WWE makes changes to commentary teams for Raw and SmackDown

WWE is making changes to its broadcast teams for Raw and SmackDown.

It was reported via Variety today that, going forward, Michael Cole will now call both Raw and SmackDown. On Raw, he'll be joined by Wade Barrett. On SmackDown, there will be a three-man commentary team of Cole, Corey Graves. and Kevin Patrick.

Patrick and Graves were previously the Raw commentary team. Cole and Barrett were the SmackDown team.

The new commentary teams will go into effect starting with Raw this coming Monday (August 7) and SmackDown next Friday (August 11). They're the first episodes of Raw and SmackDown after SummerSlam.

Variety reported that WWE believes putting Cole with Patrick will help Patrick grow as a broadcaster.

"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," Variety wrote. "Cole has been with WWE for more than 25 years. Per WWE, he has only missed two shows in that time."