The WWE SmackDown announce team is currently a two-man booth made up of Joe Tessitore on play-by-play and Wade Barrett providing color commentary.
Tessitore, who joined the company in July 2024, has already established himself as one of the best play-by-play voices WWE has had in years.
Of course, WWE likes to periodically rotate its announce teams, so it seems inevitable that SmackDown’s booth will be shaken up sooner or later.
But who could be next to join the blue brand’s desk? Here are five potential options.
5. Chris Jericho
One of the biggest wrestling stories this week has been the news that WWE is reportedly interested in signing Chris Jericho when his AEW contract expires at the end of the year – speculation Jericho himself fuelled by liking an Instagram post about the possibility.
If he does head back to his old stomping grounds, it will almost certainly be as an active wrestler, but it’s not out of the question that he could also moonlight as an announcer.
Jericho has prior experience in that role, having worked weekly as a colour commentator on AEW’s now-defunct Friday show Rampage throughout its three-and-a-half-year run, where he brought his trademark wit and sharp understanding of in-ring action.
A full-time spot on SmackDown’s commentary team while he’s still competing seems unlikely, but the idea of Jericho eventually taking a seat behind the desk is not out of the question.
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4. Jim Ross
Jim Ross has to be in the conversation for the best lead announcer of all time – for many wrestling fans who grew up in the 1990s, during the Attitude Era, he was the voice of pro wrestling.
The 73-year-old has been with AEW since its inception in 2019, but his contract is reportedly coming up soon.
Could the WWE Hall of Famer return to the company with which he is most closely associated?
JR has suffered a spate of health issues in recent years, so a full-time return to the SmackDown booth seems unlikely – but that doesn’t preclude a return to the company in some form.
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3. Matthew Rehwoldt
TNA wrestling’s commentary team is currently made up of play-by-play announcer Tom Hannifan and color commentator Matt Rehwoldt.
Both men are former WWE talent under different names, with Hannifan as Tom Phillips and Rehwoldt best remembered as Aiden English – first as part of the NXT tag team The Vaudevillains, and later for his role in the massively over “Rusev Day” act, where he would sing Rusev to the ring.
Since stepping back from the ring full-time, Rehwoldt has become an effective colour commentator, working for both New Japan Pro-Wrestling and TNA.
With WWE and TNA’s ongoing partnership, perhaps the 37-year-old could find himself back in the company – this time behind the SmackDown commentary desk.
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2. JBL
WWE Hall of Famer JBL recently joined the announce booth as a color commentator for AAA TripleManía on August 16, working alongside Corey Graves and Konnan.
With WWE now owning the Mexican promotion, his presence brought an experienced hand already well-versed in the WWE house style, having been part of both Raw and SmackDown commentary teams in the 2000s and 2010s.
The 58-year-old is clearly back on WWE’s radar and eager to be involved in pro wrestling again, as seen over the past year with appearances in TNA, MLW, and AAA – before the latter was purchased.
It is certainly not out of the question that he could he soon return to the SmackDown commentary booth.
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1. Veda Scott
WWE has undoubtedly made progress in its presentation of female stars – the change may have been regrettably slow, but today women are positioned as serious athletes in the company.
That said, representation is still far from complete, and one glaring example came at the all-women’s PLE Evolution, which featured an all-male commentary team of Michael Cole and Wade Barrett.
The lack of a female voice at the desk remains a striking omission, and someone like Veda Scott could be the one to change that – the 41-year-old former wrestler has commentated for top US independents, Tokyo Joshi Pro Wrestling, New Japan’s US shows, and even some work for AEW.
Having a female announcer on SmackDown would be a genuine evolution.
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