Former UFC and Bellator commentator Jimmy Smith is set to join the announce team on Monday Night RAW.
After play-by-play commentator Adnan Virk left WWE earlier this week the company have wasted little time in lining up his replacement.
The news was first reported by Dave Meltzer of the Wrestling Observer, stating that Jimmy Smith will join Corey Graves and Byron Saxton in the announce booth for the May 31st episode of the red brand.
Interestingly, the report noted that while Smith is slated to fill the vacant play-by-play role, he worked as an analyst during his time with both UFC and Bellator.
Smith isn’t a totally new face to WWE audiences as he appeared on the pre-show panel for NXT TakeOver: Stand & Deliver. More recently Smith appeared in a talking head segment ahead of the NXT Title clash between Karrion Kross and Finn Balor.
WWE have since confirmed the news.
WWE today announced that @jimmysmithmma will debut as the play-by-play voice for #WWERaw starting this Monday, May 31 at 8/7c on @USA_Network.https://t.co/8mUWqEkv4X
— WWE (@WWE) May 26, 2021
Meanwhile, WWE announced that they had “mutually agreed to part ways” with Monday Night RAW play-by-play announcer Adnan Virk on May 25th.
Virk landed the lead role at the RAW announce booth on April 12th, saying that he was “elated” to join the company.
However, while Virk has an extensive sports background having worked for ESPN and the MLB Network, the Canadian had faced criticism for his performances with WWE.