WWE Commentary Teams Set for Shake-Up to Kick Off 2026

WWE is kicking off 2026 with a big commentary shake-up.

According to PWInsider, Michael Cole and Corey Graves are headed back to Monday Night RAW starting January 5, 2026—marking a return to the red brand for WWE’s veteran voices. Meanwhile, SmackDown will feature Joe Tessitore and Wade Barrett beginning January 2.

This change effectively flips the current commentary pairings and restores the original 2025 lineup before Joe Tessitore’s college football commitments shuffled things in the fall.

Tessitore had taken over RAW duties alongside Barrett back in September 2025 to accommodate his college football schedule, which saw him calling games through the College Football Playoffs, including Tulane vs. Ole Miss on TNT Sports this past weekend.

WWE also quietly swapped teams for the December 19 SmackDown and December 22 RAW episodes—likely due to those shows being pre-taped around the holidays.

Now with football season wrapping up, WWE is resetting the desk for 2026—and bringing Michael Cole and Corey Graves back to Monday Night RAW feels like business as usual.

Are you happy to see Michael Cole and Corey Graves back on RAW? Or do you think Tessitore and Barrett should’ve stayed put? Sound off below and let us know which team you prefer!