FOX
WWE is shaking up the announce teams for its two main roster shows, and post-SummerSlam we’ll be hearing more of the company’s current “Voice”.
Variety got the scoop today (Aug. 5), hours ahead of the Biggest Party of the Summer tonight in Detroit.
Michael Cole & Wade Barrett, who have been calling the action Friday nights on SmackDown, are moving to Monday nights and will take over Raw from Corey Graves & Kevin Patrick. That duo will still be working ever week, but on FOX where they’ll form a three-man booth with Cole, now pulling double-duty on both programs.
As an “individual with knowledge of the situation” told Variety one reason for the change is because the company is high on Patrick and thinks he’ll benefit from working with Cole every week.
While Cole is no stranger to Monday nights, having worked on Raw extensively — along with pretty much every show in the WWE line-up in his 25+ years with the company — this will be new for his broadcast partner. Barrett was just moved to SmackDown last fall after less than two years as NXT’s color commentator.
The moves go into effect with next week’s shows.
Earlier in the week, Kayla Braxton announced she was stepping down as host of the weekly show “The Bump,” replaced by Megan Morant. Braxton specified she was not leaving the company (or completely leaving that web/streaming talk show), just taking on different projects. Earlier this summer, WWE shook up their interviewer roles, moving Cathy Kelley to SmackDown with Braxton while Jackie Redmond joined Byron Saxton in that role on Raw.
Thoughts?
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Big changes are coming to the announce teams of WWE’s main roster shows, as reported by Variety. Starting next week, Michael Cole and Wade Barrett will be moving from SmackDown to Raw, taking over the commentary duties from Corey Graves and Kevin Patrick. This move will see Cole pulling double-duty, as he will now be working on both Monday and Friday nights.
The decision to switch up the announce teams comes as WWE looks to provide a fresh dynamic to its broadcasts. According to Variety’s sources, one of the reasons for the change is to give Kevin Patrick more exposure and the opportunity to learn from veteran commentator Michael Cole. WWE is said to be high on Patrick and believes that working with Cole every week will be beneficial for his development as an announcer.
This move will also be a new experience for Wade Barrett, who only joined the SmackDown commentary team last fall. After spending less than two years as NXT’s color commentator, Barrett made the transition to the blue brand. Now, he will be making another move to Monday nights to join Cole on Raw