Former WWE Name Discusses Learning From Michael Cole

WWE

A former WWE name has discussed what it was like learning from Michael Cole.

Michael Cole has worked with WWE since 1997 and has become known as the voice of the company.

Not only does Cole act as the lead commentator on Friday Night SmackDown, but he also works closely with all of the broadcast team across all the brands of WWE.

Speaking with Tru Heel Heat Wrestling for Tru Heels BTR, IMPACT commentator Tom Hannifan discussed learning from Michael Cole during his time with the promotion.

Hannifan spent nearly 10 years with WWE under the name of Tom Phillips from 2012 to 2021, working on pretty much every show for the company.

On learning from Cole and their relationship today, Hannifan said:

“Instrumental. Michael Cole is maybe the most important reason why I’ve had the success in wrestling and the longevity in wrestling that I’ve had to this point in time and hopefully that continues for a while.”

“But I wouldn’t be where I am without Michael Cole. He kinda, to put in a way, is like an uncle to me that always looked after me, and mentored me and was straight with me, and was honest with me. And brutally honest with me in the best way possible.”

“So I think the world of his ability, I think the world of him as a human being. We have not communicated a ton since I was released from WWE, but you know he knows where I stand with him and vice versa. So I’m very grateful for everything he taught me over the years.”

Tom Hannifan was released from WWE in 2021. He now works with IMPACT Wrestling as their lead commentator along fellow former WWE star Matthew Rehwoldt, better known as Aiden English during his time with the company.

Think you’re a wrestling mastermind? Well you can prove it by taking quizzes in our brand new quiz section! Don’t forget to tweet us your results!

• Tom Hannifan
• michael cole
• Impact Wrestling
• wwe

Share this article with friends