7 Ups And 8 Downs From WWE King Of The Ring 2002
9. Down - SmackDown’s Commentary Is Exiled
Given that the previous match featured a division exclusive to SmackDown, you’d think Michael Cole and Tazz, SmackDown’s commentators, would call the match. Heck, Kurt Angle vs. Hulk Hogan and Undertaker vs. Triple H are SmackDown-centric matches. Do Cole and Tazz commentate on those?
Nope! Instead, they get to be in the skybox and simply introduce the matches from their show, while JR and King call the entire pay-per-view.
The whole “RAW is treated better than SmackDown” narrative varies in credibility, but this is just downright egregious. Nothing says that something’s a B show better than when the commentary team don’t even get to sit at the table. As the months go on, we’ll see how Cole and Tazz eventually find their rightful spot at a commentary table for PPV, but for now, this is a big fat down.