After just over a year at WWE’s commentary booth – initially on Raw and then SmackDown – Kevin Patrick has reportedly been removed from his duties.
After taking the lead role on WWE Raw from October 2022 up until August 2023 alongside Corey Graves, the duo were later moved over to Friday nights with Michael Cole coming in as an experienced head to seemingly help Patrick out in the role.
However, not long after WWE made the decision to shift to two person commentary teams on all brands, it seems as if they’ve pulled the plug on the hope that Patrick can carry the blue brand into 2024.
So, before we find out exactly who will be leading SmackDown’s commentary booth going forward, we believe it’s only right to identify the seven candidates for the job.
Just a PSA before diving in; there are plenty excellent candidates that are currently employed by other companies such as in TNA and obviously a slew of great announcers in AEW that are off limits so this will focus more on realistic gets for the company.
7. Jimmy Smith
Following the legendary footsteps of Adnan Virk was no easy feat back in May 2021, however, former MMA commentator Jimmy Smith managed to do so with flying colors in my humble opinion.
Of course I’m being sarcastic about Virk, who was not a fit whatsoever in pro wrestling; so Smith didn’t exactly have massive shoes to fill, yet he did do so and actually grew into the role quite well as his time at the Raw booth went on.
Smith’s experience in MMA gave him at least some experience that could transition to WWE and to be fair to the 46-year-old he did treat the product seriously and added a sense of realism to it (as best as possible anyway).
That’s why I do believe he was somewhat hard done by when he was unceremoniously replaced by Patrick on commentary for Raw, sure he certainly wasn’t a Jim Ross but he certainly wasn’t THAT bad.
WWE President Nick Khan reportedly has a preference for commentators from a legit sports background, which likely led to Smith’s appointment in the first place and may influence who may take up the role next.
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6. Daniel Cormier
Sticking with MMA, one man that I would love to see brought back in to WWE following the TKO merger is Daniel Cormier.
DC is not only a massive wrestling fan with clear passion, knowledge and respect for the business but he’s also a recognisable name who would draw signifiant eyes from the UFC.
Not only that but DC has a fair amount of experience now doing UFC color commentary. Now I know, this is very different from being a lead announcer – hence why Pat McAfee isn’t on this list.
However, maybe there’s a chance that DC could pull it off. I mean I’m not entirely confident as a lead announcer it would work, so maybe WWE could just re-jig things and find a place for him as an analyst instead.
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5. Byron Saxton
Another man who falls under a similar umbrella to Cormier is Byron Saxton, albeit being a much safer option in terms of WWE experience – especially at the commentary booth.
While Saxton has always been the second or third announcer rather than the lead, he arguably is capable of doing so I’d say.
He’s pretty much done every single role on TV at this point, so why not give it a shot.
Sure it certainly wouldn’t be the most exciting option available but sometimes it’s better the devil you know.
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4. Scott Stanford
Remember this guy?
Believe it or not Scott Stanford is still employed in WWE as a studio host and can still be seen hosting WWE Bottom Line alongside Megan Morant.
While he clearly fits in this role and can fulfil it around other gigs, he does also have some experience at the commentary booth in the company on WWE Superstars back in the late 2000s/early 2010s.
Sure, that’s not saying a lot but still. Maybe he’s an option? Stanford is pretty darn good as a host and is already in the company so why not?
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3. Kayla Braxton
Sworn enemy of The Wise Man Paul Heyman – Kayla Braxton is another who has fulfilled a great deal of roles with a microphone in her hand in WWE.
Currently serving as a backstage interviewer for SmackDown as well as performing in depth discussions with WWE stars via The Bump (in which she formally hosted), a solid net step for Braxton seems to be an opportunity at the announce booth.
Others such as Tom Phillips, Josh Matthews and of course Kevin Patrick have made similar transitions in the past and often-times it does work out pretty well (apart from KP of course).
Also, not since Renee Paquette has there been a female commentator on main roster programming, and Braxton for sure has the best chance at changing that.
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2. Vic Joseph
As much as it’d be sad to break up his partnership with Booker T on NXT, in all likelihood the logical and most realistic choice to take up the lead announcer gig on SmackDown is Vic Joseph.
Joseph is long overdue a chance on the main roster again after only being given a taster of it back in his brief spell on Raw in 2019.
Realistically it should have really been Jospeh’s gig to begin with rather than Patrick, with the Irishman perhaps being better served dropping down to NXT in his stead.
While it remains to be seen what WWE will decide to do you would have to feel for Vic if they snubbed him yet again for the big role.
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1. Mauro Ranallo
While Joseph is the realistic choice, the sentimental favorite has to be Mauro Ranallo.
Ranallo is considered by fans to be one of WWE’s finest announcers in recent history despite only being with the company for what felt like a relatively shot four years or so.
The man not only had iconic catchphrases that still live in the memory but he was one of few that actually called moves by the correct names, no matter how obscure they were half the time.
He truly had it all in the role, with it being a true shame that he isn’t still employed by the company.
Since then Ranallo has commentated on other combat sports in which he has much more experience in such as MMA and boxing, currently working for Bellator and Showtime.
Given his duties to Bellator, perhaps UFC’s next biggest competitor in the MMA world, it’s difficult to imagine WWE bring Ranallo in whilst he’s under contract there, but you never know.
So yeah, it will most likely be Vic Joseph and don’t get me wrong that would be an excellent choice. But I and many others, will no doubt be keeping our fingers crossed we can hear ‘Mamma Mia’ once again ring out on Friday nights once again.
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