In a significant shift to WWE’s announce teams, Wade Barrett has been removed from his commentator role, with Michael Cole and Corey Graves officially named as the lead commentary duo for both Raw and SmackDown moving forward. This change was confirmed during the September 5, 2025, episode of WWE SmackDown when Michael Cole took to the airwaves, announcing that he and Corey Graves would be calling the show together “for the next couple of months” without mentioning Barrett or Joe Tessitore, his previous broadcast partner on SmackDown[1][2].

Background and Details on the Commentary Shake-up

Wade Barrett, a former WWE superstar turned commentator, had been serving as the lead analyst on SmackDown alongside Joe Tessitore. Tessitore’s limited availability due to college football broadcasting commitments reportedly influenced WWE’s decision to alter the SmackDown commentary lineup[2]. According to sources close to WWE, Barrett has been taken “off the road” and will no longer be part of WWE’s live event commentary teams. While the official reason for Barrett’s removal remains undisclosed, there is speculation within WWE circles that this move is part of a broader strategy to consolidate the commentary teams and streamline broadcasts across WWE’s flagship shows[4].

Michael Cole, a venerable WWE voice known as “the voice of WWE” for over two decades, returns to a more prominent role on SmackDown after primarily calling Raw for years. Corey Graves, praised for his chemistry with Cole and his insightful color commentary, transitions to working regularly alongside Cole on both Raw and SmackDown. Fans and insiders alike have noted Graves’ strong performances during recent Raw broadcasts, where he had temporarily filled in for Pat McAfee while McAfee focused on ESPN’s College GameDay duties[1][2].

Implications for WWE Broadcast Teams

This rearrangement marks the end of the Barrett-Tessitore era on SmackDown, but Joe Tessitore’s future with WWE remains uncertain, with rumors suggesting he might be shifted to Raw or possibly take a hiatus while fulfilling his college football duties[2]. WWE has not officially announced a permanent play-by-play commentator for Raw, but insiders hint that Michael Cole and Corey Graves could team up to cover both Raw and SmackDown, at least temporarily[4].

The commentary changes come at a pivotal time for WWE, as SmackDown seeks to capitalize on high-profile storylines, including John Cena’s retirement tour and CM Punk’s hometown return, events that demand sharp and engaging commentary to maximize viewer experience[1].

Wade Barrett’s Current Status and Future

Beyond his departure from commentary, Wade Barrett recently addressed personal matters publicly, noting he and Nikki Bella have “smoothed things over” following some past disagreements, indicating he remains in good standing within the wrestling community[4]. However, sources have yet to confirm any new on-screen role or backstage position for Barrett, leaving fans and analysts to speculate on his WWE future.

Additional WWE Commentary Updates

Alongside Cole and Graves’s expanded roles, WWE announced other changes to their broadcast teams around the same period. Byron Saxton moved from commentary to backstage interviewer duties on Raw, with Cathy Kelley rejoining WWE to assist in interviews. Mike Rome continues as the ring announcer, and NXT features a refreshed booth with Vic Joseph and Booker T calling the action[3].

Pat McAfee, temporarily absent due to ESPN commitments but highly praised by fans and peers, is expected to return to WWE commentary soon[3].

Source Credibility

This report draws on multiple credible sources, including WWE’s official announcements, industry insiders from PWInsider Elite and Fightful, and broadcast observations noted on Wrestling Headlines, PWMania, and WrestleTalk. These sources collectively confirm the commentary team restructuring and provide insights into the reasons and effects of the changes[1][2][3][4].

Conclusion

The removal of Wade Barrett from WWE commentary and the reappointment of Michael Cole and Corey Graves as the primary voices on Raw and SmackDown represent a major broadcasting shakeup. For fans accustomed to Barrett’s analysis and Joe Tessitore’s work, this marks a pivot toward WWE leveraging its most experienced commentators to enhance its flagship shows’ presentation. As WWE continues introducing fresh storylines and historic moments, the voice team led by Cole and Graves will be crucial in delivering the excitement and narrative depth that modern wrestling audiences expect.

According to a WWE insider, “WWE aims to bring the best possible broadcast experience, and with Michael and Corey’s proven chemistry, they believe this duo can elevate both Raw and SmackDown commentary for the foreseeable future.” Fans will no doubt be listening closely as the new commentary tandem settles into their expanded roles on WWE programming.