Browsing: Commentary

Corey Graves Returns To WWE SmackDown Commentary

Corey Graves has officially made his return to the WWE Friday Night SmackDown commentary desk. After a multi-week absence due to a storyline attack by Brock Lesnar, Graves was back in his familiar seat alongside Michael Cole on the October 17 broadcast from the Kia Center in Orlando.

His return was a quiet one, with no special segment or fanfare. Instead, he was simply seen back at his post during the opening segment of the show, which featured Undisputed WWE Champion Cody Rhodes and SmackDown General Manager Nick Aldis. During his time away, WWE Hall of Famer Booker T had filled in on commentary, but the familiar voice of Graves is now back on the blue brand.

The storyline reason for Graves’s absence was a brutal assault at the hands of “The Beast Incarnate” Brock Lesnar on the September 13 episode of SmackDown. The attack was positioned as a final, violent statement from Lesnar as he headed into his clash with John Cena at the WrestlePalooza Premium Live Event.

The assault effectively wrote Graves off of television for several weeks, leaving fans to wonder when and how he would return. The quiet nature of his comeback suggests that the angle involving Lesnar is likely concluded, and the focus for Graves will be returning to his role as the lead color commentator for SmackDown.

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Former Pakistan captain Sana Mir stays on commentary panel despite ‘Azad Kashmir’ controversy | Cricket News

Former Pakistan captain Sana Mir stays on commentary panel despite'Azad Kashmir' controversyFormer Pakistan captain Sana Mir (X) Former Pakistan captain Sana Mir continued her role on the commentary panel for the high-profile Womenâ€s World Cup 2025 clash between India and Pakistan at the R Premadasa Stadium in Colombo on Sunday, despite facing widespread criticism for a previous on-air remark referencing “Azad Kashmir.†India are taking on Pakistan in their second league match of the ICC tournament. The controversy originated during Pakistanâ€s opener against Bangladesh last Thursday. While discussing batter Natalia Pervaizâ€s background, Mir said: “…captaining a very young side. Yes, they have won the qualifiers, but a lot of these players are new. Natalia, who comes from Kashmir, Azad Kashmir, plays in Lahore a lot cricket. She has to come to Lahore to play most of her cricket there.†Her comment drew heavy criticism online, with many social media users urging the ICC to remove her from the panel, accusing her of politicising the broadcast. In response, Mir clarified the matter, stressing that her statement had been exaggerated and misinterpreted. Taking to X, she wrote: “Itâ€s unfortunate how things are being blown out of proportion and people in sports are being subjected to unnecessary pressure. It is sad that this requires an explanation at public level. My comment about a Pakistan player’s hometown was only meant to highlight the challenges she faced from a certain region in Pakistan and her incredible journey. It is part of the storytelling we do as commentators, showing where players come from. I did the same for two other players from other regions. Please donâ€t politicise it. On the World Feed, our focus is the sport, teams, and players, highlighting grit and perseverance. There is no malice in my heart or intention to hurt sentiments.†She also shared a screenshot showing the sources she used to research players, noting that the information had since been updated. Despite the scrutiny, Mir remained part of the commentary panel for Pakistanâ€s second match against India. While she did not appear on Star Sports, Indiaâ€s official Womenâ€s World Cup broadcaster, a screenshot from the Pakistan broadcast circulated online, showing her alongside former India captain Mithali Raj, discussing the game immediately after the toss. In the match, Pakistan won the toss and chose to bowl first. India made one change to their lineup, bringing in Renuka Thakur for Amanjot.

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Barber’s impressions of event in Mexico City featuring MJF vs. Mistico in a Mask vs. Title match with English commentary

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SPOTLIGHTED PODCAST ALERT (YOUR ARTICLE BEGINS A FEW INCHES DOWN)…

CMLL “92ND ANNIVERSARY SHOW” REPORT
SEPTEMBER 19, 2025
MEXICO CITY, MEXICO AT ARENA MEXICO
REPORT BY ZACH BARBER, PWTORCH CONTRIBUTOR

Do not adjust your screens. This isnâ€t my normal beat, but CMLL presented itâ€s 92nd Anniversario show, its equivalent of WrestleMania. For the first time ever they presented the show with an English commentary team so I decided to check it out. Here are my thoughts.

Production:

As I mentioned, this event marked the first time in its history that CMLL offered English commentary for one of its shows. The speculation per Luchablog is that it was a Triller call which is makes sense given tha=t the English commentary was only available on the Triller feed and not on CMLL’s regular YouTube subscription channel which also carried the show.

