Michael Cole will probably want to forget this WrestleMania moment, as his mistake almost ruined the best moment of the night on Saturday.
The longtime WWE playmaker, who has featured memorable soundtracks to some of WrestleMania’s highlights, completely missed the call for Bianca Belair’s main event victory over Sasha Banks to claim the championship Women’s SmackDown Night 1 of WrestleMania 37 at Raymond James Stadium in Tampa.
As Belair hit his Kiss of Death finisher and threw Banks for the 1-3-3, Cole thought for some reason that the boss had kicked him out as people went crazy.
“Death kiss, end the banks,” exclaims Cole. “And an expulsion! An expulsion of Sasha! ”
Fortunately, SmackDown’s broadcast partner Corey Graves quickly moved on to save himself.
“No! She won!” he shouted when WWE announcer Greg Hamilton announced Belair as the new champion.
Cole was silent for about 10 seconds before delivering his call to the championship.
“Bianca Belair impacted the world!” He said. “Bianca Belair with the victory!”
Cole’s initial call was a bit behind the action, so you might think Banks kicked out because Belair tipped over at three and let out a scream that sounded more frustration than celebration. Either way, it will be interesting to see what WWE and Peacock do with the audio, potentially putting Cole’s right call in its place. The initial playback included the commentary as heard live.
Cole’s mistake was part of a strange night for the WWE around an incredible action inside the ring. At the start of the broadcast, Hamilton announced that the Riott Squad (Ruby Riott and Liv Morgan) had been eliminated from the women’s team turmoil match when they had won the fall before being corrected. Mandy Rose also had her Titus O’Neil moment slipping on the wet ramp to her ass walking into the ring for that match. WrestleMania had been delayed by about 25 minutes due to rain and lighting in Tampa, Florida.
It’s just a reminder that anything can happen on live TV.