By Wade Keller, PWTorch editor
This Michael Cole incident on Twitter has brought to the forefront a fact that hasn't gotten a lot of play - that being that Cole's ego has gotten out of control behind the scenes in recent months. There have been reports of Cole having tremendous locker room heat. One WWE source today gives us his opinion on Cole behind the scenes.
"Is Cole getting a big head? HELL YES," he says. "Ever since he was reading the GM e-mails he started begging to become GM (he doesn't know who it's supposed to be) and walks around like his sh-- doesn't stink. He has an opinion on everything."
He also has mouthed off to writers who hand him scripts, saying that he'll say whatever the hell he wants. Sources say Cole's on-air character has gone to his head and what you see on TV is what he has become behind the scenes.
Keller's Analysis: This adds an interesting dimension to the Twitter controversy. One WWE source earlier today told me that incidents like the Twitter comment would be enough to get someone released if Vince McMahon was already looking for an excuse to release them. Now, there's too much invested in the Jerry Lawler vs. Michael Cole match (including "Stone Cold" Steve Austin) to totally abandon it, especially now that GLAAD has soft-pedaled the situation in their public statement today, accepting Cole's (lousy) apology and saying he'll be part of their seminars educating staff on gay issues. However, this incident could be the final straw to derailing Cole's continued push after WrestleMania. It could also cement McMahon's reported leaning toward having Jim Ross call the main events at WrestleMania this year.