Updated: WWE is shaking up their commentary teams, Variety has learned exclusively.
Beginning with this week’s season premiere episode of “SmackDown,” the commentary team for the shows will be as follows:
On “SmackDown,” Michael Cole and Wade Barrett will be the main commentators, with Barrett moving over from the “Nxt” commentary team. Samantha Irvin will serve as the ring announcer, with Kayla Braxton and Megan Morant serving as backstage interviewers.
At “Monday Night Raw,” Kevin Patrick and Corey Graves will be the commentary team. Patrick has worked as a backstage correspondent, a play-by-play commentator for “WWE Main Event,” and the host of “Raw Talk.” Mike Rome will be the ring announcer. Cathy Kelley and Byron Saxton will conduct onscreen interviews. Kelley is returning to WWE after leaving the company in 2020. Saxton has been working on the “Raw” commentary desk along with Graves and Jimmy Smith of late.
Smith will be exiting WWE.
Beginning with this week’s season premiere episode of “SmackDown,” the commentary team for the shows will be as follows:
On “SmackDown,” Michael Cole and Wade Barrett will be the main commentators, with Barrett moving over from the “Nxt” commentary team. Samantha Irvin will serve as the ring announcer, with Kayla Braxton and Megan Morant serving as backstage interviewers.
At “Monday Night Raw,” Kevin Patrick and Corey Graves will be the commentary team. Patrick has worked as a backstage correspondent, a play-by-play commentator for “WWE Main Event,” and the host of “Raw Talk.” Mike Rome will be the ring announcer. Cathy Kelley and Byron Saxton will conduct onscreen interviews. Kelley is returning to WWE after leaving the company in 2020. Saxton has been working on the “Raw” commentary desk along with Graves and Jimmy Smith of late.
Smith will be exiting WWE.
- 10/6/2022
- by Joe Otterson
- Variety Film + TV
Earlier last month we were given our first look at the brand new WWE 2K18 with a teaser and new cover man Seth Rollins. Today 2K Sports and the WWE have given us new information on some of the game modes and updates to the newest installment to long running series.
First off the Creation Suite is getting even deeper into creating a unique to you atmosphere for professional wrestling. A brand new Create-a-match feature joins the new and improved Create-a-Superstar, Create-a-Arena, and Create-a-Video.
We are also getting a brand new story mode in the MyCAREER mode. This will include a free-roaming backstage area that will allow you to interact with other WWE Superstars. Not only will it help to direct the narrative of the MyCAREER, but it will incorporate a new experience with MyPLAYER, that will add brand new fighting styles and new upgrades to the progressive system we have already come to love.
First off the Creation Suite is getting even deeper into creating a unique to you atmosphere for professional wrestling. A brand new Create-a-match feature joins the new and improved Create-a-Superstar, Create-a-Arena, and Create-a-Video.
We are also getting a brand new story mode in the MyCAREER mode. This will include a free-roaming backstage area that will allow you to interact with other WWE Superstars. Not only will it help to direct the narrative of the MyCAREER, but it will incorporate a new experience with MyPLAYER, that will add brand new fighting styles and new upgrades to the progressive system we have already come to love.
- 7/6/2017
- by feeds@cinelinx.com (B.C.)
- Cinelinx
WWE.com
SmackDown was a real struggle this week, and that hasn’t been the case at all for the program over the past few months. It’s somewhat understandable that WWE would gloss over the Thursday night broadcast this time around, WrestleMania 32 is imminent after all. That doesn’t excuse the incredibly threadbare nature of the show, one which failed to elicit much excitement from the live crowd whatsoever.
There were positives, even the most pedestrian of WWE shows can have an upside or two. Overall however, there was a feeling that the promotion were already looking beyond SmackDown, instead of using it to further build towards the main matches people will see at ‘Mania. It’s safe to say the program wasn’t exactly horrible, but there was next to nothing which could accurately be dubbed essential.
And yet, there were enjoyable sections of SmackDown. Only a trio...
SmackDown was a real struggle this week, and that hasn’t been the case at all for the program over the past few months. It’s somewhat understandable that WWE would gloss over the Thursday night broadcast this time around, WrestleMania 32 is imminent after all. That doesn’t excuse the incredibly threadbare nature of the show, one which failed to elicit much excitement from the live crowd whatsoever.
There were positives, even the most pedestrian of WWE shows can have an upside or two. Overall however, there was a feeling that the promotion were already looking beyond SmackDown, instead of using it to further build towards the main matches people will see at ‘Mania. It’s safe to say the program wasn’t exactly horrible, but there was next to nothing which could accurately be dubbed essential.
And yet, there were enjoyable sections of SmackDown. Only a trio...
- 4/1/2016
- by Jamie Kennedy
- Obsessed with Film
WWE.com
WWE have a lot of explaining to do as the road to WrestleMania shortens by the week.
While Shane McMahon’s shocking return was undoubtedly the most awesome thing that’s happened on a Monday night show for some time, his proposed match against The Undertaker at Mania just makes no sense.
Why would The Phenom go into bat for Vince McMahon? And since we all want Shane to win and take control of Raw, are we supposed to boo Taker at ‘his’ show? In his home state of Texas?
Hopefully this murkiest of waters would be cleared up so we could actually look forward to the Grandaddy of The All rather than questioning it.
With Brock Lesnar not scheduled to appear on this week’s show – and Roman Reigns suffering with a kayfabe injury, mind you – Dean Ambrose would surely be in a reduced role which would leave WWE scuppered somewhat.
