Jonathan Coachman has shared his experience working with Vince McMahon, who never shied away from critiquing the commentators on TV.
On a recent edition of the “Insight” podcast, Coachman was asked about reports that McMahon would scream down the headset at commentators. He said,
“If you’re saying 1 to 10, it’s usually about a 4. The only time he would yell is if you didn’t say it when he wanted you to say it. So say, for example, Cody Rhodes is coming to the ring. He’d be like, Cody Rhodes big night this Saturday, stuff like that. Now I will say this, you can tell exactly when Vince got pushed out if you listen to Michael Cole, because imagine getting beaten down verbally for 20 years.”
Speaking further about Cole, Coachman compared how Vince McMahon treated people to how things are now with Triple H in charge. He said,
“Michael Cole, I don’t think has missed a show in the 25-plus years he’s been there. I know when I was there for my first 10 years, I missed one, and that was for my honeymoon. That was it. So they create that world in you, and Vince creates that world like this is your show. You got to be here. Can you imagine Jim Nance or Joe Buck? You’re going to work 52 weeks a year. Are you kidding me? So he’s much happier now because Triple H is like, I think after 25 years, if you don’t know how to call it, there’s nothing we can do for you.”
Coachman also recalled receiving both barrels from Vince McMahon over how he spoke about Test during a show. He said,
“I do remember a time when I said something he didn’t like about Test, God, rest his soul. I said something to the effect of he was weak, [And Vince said] ‘You’re killing his character. What are you doing? What are you doing? You just killed his character. You killed him. You killed him!’ Oh, my God. Oh my god. And you’re still trying to call the match. The match is still going.”