In a noteworthy shakeup within WWE, it has been reported by PWInsider that two prominent ring announcers, Lilian Garcia and Alicia Taylor, are set to switch brands in the near future. This change signals a fresh start for both announcers as they bring their unique energy to new audiences.
Lilian Garcia Heads to SmackDown
A seasoned WWE veteran, Lilian Garcia will transition from her recent role on RAW to take over announcing duties on SmackDown. Known for her polished delivery and emotional performances, Garcia is no stranger to the SmackDown stage, having previously made her mark on the brand during her illustrious career. Fans can expect to hear her voice as early as tonight’s episode.
Alicia Taylor Joins RAW
Meanwhile, Alicia Taylor will step into the RAW spotlight, officially beginning her tenure this coming Monday. Taylor has gained a loyal following with her dynamic style and passion for the sport, most recently showcased during her time on NXT. Her transition to RAW provides an exciting opportunity to expand her reach to the red brand’s worldwide audience.
Both announcers bring a unique flair to their roles, and this swap adds a fresh layer of intrigue as WWE continues to fine-tune its on-air presentation. Be sure to catch Lilian Garcia on SmackDown tomorrow night, and don’t miss Alicia Taylor’s RAW debut this Monday on Netflix.
WWE SmackDown live tonight on USA Network from the Amalie Arena in Tampa, Florida.
The only thing WWE has officially announced and advertised heading into the show this evening is an appearance by Undisputed WWE Champion “The American Nightmare” Cody Rhodes.
If there’s one thing to know about the Paul Levesque era of WWE, it’s that every detail matters—no line, moment, or background shot is without purpose. That philosophy was on full display during this week’s WWE SmackDown, as a small but significant comment could signal a major roster shakeup in the near future.
During the opening promo segment featuring Cody Rhodes, RAW’s Chad Gable—alongside The Creed Brothers—surprisingly made an appearance on the blue brand. While it might seem odd for RAW Superstars to crash SmackDown, Gable quickly explained that “the transfer window is about to open,” hinting at a potential move to SmackDown. He further noted that SmackDown General Manager Nick Aldis was already working behind the scenes to bring him over.
To add fuel to the fire, Michael Cole followed up on commentary, stating that when RAW officially moves to Netflix in January 2025, fans can expect significant changes to both SmackDown and NXT. Cole’s comment left little doubt that trades, roster shake-ups, and call-ups from NXT are on the horizon as WWE prepares for a new era across its brands.
What Does This Mean for WWE?
Roster Trades and NXT Call-Ups: WWE has teased a “transfer window” concept, which opens the door for Superstars to swap brands. This could see major names move between RAW and SmackDown, as well as emerging talent from NXT getting called up to the main roster. It’s a fresh and exciting way to bolster the rosters ahead of RAW’s move to Netflix and the rumored third hour of SmackDown.
Commentary Shake-Up: Michael Cole’s mention could also serve as a transition for WWE’s broadcast teams. With rumors of Pat McAfee returning to SmackDown commentary, it makes sense for Michael Cole to head back to RAW, while Joe Tessitore and Wade Barrett are said to be joining Corey Graves on the blue brand. These moves will give WWE’s commentary teams a refreshed dynamic heading into 2025.
The Third Hour of SmackDown: Another significant takeaway is the speculation surrounding SmackDown expanding to a three-hour format. If this happens, the blue brand will need a deeper roster to fill the extra time, and the “transfer window” could be WWE’s storyline explanation for these roster additions.
Why This Matters
WWE is clearly preparing for a seismic shift in 2025 as it adjusts to new deals and platforms. The “transfer window” could be a game-changing way to keep storylines fresh, create buzz around Superstar moves, and elevate talent from NXT. It also ties into WWE’s growing partnership with Netflix, giving fans plenty to look forward to as WWE embarks on a new era.
For now, details are scarce, but the groundwork is being laid. Keep an eye on SmackDown, RAW, and NXT in the coming months because when the “transfer window” officially opens, the WWE landscape could look very different.
The fallout from WWE Survivor Series: WarGames continues to take its toll on Solo Sikoa’s New Bloodline faction, with another key member now sidelined due to injury. Following the brutal WarGames main event this past Saturday, WWE confirmed on SmackDown that Tonga Loa has suffered a torn bicep and is out indefinitely.
