10 Recent Times WWE Hit The Upgrade Button

10. Farewell To The 'King'

Jerry Lawler Samoa Joe
WWE

Even the best have to hold their hands up and realise when it's time for them to step aside and let someone new settle snugly into their chair. That's what happened to Jerry Lawler recently; the 'King' was clearly old hat, and was content to use hackneyed catchphrases, jokes and techniques that once made him cutting edge.

WWE commentary has moved on from Lawler though, and that's why it was for the best when he was replaced by Samoa Joe. Lord only knows how long this will last, but bring it on. Joe is a breath of fresh air on the headset. His dialogue retains the personality of classic colour commentators of old, but it's more contemporary.

Jerry, meanwhile, was feeling a tad tired.

The way Joe has added urgency and excitement to Raw's product is rather startling. Who could have imagined that he'd be this good as an announcer? Long may it continue, because the Samoan is a fine complement to Tom Phillips and Byron Saxton.

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Lifelong wrestling, video game, music and sports obsessive who has been writing about his passions since childhood. Jamie started writing for WhatCulture in 2013, and has contributed thousands of articles and YouTube videos since then. He cut his teeth penning published pieces for top UK and European wrestling read Fighting Spirit Magazine (FSM), and also has extensive experience working within the wrestling biz as a manager and commentator for promotions like ICW on WWE Network and WCPW/Defiant since 2010. Further, Jamie also hosted the old Ministry Of Slam podcast, and has interviewed everyone from Steve Austin and Shawn Michaels to Bret Hart and Trish Stratus.