Changes Are Made To Announce Teams For Raw, SmackDown, NXT; Cathy Kelley Returns, Jimmy Smith Exits
With a new season of all three WWE programs about to kick off on Friday, October 7, WWE has announced changes to the broadcast teams across the board. With these changes, some faces return, some depart, and some get relocated.
As first reported by Variety, SmackDown will now feature the commentary team of Wade Barrett and Michael Cole. Wade Barrett’s appearance on the October 7 SmackDown was first reported by Mike Johnson of PWInsider. Corey Graves had briefly been filling in for Pat McAfee, who announced his temporary departure from WWE to pursue a new opportunity with College GameDay. Pat McAfee will return to WWE once he finishes his commitments.
On SmackDown, Kayla Braxton and Megan Morant will continue their roles as backstage interviewers. Samantha Irvin will continue her role as the ring announcer.
Monday Night Raw will now feature the commentary team of Kevin Patrick and Corey Graves with Byron Saxton and the returning Cathy Kelley acting as on-screen interviewers. Cathy was previously an NXT backstage interviewer before leaving to pursue other endeavors in 2020.
My heart is racing. Truly honored and so excited.#WWERaw season premiere is this Monday from Brooklyn, NY. Let’s get to work, @WWEGraves. Cheers —- https://t.co/XtWodHiTHS
— Kevin Patrick Egan (@kev_egan) October 6, 2022
hey guys cathy kelley here https://t.co/dvQQqRrdvf
— Cathy Kelley (@catherinekelley) October 6, 2022
Mike Rome will be continuing in his role as the Monday Night Raw ring announcer. Jimmy Smith, the man who has been in the lead Raw play-by-play role since the quick departure of Adnan Virk, is no longer listed as a WWE announcer. Smith commented on his exit on Twitter.
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
Over on NXT, Vic Joseph will now be joined by WWE Hall of Famer Booker T. McKenzie Mitchell will continue on as the backstage interviewer and Alicia Taylor will still be the ring announcer moving forward.
For Premium Live Events, Michael Cole and Corey Graves will call all of the action.
These shake-ups will begin starting Friday, October 7, 2022, as WWE begins season premieres of SmackDown, Raw, and NXT.
