After news of Michael Cole blowing up on Pat McAfee made the rounds, another former employee spoke out.
Former WWE announcer Alex Del Barrio posted an extensive thread on Twitter about his negative experiences with Cole and his alleged temper. Barrio claims that Cole often scolded him and fostered an environment where others followed suit.
Cole is a straight shooter, but he has a ridiculous and irrationally non-sensical temper.
— Alex Del Barrio (@alexdelbarrio) April 10, 2019
I got yelled at for taking a selfie at the Axxess set (which was the same live event set for house shows) I got yelled at for being scruffy on the plane to Mania.. https://t.co/tYR1mNuIB0
Even though other announcers flew on the same plane in shorts and a t-shirt when I was in a suit and tie (and I shaved when I got to the hotel before rehearsals)
— Alex Del Barrio (@alexdelbarrio) April 10, 2019
I was yelled at in an announcing training session for saying “skinning the cat” because it was an “insider term”
And we don’t use those on broadcasts...we do..and it’s gymnastics terminology used in wrestling....I was yelled at for buying a Whataburger after a show at #nxtjacksonville.... I was yelled at for not doing my new NXT pre-show music contest even though I was told by production
— Alex Del Barrio (@alexdelbarrio) April 10, 2019
(Berkley) that he wanted to wait until the following week until he had more music in the computer, but I was yelled at for not doing it. I was only yelled at by Cole once. These were by other announcers who had it filtered down to them because the culture created
— Alex Del Barrio (@alexdelbarrio) April 10, 2019
They look for the smallest things to criticize, berate and bully. If they like you, they look the other way. If they don’t they find ways to get you in trouble and cause this stigma about you within the company until you’re ultimately gone.
— Alex Del Barrio (@alexdelbarrio) April 10, 2019
Cole I would argue has hired good talent, is underrated as a PXP guy when the reigns are taken off and when he wants to be an EXCELLENT teacher...but he also has a stupid temper, is fake when it comes to building a real culture of “team” and fosters a culture of not trusting
— Alex Del Barrio (@alexdelbarrio) April 10, 2019
Anyone and being constantly afraid of losing your gig at every turn. There are several other stories from other folks in his circle that have more direct interaction with his temper. This McAfee story doesn’t surprise me AT ALL.
— Alex Del Barrio (@alexdelbarrio) April 10, 2019
I want to add one more thing here that I think is important...I’m usually pretty good at dealing with “yelling” I was an athlete in HS, not a good one, but i didn’t mind the yelling if it was supported by coaching and honest criticism in order to help me improve.
— Alex Del Barrio (@alexdelbarrio) April 11, 2019
So I don’t want it to come off like I was sulking in the corner every time someone said or did something to me. Not like that at all, I’m just someone that speaks my mind and will always stand up for myself, especially if you’re just being a jerk for no reason.
— Alex Del Barrio (@alexdelbarrio) April 11, 2019
LOL! He's the most defensive person ever... until he's on headset....I was on headset at the Rumble and hearing him call Vince "sir" was surreal considering the way he carries himself
— Alex Del Barrio (@alexdelbarrio) April 10, 2019
Barrio also made headlines last week, when he challenged WWE's independent contractor status in the wake of John Olvier's look at the company. Barrio worked for WWE as Alex Reyes for about seven months before being released in the spring of 2016.
