WWE, and the pro wrestling landscape itself, is built largely off the basis of rivalries. Professional wrestling shows are, at their core, socially acceptable soap operas. Like with any soap opera, the central feud is what keeps audiences coming back for more. The best rivalries in WWE are between two gladiators bloodthirsty to wage war with each other whilst providing multi-layered, engrossing, and even twist-filled storytelling.
Bayley vs. Michael Cole is no such rivalry for WWE. The feud between the member of the Four Horsewomen and the Voice of WWE is built largely being disarmingly entertaining and funny because of how random it is. These two have come for each other's necks for years, most recently on the latest episode of Monday Night Raw, where Bayley led a "Michael Cole's an idiot" chant in her hometown of San Jose, California.
Even long-time fans wonder how this whole "feud" started between these two. The answer dates back to 2020.
Why Do Michael Cole and Bayley Hate Each Other?
WWE's Strangest Feud Explained
During an appearance on Renee Paquette's (f.k.a. WWE's Renee Young) podcast, Oral Sessions, Bayley explains where her onscreen rivalry with Michael Cole began, originating during the Thunderdome Era of WWE. During the global COVID-19 pandemic, WWE remained active at the time, filming out of a bio-secure bubble in Florida akin to the NBA's 2020 Playoff season bubble, where fans were not allowed in attendance. Fans could appear virtually as part of the video conference wall, but not in person.
In the above video, Bayley explains how her feud with Michael Cole came about at the 5:13 timestamp.
The bulk of wrestling performances derives from audience participation, especially for heels who often goad the fans to garner heat. Without anyone to build their performances off of, it made the job of the WWE Superstars much harder. Bayley had the same obstacle, but she had a solution: if she couldn't pick on fans, she'd pick on Michael Cole. Besides the wrestlers in the ring, the only people at ringside were the commentators, Corey Graves and Michael Cole. Graves was a heel, so that made Cole Bayley's punching bag by default.
Do Bayley and Michael Cole Hate Each Other in Real Life?
Praising Each Other Outside of Storylines
Over the course of almost five years, Bayley and Michael Cole have thrown verbal jabs at each other on WWE TV and in social media posts. The venom they have for each other is neverending, but don't mistake the hate as being legitimate outside of character work. It's all in good fun for the cameras. The whole reason their dynamic works so well is because they have a good relationship offscreen. As much as Bayley can dish it out, Michael Cole knows how to throw it back and doesn't hesitate to do so.
Related
Monday Night Raw's First Netflix Ratings Show the Success and Challenges of WWE's Boldest Move in Decades
The ratings are officially in for the premiere episode of WWE's Monday Night Raw, and the internet is abuzz about what it means.
On the Outside the Ring podcast, Bayley professed that Cole is "the greatest at what he does ... I will give him all his flowers and his respect and all that stuff." While their rivalry may not be as complicated, violent, or brimming with lore as other feuds in WWE history, it contains the key ingredient that makes any good onscreen rivalry work: an offscreen friendship. Some of the best feuds in wrestling (e.g. HHH vs. HBK, Adam Copeland vs. Christian Cage) involve real-life friends. Real friends carry enough trust in each other to do and say whatever needs to be done to make their segments entertaining. WWE's silliest rivalry is no different.
Sources: Oral Sessions with Renee Paquette; Under the Ring)
WWE
World Wrestling Entertainment (WWE) is a global entertainment company primarily known for professional wrestling. Founded in 1953, it produces live events, television programs, and streaming content. Headquartered in Stamford, Connecticut, WWE operates multiple brands, including Raw, SmackDown, and NXT.
English (US) ·