WWE commentary shakeup reportedly happening in 2026
WWE is set to implement significant changes to its broadcast teams as the calendar turns to 2026. A new report indicates that the commentary lineups for both "Monday Night Raw" and "Friday Night SmackDown" will be shuffled starting with the first episodes of the new year.
WWE Shakeup
According to PWInsiderElite.com, the company has finalized its plans to refresh the presentation of its flagship shows. The move involves swapping the lead announce teams, a strategy WWE has employed in the past to signal a new "season" or era of programming.
On the red brand, the duo of Michael Cole and Corey Graves will take over commentary duties starting with the January 5 episode of "Raw." This broadcast will emanate from the Barclays Center in Brooklyn, New York, and holds special significance as the "Netflix Raw anniversary show." The episode marks exactly one year since "Raw" made its historic transition from linear television to the streaming giant, a move that fundamentally changed the business landscape of professional wrestling.
Cole and Graves have spent the majority of the last few years anchoring "SmackDown" and WWE’s Premium Live Events. Their partnership is widely regarded as the gold standard in modern WWE broadcasting, characterized by their chemistry and ability to narrate complex storylines.
Moving them to Mondays signals WWE's intent to stack the deck for the Netflix anniversary and the subsequent "Road to WrestleMania." Cole, often considered the "Voice of WWE," brings a level of gravitas that fits the magnitude of the streaming era's first milestone anniversary.
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Meanwhile, Friday nights will see a new voice taking the lead. Joe Tessitore will join forces with Wade Barrett to call the action on "SmackDown." Their tenure begins with the January 2 episode, which also heralds the show's return to a three-hour runtime.
Tessitore, a veteran sports broadcaster known for his work with ESPN and "Monday Night Football," joined WWE to bring a legitimate sports feel to the product. Pairing him with Barrett, a former Intercontinental Champion and seasoned color commentator, offers a fresh dynamic for the blue brand as it expands its weekly format.
The decision to return "SmackDown" to three hours aligns with previous reports about WWE maximizing its television real estate. With the extra hour, the new team of Tessitore and Barrett will have more airtime to establish their rhythm and cover a wider array of talent.
These changes arrive at a critical juncture for WWE. The first week of January traditionally kicks off the build to the "Royal Rumble," setting the stage for the company's biggest storylines of the year. By solidifying the announce teams now, WWE ensures stability and familiarity as fans tune in for the start of the 2026 season.
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