As WWE gears up for some big network moves, the excitement is building – and not just for the superstars in the ring. Monday night’s episode of Raw delivered a major announcement that put an end to weeks of speculation about who will be behind the commentary desk when SmackDown makes its shift from FOX to USA on September 13.
The dynamic duo of Michael Cole and Corey Graves is back! That’s right, folks – on Raw, Michael Cole, who’s been the voice of WWE for what feels like forever (in a good way), confirmed that he and Graves will be the official commentary team for SmackDown once it lands on USA. Cole will take the lead as play-by-play commentator, with Graves, who’s been bringing his sharp wit and even sharper suits to SmackDown, sticking around as the color commentator. It’s a reunion of epic proportions, folks, and SmackDown on USA is about to get a whole lot more entertaining.
Now, in case you missed it, Pat McAfee wrapped up his time with SmackDown last week as he shifts gears to focus on ESPN’s “College GameDay.” But don’t worry, McAfee fans – it sounds like he’s not gone for good. Word is he’ll be back on Raw once it makes the leap to Netflix in January 2025. And speaking of Raw, there’s another shake-up on the way: ESPN broadcaster Joe Tessitore is expected to join the commentary team soon, bringing his iconic voice to the WWE Universe.
Tessitore, known for his work on college football, will continue his duties with ESPN and ABC, but come September 2, he’s expected to step into the squared circle of WWE commentary. It’s all part of WWE’s strategy to bring even more star power to its shows as they prepare for these big moves.
So, mark your calendars and get ready – SmackDown on USA is just around the corner, and with Cole and Graves at the helm, you know it’s going to be must-see TV!