10 Ups And Downs For WWE In 2014 7

7. Announcing

When turning down the volume on Raw becomes a legitimate option, you know you’ve hit a new low point. The commentary team of Michael Cole, JBL and Jerry Lawler actively detract from the product on a weekly basis. They bicker with each other, shill the Network incessantly, painfully hammer home plot points and make terrible, outdated jokes rather than try to actually get any of the talent over.

JBL is by far the worst of the three. His presence drags everything down to a near-unbearable level. JBL has shown in the past that he can be an outstanding color commentator, and he probably can again. But right now, he can’t seem to make up his mind what he is (which is probably more a function of Vince in his ear than anything else). He hates Daniel Bryan but loves to watch him perform. He wants to buy his own El Torito but hates the Bunny. He will agree that the Authority has gone too far at times, only to turn around and defend them in the next segment.

Announcers are supposed to largely be narrators, describing the plot and making it mean something while getting the performers over with fans. Watch a few hours of NXT to experience what that sounds like.