WWE WrestleMania 27: 10 Things You Need to Know About Jerry Lawler vs. Michael Cole

Before this Sunday’s Wrestlemania, let’s look at the match that really has fans scratching their heads, getting annoyed, and growing somewhat intrigued.

No, I’m not talking about Cena vs. the Miz, I’m talking about Jerry “The King” Lawler vs. Michael Cole, with Stone Cold Steven Austin guest-refereeing the match and Jack Swagger in Cole's corner.

Here are ten things you should know before heading into the match this Sunday.

1.) This Is NOT the First Time Michael Cole Has Been in the Ring

Lawler and Cole's Title Shot.

Yes, IWC, this is not the first time Michael Cole has been in the ring before!

Cole made his in-ring debut WITH Jerry Lawler against then Legacy teammates Ted DiBiase and Cody Rhodes back in 2008. The match was even for the World Tag Team Championships. Unfortunately, his in-ring experience did not last long, as he accidently tagged himself in, only to get pinned shortly there after by a clothesline from Rhodes.

So, this is not Michael Cole’s first rodeo. In fact, this is almost a step down from his first match! But, like all “great” tag teams, they usually face each other before long.

2.) Lawler’s First Wrestlemania

As surprising as it is, this is Jerry “The King” Lawler’s first Wrestlemania.

Even with run-ins at other Pay-Per-Views against Bret Hart, the Ultimate Warrior, and other legends, Lawler has never had a feud large enough for the Granddaddy of them all.

And, this almost makes me and many other fans wonder: why did they decide to make this match his first?!

Go figure. But, you know that it is going to be an emotional night when Lawler finally has his moment to go under the big lights in Atlanta, GA.

3.) How This Feud Started

Cole and Lawler

For those of you who haven’t been watching Raw recently, Michael Cole has been developed into a complaining, Miz-loving commentator, almost taking the place of the heel-loving, always snappy Jerry Lawler from years past.

The two commentators have worked side-by-side on Raw for the past year, but on Lawler’s 61^st Birthday in November, Cole interfered in a TLC WWE Championship match with Lawler and the Miz, causing the King to miss out on his WWE Championship opportunity.

Cole would continue to blast Lawler for weeks, and when the Miz and the King met at the Elimination Chamber in February, Lawler was unsuccessful in his chance to win the title again.

And that’s when Cole opened his big mouth once too many.

4.) Cole’s Loud Mouth Started All of This

The challenge issued.

For weeks, Michael Cole has been ripping on Jerry Lawler for just about everything.

After Lawler’s mother passed, he had the audacity to continue to call him out.

Then, he would have “Exclusive Interviews” with his son, Brian Christopher, who bashed him as a father and as a human being.

He even went on to borrow the family photo album and created voice-over captions for each picture he felt like ripping Lawler in.

All of this caused the gigantic showdown that we'll see at Wrestlemania.

But, Cole's big mouth wasn't just for mindless enjoyment. He did it to get a reaction.

5.) Impact of Jack Swagger

Jack Swagger, the All-American American, has been training Cole for weeks now in order to get him ready to go for Wrestlemania.

So, every time Cole runs his mouth against Lawler, Lawler will try to strike back, only to be taken down by a vicious Ankle Lock that Michael Cole will then grab on to.

While Lawler beat down Swagger with a chair in a GM-ordered match on the Raw before 'Mania, we all know that Swagger will not let Lawler wrestle Cole fair and square.

By the way, Cole's name for his version of the Ankle Lock? An-Cole Lock.

6.) Stone Cold Steve Austin as Referee

The Texas Rattlesnake. The Toughest SOB in the WWF/E. The man who created Austin 3:16.

You’d think he’d be refereeing a bigger match. But he’s the guest referee for the Cole vs. Lawler match.

After signing the contract originally intended for fellow Texan and former World Champion, JBL, Stone Cold Steve Austin will be back at Wrestlemania, ready and willing to raise hell in the zebra stripes.

Which way will he fair towards? Will he favor the wronged Lawler, or will he side towards the trash-talking Cole?

One thing is for sure about this pick: expect the unexpected. Austin has never, and will never, conform to the standards. This will give the match a whole new outlook, and I’m sure a few Stone Cold Stunners will be delivered for the world to see.

7.) Why It’s Been so Developed and Hyped

The WWE has put a lot of work and effort into making this storyline, rivalry, and match feel really developed and Wrestlemania ready.

Does that mean we’ll see a good match? I doubt it.

But, it has been entertaining. Commentator rivalries are usually boring (Example: Jim Ross’ heel turn with fake Diesel and fake Razor Ramon), but the heel turn of Michael Cole was already like gasoline being lit on fire. Fans already dislike Cole enough, and making him an annoying heel is even better.

Jerry Lawler may have been a world champion in other companies and promotions, but he has been such a great color commentator for the WWE. Thus, it makes sense that they are finally giving him his chance to be under the big lights at Wrestlemania. He still has the ability and he can still put on a good match. 

Michael Cole’s heel turn may have been annoying at times. Jerry Lawler may have been swindled by having to take a match with an inexperienced foe like Cole.

But, it shows the WWE does listen. Fans may not care for Cole’s commentating, thus they turn him heel. Lawler may have been itching for his chance to shine one last time, and they gave it to him. Seems like it was perfectly developed and hyped for a Wrestlemania showdown.

8.) Who Should Win

Obviously, Lawler should win.

You don’t take shots like this without having fan support on your side.

Besides, who wouldn’t want to see a Cole beat down?

I just doubt it’ll happen…

9.) Who Will Win

Vintage Cole face.

In my opinion, Michael Cole will win.

With the ex-factor of Stone Cold Steve Austin, the fact that this is Cole’s first real match, and that Lawler has been the big face of this storyline rather than the heel, I just feel like the King’s revenge will not be extracted properly.

Expect Swagger to get involved, but good ol’ Austin will make sure he’s out of the picture. While they are both out of the picture, Cole will figure out a way to knock out Lawler and put him in the An-Cole lock, causing another referee to jump in and call the match as a submission. 

I just feel like this storyline is not over. Not by a long shot.

10.) What’s Next

Are we seeing just the beginning of a long feud?

Is this storyline over?

Not by a long shot.

The WWE has invested far too much of its time and its resources (c’mon, the Cole-Mine has just begun!) into developing this match.  And besides, how could they simply say that Cole and Lawler “worked out” their differences?

Some rumors have it that there may be another match between the two in another fashion at next month’s pay per view. But, that all depends if the match lives up to its hype or not.

Obviously, this will be a difficult thing to do. We all know Lawler’s skill level goes far beyond most wrestlers in the WWE today. But can he carry Cole through a match on the biggest stage of both of their careers?

We will find out this Sunday. But this rivalry is far from over. It may have just begun.

Conclusion

Thanks again for reading!

Let me know your thoughts and opinions.

Enjoy Wrestlemania 27, fellow fans!