How wouldve the cole - JL angle played out in the Attitude Era as opposed to now?

During the Attitude Era, Michael Cole was a pip squeak wimp among men like Triple H, Stone Cold, The Rock, etc. For Michael Cole to stand out then rather than now would have to include monumental time to invest his character, for almost little or no payoff. Plus, Michael Cole developing an attitude behind the table would be unnecessary, since wrestlers had huge egos anyway.