WWE: Toni Storm Update, Michael Cole on Greatest Wrestling Announcer, RAW Brand News

WWE

Jul 22, 2021

Toni Storm Main Roster Debut Plans Update

As noted before, WWE has been recently airing main roster debut vignettes for Toni Storm for their SmackDown brand. Storm is currently scheduled to make her official main roster debut at this Friday’s episode of Friday Night SmackDown.

PWInsider’s Mike Johnson reported that WWE officials are currently planning for Storm to be presented as a babyface star for their SmackDown brand starting with her main roster debut this week.

Michael Cole Comments on Who Is the Best Ever Wrestling Announcer

A recent episode of The Pat McAfee podcast had Michael Cole as the guest. One of the topics discussed included Cole’s thoughts on the comparisons with Jim Ross and who he considers to be the best ever wrestling announcer.

“Any time I can get some positive press, I like it. At the end of the day, I’ve busted my ass for 25 years in this business and nobody can ever take that away from me. I may not be the greatest of all time, I will truly say that when it comes to emotion, Jim Ross is the greatest ever in this business. I think I’m the greatest ever when it comes to running a show, running traffic. No matter what you think of me, that’s your opinion and the beauty of wrestling. You can love people, you can hate people, but you can never take away the fact that I’ve worked at this for 25 years and have literally missed two television shows in 25 years. To me, that’s a badge of honor. It’s a grind, but I love what I do.”

Transcript h/t: Fightful.com

WWE’s RAW Brand News & Notes

As noted before, Karrion Kross made his official main roster debut for the RAW brand during this past Monday’s episode of RAW. A notable absence from his debut was Scarlett Bordeaux who reportedly was not in attendance backstage during the show, according to PWInsider.

PWInsider’s Mike Johnson reported that The Undertaker was seen in attendance backstage during this past Monday’s episode of RAW in Dallas, Texas.

Johnson also reported that Rhea Ripley will be presented as a babyface star going forward for the RAW brand. Johnson reported that his sources stated that this decision had been quietly made a few weeks ago but she will now be acting 100% as a babyface on WWE television going forward.

In regards to Keith Lee, Johnson reported that his appearance at this past Monday’s episode of RAW was not a one-time appearance and instead will resume working as a regular member of the RAW roster going forward. Johnson also reported that Lee had been recently cleared to return to the ring confirming that whatever was keeping away from WWE television was not creative issues related.

In regards to Reginald, Johnson reported that WWE officials currently are planning to present him as a babyface for their RAW brand going forward. The Nia Jax and Reginald breakup storyline reportedly was done in order to help freshen up the company’s 24/7 Championship division.

The Mat Men Wrestling’s Andrew Zarian reported that USA Network is currently planning to air both the East and West Coast feeds of upcoming RAW episodes simultaneously on their network. Zarian reported that the reason for the decision is due to the network’s commitments with the upcoming 2020 Olympic Games.