WWE makes changes to commentary teams for Raw and SmackDown
WWE is making changes to its broadcast teams for Raw and SmackDown.
It was announced via Variety today that, going forward, Michael Cole will now call both Raw and SmackDown. On Raw, he’ll be joined by Wade Barrett. On SmackDown, there will be a three-man commentary team of Cole, Corey Graves. and Kevin Patrick.
Patrick and Graves were previously the Raw commentary team. Cole and Barrett were the SmackDown team.
The new commentary teams will go into effect starting with Raw this coming Monday (August 7) and SmackDown next Friday (August 11). They’re the first episodes of Raw and SmackDown after SummerSlam.
Variety reported that WWE believes putting Cole with Patrick will help Patrick grow as a broadcaster.
“According to an individual with knowledge of the situation, WWE remains high on Patrick and think that pairing him with Cole will only benefit his growth as a broadcaster,” Variety wrote. “Cole has been with WWE for more than 25 years. Per WWE, he has only missed two shows in that time.”
Joseph Currier is the lead editor of F4WOnline.com, directing daily news coverage and writing articles on professional wrestling. He is a graduate of the University of Massachusetts, obtaining a journalism degree in 2016. Joseph joined F4W during his time at UMass and has now been writing about the industry for nearly a decade.
In addition to his work with F4W, Joseph has previously contributed to Sports Illustrated's wrestling coverage. He lives in Massachusetts and is a diehard fan of the Boston sports teams and Liverpool Football Club.