WWE Commentary Shakeup: Michael Cole, Wade Barrett Move to ‘Raw,’ Cole to Also Remain on ‘SmackDown’ (EXCLUSIVE)

WWE is once again making changes to its on-air commentary teams, Variety has learned exclusively.

Beginning Aug. 7, Michael Cole and Wade Barrett will serve as the commentators for Monday Night Raw on USA Network. This marks a return to Raw for Cole, who first appeared on the show in 1997 and has served as one of the key members of the broadcast desk for various stretches of time ever since.

It will be Barretts first time doing commentary for Raw. In addition to his in-ring career, Barrett was previously a commentator for WWEs NXT before moving to Friday Night SmackDown on Fox in late 2022.

Cole will also remain on the commentary team for SmackDown, where he will be joined by Kevin Patrick and Corey Graves beginning Aug. 11.

Patrick and Graves are moving from Raw to SmackDown. According to an individual with knowledge of the situation, WWE remains high on Patrick and think that pairing him with Cole will only benefit his growth as a broadcaster. Cole has been with WWE for more than 25 years. Per WWE, he has only missed two shows in that time.

The news comes just hours ahead of WWEs annual SummerSlam pay-per-view, which will broadcast live from Ford Field in Detroit, MI, beginning at 8 p.m. ET/5 p.m. PT. Undisputed WWE Universal Champion Roman Reigns will face off against Jey Uso in the main event. Elsewhere on the card, Asuka, Charlotte Flair, and Bianca Belair will battle for the WWE womens title, while Cody Rhodes will face off against Brock Lesnar.