WWE has been going through changes for months now, and it seems that new commentary teams will be introduced over the next week. The company announced today that Michael Cole will be joined by Wade Barrett on Friday Night SmackDown. It was also announced that Corey Graves and Kevin Patrick will call the action for Raw while Vic Joseph and Booker T will be the commentary team for NXT.
It was also confirmed that Pat McAfee will return to the announce table once he’s fulfilled his commitments with ESPN’s College GameDay. Sean Ross Sapp of Fightful is reporting that Jimmy Smith is done with the company.
WWE posted the following announcement:
“Today WWE announced that Raw, SmackDown, NXT and Premium Live Events will all have updated announce booths starting with this week’s season premieres. The news was first reported by Variety on Thursday afternoon.
On Friday Night SmackDown, the commentary table will be headed by Michael Cole with Wade Barrett doing color commentary. Samantha Irvin will be the ring announcer, and interviews will be conducted by Kayla Braxton and Megan Morant.
On Monday Night Raw, Corey Graves will still be providing his colorful insights and will be joined by Kevin Patrick on play-by-play. Mike Rome will continue to announce from the ring, and Byron Saxton will transition from the commentary booth to backstage interviews. Also joining Saxton in backstage interviews is none other than Cathy Kelley in her return to WWE.
Over on NXT, Vic Joseph will be assisted by six-time World Champion and WWE Hall of Famer Booker T. Alicia Taylor will still provide her exceptional voice to ring announcing, and McKenzie Mitchell will once again be conducting interviews.
On the Premium Live Event side, Michael Cole and Corey Graves will come together again to announce from the booth.
Pat McAfee will return to the WWE announce booth following his commitments to ESPN’s College GameDay.”