WWE have a lot of explaining to do as the road to WrestleMania shortens by the week.
While Shane McMahon’s shocking return was undoubtedly the most awesome thing that’s happened on a Monday night show for some time, his proposed match against The Undertaker at Mania just makes no sense.
Why would The Phenom go into bat for Vince McMahon? And since we all want Shane to win and take control of Raw, are we supposed to boo Taker at ‘his’ show? In his home state of Texas?
Hopefully this murkiest of waters would be cleared up so we could actually look forward to the Grandaddy of The All rather than questioning it.
With Brock Lesnar not scheduled to appear on this week’s show – and Roman Reigns suffering with a kayfabe injury, mind you – Dean Ambrose would surely be in a reduced role which would leave WWE scuppered somewhat.
- 3/1/2016
- by Ross Tweddell
- Obsessed with Film
wwe.com
Triple H’s beat down of Roman Reigns this week was notable for The Big Dog getting colour. Blood is of course banned in WWE, but if you look closely when watching the segment, you’ll see Byron Saxton handing Reigns a blood capsule.
Reigns exploded the capsule and that’s how he got the colour without flouting WWE’s rules. It was a planned spot, but it was not an injury.
As for the photo of Reigns’ broken nose surgery, notice how he doesn’t have black eyes. However, it is still possible he had an operation on the nose, with the Wrestling Observer Newsletter reporting “the word going around among talent was that there was a pre-existing condition with his nose that needed to be taken care of and the surgery was legitimate.”
WWE may be getting edgier in the next few weeks, with more angles...
Triple H’s beat down of Roman Reigns this week was notable for The Big Dog getting colour. Blood is of course banned in WWE, but if you look closely when watching the segment, you’ll see Byron Saxton handing Reigns a blood capsule.
Reigns exploded the capsule and that’s how he got the colour without flouting WWE’s rules. It was a planned spot, but it was not an injury.
As for the photo of Reigns’ broken nose surgery, notice how he doesn’t have black eyes. However, it is still possible he had an operation on the nose, with the Wrestling Observer Newsletter reporting “the word going around among talent was that there was a pre-existing condition with his nose that needed to be taken care of and the surgery was legitimate.”
WWE may be getting edgier in the next few weeks, with more angles...
- 2/25/2016
- by Grahame Herbert
- Obsessed with Film
WWE.com
WWE.com reported on Tuesday afternoon that former WWE World Heavyweight Champion and current number one contender Roman Reigns underwent surgery for a “shattered nose” following his Raw beating at the hands of Triple H.
In the final segment of the show, Triple H attacked his WrestleMania opponent in the ring. While Roman Reigns initially got the better of the exchange, “The Game” turned the tables by striking his foe with the ring bell. After that, he was able to repeatedly smash Reigns’s face into the announcers’ table, drawing blood. The WWE Champion then finished “The Big Dog” off with a Pedigree on the steel ring steps.
Given that the story was broken by WWE.com, there’s some doubt as to its veracity – and the same can be said for the legitimacy of the angle in the first place. A fan video taken from right behind...
WWE.com reported on Tuesday afternoon that former WWE World Heavyweight Champion and current number one contender Roman Reigns underwent surgery for a “shattered nose” following his Raw beating at the hands of Triple H.
In the final segment of the show, Triple H attacked his WrestleMania opponent in the ring. While Roman Reigns initially got the better of the exchange, “The Game” turned the tables by striking his foe with the ring bell. After that, he was able to repeatedly smash Reigns’s face into the announcers’ table, drawing blood. The WWE Champion then finished “The Big Dog” off with a Pedigree on the steel ring steps.
Given that the story was broken by WWE.com, there’s some doubt as to its veracity – and the same can be said for the legitimacy of the angle in the first place. A fan video taken from right behind...
- 2/23/2016
- by Scott Fried
- Obsessed with Film
WWE.com
When World Wrestling Entertainment revealed that the new name for their February pay-per-view would be Fastlane in 2015, a fair few fans were left scratching their heads. Gone was the lengthy association between that month and the Elimination Chamber bouts, and No Way Out was an even more distant memory. Instead, WWE focused on the literal, citing Fastlane as part of the ‘Road To WrestleMania’.
This year, the main event saw a Triple Threat encounter which promised to solidify who would face Triple H at the promotion’s biggest annual showcase. Dean Ambrose, Brock Lesnar and Roman Reigns were the combatants, and it would end up being the latter who scored the match-winning pinfall. Before the event, many people could see this coming, as much as some hated to admit it.
Massive table bumps, a first one-on-one WWE pay-per-view match for a relative newcomer, and even references to former Ecw,...
When World Wrestling Entertainment revealed that the new name for their February pay-per-view would be Fastlane in 2015, a fair few fans were left scratching their heads. Gone was the lengthy association between that month and the Elimination Chamber bouts, and No Way Out was an even more distant memory. Instead, WWE focused on the literal, citing Fastlane as part of the ‘Road To WrestleMania’.
This year, the main event saw a Triple Threat encounter which promised to solidify who would face Triple H at the promotion’s biggest annual showcase. Dean Ambrose, Brock Lesnar and Roman Reigns were the combatants, and it would end up being the latter who scored the match-winning pinfall. Before the event, many people could see this coming, as much as some hated to admit it.
Massive table bumps, a first one-on-one WWE pay-per-view match for a relative newcomer, and even references to former Ecw,...
