You have likely heard the news by now that JBL is leaving the Smackdown Live commentary team. As a result, WWE will likely bring in a third person to join Tom Phillips and Byron Saxton to call the action on Tuesday nights. As of writing this, there has been no replacement announced by WWE.
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Here is a list of candidates that we think could take over JBL’s spot on the Smackdown commentary team.
Corey Graves
Graves is already at Smackdown on Tuesdays to do 205 Live. Seems like they could easily use him on Smackdown if they wanted to since he is already in the arena.
Jerry ‘the King’ Lawler
Jerry filled in on RAW last week and didn’t miss a beat. Not sure if he wants to travel full-time but he remains a short-term option.
Nigel McGuinness
Currently works in NXT. WWE could choose to promote him.
Note: Both Mauro Ranallo and Renee Young have made it clear that they don’t want the job.
David Otunga
Hasn’t been put back on the RAW announce team yet. They could use him on Smackdown instead.
Steve Corino
Currently works as a trainer in NXT. Has done commentary in the past.
Jim Ross
Don’t think he wants to work the full-time schedule so this seems unlikely.
Two-Man Booth
WWE could not replace him at all and just go with Phillips/Saxton if they wanted.
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Those are all of the options that we can think of. Let us know if we missed any!
Is it considered “full time” work to call one, two hour show once a week?
JR or Steve Carino