CONFIRMED: WWE makes massive change official on RAW

WWE changes things up all the time, and the last RAW of 2025 confirmed a rumor that had been stewing around the first shows of 2026.

Joe Tessitore and Wade Barrett have called the action on Mondays for several months, with fill-ins as needed. With the first RAW on Netflix slated to be a huge show next week, the change in commentary was confirmed by Tessitore.

Michaal Cole and Corey Graves will assume announcing duties on the first anniversary of RAW on Netflix next week. Not only will several big matches grace the card, but a new and familiar commentary team will be calling the action.

Tessitore confirmed the change of teams as he ran down the card for next week's loaded show. To heavily promote the episode even more, WWE will team with Netflix's hit show, Stranger Things, for a themed episode.

WWE hoping big changes kick off 2026 the right way

Commentary has been in constant flux across all three of WWE's major brands. Corey Graves has called episodes of RAW, SmackDown, and NXT in 2025. Vic Joseph filled in for a few weeks when stars were hurt, sick, or on hiatus.

Booker T also called the main-roster action a few times in 2025, coming up from NXT. His ties to stars like Roxanne Perez and Stephanie Vaquer added different dimensions to their matches since Booker helped them get over in NXT.

Barrett and Tessitore called SmackDown at one point this year, and will be heading back to the blue brand again to start the new year. All four analysts have different styles that set them apart. A new announce team will give SmackDown a different feel as it returns to three hours in 2026.

Cole was instrumental in feuds between Kevin Owens and Cody Rhodes on SmackDown in early 2025, as well as between Gunther and Pat McAfee after WrestleMania 41.

Fans may not notice the change as much as they would if Bron Breakker beats CM Punk for the World Heavyweight title or if a huge name makes a big splash next week.

Regardless, the first RAW of 2026 will set things up on the road to the Royal Rumble, and Cole and Graves will call the action.

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Edited by Matthew Serocki