Michael Cole Reveals He Apologised To Bianca Belair & Sasha Banks Following WrestleMania Botch

The main event of WrestleMania 37 Saturday featured two black women in the closing spot of the show for the first time as Bianca Belair defeated Sasha Banks to become the brand new SmackDown Women’s Champion. It was also notable for the fact that this was WWE’s first show back with a live crowd for over a year due to the pandemic. Unfortunately, there was an awkward moment upon Belair’s victory, as Michael Cole made a mistake on commentary.

In the closing sequence, Belair hit her signature KOD to secure the three count and win, but for some reason Cole made the call that Banks had kicked out of the move… something that didn’t happen. Cole quickly realised the mistake and remarked on the match finishing, though it proved to be a little jarring for some, and it did momentarily distract from Belair’s huge win. On the Sal Lacata Show, Cole spoke on his regret for the moment, revealing he apologised to both women. 

“I had a massive screw-up in the WrestleMania where Sasha Banks and Bianca Belair headlined. [It was] the first time two African-American women had headlined the main event at WrestleMania. I screwed up at the finish, and I was embarrassed by it. I apologized to both of the women afterward. They understand that things happen. The fans have never to this day let me forget about it. But it is something I regretted. I’d love to have it back if I could, but it’s just one of those moments. It’s just like calling any sporting event. Sometimes there’s going to be a mistake.”

Cole has found a new lease of life in recent years in WWE, especially with Vince McMahon no longer in his ear. It was noted last year that Cole had up to eight years left on his current WWE deal.

H/T Fightful