- 2/22/2016
- by Jamie Kennedy
- Obsessed with Film
WWE.com
At Tuesday’s Smackdown! tapings, new play-by-play announcer Mauro Ranallo was absent from his post. Instead, Michael Cole filled in, reuniting the Raw announce team of Cole, Jerry Lawler, and Byron Saxton.
Many fans were nervous that this quick about-face signaled disaster for the WWE career of Ranallo, whose expert commentary has been seen as a breath of fresh air. It was especially disconcerting given that the usually Twitter-friendly broadcaster was silent in the face of fan questions regarding his status on Smackdown!
Thankfully, Ranallo’s position with WWE is safe. According to reports (and later, Ranallo himself via Twitter), the 2015 Wrestling Observer Newsletter TV Announcer of the Year was stricken with a case of the flu. He showed up to Tuesday’s Smackdown! tapings in Ontario, CA willing to work, but when management assessed his condition, they decided he would be better served by going back home to get some rest.
At Tuesday’s Smackdown! tapings, new play-by-play announcer Mauro Ranallo was absent from his post. Instead, Michael Cole filled in, reuniting the Raw announce team of Cole, Jerry Lawler, and Byron Saxton.
Many fans were nervous that this quick about-face signaled disaster for the WWE career of Ranallo, whose expert commentary has been seen as a breath of fresh air. It was especially disconcerting given that the usually Twitter-friendly broadcaster was silent in the face of fan questions regarding his status on Smackdown!
Thankfully, Ranallo’s position with WWE is safe. According to reports (and later, Ranallo himself via Twitter), the 2015 Wrestling Observer Newsletter TV Announcer of the Year was stricken with a case of the flu. He showed up to Tuesday’s Smackdown! tapings in Ontario, CA willing to work, but when management assessed his condition, they decided he would be better served by going back home to get some rest.
- 2/17/2016
- by Scott Fried
- Obsessed with Film
WWE.com
Is it just me, or was the internet fallout of this week’s Raw a little…malicious? Usually various social media platforms can be relied upon for a few scathing critiques, be the target an individual wrestler, a particular fan, the entire show, or even WWE’s product as a whole. But this week, everything seemed to intensify. Absolutely everyone was intent on attacking one another, in some way or another.
Whether it be security stripping a fan of an anti-Reigns sign, Paul Heyman staring down Michael Cole, or Lilian Garcia hitting back at her critics with a sassy Tweet, everyone seemed a little more fired-up than usual.
Thankfully, it wasn’t all angst and rage. We still saw a number of funny goofs, pertinent observations, and one particularly…interesting breakdown of online fan-fiction. Every cloud has a silver lining, I suppose…
10. Paul Heyman, An Honest Man
I...
Is it just me, or was the internet fallout of this week’s Raw a little…malicious? Usually various social media platforms can be relied upon for a few scathing critiques, be the target an individual wrestler, a particular fan, the entire show, or even WWE’s product as a whole. But this week, everything seemed to intensify. Absolutely everyone was intent on attacking one another, in some way or another.
Whether it be security stripping a fan of an anti-Reigns sign, Paul Heyman staring down Michael Cole, or Lilian Garcia hitting back at her critics with a sassy Tweet, everyone seemed a little more fired-up than usual.
Thankfully, it wasn’t all angst and rage. We still saw a number of funny goofs, pertinent observations, and one particularly…interesting breakdown of online fan-fiction. Every cloud has a silver lining, I suppose…
10. Paul Heyman, An Honest Man
I...
- 2/2/2016
- by Jack G King
- Obsessed with Film
WWE.com
These days, SmackDown has a far sillier feel than Raw. It’s sadly become something of a sandbox for WWE’s writers, with segments that would at least be treat seriously on Raw afforded none of the gravitas.
But was it just me, or did this week’s edition seem a lot more serious? Sure, we were forced to endure SmackDown’s usual dosage of “comedy” – providing a rather large percentage of our ‘Wtf Moments’ in the process – but the two top matches on the card seemed like legitimately important encounters.
First, Becky Lynch took on Charlotte in her long-awaited title shot for the Divas Championship, a bout followed by Kevin Owens’ chance at reclaiming his Intercontinental title from Dean Ambrose. Both matches were given a decent chunk of time, and actually reported on in a serious manner by the commentary team. This probably had something to do...
These days, SmackDown has a far sillier feel than Raw. It’s sadly become something of a sandbox for WWE’s writers, with segments that would at least be treat seriously on Raw afforded none of the gravitas.
But was it just me, or did this week’s edition seem a lot more serious? Sure, we were forced to endure SmackDown’s usual dosage of “comedy” – providing a rather large percentage of our ‘Wtf Moments’ in the process – but the two top matches on the card seemed like legitimately important encounters.
First, Becky Lynch took on Charlotte in her long-awaited title shot for the Divas Championship, a bout followed by Kevin Owens’ chance at reclaiming his Intercontinental title from Dean Ambrose. Both matches were given a decent chunk of time, and actually reported on in a serious manner by the commentary team. This probably had something to do...
- 1/8/2016
- by Jack G King
- Obsessed with Film
WWE.com
WWE held their SmackDown television tapings on Tuesday night in Laredo, TX.
This was a historic show, as it will mark the official move of SmackDown to the USA Network when it airs this Thursday night, January 7th. Here’s what went down…
SmackDown featured the debut of play by play announcer Mauro Ranallo in WWE. Ranallo has formerly announced in several combat sports, including most notably of late announcing for the Njpw television series on Axs. Ranallo was joined at the announce position by Jerry Lawler and Byron Saxton.
