Tom Hannifan reflects on major milestones in WWE and Michael Cole.
Tom Hannifan spent many years in WWE as Tom Phillips. During that time, Hannifan did everything from take part in the social media lounge on early WWE Network kickoffs, to calling major moments like KofiMania at WrestleMania 35.
Speaking with Chris Van Vliet for his Insight podcast, Hannifan reflected on his first major breakout moment in WWE, being called to SmackDown, noting that he was fortunate to have the opportunity to fail and grow.
“I would say it was the first time that I got called up to SmackDown, in retrospect I had no clue what I was doing, I had no idea what I was in for. I thought it was just calling a match, but there are so many layers to this. Thankfully the powers that be gave me a lot of opportunities to fail and to grow. I think that’s something where people just look at success, but no you need to fail and mature to get better. I feel like I was a success in WWE.”
While in WWE, Hannifan learned under the guidance of Michael Cole. Reflecting on Cole's tutelage, Hannifan credited Cole with instilling patience in him during a time when he was not patient.
“While I did not have a ton of patience he was very patient with me. It was just to be patient, keep working and not give up on circumstances. I was moved around shows on the carousel, and I was so freaking young. For him to be patient with me, that was the biggest thing.”
As for his favorite call in WWE, Hannifan cited KofiMania at WrestleMania 35 and some early days in NXT as some of his most memorable WWE moments.
“Oh gosh. I mentioned KofiMania. I loved the call at the conclusion of that match. I will always remember TakeOver Dallas where Corey Graves called Shinsuke’s arrival in NXT and Sami Zayn’s last match in NXT. The building is shaking and Graves and I are just freaking out, we had Goosebumps and everything. But there were a lot of individual moments that I was proud of that call. But for every good one, there are 100 bad ones. I have a perfectionist mentality. But I will watch it back and lighten up on myself, I think a lot of people need to do that in general.”
Nowadays, Hannifan is the play-by-play announcer in IMPACT Wrestling, starting at IMPACT Hard to Kill 2022. Learn about his transition from WWE to IMPACT here.