In WWE and pro wrestling as a whole, you’re in the firing line even when you’re not.Such is the high-octane, adrenaline-fuelled nature of WWE’s wild world, the action is frantic and rarely slows down.Michael Cole is one of the most respected figures in WWE for his commentary workYouTube/ImpaulsiveWhile the matches, storylines and characters involved are all predetermined, the physical toll taken on the bodies of those involved is very real – even if they aren’t trained wrestlers!If the gruelling travel schedule and hotels, rental cars and the like aren’t punishment enough for those working on the outside of the ring, there’s often a blurring of the lines when they’re pulled through the ropes to get involved.Jim Ross was tortured in that regard. He’s made clear over the years in podcasts and books aplenty that he felt he was a tool of personal amusement for former WWE chief Vince McMahon who never passed up a chance to humiliate the legendary commentator, particularly if a show was being held in JR’s home state of Oklahoma.Ross was also set on fire and had his arm broken in other bizarre and seemingly excessive storylines, but he is far from the only commentator to get physical over the years.Jerry ‘The King’ Lawler, the other half of the iconic Ross and Lawler commentary pairing during the Attitude Era, stepped back into a WWE ring long after his full-time in ring days had come to an end, and even Michael Cole has wrestled a dozen matches in his career.Cole, a former war correspondent and esteemed broadcaster – and very much not a trained wrestler – was once thrust into a storyline against Lawler and Ross and even lost a Raw match against WWE legend John Cena.Perhaps most notable, however, was his WrestleMania match against Lawler in 2011, Cole spending 13 minutes in the ring with the veteran even technically winning the match.The King had actually forced Cole to submit but, the anonymous Raw General Manager at the time ruled the bout in his favour after what was adjudged to be biased officiating by guest ref, Stone Cold Steve Austin.It really was that bizarre – the match since being widely regarded as one of the worst in WrestleMania history. For Cole, it wasn’t even the worst part of his day.That, he’s told Logan Paul, came earlier on in the afternoon during rehearsals for the utter madness that would follow.Cole’s time as a ‘wrestler’ was memorable, but not necessarily for the right reasonsWWEDiscussing a piece of what he hinted was fairy commonplace tomfoolery in the ring, he was charged by good friend CM Punk, and failed to move sufficiently, with painful results.“I got my tooth knock out; two teeth knocked out that day,” explained the now 56-year-old.“CM Punk, during the day as I was going over my match with Jerry, because he’s a friend of mine, decided he was going to run across the ring and give me a knee lift.“Well, dummy me didn’t move out of the way and [it] knocked my tooth out.”At least that’s as bad as it got? Sadly not, it seems. Cole went on: “Then, in the match, Jerry hit me with a drop kick and knocked my other tooth out!“So, I understand how difficult [wrestling is], and that’s just taking some typical bumps.”CM Punk’s in-ring prank was misread by Cole who paid a painful priceWWEIt was alright (ish) on the night as Cole, Lawler and Austin enjoyed a WrestleMania momentWWEThe New Yorker was making the wider point on Paul’s podcast that he has immense respect for the durability of wrestlers and the punishment they’re prepared to put their bodies through to put on – and finish – a show.The perfect recent example would be JD McDonagh’s terrifying injury on an episode of Raw. He clattered the commentary Cole was sitting at hard enough to puncture a lung – but promptly got back up and carried on wrestling.“I thought he was dead,” he admitted. “I really did.“He came off the ring and hit the desk so hard, [it] moved our desk back. I seriously thought he was dead.“Then I come to find out later he had a broken ribs and a punctured lung, and we went on and finished the match – another ten minutes!”With WWE arguably bigger than ever following the humongous $5bn Netflix broadcast deal, international tours upcoming and WrestleMania season already in full swing, the workload for stars won’t be easing any time soon. All being well, Cole’s duties will be restricted to the commentary desk alone where he, and his teeth, will be safe.