10 Things WWE Fans Want For Christmas In 2016
6. Improved Commentary
NXT's preparation for the main roster doesn't just apply to in-ring talent; it's a learning experience for everyone involved.
Take Corey Graves, for example.
With Corey's promotion to the RAW commentary team in 2016, the show received a much-needed update to its audio. Graves proved his announcing chops down in Orlando, all but commanding a move up to the A-show. Unfortunately, the state of WWE's commentary was so poor that the promotion of one, young, talented speaker wasn't enough to turn everything around. But it's a good start.
Another smart move was bringing in Mauro Ranallo to provide the commentary for SmackDown. With Graves the standout star of the RAW broadcast team and Mauro the SmackDown equivalent, WWE's commentary is in a better place now than it was a year ago, but they still have a ways to go.
Whether it's futile attempts at comedy, the vomit-inducing conveyor belt of WWE branding and buzzwords, or just flat out intelligence-insulting commentary, WWE has made their audio track the laughing stock of all other television programs. The announcing is just so "wrestling" that listening to RAW for just a few minutes is enough to turn the casual viewer off to the product for good.
No matter who wears the headset, it's still Vince McMahon's words that fans are subjected to hearing more often than not, and in 2016, it's clear he just can't connect anymore.