For generations of fans, Michael Cole has been the voice of WWE.
Since joining the Monday Night Raw commentary team in 1997, he has moved between WWE’s flagship show and SmackDown, called some of the biggest WrestleMania matches of all time, and even had an infamous feud with Jerry “The King” Lawler.
Seemingly a permanent fixture in our lives and on our screens, his time at the commentary desk won’t, however, last forever.
Could one of these six names be the person to finally replace him?
6. Corey Graves
Transitioning from wrestler to commentator in NXT, Corey Graves has worked across all major brands, initially as a color commentator before moving into a play-by-play role.
For a time, it seemed he was being positioned as Michael Cole’s natural successor.
However, that trajectory appeared to shift at the start of 2025, when Graves was moved from SmackDown back to NXT – a change he publicly expressed dissatisfaction for in a series of controversial tweets.
Still, the move may prove to be a short-lived setback, with Graves potentially remaining in the frame as Cole’s eventual replacement.
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5. Ian Riccaboni
As the long-time voice of Ring of Honor, Ian Riccaboni has established himself as one of wrestling’s most respected play-by-play commentators.
The 38-year-old regularly appears on AEW programming, lending his voice to Dynamite, Collision, and pay-per-views.
Riccaboni is a flawless professional with an incredible depth of knowledge and a clear love for pro wrestling, particularly adept at breaking down and unpacking the intricacies of in-ring action.
There’s little doubt he could make a seamless transition to WWE – and prove a strong, long-term successor to Michael Cole.
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4. Mauro Ranallo
In its black-and-gold era, NXT’s TakeOver shows were widely celebrated – between 2014 and 2021, WWE’s developmental brand consistently delivered events that often outshone their main roster counterparts.
One of the most memorable aspects of the TakeOver era was commentator Mauro Ranallo, whose energy, deep knowledge, and genuine excitement elevated every match.
After leaving WWE in 2020, Ranallo has remained active in professional wrestling, currently commentating for Scott D’Amore’s resurrected Canadian territorial promotion, Maple Leaf Pro Wrestling.
The return of Ranallo’s inimitable voice could once again light up WWE’s commentary booth.
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3. Cathy Kelley
WWE has made significant progress in recent years in presenting its female stars as equals to their male counterparts – but one area where this progress still lags is the commentary booth.
During her time in WWE, AEW’s Renee Paquette became the first woman to call an episode of Raw, though her run behind the desk was brief.
Cathy Kelley has recently proven herself a charismatic on-screen presence in her role as a backstage interviewer.
As a future replacement for Michael Cole, she could represent a bold and long-overdue step forward.
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2. Walker Stewart
Walker Stewart became New Japan Pro-Wrestling’s full-time English play-by-play commentator in 2023 at just 21 years old.
His age was initially questioned, but he quickly proved himself intimately knowledgeable about the product.
With an incredible talent for telling in-ring stories to the audience, he has already established himself as one of pro wrestling’s best commentators.
Stewart is a choice for the future – and could very well be the long-term successor to Michael Cole.
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1. Joe Tessitore
On the April 21 edition of Raw, after Pat McAfee was attacked and choked by Gunther, Michael Cole left the commentary desk to check on his broadcast partner.
In the aftermath, he was replaced by Joe Tessitore.
A veteran boxing commentator from ESPN, Tessitore joined WWE last year and has quickly proven himself to be an outstanding play-by-play announcer, seamlessly adapting to the unique rhythm and energy of pro-wrestling.
Currently plying his trade on SmackDown, he feels like the natural choice to make a full-time move to Raw – and, in time, become the recognised voice of WWE.
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