Jim Ross Defends Michael Cole Against Fan Criticism

Jim Ross is frustrated by fans' criticism of Michael Cole. 

For years, Michael Cole and Jim Ross were at the commentary table at WWE together. In an interview with Sportskeeda, Ross said he saw how hard Cole worked at his job and grew to know him personally. He finds it frustrating when fans criticize Cole for his on-screen work when he has seen everything that happens when the cameras are off. 

“Fans today have a unique voice, and they’re very willing to share it on social media. Michael works his ass off. He’s a good family man, he’s a company man, he works diligently to do his job. I respect him for all those things. I’ve always liked him, he’s a good dude, and folks won’t understand that. They only judge him for his television persona, rightly or wrongly. It’s kind of frustrating," said Ross. 

Before working with Cole, Ross had a full career in professional wrestling already. He said Cole does great work but when Ross left WWE, Cole had to replace someone with a lot more experience. 

"When Michael Cole came on the scene, he was replacing me. Without sounding so overwhelmingly egotistic, that was challenging for him, because I was what the audience was accustom to. Let’s not forget I had 19 years of establishing my body of work before I got to WWE at Wrestlemania 9. I felt bad in a lot of ways for that, but there’s nothing I can do. Michael knows he does good work, and it’s a tough job right now," said Ross. 

Also during the interview, Ross discussed New Japan Pro Wrestling and his work on the commentary table with that promotion. 

The full interview can be read at the Sportskeeda website.