Jimmy Smith Joining WWE Raw Announce Team From Next Week

Former Bellator and UFC announcer steps into the space left by Adnan Virk on WWE Raw.

by Andy H Murray
Jimmy Smith
UFC

Former UFC and Bellator MMA announcer and host Jimmy Smith will join the WWE Raw commentary team from Monday 31 May, reports the Wrestling Observer's Dave Meltzer.

This comes following Adnan Virk's departure from the company less than two months after joining the announce team. Virk left the promotion in what was described as a "mutually agreed parting of ways" earlier this week, having served on Raw from its 12 April episode onwards.

Smith will join existing Raw announcers Corey Graves and Byron Saxton in the booth.

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Per the report, the 43-year-old has been working alongside lead announcer Michael Cole and other WWE personnel to get ready for future broadcasting roles, with sources indicating that Smith has received considerable praise from Cole.

Smith will become Raw's lead play-by-play guy, despite serving primarily as an analyst in his roles with Bellator and the UFC. In response to the news going public, Smith tweeted:-

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"Hey guys, well it’s been a busy day. Apparently @WWE liked my work so far. I know I’m stepping into a new world (I WAS a Mr. Perfect and Bruiser Brody fanatic however) but know I’ll do everything I can to honor the athletes and fans. Watch Monday and judge my work for yourself."

Jimmy has already appeared on WWE television, featuring as a talking head in the Prime Target segment hyping this week's Karrion Kross vs. Finn Balor NXT Title match.

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.