The show opened with John Cena coming out and challenging Alberto Del Rio to a rematch for the U.S. Championship. Del Rio responded and told Cena there would be no rematch, despite the controversial finish to their recent Raw match.
The first bout of the evening then featured Kalisto pinning Del Rio in a non-title match. According...
WWE held their SmackDown television tapings on Tuesday night in Laredo, TX.
This was a historic show, as it will mark the official move of SmackDown to the USA Network when it airs this Thursday night, January 7th. Here’s what went down…
SmackDown featured the debut of play by play announcer Mauro Ranallo in WWE. Ranallo has formerly announced in several combat sports, including most notably of late announcing for the Njpw television series on Axs. Ranallo was joined at the announce position by Jerry Lawler and Byron Saxton.
The show opened with John Cena coming out and challenging Alberto Del Rio to a rematch for the U.S. Championship. Del Rio responded and told Cena there would be no rematch, despite the controversial finish to their recent Raw match.
The first bout of the evening then featured Kalisto pinning Del Rio in a non-title match. According...
- 1/6/2016
- by Ryan Droste
- Obsessed with Film
WWE.com
Nxt’s latest TakeOver special, Respect, decisively reinforced the fact that Nxt is steamrolling WWE as far as passion, intensity, in-ring storytelling and sheer athleticism go. There wasn’t a single dud match among the bunch, and in fact several terrific bouts which served as a brilliant showcase for these immense talents.
Even so, just because this was a much higher quality show than WWE’s typical output, don’t think that means it’s any less Wtf. Yes, Nxt still had its share of peculiar moments, what with Byron Saxton’s presence damn-near guaranteeing it, not to mention an extremely excitable crowd, the Nxt debut of the legendary Asuka, and a main event sure to go down in Nxt history.
From the very good good creative decisions, to a few bad and a glut of just totally weird ones, here are 26 Wtf moments from Nxt TakeOver: Respect…...
Nxt’s latest TakeOver special, Respect, decisively reinforced the fact that Nxt is steamrolling WWE as far as passion, intensity, in-ring storytelling and sheer athleticism go. There wasn’t a single dud match among the bunch, and in fact several terrific bouts which served as a brilliant showcase for these immense talents.
Even so, just because this was a much higher quality show than WWE’s typical output, don’t think that means it’s any less Wtf. Yes, Nxt still had its share of peculiar moments, what with Byron Saxton’s presence damn-near guaranteeing it, not to mention an extremely excitable crowd, the Nxt debut of the legendary Asuka, and a main event sure to go down in Nxt history.
From the very good good creative decisions, to a few bad and a glut of just totally weird ones, here are 26 Wtf moments from Nxt TakeOver: Respect…...
- 10/8/2015
- by Jack Pooley
- Obsessed with Film
wwe.com
Daniel Bryan has told IGN that he is due to see a third doctor and is hoping to return to WWE Raw soon if that appointment goes well.
“One neurologist who specializes in concussions — who was the neurologist for the Super Bowl last year — cleared me with no limitations. All my testing came back excellent,” he said. “But the WWE’s medical doctor [Joe Maroon] is sceptical, because of my history of concussions and that sort of thing. So they will not clear me.”
However, Bryan sounded upbeat with the following statement “They’re going to send me to a third doctor at some point in the near future and that doctor will decide my fate.”
But he did admit, that if two out of three doctors advise against his return, he isn’t going to go against such professional advice. That would probably mean retirement.
IGN then asked him...
Daniel Bryan has told IGN that he is due to see a third doctor and is hoping to return to WWE Raw soon if that appointment goes well.
“One neurologist who specializes in concussions — who was the neurologist for the Super Bowl last year — cleared me with no limitations. All my testing came back excellent,” he said. “But the WWE’s medical doctor [Joe Maroon] is sceptical, because of my history of concussions and that sort of thing. So they will not clear me.”
However, Bryan sounded upbeat with the following statement “They’re going to send me to a third doctor at some point in the near future and that doctor will decide my fate.”
But he did admit, that if two out of three doctors advise against his return, he isn’t going to go against such professional advice. That would probably mean retirement.
IGN then asked him...
- 10/5/2015
- by Grahame Herbert
- Obsessed with Film
WWE
Monday night is traditionally ‘wrestling night’ in many a household across the globe. Sure, viewership numbers are dwindling, but Monday is still so often all about wrestling.
Whilst Monday Night Raw continues to suffer from overplayed match-ups, absurd booking and the 3-hour broadcast conundrum, this past Monday provided some much-needed must-see WWE programming. Sure, Raw was as ‘meh’ as it’s been for the last few months, but the WWE Network aired what was dubbed an Nxt All-Star Panel show.
Hosted by Byron Saxton, the show featured Triple H, Seth Rollins, Finn Balor, Kevin Owens and Sasha Banks, with all of the talent out of character and talking openly about a multitude of fascinating facets of the business, of Nxt, and of their time trying to make it as a WWE superstar.
The show itself gave viewers a glimpse behind the curtain, and all involved came away from the special with their stock increased.
Monday night is traditionally ‘wrestling night’ in many a household across the globe. Sure, viewership numbers are dwindling, but Monday is still so often all about wrestling.
Whilst Monday Night Raw continues to suffer from overplayed match-ups, absurd booking and the 3-hour broadcast conundrum, this past Monday provided some much-needed must-see WWE programming. Sure, Raw was as ‘meh’ as it’s been for the last few months, but the WWE Network aired what was dubbed an Nxt All-Star Panel show.
