Michael Cole will probably want to forget this WrestleMania moment, because his mistake almost ruined the best moment of Saturday night.
The longtime WWE man, who delivered memorable soundtracks for some of WrestleMania’s greatest moments, completely beat the call for Bianca Belair’s main event victory over Sasha Banks to claim the SmackDown Women’s Championship on Night 1 of WrestleMania 37 at Raymond James Tampa Stadium.
While Belair hit the death kiss finalist and threw Banks 1-2-3, Cole, for some reason, thought the boss kicked out while the crowd went crazy.
“The kiss of death ends the banks,” exclaimed Cole. “And a kickout! A shot from Sasha! ”
Fortunately, SmackDown broadcast partner Corey Graves rushed to the rescue.
“No! She won!” he shouted as WWE Ring announcer Greg Hamilton announced Belair as the new champion.
Cole was silent for about 10 seconds before calling for the championship.
“Bianca Belair shocked the world!” he said. “Bianca Belair with the victory!”
Cole’s initial call was a little behind the action, so it’s possible he thinks Banks fired because Belair rolled to number three and let out a scream that sounded more like frustration than celebration. Either way, it will be interesting to see what WWE and Peacock do with audio, being able to put Cole’s correct call in its place. The initial replay included the comment as it was listened to live.
Cole’s mistake was part of a strange night for WWE around amazing actions in the ring. At the beginning of the broadcast, Hamilton announced that the Riott team (Ruby Riott and Liv Morgan) was eliminated from the turbulent match of the women’s team, when they actually won the fall before correcting themselves. Mandy Rose also had her Titus O’Neil moment, sliding down the wet ramp on her bottom, going to the ring for that match. WrestleMania was delayed by about 25 minutes due to rain and lighting in Tampa, Florida.
It’s just a reminder that anything can happen on live television.