By Jason Powell, ProWrestling.net Editor (@prowrestlingnet)
WWE has overhauled its broadcast teams. Variety.com reports that the new Smackdown team is Michael Cole and Wade Barrett with Samantha Irvin as the ring announcer, and Kayla Braxton and Megan Morant will conduct backstage interviews.
The new Raw broadcast team is Kevin Patrick and Corey Graves. Mike Rome will be the ring announcer, and Cathy Kelley and Byron Saxton will handle backstage interviews.
The NXT team will be Vic Joseph and Booker T. Alicia Taylor will continue to be the ring announcer, and McKenzie Mitchell will conduct backstage interviews.
Cole and Graves are listed as the broadcast team for the company’s premium live events. Read more at Variety.com.
Powell’s POV: Jimmy Smith is exiting the company and acknowledged his departure via Twitter (see below). Kelley worked for WWE from 2016 to 2020. Only time will tell what will happen one Pat McAfee returns later this year once his college football pre-game show responsibilities conclude for the season. I will actually miss Saxton on Raw, as it was fun when his character suddenly started to defend himself once Vince McMahon lost power. I’m disappointed that the talented Kelly Kincaid, who worked as Quinn McKay in ROH, was not moved up from her current role on NXT Level Up.
Just wanted to say, now that the story is officially out, that my time with the WWE is officially done. Had a lot of fun and met some great people. Really and truly blown away by the acceptance from the WWE fans! You folks make it work every week and your enthusiasm was amazing!
— Jimmy Smith (@jimmysmithmma) October 6, 2022
Never cared for Smith. He always seemed a little underwhelming. Not sure Patrick is the answer tho
I think a good wrestling announcer ultimately needs to be an actual fan (like mcafee) because they seem more invested in the role
Booker T is back to weekly commentary ?
That Raw team is questionable to me.
Glad to see Cathy Kelley back like those good ole NXT TakeOver Days, as it truly marks the regime change with Triple H on the helm. You could see the bond she felt with the NXT crew and Triple H after she would interview him for the post-show for every TakeOver. I wonder what happened to Nigel McGuinness, I guess he will continue to call NXT Level Up.
Happy for Wade. Well deserved.
Booker on commentary again? Oh, shucky ducky.