Michael Cole has spent nearly three decades as one of WWE’s defining voices, a run that has carried him through multiple eras, countless premium live events and an evolving approach to wrestling television presentation. With that experience comes a clear perspective on what makes an effective commentator — and which current WWE personalities may be capable of taking on greater broadcast responsibilities in the future.
During a recent interview, Cole named Wade Barrett, The Miz and Seth Rollins as figures he believes could thrive in analyst roles. Barrett is already an established presence behind the desk, while The Miz and Rollins remain active wrestlers with extensive experience speaking in high-profile WWE settings and beyond the ring.
Cole’s assessment was not framed as an immediate changing of the guard. He remains a central part of WWE programming and currently calls SmackDown alongside Corey Graves. Still, the veteran broadcaster acknowledged the eventual reality that every long career reaches a transition point, and he sees several strong candidates in the present WWE landscape.
Wade Barrett’s established commentary role
Of the three names Cole mentioned, Barrett is the one with the longest modern track record as a WWE commentator. The former WWE Superstar returned to the company in 2020 and has become a regular color commentator across WWE’s major programming. He has worked on both Raw and SmackDown, including several stretches alongside Cole.
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“When we talk about people who we think may be great analysts going forward, obviously, we’ve got Wade Barrett, who’s been doing this for a number of years, who’s going to be a massive star in this business from a commentary standpoint,” Cole said.
Barrett’s value at the desk has come from the blend of his in-ring background, his distinctive presentation and an analyst style that can lean into a competitor’s mindset without losing the larger story of a match. His experience as a former Intercontinental Champion and leader of The Nexus gives him a useful foundation when discussing strategy, rivalries and the pressure facing talent in major moments.
His commentary work has also placed him in a different phase of his WWE career than the one fans knew during his active run. Barrett’s transition illustrates one route available to retired wrestlers: remaining closely connected to the product while developing a separate identity as an on-air broadcaster. Cole’s praise suggests he views Barrett as more than a temporary former-wrestler addition to the booth, but as someone with the potential for sustained importance in WWE commentary.
The Miz’s natural fit as an analyst
Cole also pointed to The Miz, whose speaking ability has been a central feature of his career from the moment he arrived in WWE. A two-time Grand Slam Champion, The Miz has built his persona around confidence, timing and the ability to command attention in any segment. Those qualities do not automatically make someone a commentator, but they provide a strong starting point for an eventual move into broadcasting.
“The Miz is one of those guys who loves to talk,” Cole said. “He will really fall into an analyst role when he decides he wants to retire and hang up the boots.”
The Miz has accumulated considerable hosting experience during his time with WWE. He has hosted WrestleMania, and he co-hosted the WWE Hall of Fame ceremony with Cole earlier in 2026. Those appearances have given him opportunities to guide live programming, move between serious and comedic material, and maintain the pace required for major WWE productions.
His work outside WWE further adds to that experience. The Miz hosts American Gladiators on Prime Video, a role that puts him in another high-energy entertainment setting and demands a different version of the same skills required in live wrestling television. A future commentary position would not simply be an extension of his character work, however. It would call for him to react in real time, support the action, establish stakes and leave sufficient space for his broadcast partners. Cole’s comments indicate he believes The Miz has the personality and communication ability to make that adjustment.
There is also a logical fit between The Miz’s established WWE identity and a color analyst role. His career has included championship success, long-term rivalries, media appearances and major-show experience. That range could allow him to speak credibly about the pressures facing both emerging talent and established main-event names. For now, though, Cole specifically placed that potential transition after The Miz eventually chooses to end his in-ring career.
Seth Rollins brings experience beyond WWE television
Rollins was the other active wrestler Cole singled out as a possible future commentator. Like The Miz, Rollins has been a major WWE figure for years and has demonstrated an ability to communicate across formats. His in-ring achievements and high-profile character work have made him one of the company’s most recognizable performers, but Cole focused on Rollins’ broader comfort in speaking roles.
“Seth Rollins is another one, if Seth Rollins ever decides to go down the route of commentary,” Cole said. “Seth has proven on many different platforms that he can do this type of job. I think The Miz and Seth Rollins are a couple of the guys that we should look toward in the future.”
Outside of WWE programming, Rollins has continued to serve as a guest host for The Rich Eisen Show and NFL Network’s Good Morning Football. Those appearances place him in an environment far removed from scripted wrestling promos. They require conversational ease, topical awareness and the ability to engage with hosts and guests while keeping an audience involved.
A commentary role would offer Rollins a chance to use another side of his wrestling knowledge. Active performers see the business from a perspective that can be difficult for non-wrestlers to replicate: the physical demands of a match, the strategic choices made in the ring and the emotional weight of competing in front of large crowds. Whether Rollins ever wants that path is unknown, and he remains an active WWE performer. Still, Cole clearly believes he has already shown the versatility needed to be considered when the time comes.
Cole reflects on Tazz, Corey Graves and Pat McAfee
While looking ahead at potential future analysts, Cole also reflected on the commentary partners who have meant the most to him during his own career. He has worked with dozens of personalities, including WWE Hall of Famers and former champions, across a lengthy tenure that has included play-by-play, hosting and major-event duties.
“I’ve worked with some unbelievable people over the years, dozens and dozens, many Hall of Famers, many that I’ve learned so much from to get to where I am today,” Cole said. “I think three people stand out as top commentators that I’ve worked with over the years.”
The first name he highlighted was Tazz, his longtime SmackDown partner during a significant portion of the brand’s earlier history. Tazz later moved to the WWE ECW brand in 2006. He now works as a commentator for All Elite Wrestling, but his WWE partnership with Cole remains a notable part of the blue brand’s broadcast identity from that era.
Cole also praised Graves, his current SmackDown broadcast partner, in particularly strong terms.
“There was Corey Graves, of course, my current partner, who’s probably the best guy I’ve ever worked with in the booth. Our chemistry is impeccable.”
Graves has become one of WWE’s most recognizable modern analysts, regularly working major matches and premium live event broadcasts. Cole’s emphasis on chemistry is significant because a successful two-person booth depends on more than individual performance. Timing, trust and the ability to build on each other’s calls shape how effectively commentary can serve a match and its story.
The third name was Pat McAfee, whose energetic style created a markedly different dynamic with Cole on both Raw and SmackDown. Cole described their run as an especially enjoyable one, praising McAfee’s distinct presence as an analyst.
“Pat and I had an unbelievable run,” Cole said. “We had so much fun together and he was just such a different analyst.”
Cole has previously spoken highly of McAfee’s enthusiasm and their connection at the desk. However, McAfee vowed not to return to professional wrestling, including WWE, after Randy Orton’s loss at WrestleMania 42. That leaves Cole and Graves as the current SmackDown pairing, while Barrett, The Miz and Rollins stand among the names Cole believes could help shape WWE’s commentary future in different ways.
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Darryl Polo
Darryl Polo is a passionate wrestling fan covering WWE, AEW, TNA and beyond. He loves great rivalries, breakout stars and the moments that keep fans talking long after the bell. How we work.