Who Could Replace Michael Cole as WWE Commentator?

STAMFORD, Conn. — For generations of fans, Michael Cole has been the voice of WWE. Since joining the Monday Night Raw commentary team in 1997, Cole has navigated both WWE’s flagship show and SmackDown. He has called some of the biggest WrestleMania matches and had an infamous feud with Jerry ‘The King’ Lawler. However, the question on many fans’ minds is who will succeed him when his time at the commentary desk comes to an end.

One possible candidate is Corey Graves. Transitioning from wrestler to commentator in NXT, Graves has previously worked across all major brands, starting as a color commentator and later moving to a play-by-play role. Although it seemed he was being groomed as Cole’s natural successor, his trajectory shifted in early 2025 when he was moved back to NXT, a change he expressed dissatisfaction with on social media.

Despite this setback, Graves may still be in contention for Cole’s eventual replacement. Meanwhile, Walker Stewart became New Japan Pro-Wrestling’s full-time English play-by-play commentator in 2023 at just 21 years old. Initially, questions surrounded his age, but Stewart has quickly demonstrated an intimate knowledge of the product, showing exceptional ability to tell in-ring stories.

Another strong contender is Mauro Ranallo, known for his energetic commentary during NXT’s celebrated TakeOver events. Since leaving WWE in 2020, Ranallo has remained involved in wrestling, currently commentating for Maple Leaf Pro Wrestling. His distinctive voice and enthusiasm could bring a fresh perspective to WWE’s commentary booth.

Additionally, Ian Riccaboni has built a respected name as the long-time voice of Ring of Honor and has made appearances on AEW programming. His in-depth wrestling knowledge and passion for the sport may enable a smooth transition to WWE commentary.

Finally, WWE has made strides in promoting its female stars, but the commentary booth still lags behind. Cathy Kelley has recently gained recognition for her work as a backstage interviewer and represents a bold and overdue choice for Cole’s potential replacement.

As the WWE addresses who will lead its commentary in the future, fans are eager to see which names rise to the occasion.