Michael Cole Misses WWE SmackDown: What Happened?
In an unusual turn of events, Michael Cole was absent from this week’s episode of WWE SmackDown. Viewers were informed by Corey Graves that Cole was on a “special assignment,” leading to Wade Barrett stepping in alongside Graves to handle commentary duties for the evening.
Cole’s absence is a rare occurrence. Since joining WWE in 1997, the veteran announcer has rarely missed an event. The last time he missed a show was during the season premiere of Raw in October of the previous year, due to a personal commitment. Before that, Cole was absent in September 2017 to attend his son’s wedding, marking only a few times the seasoned commentator has been away from his duties.
WWE has undergone several changes recently, including reshuffling commentary teams as the company transitions into new television deals. Currently, Michael Cole and Corey Graves form the commentary duo for SmackDown on USA Network, while Wade Barrett and Joe Tessitore cover Raw. However, big changes are on the horizon for Raw, as the show is set to leave USA and move to Netflix in January 2025. Once that happens, fans can expect Pat McAfee to return to the commentary booth after the college football season concludes.
Earlier this year, Michael Cole signed a new contract with WWE, cementing his long-term role within the company. With his wealth of experience and deep connection with the WWE Universe, Cole’s continued presence will undoubtedly be felt as WWE navigates its future.
