WWE removes Wade Barrett from SmackDown commentary

During the most recent broadcast of SmackDown, WWE confirmed significant changes in its commentary team. From now on, Corey Graves and Michael Cole will be in charge of narrating the stories on both the blue brand and Monday Night Raw, establishing themselves as the company's main duo on television.

According to PWInsiderElite, Wade Barrett will stop traveling with WWE and will not be present at the Raw commentary table. The move has raised questions among fans, especially because it comes shortly after the controversy over his comments about Nikki Bella before Clash in Paris. Bella mentioned on her podcast that she did not appreciate the comments about her age and claimed that Barrett avoided her backstage, something the British denied later on social media, stating that they even talked and the matter was settled.

Beyond the speculations, it has not been confirmed that Barrett's departure is related to that episode. What does seem clear is that WWE has chosen to keep Cole and Graves as the official voices of its two main weekly programs. A surprising turn, considering that initially Graves was kept off the main roster broadcasts, but now he regains total prominence by narrating both Monday and Friday shows.

However, despite the move, Pat McAfee has been confirmed to appear as the main commentator at Wrestlepalooza on September 20 in Indianapolis. Currently, McAfee remains out of the company due to his commitment to the college football season, but WWE expects his return for the premium event. It is unknown if he will continue as a regular commentator after that show.