From the moment the show started, it was apparent that from a technical standpoint the commentary was thrown together. The show began with the commentators (Veda Scott, Samuray del Sol fka Kalisto, and Miguel Castro) literally testing their mics on air. There were audio blackouts that marred the first 15 or so minutes of the show and happened sporadically throughout. I think this was a function of the commentary having to be patched over the actual audio feed of the show.

Initially I thought the ring was mic’d poorly but that may actually have been an issue caused by this weird audio mix. The other major production issue I noticed – also possibly caused by the audio issues – was that the viewing audience couldnâ€t hear the announcer make ring introduction. Samuray del Sol had to do the intros himself.

Commentary:

Veda Scott continues to be the most underrated announcer in the game. The fact that a major promotion hasnâ€t snapped her up is crazy. She worked her ass off as the glue that held this commentary team together. It was evident from the start that this team came in at a deficit having never worked together before. Veda did her homework and competently conveyed the background of each match to the audience. Samuray del Sol was able to add some color about Lucha and the Luchadors. Miguel definitely felt like a third wheel most of the time but he shined in the Mistico-MJF match.

Arena/Vibe:

Arena Mexico is such a unique and cool-looking venue. The crowd was loud and boisterous for everything including military band/mariachi performance in between the second and third matches. It was wild how much more over “Cielito Lindo” was at this show than a lot of the musical performances on WWE shows.

Matches:

Lluvia & La Jarochita vs Reyna Isis & Persephone

This match opened the show. In addition to the aforementioned audio issues, this match simply wasnâ€t very good. The women didnâ€t have much chemistry and even though Lucha rules are looser, having all four women in the match most of the time was a little much. All of that said, the sold-out crowd in Arena Mexico ate this up. They booed vociferously when Lluvia & La Jarochita got the win. Still, I wish the show had started hotter and I definitely wish the Womenâ€s Division had been given an opportunity to redeem itself.

Villaino III Jr & Hijo del Villiano III vs Angel del Oro & Niebla Roja

An improvement on the first match, for sure. These two teams did battle for the CMLL World Tag Team titles. The use of the Lucha tag rules in this one wasnâ€t as obnoxious as in the first match. The action was solid with both teams flying around the ring and the faces repeatedly going for submissions until they were able to lock on simultaneous swinging surfboards to retain their titles. Interestingly, the crowd was much more on the side of the heel Villiano brothers and actually booed the outcome.

ARTICLE CONTINUED BELOW…

Check out the latest episode of the “All Elite Conversation Club” with Joel Dehnel and Gregg Kanner, part of the PWTorch Dailycast line-up: CLICK HERE to stream (or search “pwtorch†on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, or any other iOS or Android app to subscribe free)

Atlantis Jr. & Neón, & Mascara Dorada vs. Hechicero & Volador Jr, & Zankodan Jr. – Two out of Three Falls

This was the chaotic spotfest that youâ€d expect from these six. Mascara Dorada is a tremendous talent. He was executing high-flying moves with such fluidity and ease. Dorada scored the first fall on Zankodan Jr. before getting triple-teamed by all three heels and pinned by Hechicero. Dorada got even though, scoring the decisive fall for his team with his beautiful shooting star press on Hechicero.

Difunto & Barboza vs. Títan & Templario – Copa Independencia final

Difunto officially has my new favorite lucha mask. Itâ€s this really cool pirate skeleton thing. That said, this match was good although not as good as the one before it. The commentators were starting to gel more at this point and did a good job telling the story of Títan and Templario going from rivals to partners. This match featured another double pin, which must be a staple of lucha wrestling. The faces going over makes sense given that it seems like CMLL is trying build up this unlikely partnership.

El Felino vs. Rey Bucanero (Hair vs. Hair)

This was the legends match on the card (Felino is 61, Bucanero is 51). Once I realized these were older luchadors, I wasnâ€t expecting much, but I have to say I was pleasantly surprised. Felino was still pretty spry for his age, even hitting a top rope huracanrana at one point. It was still the slowest match on the card though, which it made it stick out, although it wasnâ€t bad by any means.

The finish was both historic yet unsatisfying. Each man kicked the other low in full view of the referee resulting in a double disqualification and, for the first time ever, both combatants getting their heads shaved. Itâ€s just nice to know that bad finishes arenâ€t just limited to American promotions. I did like the added touch of having a professional barber on hand to do the hair cutting, though.

