WWE makes changes to commentary team

[Chris]

WWE is once again making changes to its on-air commentary teams, Variety has learned exclusively.

Beginning Aug. 7, Michael Cole and Wade Barrett will serve as the commentators for “Monday Night Raw” on USA Network. This marks a return to “Raw” for Cole, who first appeared on the show in 1997 and has served as one of the key members of the broadcast desk for various stretches of time ever since.

It will be Barrett’s first time doing commentary for “Raw.” In addition to his in-ring career, Barrett was previously a commentator for WWE’s NXT before moving to “Friday Night SmackDown” on Fox in late 2022.

Cole will also remain on the commentary team for “SmackDown,” where he will be joined by Kevin Patrick and Corey Graves beginning Aug. 11.

Patrick and Graves are moving from “Raw” to “SmackDown.” 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. Cole has been with WWE for more than 25 years. Per WWE, he has only missed two shows in that time.

The news comes just hours ahead of WWE’s annual SummerSlam pay-per-view, which will broadcast live from Ford Field in Detroit, MI, beginning at 8 p.m. ET/5 p.m. PT. Undisputed WWE Universal Champion Roman Reigns will face off against Jey Uso in the main event. Elsewhere on the card, Asuka, Charlotte Flair, and Bianca Belair will battle for the WWE women’s title, while Cody Rhodes will face off against Brock Lesnar.

WWE Commentary Shakeup: Michael Cole, Wade Barrett Move to ‘Raw,’ Cole to Also Remain on ‘SmackDown’ (EXCLUSIVE)

WWE is once again making changes to its on-air commentary teams, Variety has learned exclusively.

variety.com

 

[Hidden Blaze]

Damn. You just beat me to it lol

 

[Storm Trooper]

Damn Chris I just copy and pasted the article link.


I like this I think. Cole/Barrett on RAW will help make that show better, and Cole can work closely with KP to help him improve.

I wonder if this could have anything to also do with Kevin Patrick's MLS schedule.

 

[Jimmy King]

Two show Cole. Him and Wade have been great together so I’m glad they’re sticking as a team with a move to Raw. Also smart to have KP work directly with Cole on the shorter weekly show.

 

[Butters]

seems like they could have just had Cole work Raw as well instead of swap everything but I'm sure they have their reasons

 

[Dale]

Can't fault the idea behind this, gives KP a good opportunity to learn from Cole in person.

 

[Cwalker]

Two show Cole

Return of a 3 man booth

No buys

 

[Storm Trooper]

Most underrated part of this move? Wade Barrett on RAW means we get Barrett calling his favorite move again.

 

[Chris]

Yeah Cole and Barrett doing the longer show is the best move, no more 3 hour Corey

 

[Kross Rhodes]

Seems like an unnecessary swapping of the teams like when they did that during the draft one year and having Cole on both shows again?

 

[Storm Trooper]

Yeah Cole and Barrett doing the longer show is the best move, no more 3 hour Corey

I'm also hoping this results in Wade Barrett doing PLEs too.

 

[Chris]

I don't care for Cole on both shows I think just one hour less of Corey and Kevin would have been fine but it's whatever

 

[Jimmy King]

KP gets a chance to work with Cole and improve, I’d say it’s ideal in regards to that.

 

[Deezy]

Giving Smackdown a 3 man team with Corey so he can't call the action and argue with the other guy

 

[Dale]

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