WWE Announce UK Tournament Ring Announcer & Hire New Commentator
Two new faces join WWE's broadcast team.
WWE's United Kingdom Championship Tournament takes place at Blackpool's historic Empress Ballroom this Saturday and Sunday. Featuring some of British wrestling's brightest prospects in Pete Dunne, Tyler Bate, and more, it will be broadcast live on the WWE Network from 3pm EST/8pm GMT, and represents the next step in WWE's ongoing diversification.
We already knew that former Ring Of Honor Champion Nigel McGuinness would join Michael Cole in the commentary booth, but WWE have now announced British TV personality Andy Shepherd as the ring announcer:-
Best known for his work with Channel 5, Spike TV, and Dave, Shepherd got his start on Blue Peter, and has worked on several combat sports broadcasts including BAMMA mixed martial arts, and numerous David Haye boxing matches.
In addition, WWE have added another commentator to their talent pool this week. According to PWInsider, announcer Vic Travagliante has joined the company, and will use the name Vic Joseph. In this week's Wrestling Observer Newsletter, Dave Meltzer adds that WWE had been in talks with the former House of Hardcore announcer for months, and had initially looked at bringing him in at the time of the Brand Split.
Meltzer adds that Joseph is expected to join NXT's already crowded three-man booth of Tom Phillips, Corey Graves, and Percy Watson.