Hosted by Byron Saxton, the show featured Triple H, Seth Rollins, Finn Balor, Kevin Owens and Sasha Banks, with all of the talent out of character and talking openly about a multitude of fascinating facets of the business, of Nxt, and of their time trying to make it as a WWE superstar.
The show itself gave viewers a glimpse behind the curtain, and all involved came away from the special with their stock increased.
- 9/30/2015
- by Andrew Pollard
- Obsessed with Film
ImpactWrestling.com
You can relax everyone! Tna successfully fought off the great Gfw invasion of 2015. It was less a war, and more like an annoying neighbor getting in your hot tub with you, and not knowing how to ask him to leave. But at least they get to live another day…and maybe even a few more months.
This week in wrestling, Big Foot showed up on Impact. Because when your company is potentially going to be put out of business at the end of the night, you still have time to hire someone to put on a Big Foot suit.
Hhh delivered the most ridiculous quote of the year with “To say this year has been a success would be an understatement!” Hundreds of thousands of fans no longer watching is a success? Or maybe he’s talking about the overwhelming success of The Divas Revolution? Or how much...
You can relax everyone! Tna successfully fought off the great Gfw invasion of 2015. It was less a war, and more like an annoying neighbor getting in your hot tub with you, and not knowing how to ask him to leave. But at least they get to live another day…and maybe even a few more months.
This week in wrestling, Big Foot showed up on Impact. Because when your company is potentially going to be put out of business at the end of the night, you still have time to hire someone to put on a Big Foot suit.
Hhh delivered the most ridiculous quote of the year with “To say this year has been a success would be an understatement!” Hundreds of thousands of fans no longer watching is a success? Or maybe he’s talking about the overwhelming success of The Divas Revolution? Or how much...
- 9/20/2015
- by Andrew Soucek
- Obsessed with Film
WWE.com
WWE has made more changes to their commentary teams on both Raw and Smackdown following the end of Tough Enough. The new permanent team on Raw will be Michael Cole, John Bradshaw Layfield and Byron Saxton. The Smackdown team will be Rich Brennan, Jerry Lawler and Booker T.
One of the notable moves is Saxton replacing Booker full time on Raw. It’s an interesting choice because Booker was in the seat for most of the year and then he was a coach on Tough Enough for a few months. It was expected that Booker would get his spot back, but WWE decided to keep Saxton there full time. Saxton was on Smackdown before that, so Booker switched with him.
The announce team for pay-per-view events will likely remain Cole, Lawler and Jbl.
WWE.com
Brennan replaces Tom Phillips as the main play by play guy on Smackdown.
WWE has made more changes to their commentary teams on both Raw and Smackdown following the end of Tough Enough. The new permanent team on Raw will be Michael Cole, John Bradshaw Layfield and Byron Saxton. The Smackdown team will be Rich Brennan, Jerry Lawler and Booker T.
One of the notable moves is Saxton replacing Booker full time on Raw. It’s an interesting choice because Booker was in the seat for most of the year and then he was a coach on Tough Enough for a few months. It was expected that Booker would get his spot back, but WWE decided to keep Saxton there full time. Saxton was on Smackdown before that, so Booker switched with him.
The announce team for pay-per-view events will likely remain Cole, Lawler and Jbl.
WWE.com
Brennan replaces Tom Phillips as the main play by play guy on Smackdown.
- 9/3/2015
- by John Canton
- Obsessed with Film
WWE.com
The biggest wrestling event of the summer is coming up quick, and WWE has done an effective job of promoting exactly two matches. Not bad! It’s a good thing they decided to leave Sting off the show, because you don’t want to make SummerSlam seem like a more important show than Battleground.
So what did we learn this week in wrestling? Well, we saw that a guy from moderately popular comic book show can easily take down a trained wrestler. Ric Flair told us he’d be thrilled if John Cena broke his record for most title reigns…which makes exactly one person who would be thrilled. And Global Force Wrestling declared war on Tna wrestling. That’s like a cousin you’ve never heard of showing up at your family reunion, and threatening to beat up your dead grandpa.
In this week’s edition of...
The biggest wrestling event of the summer is coming up quick, and WWE has done an effective job of promoting exactly two matches. Not bad! It’s a good thing they decided to leave Sting off the show, because you don’t want to make SummerSlam seem like a more important show than Battleground.
So what did we learn this week in wrestling? Well, we saw that a guy from moderately popular comic book show can easily take down a trained wrestler. Ric Flair told us he’d be thrilled if John Cena broke his record for most title reigns…which makes exactly one person who would be thrilled. And Global Force Wrestling declared war on Tna wrestling. That’s like a cousin you’ve never heard of showing up at your family reunion, and threatening to beat up your dead grandpa.
In this week’s edition of...
- 8/16/2015
- by Andrew Soucek
- Obsessed with Film
WWE.com
As Raw’s color commentator, it is Jbl’s job to provide crucial analysis of what’s going on when the play-by-play commentator isn’t calling the match, and provide some comedy. He did a good job at first; Jbl was probably the most interesting and entertaining of Raw’s commentators in 2012, 2013 and during the first half of 2014.
Since then, however, he has become the most annoying voice on Raw, even more difficult to stomach than Jerry Lawler with his outdated ‘puppies’ references and Michael Cole’s often-unenthusiastic tone.
Jbl’s interpretation of ‘color commentary’ has featured nonsensical banter with his teammates and irrelevant pop culture references that sound so forced that it wouldn’t be surprising that the man himself had no idea what he was talking about (e.g. making a Game of Thrones reference, suggesting one wrestler was Tyrion Lannister and the other Joffrey Baratheon...
