Jerry Lawler dropped from RAW and other WWE changes made

[Emperor Smeat]

WWE made several changes to their announcing team as part of Smackdown's move to a new time slot. Biggest being Laweler being dropped from RAW and JBL dropped from Smackdown.

WWE® ANNOUNCES NEW BROADCAST TEAMS AS A PART OF SMACKDOWN®'S MOVE TO THURSDAY NIGHTS

STAMFORD, CONN., January 8, 2015 – As part of WWE SmackDown's move next week to Thursday nights at 8 PM on Syfy, WWE has announced changes to the broadcast teams for its flagship programs Monday Night Raw® and WWE SmackDown. Starting Monday, January 12, Michael Cole, Booker T® and John "Bradshaw" Layfield® will handle play-by-play and color commentary on Raw. Michael Cole, Jerry "The King" Lawler® and Byron Saxton™ will be the hosts for SmackDown when it debuts next Thursday at 8 PM on Syfy.

The broadcast team for WWE pay-per-view events will continue to be Michael Cole, Jerry "The King" Lawler and John "Bradshaw" Layfield.

Your thoughts if any on the new changes?

[JimmyMess]

I think the Lawler thing is due to his health. The heart attack, the bout of diverticulitis, I imagine the constant travel doesn't help. So I think its a good move. Plus he hasn't been "The King" in a long, long time, so that's fine.

[SlickyTrickyDamon]

Tom gone from Smackdown? :(

[erickman]

still too much cole he should only do 1 show.

[SlickyTrickyDamon]

Also don't like the idea that the announce team has to be three.

[erickman]

Also don't like the idea that the announce team has to be three.

and booker and jbl i do not think they will mix

[KIRA]

There is no way in hell I can lose Booker T bingo now:y:

[SlickyTrickyDamon]

Do ROW wrestlers play Booker T bingo when he is training guys?

What dah hell do you call that a snapmare?

[Dark One]

Do ROW wrestlers play Booker T bingo when he is training guys?

What dah hell do you call that a snapmare?

I have to believe that Rollermacka is in his fave five.

[slik]

Lawler gets mad annoying sometimes. Prefer Booker T. Ok with this.

[Heisenberg]

ain't no skin off my behind, I commentate RAW live in the comfort of my living room

[Kris P Lettus]

They should hire Stevie Ray.

[Poit]

So, wait, what's happening to Tom Phillips?

[VSG]

Yeah I want to know too. He was one of their better commentators.

[Emperor Smeat]

Still going to be announcing for Superstars since only the main shows were changed. Maybe some NXT since the announcing teams are swapped around a lot.

[Fignuts]

Lawler hasn't added anything to commentary in years so it's whatever.

[GD]

Josh Matthews has left the Impact Zone ?

[Mr. Nerfect]

Wow. I always wondered when they were going to make the changes regarding the RAW announce team. Jerry Lawler being on SmackDown will be...odd, and almost an attraction in and of itself. I'd actually have really liked to have seen a more bitter King working with Tom Phillips on SmackDown. That could have been a laugh.

Christian should be given a shot at commentary. I think he is actually barbed enough to play around with JBL. Michael Cole, JBL & Christian on RAW; Tom Phillips and Jerry Lawler on SmackDown.

[Droford]

Surprised they didnt move Renee Young in

[mike adamle]

About time. They've needed Lawler off Raw since 2009.

[thedarkness214]

WWE sucks,,,,

[Bobholly138]

ain't no skin off my behind, I commentate RAW live in the comfort of my living room



The last few months if I watch Raw or Smackdown I have either some music playing or a podcast. For as bad as every thinks Lawler is,JBL and Cole are that bad if not worse to me. I say fire them all. Make Raw Don West and someone like Tensai.Then have Smackdown be say Edge and Funaki.

[voncouch]

I hope Rene Young gets a chance on a major show sometime soon. She's fantastic on NXT. She knows her shit, she's interested in the product and it's nice to hear a female voice for a change of pace.

[NormanSmiley]

where is Matt Stryker?

[Mr. Nerfect]

Matt Striker contract wasn't renewed and is now the play-by-play guy for Lucha Underground. It's a shame, because he was my favorite. He'd be great working SmackDown with Todd Grisham.

[The Rogerer]

Striker is absolutely terrible.

[XL]

where is Matt Stryker?

Matt Stryker retired in 2005. Dunno who these other dudes are talking about.

[Clerk]

JBL Dropped?

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=umDr0mPuyQc

[NormanSmiley]

Striker is absolutely terrible.
you shut your whore mouth

[Mr. Nerfect]

Striker is the best commentator the WWE has had since JBL's original SmackDown run.