Adnan Virk's WWE Raw Replacement Revealed?

The leading contenders to replace Adnan Virk on WWE Raw revealed.

Adnan Virk
WWE.com

Tom Phillips and former Bellator MMA announcer Jimmy Smith appear to be the leading contenders to replace the outgoing Adnan Virk as WWE Raw's play-by-play commentator.

This is according to PWInsider's Mike Johnson, who points out that Phillips would be the most obvious choice, given that he had sat in the role prior to being replaced by Virk after WrestleMania 37, but Smith, who formally joined WWE's broadcasting team in April, has been putting in the work to prepare for future assignments himself. He, too, seems to be in consideration.

The report notes that if WWE has already made a decision on the matter, it is keeping the details guarded.

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Virk was let go in what WWE described as a "mutually agreed parting of ways" on Tuesday. He had formed the Raw announce team with Corey Graves and Byron Saxton since the red brand's 12 April episode.

Prior to Virk's appointment, Phillips had served as Raw's play-by-play guy since January 2020. Smith, meanwhile, has experience as a host and commentator going back to October 2008, when he worked his first MMA show as a broadcaster. The 43-year-old had a year-long stint with the UFC between 2018 and 2019.

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Channel Manager
Channel Manager

Andy has been with WhatCulture for eight years and is currently WhatCulture's Wrestling Channel Manager. A writer, presenter, and editor with 10+ years of experience in online media, he has been a sponge for all wrestling knowledge since playing an old Royal Rumble 1992 VHS to ruin in his childhood. Having previously worked for Bleacher Report, Andy specialises in short and long-form writing, video presenting, voiceover acting, and editing, all characterised by expert wrestling knowledge and commentary. Andy is as much a fan of 1985 Jim Crockett Promotions as he is present-day AEW and WWE - just don't make him choose between the two.