As Raw’s color commentator, it is Jbl’s job to provide crucial analysis of what’s going on when the play-by-play commentator isn’t calling the match, and provide some comedy. He did a good job at first; Jbl was probably the most interesting and entertaining of Raw’s commentators in 2012, 2013 and during the first half of 2014.
Since then, however, he has become the most annoying voice on Raw, even more difficult to stomach than Jerry Lawler with his outdated ‘puppies’ references and Michael Cole’s often-unenthusiastic tone.
Jbl’s interpretation of ‘color commentary’ has featured nonsensical banter with his teammates and irrelevant pop culture references that sound so forced that it wouldn’t be surprising that the man himself had no idea what he was talking about (e.g. making a Game of Thrones reference, suggesting one wrestler was Tyrion Lannister and the other Joffrey Baratheon...
- 8/15/2015
- by Alexander Podgorski
- Obsessed with Film
WWE.com
Sting hasn’t been announced to be in a match at SummerSlam yet but WWE is already jumping the gun by advertising him for a SummerSlam Meet & Greet session on Friday August 21 in Brooklyn.
What’s interesting is that he’ll be a part of a signing session at 40/40 Club & Restaurant at Barclays Center along with WWE Hall of Famer Shawn Michaels.
A match between Sting and Shawn Michaels would be the true definition of a “dream match” but it’s never going to happen since Michaels has been retired for over five years. The last time they were in the ring together was at WrestleMania 31 when Michaels nailed Sting with a Superkick, which ended up costing Sting his first match ever against Triple H.
There will also be autograph sessions for Saturday, August 22 at 10am for Bray Wyatt and Dean Ambrose, 12:30pm for Randy Orton and Paige,...
Sting hasn’t been announced to be in a match at SummerSlam yet but WWE is already jumping the gun by advertising him for a SummerSlam Meet & Greet session on Friday August 21 in Brooklyn.
What’s interesting is that he’ll be a part of a signing session at 40/40 Club & Restaurant at Barclays Center along with WWE Hall of Famer Shawn Michaels.
A match between Sting and Shawn Michaels would be the true definition of a “dream match” but it’s never going to happen since Michaels has been retired for over five years. The last time they were in the ring together was at WrestleMania 31 when Michaels nailed Sting with a Superkick, which ended up costing Sting his first match ever against Triple H.
There will also be autograph sessions for Saturday, August 22 at 10am for Bray Wyatt and Dean Ambrose, 12:30pm for Randy Orton and Paige,...
- 7/28/2015
- by John Canton
- Obsessed with Film
A belated konnichiwa to you all a few days removed from WWE barnstorming Tokyo for its Beast in the East special. Jet lag and all, the intrepid performers who made their way around the world this past week were back at it last night in Chicago, notably John Cena, who closed out East but had enough left in the tank for an epic Monday main-event rematch against Cesaro.
Overall, we saw a lot of forward momentum heading toward Battleground on July 19, and it's pretty clear what we're excited about (Cena vs.
Overall, we saw a lot of forward momentum heading toward Battleground on July 19, and it's pretty clear what we're excited about (Cena vs.
- 7/7/2015
- Rollingstone.com
WWE.com
This week’s Smackdown followed the story from Raw of The Authority working together again. The WWE Champion Seth Rollins dominated Brock Lesnar on Raw thanks to the help of Kane, Joey Mercury and Jamie Noble, who sided with Rollins after weeks of not supporting him due to his selfish attitude.
Noble paid a price for it on Raw because he suffered three broken ribs when Lesnar gave him a shoulder tackle into the barricade at ringside. On Smackdown, they mentioned his injury during the show opening promo and Rollins dedicated this week’s Smackdown to Noble. At one point Rollins even made an error saying “last night” when talking about visiting Noble in the hospital when it should have been “Monday night.”
There was a minor change on commentary this week since Jimmy Uso joined Tom Phillips and Jerry Lawler. Poor Jimmy has nothing to do since...
This week’s Smackdown followed the story from Raw of The Authority working together again. The WWE Champion Seth Rollins dominated Brock Lesnar on Raw thanks to the help of Kane, Joey Mercury and Jamie Noble, who sided with Rollins after weeks of not supporting him due to his selfish attitude.
Noble paid a price for it on Raw because he suffered three broken ribs when Lesnar gave him a shoulder tackle into the barricade at ringside. On Smackdown, they mentioned his injury during the show opening promo and Rollins dedicated this week’s Smackdown to Noble. At one point Rollins even made an error saying “last night” when talking about visiting Noble in the hospital when it should have been “Monday night.”
There was a minor change on commentary this week since Jimmy Uso joined Tom Phillips and Jerry Lawler. Poor Jimmy has nothing to do since...
- 6/27/2015
- by John Canton
- Obsessed with Film
WWE.com
WWE commentary is pretty damn terrible at the moment. Or, as the WWE commentary team would put it:
(cue 20 agonising seconds of insufferable bickering and giggling)
Now this article isn’t concerned with little flaws, like Michael Cole repeatedly calling Neville’s standing shooting star presses as standing moonsaults. Or the fact that Cole thought that Newcastle was still a small mining town. Or the fact that Cole still, unbelievably, staggeringly, sports a soul patch.
Hmm, perhaps it’s time to lay off Michael Cole for a-nope
Cole, This Is What A Standing Moonsault Looks Like
explosivegifs.blogspot.com
Ok. All done.
