Report: WWE makes change to SmackDown commentary team

WWE has reportedly made a change to its commentary teams. 

Michael Cole will be exclusive to the Raw brand moving forward, PWInsider is reporting. Both shows will have two-person commentary teams beginning in the new year, although it is not clear who Cole will work with on Raw and who the two-person team on SmackDown will be.  

Cole had been working both Raw and SmackDown in recent months. In August, WWE announced that he would work alongside Kevin Patrick and Corey Graves on SmackDown while also working with Wade Barrett on Raw. This was being done to help Patrick develop in his role by taking advantage of Cole’s 25 years of experience in the business. 

“According to an individual with knowledge of the situation, WWE remains high on Patrick and think that pairing him with Cole will only benefit his growth as a broadcaster,” Variety wrote. “Cole has been with WWE for more than 25 years. Per WWE, he has only missed two shows in that time.”