Commentators

**NeanderCarl** · 12-01-2006, 07:09 PM

Watching WWE recently, I think the commentary team on Raw needs to be replaced ASAP. Jim Ross and Jerry Lawler, once the best team in the business, are now lazy, ill-prepared and stale, and get more information wrong than right. So I'm asking the TPWW community... who would you like to see replace them? And which two mic men do you think would have good chemistry together and make a good team?

Here are some of my nominations:

PLAY-BY-PLAY

Todd Grisham: I know it sounds like a strange choice, and sometimes he can be insufferable on Heat, but on a few occasions this year Grisham has stepped into the chair on Raw, and done a very good job, most notably the night that Joey Styles "quit". He was a lot more serious than on Heat, and was an improvement over Jim Ross.

Eric Bischoff: Never the best play-by-play on Nitro, but at least he would be a fresh face and voice for Raw, and I'm sure his decade of performing as an on-screen character in the time since will improve his act should he return to the desk.

Vince McMahon: Highly improbable, but I always liked Vince as a commentator. He could make any match sound exciting. For this to work, he would have to "lose" his position of power (kayfabe) to some other figure-head President and eat humble pie back at the announce table as a face.

COLOUR
Johnny Polo: Back in 1993/94, Scott 'Raven' Levy was the co-host of several WWF weekend shows with Gorilla Monsoon, and he was a riot! Hilarious and cutting. I would love to see Levy drop the tired Raven act and return to the funster persona of Johnny Polo, complete with his trusty sound effects machine.

Shane Douglas: Never gonna happen, but Shane has always been a good mic man, and he auditioned for the Raw job back in 1995, and apparently impressed (he got the job, but turned it down to remain in ECW.)

Jesse Ventura: The original and arguably the best. The ever-entertaining 'Body' is as flambuoyant and sarcastic as ever, and would fit right back in at the desk. Although he has had past legal problems with McMahon, he commentated on Raw in 1999, voiced the XFL and joined the Hall Of Fame a couple years back. It's a possibility.

Mark Madden: Could be entertaining, if a little obnoxious. Not my favourite choice on this list, but better than Lawler.

Ted DiBiase: Already held this position in 1994, and started well (good performance at Royal Rumble 1994) but slowly went downhill, and eventually became a manager instead. Worth another shot.

Michael Hayes: Dok Hendrix was a blast! Then they misused him, and buried him away. The best thing about King of the Ring 1995, possibly the worst PPV of all time.

Roddy Piper: Former commentator always did a great job of putting people over (just ask Virgil!), and bringing excitement to a match.

Art Donovan: Um... just kidding.

Of course there are several wrestlers/personalities reknowned for their mic work who might be able to translate that success to the desk, much like JBL has. Names that spring to mind: Ric Flair, Hulk Hogan, Armando Allejandro Estrada, Steve Austin, Val Venis, William Regal....

My personal choice to replace JR and King, if contracts were not an issue, would be Grisham and Polo.

Any better suggestions?

12-01-2006, 07:09 PM	#1
NeanderCarl That's Not My Name Posts: 9,086	Commentators Watching WWE recently, I think the commentary team on Raw needs to be replaced ASAP. Jim Ross and Jerry Lawler, once the best team in the business, are now lazy, ill-prepared and stale, and get more information wrong than right. So I'm asking the TPWW community... who would you like to see replace them? And which two mic men do you think would have good chemistry together and make a good team? Here are some of my nominations: PLAY-BY-PLAY Todd Grisham: I know it sounds like a strange choice, and sometimes he can be insufferable on Heat, but on a few occasions this year Grisham has stepped into the chair on Raw, and done a very good job, most notably the night that Joey Styles "quit". He was a lot more serious than on Heat, and was an improvement over Jim Ross. Eric Bischoff: Never the best play-by-play on Nitro, but at least he would be a fresh face and voice for Raw, and I'm sure his decade of performing as an on-screen character in the time since will improve his act should he return to the desk. Vince McMahon: Highly improbable, but I always liked Vince as a commentator. He could make any match sound exciting. For this to work, he would have to "lose" his position of power (kayfabe) to some other figure-head President and eat humble pie back at the announce table as a face. COLOUR Johnny Polo: Back in 1993/94, Scott 'Raven' Levy was the co-host of several WWF weekend shows with Gorilla Monsoon, and he was a riot! Hilarious and cutting. I would love to see Levy drop the tired Raven act and return to the funster persona of Johnny Polo, complete with his trusty sound effects machine. Shane Douglas: Never gonna happen, but Shane has always been a good mic man, and he auditioned for the Raw job back in 1995, and apparently impressed (he got the job, but turned it down to remain in ECW.) Jesse Ventura: The original and arguably the best. The ever-entertaining 'Body' is as flambuoyant and sarcastic as ever, and would fit right back in at the desk. Although he has had past legal problems with McMahon, he commentated on Raw in 1999, voiced the XFL and joined the Hall Of Fame a couple years back. It's a possibility. Mark Madden: Could be entertaining, if a little obnoxious. Not my favourite choice on this list, but better than Lawler. Ted DiBiase: Already held this position in 1994, and started well (good performance at Royal Rumble 1994) but slowly went downhill, and eventually became a manager instead. Worth another shot. Michael Hayes: Dok Hendrix was a blast! Then they misused him, and buried him away. The best thing about King of the Ring 1995, possibly the worst PPV of all time. Roddy Piper: Former commentator always did a great job of putting people over (just ask Virgil!), and bringing excitement to a match. Art Donovan: Um... just kidding. Of course there are several wrestlers/personalities reknowned for their mic work who might be able to translate that success to the desk, much like JBL has. Names that spring to mind: Ric Flair, Hulk Hogan, Armando Allejandro Estrada, Steve Austin, Val Venis, William Regal.... My personal choice to replace JR and King, if contracts were not an issue, would be Grisham and Polo. Any better suggestions?