No, this article isn’t concerned with small inaccuracies, it’s focused on the deep rooted flaws at the heart of current-era WWE commentating, ones that in some cases will require major upheavals to fix.
Following the dream team of Jr and The King was never going to be easy,...
WWE commentary is pretty damn terrible at the moment. Or, as the WWE commentary team would put it:
(cue 20 agonising seconds of insufferable bickering and giggling)
Now this article isn’t concerned with little flaws, like Michael Cole repeatedly calling Neville’s standing shooting star presses as standing moonsaults. Or the fact that Cole thought that Newcastle was still a small mining town. Or the fact that Cole still, unbelievably, staggeringly, sports a soul patch.
Hmm, perhaps it’s time to lay off Michael Cole for a-nope
Cole, This Is What A Standing Moonsault Looks Like
explosivegifs.blogspot.com
Ok. All done.
No, this article isn’t concerned with small inaccuracies, it’s focused on the deep rooted flaws at the heart of current-era WWE commentating, ones that in some cases will require major upheavals to fix.
Following the dream team of Jr and The King was never going to be easy,...
- 4/21/2015
- by Adam Blampied
- Obsessed with Film
WWE.com
This week’s edition of Smackdown followed a Raw that had a “big announcement” that really wasn’t that big of a deal. All that Triple H announcement did on Raw was set up the main event of that show, which was a win by Daniel Bryan over Seth Rollins. That set up the Bryan match against Roman Reigns at Fast Lane on February 22nd. Going into Smackdown, they continued that story.
It was one of those episodes where they focused on those main two guys, had some decent midcard action and then a lot of short matches. They still started the show off with an interview segment with Miz hosting MizTV with Bryan and Reigns, but at least it was different than the typical Triple H promo to starts off Raw nearly every week.
Before the discussion about this week’s show begins, one thing that needs...
This week’s edition of Smackdown followed a Raw that had a “big announcement” that really wasn’t that big of a deal. All that Triple H announcement did on Raw was set up the main event of that show, which was a win by Daniel Bryan over Seth Rollins. That set up the Bryan match against Roman Reigns at Fast Lane on February 22nd. Going into Smackdown, they continued that story.
It was one of those episodes where they focused on those main two guys, had some decent midcard action and then a lot of short matches. They still started the show off with an interview segment with Miz hosting MizTV with Bryan and Reigns, but at least it was different than the typical Triple H promo to starts off Raw nearly every week.
Before the discussion about this week’s show begins, one thing that needs...
- 2/7/2015
- by John Canton
- Obsessed with Film
A day after the controversial and disappointing Royal Rumble and we learn that the live Monday Night Raw show from Hartford, Connecticut has been cancelled due to the historic storm that hit the North-west of the Us, causing roadways to be closed and thus causing WWE to cancel. So, Raw was held at WWE headquarters and we are welcomed by Booker T and Michael Cole who talk about the reasons the live show was cancelled as well as the happenings from the previous night’s Royal Rumble event.
There were obviously going to be no matches held here, because the show is being held at an office building, so we saw complete replays of both the WWE World Heavyweight Title match from Royal Rumble between Brock Lesnar, John Cena and Seth Rollins, and the Royal Rumble match itself. When these matches weren’t on, Michael Cole, Booker T, Renee Young...
There were obviously going to be no matches held here, because the show is being held at an office building, so we saw complete replays of both the WWE World Heavyweight Title match from Royal Rumble between Brock Lesnar, John Cena and Seth Rollins, and the Royal Rumble match itself. When these matches weren’t on, Michael Cole, Booker T, Renee Young...
- 1/27/2015
- by Chris Cummings
- Nerdly
So here we are, only a week away from the official launch of the Road to WrestleMania, the 2015 Royal Rumble. The Rumble is one of my personal favourite wrestling shows annually, and has been since I started watching professional wrestling 22 years ago. Let’s see if this episode of Raw, being promoted as a “Reunion Edition”, will be able to get some extra interest on that show.
Brock Lesnar, along with Paul Heyman, comes out first and Brock calls out Rollins due to what Seth did to him (curb stomp anyone?) at the close of last week’s show. Instead of Rollins, Triple H comes out and tries to calm Brock down. Lesnar asks Trips if he wants to fight. Heyman amusingly screams “he pays the bills” to Brock during all of this. Stephanie, along with Kane and Big Show comes down, and tries to appeal to Lesnar to calm down too.
Brock Lesnar, along with Paul Heyman, comes out first and Brock calls out Rollins due to what Seth did to him (curb stomp anyone?) at the close of last week’s show. Instead of Rollins, Triple H comes out and tries to calm Brock down. Lesnar asks Trips if he wants to fight. Heyman amusingly screams “he pays the bills” to Brock during all of this. Stephanie, along with Kane and Big Show comes down, and tries to appeal to Lesnar to calm down too.
- 1/20/2015
- by Chris Cummings
- Nerdly
WWE.com
The last time Smackdown aired on Thursdays full-time was way back in 2005. Ten years later and Smackdown is moving back to its original Thursday time slot. The move from Fridays is a big deal, as evidenced by the way that the WWE has chosen to have Daniel Bryan’s in-ring return take place on Smackdown this Thursday. The WWE also shook up the announce teams heading into the show’s move back to Thursdays, by transferring Hall Of Famer Jerry “The King” Lawler from Monday Night Raw to Smackdown to announce alongside Michael Cole and Byron Saxton… and that shake-up might not be the last.
