WWE to change Raw announce team is a rumor that’s been around for a few months, but it’s gaining credibility thanks to the Wrestling Observer Newsletter. According to reports, the new team could be starting as early as Dec 30, 2019 (this Monday).
Commentary shakeups aren’t anything new, especially when trying to find the right chemistry between the announcers as well as their ability to maintain control over events in the ring. While that’s got to be harder with the announcing tables usually by the entrance, it’s probably still a practice.
Given the fact they oversee the referees and wrestlers in the ring, having the right team in place is important.
Who’s leaving
The first name is obviously Samoa Joe, as it’s been reported that him going through the table was WWE’s way of writing him off the desk, where fans love him, and back to the ring, where fans also love him, for a big main event push.
This is only natural as Samoa Joe still has many years left in the ring, and it’s unlikely he’s interested in hanging up his wrestling boots yet. Still, this creates a void that was going to be filled at some point anyway.
The other isn’t as set in stone, but is most likely Jerry “The King” Lawler. Lawler signed a three year contract in September, so it’s unlikely he’ll be let go and be able to head to AEW to join Jim Ross and company (Which would be a dream come true for many of us. It’d be awesome to have the King and JR together again). Despite his skill, Lawler was never meant to be more than a temporary fix while Vic Joseph and Dio Maddin settled into the position. With Maddin long gone to the WWE performance center after Brock Lesnar put him through the announcer’s table, it leaves a possible double opening on either side of Vic Joseph.
Who could be the new team?
Well, this is up in the air as some fans want CM Punk to take the spot (Sorry, it’s doubtful he’ll return to work for Vince McMahon yet) and Edge. There was a rumor last week that Edge had signed a new contract with the WWE, which led to rumors of him returning at the Royal Rumble. He quickly squashed those rumors, but could he return for an announcing job?
He has the charisma and knowledge to make it entertaining, and gives the us a relatively recent champion at the desk.
Other names popping up are Tom Phillips and Booker T.
Out of those, my preferred choice would be Booker T.
He’s shown great chemistry on WWE Backstage with Christian, and it’d be fun to have him sitting opposite one of his late-career rivals.
Whoever it is, here’s to hoping they can catch lightning in a bottle. Raw can’t afford a misstep like mucking up the commentary team.
