WWE RAW News: Jimmy Smith to join RAW commentary team

Initially reported by Dave Meltzer of The Wrestling Observer. WWE has made moves to replace Adnan Virk quickly following his announced release from his WWE contract last week and has allegedly opted to bring in UFC and Bellator alumni Jimmy Smith.

Smith has wide exposure to the combat sports industry. He will be best known for his time as a color commentator for the UFC in 2019 and was an analyst for Bellator MMA before that. He also worked with the PBC, but was the co-host on the cult classic show Fight Quest, which appeared on the Discovery Channel.

Smith is no stranger to the WWE or its product. Having appeared on several NXT TakeOver pre-shows in a preshow host-type role. As well as a talking head in the lead-up to the Finn Balor and Karrion Kross match that took place on the most recent episode of NXT.

The former WipeOut host would be taking the center seat on Monday Night RAW flanked by current members of the commentary booth Corey Graves and Byron Saxton who will reprise their roles on the show. The move to replace Virk came as a shock to many fans as he had only been announced as the new voice of RAW following WrestleMania only seven weeks ago.

Smith has reportedly been at the Performance Center for several weeks working alongside lead SmackDown announcer and the head of On-Air voice talent Michael Cole.

Smith is currently the host of Sirius XM’s Unlocking the Cage program detailing the week’s news in MMA. His first broadcast on the RAW desk is rumored to be the May 31 episode.