Michael Cole and Corey Graves Officially Take Over WWE SmackDown Commentary – This week’s episode of WWE SmackDown opened with Michael Cole and Corey Graves at the commentary desk, confirming that they will be the official announce team for the blue brand in the coming months. Cole explained that Joe Tessitore will be stepping away from his SmackDown role as he shifts his focus to covering college football season.
This marks another shift in WWE’s commentary lineups, which have seen several changes over the past year. When Tessitore joined WWE, he was paired with Wade Barrett on SmackDown, while Cole worked alongside Pat McAfee on RAW. Earlier this summer, McAfee announced he would be taking a break from commentary duties, leading to Graves being brought back to the main roster as a temporary replacement.
Graves had originally been reassigned to NXT commentary following Tessitore’s arrival in 2023, a move he admitted he was frustrated with at the time. He even voiced his displeasure publicly before eventually returning to the NXT booth. Now, he finds himself back on SmackDown alongside Cole in what appears to be a long-term setup.
Wade Barrett, meanwhile, has been used in a more flexible capacity. He worked with Cole at the Clash in Paris premium live event, as well as this past Monday’s RAW from Lyon, France. His role going forward has yet to be clarified, though his presence on recent international broadcasts suggests WWE intends to keep him in the mix.
With football season underway and Tessitore out, the Cole-Graves pairing marks a return to a familiar commentary duo for fans who remember their previous run together on the main roster. WWE commentary remains in flux, but for now, SmackDown viewers can expect consistency in the voices calling the action.
Michael Cole and Corey Graves Officially Take Over WWE SmackDown Commentary
