This past Friday on "WWE SmackDown," many noticed that the leading voice of WWE for several decades, Michael Cole, was not at ringside calling this week's broadcast. Instead, filling in for him, was "WWE NXT" and "WWE Main Event" play-by-play commentator, Vic Joseph. For those wondering if Cole's absence will be long term, the good news is that no, it won't be.According to PWInsider Elite, Cole was on vacation this week. It's unclear how long his vacation status is or how soon he'll return to his decorated post.For nearly 30 years, Cole has been the eyes, ears, and voice for WWE's most memorable moments. As of this report, he is the longest-tenured and active on-air talent for the Stamford-based company. And he does not want to walk away from that coveted role anytime soon.Recently, the veteran commentator expressed his desire to continue working until the wheels fall off. However, he remains self-aware that all greats must take off their headsets eventually. In his interview with "OutKick," Cole said that he actively seeks feedback from Chief Content Officer Paul "Triple H" Levesque, making sure his calls remain crisp and informative, and that wants him as well as others backstage to let him know if he's ever "slipping." As he mentioned in the interview, he wants to retire at the top of his game. Cole is currently signed to a multi-year deal.
