WWE fans were in for a shock while watching Monday Night RAW this week when they found out that Pat McAfee was the commentator alongside Michael Cole. The podcaster McAfee returned to the WWE commentary team at Royal Rumble and his presence on RAW confirms that he will be working with WWE going forward. But what happened to RAW’s former commentary team?
Wade Barrett to SmackDown & Corey Graves moved to a different role
PWInsider reported an update on SmackDown commentators that the duo of Corey Graves and Wade Barrett would soon break up as Graves is being pushed to a different role. The report stated, “The plan for #SmackDown going forward is for Wade Barrett & Corey Graves to be the new broadcast team. Graves would slide into the lead announce position while Barrett would remain in his color commentary role.”
The plan for #SmackDown going forward is for Wade Barrett & Corey Graves to be the new broadcast team.
Graves would slide into the lead announce position while Barrett would remain in his color commentary role.
— PWInsider pic.twitter.com/IihPbZQBGA
— Wrestle Ops (@WrestleOps) January 30, 2024
The new role can be considered as a new challenge for Graves, a former wrestler, as he has pretty much always been a heel color commentator. However, with Barrett by his side he will have to play the babyface play-by-play announcer something he’s largely unfamiliar with. Former WWE play-by-play announcers Adnan Virk, Jimmy Smith and Kevin Patrick (who was recently released) would be replaced by Graves. Earlier Michael Cole has also played the same role while doing commentary on both brands.
