WWE Raw Announcer Shoots On Never Acknowledging NXT
Jimmy Smith has opened up on WWE's unique commentary directives for Raw.
Jimmy Smith isn't too hot on the idea that some wrestling fans think he and his WWE Raw colleagues don't do their homework or pay attention to things outside the Monday night bubble.
Smith told listeners on 'Unlocking The Cage' that Doudrop's arrival on the brand is a perfect example - Jimmy, Corey Graves and Byron Saxton were told not to acknowledge her NXT UK work, or to refer to her as Piper Niven.
Social media immediately lit up with criticism for the announcing trio after the Scot's Raw debut, but Smith was having none of it. He described the situation perfectly by saying, "things that you may see as weakness in commentary are things they want from us".
In other words, WWE told the announcers to feign ignorance and treat Doudrop like a company newcomer rather than someone who'd been an established name on another brand.
Smith's comments made it seem like he's slightly irked by this directive but is powerless to do anything about it. He just wants people to know that WWE are into "character resets", and that he's not some oblivious idiot who doesn't do research on wrestlers.
Fair enough.