Mìstico vs. MJF – Mask vs Title

As well-worked and incredible as “Hangman” Page vs. Kyle Fletcher, I have to give the slight edge to Místico and MJF for match of the weekend. This was everything you want in pro wrestling. From the moment “Mi Muero” hit, Místico may as well have been a deity. All of Arena Mexico was behind him. MJF was the perfect foil as the nationalistic American heel.

MJF attacked Místico before the bell. He ripped a hole in Místicoâ€s mask and slammed him face first into the ringpost which split him wide open. From that point on, Místico fought from underneath bleeding like a stuck pig the entire time. The crowd would will him to rally and MJF would quickly quash it. MJF reversed an attempt at La Mistica into a tombstone. He hit a package piledriver on the apron and then demanded the ref count only for Místico to narrowly make it back into the ring.

Místico rallied one last time hitting a crazy standing top rope huracanrana and successfully put MJF in La Mistica. MJF attempted to reach the rope, but Místico rolled through and re-applied the hold. This time he cranked it and forced MJF to tap much to the thundering adoration of the crowd. CMLL owner Salvador Lutteroth came out with his son to present Místico with the CMLL World Light Heavyweight Title. This was incredible. Excellent work from both men and the atmosphere just put over the top. A match of the year contender in my book.

Drágon Rojo & Barbaro Cavernario vs. Esfinge & El Valiente vs. Último Guerrero & Averno

The rules to this main event were unique. Essentially it was two matches in one. In the first match, three teams of rivals competed in a triple threat elimination tag match. The action was fast and furious. It also gave Último Guerrero and Averno, who are on the older side the luxury of not having to carry a match themselves.

Each wrestler had a chance to shine before Esfinge eliminated Cavernario and Rojo by pinning Cavernario after a 540 Kick. Rojo then fought Cavernario up the ramp to the back. Último Guerrero and Averno were the next go following a double pin off of a simultaneous lung blower and top rope splash.

That left Esfinge and Valiente to battle in a mask vs. mask match. They went around 20 minutes. Valiente worked over Esfingeâ€s arm early. Esfinge mounted a comeback and hit a 540 kick which Valiente kicked out of. He also kicked out of a top rope splash. Esfinge finally got win with a painful looking twisting figure-four into a bridging pin. The show closed with Valiente unmasking.

Overall Thoughts:

I thought this was a very fun show that didnâ€t overstay its welcome. The show got better after the clunky opener and peaked with the incredible Místico-MJF match, although the main event was more than solid. Given the relationship between CMLL and AEW, the exposure of the CMLL talent to an American audience. I think it would behoove CMLL to consider making English commentary a regular feature of their programming so that theyâ€re show is more accessible to a non-Spanish speaking audience.

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WWE

Bryan Danielson Reveals When He Found Out He Was Joining AEW Commentary Team

Bryan danielson smiling

Irvin Rivera/Getty Images

Bryan Danielson has found himself in a new role in AEW. He will be trading in his trunks for a suit while he sits behind the commentary desk for future episodes of “Dynamite.”

In a recent conversation with “Pario Magazine,” Danielson recounted the informal way he learned about his latest assignment.

“How it came about is that it had been mentioned, but I didn’t find out the same way everybody else found out on Sunday. I got a text message like, ‘hey man, so you’re gonna be at ‘Dynamite’ this week, right?’ And I was like, huh? And then they sent me the tweet that Tony Khan just sent out, and I was just like, oh, okay, yep. Tony and I had talked about the possibility of it, but I didn’t know it was a real thing until Sunday.”

It is clear that Danielson is fiercely loyal to Khan since his debut in the promotion in 2021 and this isn’t the first time that Khan has kept talent in the dark. “The American Dragon” goes on to talk about his philosophy when it comes to commentating pro wrestling.Â

“My philosophy from a commentary standpoint is to do whatever I can to move the story along, to help viewers follow the stories that we’re trying to tell.”

The commentary booth is not an unfamiliar place for Danielson. Fans may remember his broadcast debut when he called matches alongside Mauro Ranallo during the Cruiserweight Classic, receiving glowing remarks for his work. We’ll see how he fits in with the AEW booth for a promotion that is in need of a spark.Â

If you use any quotes from this article, please credit “Pario Magazine” and provide a h/t to Wrestling Inc. for transcription.

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