New Raw & SmackDown Commentary Teams Starting Next Week

WWE's main roster will soon be sounding much different after a shake-up of the commentary teams. 

Variety reports that the changes will come into effect from next week, starting with the August 7, 2023, episode of Monday Night Raw. These changes come less than a year after WWE made significant changes to its commentary teams across Raw, SmackDown, and WWE NXT in October 2022. 

Changes to Raw

Wade Barrett and Michael Cole will both move to Raw as part of the change, marking Barrett's first time as a full-time commentator for the red brand. The Nexus alum, former Intercontinental Champion and 2015 King of the Ring has previously commentated on SmackDown and in WWE NXT but has admitted to having an 'itch' to get back in the ring. 

The move will mark Cole's return to Raw after spending years as the red brand's play-by-play commentator. Cole made his commentary debut on Raw in December of 1997 and had a lengthy tenure after being moved to the brand during the 2008 WWE Draft. 

Changes to SmackDown 

For SmackDown, Michael Cole will remain on the blue brand as the show's play-by-play. The WWE veteran who has missed only two shows in his 25+ year career will be joined by Kevin Patrick and Corey Graves, both of whom are moving from Raw. An individual close to the situation told Variety that WWE is high on Kevin Patrick's work and believes that pairing the Irish announcer with Cole will only benefit his growth as a broadcaster. 

Graves, a commentary veteran since his in-ring career, has never shied on making his opinion known, often resulting in talent taking issue with his comments. Graves was cleared to wrestle in early 2022 but has yet to return to the ring. Patrick has never called action on SmackDown while Graves has been gone from the Blue brand since September of last year. 

Earlier this year, Michael Cole shared when he plans on 'slowing down' from commentating. Click here to find out more.