Okay, so today I’m gonna spill the beans on something I’ve been messing with lately – Michael Cole WWE stuff. Yeah, the voice of WWE! Always been kinda fascinated by how he does his thing, so I dove in.
First off, I started by just watching a ton of WWE. Like, hours. I’m talking Raw, SmackDown, even some old pay-per-views. I really focused on Cole, listening to his commentary, how he reacted to different situations, and what kind of language he used. Basically, I was trying to figure out his style.
Then, I started trying to mimic him. I’d find a clip, mute the sound, and then try to do my own commentary over it, imitating Cole’s tone and delivery. It was super awkward at first, I sounded like a total doofus. But hey, gotta start somewhere, right?
Next, I looked up some interviews and articles about Michael Cole. I wanted to know about his background, how he prepared for shows, and what his influences were. Understanding his process gave me a better idea of how to approach my own “commentary.” I even found some old clips of him before WWE, doing serious news! Crazy.
I then grabbed some buddies, people who watch wrestling but ain’t die-hard fans, and asked them to give me feedback. I’d do my Cole impression and they’d tell me what sounded good, what sounded fake, and what just made them laugh (usually at me). Brutal honesty, but it helped a ton.
To really up my game, I tried to learn some wrestling lingo. You know, the insider terms like “kayfabe” and “workrate.” Using the right terms at the right time makes it sound more authentic. Nobody wants to listen to a commentator who doesn’t know their suplex from a sidewalk slam.
Another thing I did was pay attention to the pacing. Cole knows when to get hyped, when to be serious, and when to let the action speak for itself. Mastering that ebb and flow is key. I realized I was overdoing it at first, just yelling all the time. Not good!
Finally, I recorded myself doing full commentary tracks for entire matches. Then I’d listen back and cringe at all my mistakes. But I also heard some moments where I actually sounded… well, almost like Michael Cole. Progress!
It’s an ongoing thing, this “Michael Cole WWE” project. I’m not trying to become the next voice of wrestling, but it’s been a fun way to learn about commentary, performance, and even the psychology of pro wrestling. Plus, it’s a great party trick!
