WWE Shakes Up Announce Teams For Raw, SmackDown
WWE's flagship shows are switching commentators starting this week.
Fans tuning in to WWE Raw on Monday night will hear a couple different voices on commentary, though one of them will be very familiar.
Variety reports - and WWE later confirmed - that the SmackDown announce team of Michael Cole and Wade Barrett will migrate over to the red brand for the 7 August episode, while the outgoing Raw tandem of Kevin Patrick and Corey Graves will slide over to SmackDown. Cole will also remain on the Friday night show, making it a three-man booth.
A 25-year veteran with WWE, Cole has broadcast on both shows during his tenure and is regarded as the voice of the company's programming, have surpassed the likes of Jim Ross and Gorilla Monsoon. Barrett cut his WWE commentary teeth in NXT before moving to SmackDown last fall.
WWE Commentary Shakeup: Michael Cole, Wade Barrett Move to 'Raw,' Cole to Also Remain on 'SmackDown' (EXCLUSIVE) https://t.co/AXlyS12hk1
— Variety (@Variety) August 5, 2023
If you're concerned about Patrick being bumped off Raw and sharing the announce desk with Cole, Variety noted that the opposition is true: "According to an individual with knowledge of the situation, WWE remains high on Patrick and think that pairing him with Cole will only benefit his growth as a broadcaster."
And of course, there's Graves, who has been doing commentary for NXT and WWE since retiring from in-ring competition in 2014. Here's hoping that being on SmackDown will prevent him from impersonating Raw's Ludwig Kaiser.