red brand, fans are curious about the future of the existing Raw commentary team. The shift raises questions about what it means for the current announcers, Wade Barrett and Joe Tessitore, as Cole is set to resume his role on WWE’s flagship show.
As WWE Raw transitions to its new home on Netflix, Cole’s long-term presence ensures that fans will continue to hear his voice during the promotion’s most pivotal moments.
Michael Cole Absent from SmackDown, WWE Raw Announcer Steps In
SmackDown: After Michael Cole’s interview with AJ spins out
On the October 18 episode of SmackDown, Michael Cole was absent due to a “special assignment,” with Wade Barrett filling in. Cole, who has been with WWE for over 25 years, has rarely missed events, with only a handful of absences in his career. Recent absences include Raw’s season premiere last October due to a personal commitment.
Fans on social media expressed their disappointment over Cole’s absence, praising his long-standing presence. Cole’s first missed event was in 2015 after a kayfabe attack by Brock Lesnar, followed by his son’s wedding in 2017, and a personal commitment in 2023.
Although the nature of Cole’s current assignment was initially unclear and there was no indication of him leaving WWE, we have a more definitive answer to his career. As mentioned earlier, Michael Cole recently signed a new contract, stepping back from managing announcers to focus on commentary. WWE’s commentary teams were reshuffled this year, with Cole and Corey Graves on SmackDown and Wade Barrett and Joe Tessitore on Raw, as Pat McAfee is expected to join the Raw team in January when the show moves to Netflix.
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