what happened to michael cole

Michael Cole, the long-time and trusted WWE commentator, has been notably absent from WWE programming recently, including Friday Night SmackDown, which has puzzled fans due to his consistent presence over nearly three decades. His absence seems related to WWE wanting to keep commentary teams stable, especially with other commentators like Corey Graves and Joe Tessitore unavailable due to injuries or other commitments. There is no official word on any health or personal issues for Cole; it appears he might be taking some time off. Michael Cole is expected to return soon, most likely at the upcoming premium live event Wrestlepalooza, where he even made a significant announcement about WWE title matches. Despite the absence, he remains active within WWE events and broadcasts, recently commenting on events and reflecting on WWE's milestones. Additionally, an incident involving Brock Lesnar attacking Michael Cole and Corey Graves happened recently during SmackDown, which led to Graves being injured and resting at home. Cole escaped serious injury but this added to the dramatic storylines affecting WWE commentary. In summary, Michael Cole's recent absence seems temporary and more about WWE's scheduling and commentary team adjustments, with a likely return in the near future.