With a new year comes new programming for WWE’s broadcast teams, including the voices behind superstar entrances.
According to PWInsiderAlicia Taylor, the current ring announcer of “WWE SmackDown”, will take respective responsibility for the Netflix premiere of “WWE Raw”, scheduled for January 6. Looking ahead, Taylor is expected to remain under WWE’s red brand for the foreseeable future. the future, with veteran ring announcer Lilian Garcia set to take over ring announcing duties for “SmackDown” starting on tomorrow’s episode from the Footprint Center in Phoenix, Arizona.
Garcia returned to WWE television in October 2024, specifically on the heels of Samatha Irvin’s departure from the company. Previous reports indicated that Garcia would remain in the ring announcing the position for an “extended” period, although it was unclear whether she would permanently replace Irvin in the long term. Garcia was a full-time announcer for WWE from 1999 to 2009 and again from 2011 to 2016. Occasional appearances followed in the years that followed, including a one-night return alongside Irvin last May .
Elsewhere, Taylor, the former voice of “WWE NXT,” received her official call-up to the WWE main roster in May 2024 as part of the “SmackDown” brand. In doing so, Mike Rome joined “NXT” to take on the same duties.
The January 3 episode of “SmackDown” will mark the first WWE event of 2025, with two matches confirmed so far. First, Nia Jax will defend her WWE Women’s Title against Naomi. Meanwhile, United States Champion Shinsuke Nakamura will face Andrade in a non-title match.
