In the aftermath of WWE’s surprising decision to remove Kevin Patrick from the SmackDown commentary team, backstage details have emerged, shedding light on the circumstances leading to this unexpected development according to PWInsider, just as news of WWE’s Raw on Netflix deal breaks.
Kevin Patrick, who initially joined WWE in March 2021 as a backstage interviewer, transitioned into the role of lead announcer for both Raw and SmackDown in October 2022. However, recent reports from PWInsider reveal that the decision to remove him from the SmackDown commentary team was made by WWE executives on the night of January 22. This decision appeared to be somewhat impromptu, as Patrick was originally scheduled to travel to SmackDown that Friday.
Despite Kevin Patrick being personally well-liked within WWE, there seems to have been a prevailing belief among executives that he may not have been the ideal fit for the SmackDown commentary role.
The future of Kevin Patrick’s tenure with WWE remains uncertain at this point. It is unclear whether the company will find another role for him within its ranks or if this marks the conclusion of his time with WWE with a release. As of now, Kevin Patrick has not commented on this unexpected development.
Additionally, the void left by Kevin Patrick on the SmackDown commentary team raises questions about his replacement and the future composition of the team. Earlier reports had indicated WWE’s interest in maintaining the current Raw commentary team, comprised of Michael Cole and Wade Barrett, due to their established chemistry. However, the specifics of who will step into Patrick’s shoes on SmackDown and how the commentary team will be structured moving forward remain uncertain. WWE fans will undoubtedly be eager to see how these backstage changes translate into the on-screen dynamics of their favorite wrestling broadcasts.