Rumors are circulating that the WWE has been considering instituting a soft brand split, making some superstars exclusive to Thursday nights in order to draw more eyeballs to Smackdown, now that it’s not in the death slot of Friday nights. The idea...
The last time Smackdown aired on Thursdays full-time was way back in 2005. Ten years later and Smackdown is moving back to its original Thursday time slot. The move from Fridays is a big deal, as evidenced by the way that the WWE has chosen to have Daniel Bryan’s in-ring return take place on Smackdown this Thursday. The WWE also shook up the announce teams heading into the show’s move back to Thursdays, by transferring Hall Of Famer Jerry “The King” Lawler from Monday Night Raw to Smackdown to announce alongside Michael Cole and Byron Saxton… and that shake-up might not be the last.
Rumors are circulating that the WWE has been considering instituting a soft brand split, making some superstars exclusive to Thursday nights in order to draw more eyeballs to Smackdown, now that it’s not in the death slot of Friday nights. The idea...
- 1/13/2015
- by Matthew J. Douglas
- Obsessed with Film
WWE.com
Last week, WWE announced a reshuffle in their annouce teams ahead of SmackDown’s move to SyFy on Thursday.
Michael Cole, Booker T and John Bradshaw Layfield will commentate on Raw while Cole, Byron Saxton and the returning Jerry ‘The King’ Lawler will handle SmackDown duties. The King, Cole, and Jbl will take the reigns for pay per view events.
The King has been missing from our television screens so far this year after being admitted to hospital with a bout of diverticulitis.
The transfer sees Lawler leave Raw after over 20 years of service. Spending most of his time behind the mic with Good Ol’ Jim Ross, Jerry colour-commentated his way into the hearts of a generation of WWE fans as his comedic utterances and over the top mannerisms took areas of Raw, especially the Diva’s segments, to a whole new stratosphere.
In later years, with the...
Last week, WWE announced a reshuffle in their annouce teams ahead of SmackDown’s move to SyFy on Thursday.
Michael Cole, Booker T and John Bradshaw Layfield will commentate on Raw while Cole, Byron Saxton and the returning Jerry ‘The King’ Lawler will handle SmackDown duties. The King, Cole, and Jbl will take the reigns for pay per view events.
The King has been missing from our television screens so far this year after being admitted to hospital with a bout of diverticulitis.
The transfer sees Lawler leave Raw after over 20 years of service. Spending most of his time behind the mic with Good Ol’ Jim Ross, Jerry colour-commentated his way into the hearts of a generation of WWE fans as his comedic utterances and over the top mannerisms took areas of Raw, especially the Diva’s segments, to a whole new stratosphere.
In later years, with the...
- 1/12/2015
- by Ross Tweddell
- Obsessed with Film
WWE.com
The move of Smackdown to Thursday nights starting on January 15th means some changes to WWE’s broadcast teams. It was announced on WWE.com that both the Raw and Smackdown teams will be changing.
The new Raw announce team will be Michael Cole as the lead play by play guy with John Bradshaw Layfield and WWE Hall of Famer Booker T as the analysts. This past week, Booker filled in for Jerry Lawler and apparently management liked what they heard because they have made them the permanent team. It’s a promotion for Booker, who was doing commentary on the pre-show although he was a commentator on Smackdown a few years ago. Cole and Jbl are in the same positions they were in before.
Smackdown’s announce team will be Michael Cole, Byron Saxton and WWE Hall of Famer Jerry “The King” Lawler. It’s a promotion for Saxton,...
The move of Smackdown to Thursday nights starting on January 15th means some changes to WWE’s broadcast teams. It was announced on WWE.com that both the Raw and Smackdown teams will be changing.
The new Raw announce team will be Michael Cole as the lead play by play guy with John Bradshaw Layfield and WWE Hall of Famer Booker T as the analysts. This past week, Booker filled in for Jerry Lawler and apparently management liked what they heard because they have made them the permanent team. It’s a promotion for Booker, who was doing commentary on the pre-show although he was a commentator on Smackdown a few years ago. Cole and Jbl are in the same positions they were in before.
Smackdown’s announce team will be Michael Cole, Byron Saxton and WWE Hall of Famer Jerry “The King” Lawler. It’s a promotion for Saxton,...
- 1/9/2015
- by John Canton
- Obsessed with Film
WWE.com
This week’s WWE Nxt Takeover Fatal 4-Way (or Takeover II) show was a fantastic professional wrestling event that WWE should be really proud of. It was available on WWE Network on Thursday night and it ran for two hours long. It was the third Nxt special of the year following previous specials in February and May.
Triple H is the man behind the Nxt brand. Ever since he took over the job as the man in charge of WWE’s talent relations, he made it a point to improve the development of WWE’s future stars. Earlier this week he talked about how Nxt was something he was proud of and that it was a brand that was on par with Raw & Smackdown. While the quality of the show is as good as those two, if not better a lot of the time, it’s still not at their level.
This week’s WWE Nxt Takeover Fatal 4-Way (or Takeover II) show was a fantastic professional wrestling event that WWE should be really proud of. It was available on WWE Network on Thursday night and it ran for two hours long. It was the third Nxt special of the year following previous specials in February and May.
Triple H is the man behind the Nxt brand. Ever since he took over the job as the man in charge of WWE’s talent relations, he made it a point to improve the development of WWE’s future stars. Earlier this week he talked about how Nxt was something he was proud of and that it was a brand that was on par with Raw & Smackdown. While the quality of the show is as good as those two, if not better a lot of the time, it’s still not at their level.
- 9/13/2014
- by John Canton
- Obsessed with Film
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