Renee Young Discusses Becoming A Full-Time Commentator, And Shares The Advice She’s Received From JBL And Booker T

Renee is here to stay.

It was announced by WWE this past Monday before RAW went live on the USA Network that backstage host, kickoff show host, correspondent and interviewer Renee Young would be moving her talents to behind the commentary desk as she would be embarking on the journey to becoming the first woman to be a full-time commentator in the WWE. 

Renee Young filled the role of RAW commentator a few weeks back as Jonathan Coachman was on assignment. Coach has now been moved to Renee’s former position of hosting the WWE PPV Kickoff shows. This Sunday Renee will call her first WWE PPV as a member of the RAW announce team and she spoke with ‘Newsweek’ to discuss her history-making 2018. Renee was asked for her thoughts about being on the call for ‘Hell In A Cell’ and how she’s preparing for it.

“I talked to Michael Cole a little bit about it last week. I’m still figuring out how I prepared to do commentary, which is different than how I would prepare for a Kickoff panel which I have down to a science.” She said. “With commentary it’s so different because you want to be prepared with information on the guys and girls and some of the stories I want to tell. But I also want to react to what I’m seeing. I haven’t got my preparing down to an art just yet. I talked to Cole about it and he told me to go back, watch some old Hell in a Cells. Just watching any PPV to hear how the commentary is different, how your remarks are going to be different. Another person who has been great is [Vic] Joseph. He’s a total wrestling nerd and a commentary nerd so he actually has great points like, ‘during entrances you want to have this and this put together. For pay-per-views you get to tell this story.’ He’s been really great with that.” Renee said.

Renee has received tons of praise on social media from her colleagues and from fans of wrestling in general. Renee shared that she cannot believe the amount of support she’s received over the past few days and she even shared some of the advice that she’s gotten from those who have been in her position such as John Bradshaw Layfield and WWE Hall Of Famer Booker T.

“I can’t believe how cool and supportive they’ve been – from my family, my peers and the WWE Universe. Everyone’s been really great. Of course, there are going to be people who are going to have different opinions to that and I’m hoping over time I can prove them wrong.” Renee stated. “Hearing from JBL, he gave me some great advice – to stay off social media, do my own thing, listen to Cole, listen to Vince, Kevin Dunn. Hearing from him, getting notes from Dino Curlander or Booker T. It’s so funny to me that these guys I grew up watching are giving me nuggets and advice. It blows my mind.”

Renee also went over the possibility of being on the call for WWE’s ‘Evolution’ PPV on October 28th, how her chemistry with Michael Cole and Corey Graves came about and more. To read the full interview, click here.