During Friday’s SmackDown, WWE displayed both a scan of Loa’s torn bicep and footage of him wearing a sling. It was also revealed that the former WWE Tag Team Champion has already undergone surgery to begin the recovery process. While there’s no clear timeline for Loa’s return, torn biceps typically require several months of rehabilitation, leaving a significant hole in Solo Sikoa’s New Bloodline moving forward.
Loa is just the latest casualty from Survivor Series: WarGames. As reported earlier, Bronson Reed sustained a serious ankle injury, which WWE also addressed during the SmackDown broadcast, while Jimmy Uso is dealing with a broken toe. Despite speculation about Jacob Fatu suffering a scare during the chaotic match, he appears to have avoided any significant injury.
The WarGames match saw Solo Sikoa’s New Bloodline—featuring Sikoa, Tanga Loa, Tama Tonga, Jacob Fatu, and Bronson Reed—come up short against Roman Reigns, Jimmy Uso, Jey Uso, Sami Zayn, and CM Punk. With three members of Sikoa’s group now banged up, the faction is already showing signs of strain as they attempt to establish dominance under Solo’s leadership.
Interestingly, Tonga Loa’s absence was felt immediately during SmackDown. The show opened with Sikoa, Jacob Fatu, and Tama Tonga attacking Apollo Crews backstage—without Loa in tow—suggesting the group is wasting no time in carrying out their agenda despite the mounting injuries.
For fans, this latest injury raises questions about how the New Bloodline will regroup and adapt in Loa’s absence. Will Solo Sikoa look to bring in reinforcements, or will the remaining members of the group step up to fill the void? One thing is certain: The battle between Roman Reigns’ Bloodline and Solo Sikoa’s New Bloodline is far from over, but injuries could force a shift in strategy for the faction.
Friday night’s episode of WWE SmackDown delivered one of the most electrifying moments of the year as CM Punk made his much-anticipated return. Joining the original Bloodline team for War Games, Punk’s comeback was orchestrated by none other than Paul Heyman, who also made a dramatic return to the fold.
Punk had been absent from WWE television, selling injuries sustained during his brutal Hell in a Cell victory over Drew McIntyre at Bad Blood. Fans were left guessing who would fill the fifth spot for the babyface War Games team, and the answer came in epic fashion when Heyman interrupted a tense in-ring confrontation between the two teams.
Solo Sikoa’s Power Play Backfires
Earlier in the night, Solo Sikoa took center stage, attempting to gain control of the narrative. With the opposing team seemingly unable to secure a fifth member, Sikoa called out Roman Reigns and the OG Bloodline faction for what he labeled “terms of surrender.”
Sikoa delivered an emotional plea laced with threats, telling Reigns and his crew that they could dominate WWE for decades if they joined forces. He wasn’t shy about pointing out Roman’s lack of a “Wise Man” or a fifth ally, raising the stakes with the ominous ultimatum: surrender and align with him, or face destruction.
The tension in the ring was palpable as Sikoa handed Reigns the microphone. But before Reigns could respond, Paul Heyman made his presence known.
Heyman’s Surprise and Punk’s Explosive Entrance
In classic Heyman style, the legendary advocate interrupted with a dramatic apology for his absence, referencing the brutal table spot at Madison Square Garden that took him out of action. Heyman then dropped the bombshell—War Games would indeed be five-on-five, revealing CM Punk as the final member of the OG Bloodline team.
As the unmistakable sound of Cult of Personality (Punk’s entrance music) hit, the crowd erupted. Punk sprinted down the ramp, wasting no time in igniting a brawl. The chaotic clash saw Punk and Roman Reigns dominate, with Tonga Loa and Tama Tonga each falling victim to a spear and Punk’s signature Go to Sleep (GTS).
The night ended on a powerful visual, as Paul Heyman stood on the ring apron, smiling broadly at the alliance between Punk and Reigns.
What’s Next for War Games?
With CM Punk’s return and his alignment with the original Bloodline, the War Games match has gone from must-see to absolutely unmissable. The dynamic between Punk, Reigns, and Heyman adds a layer of intrigue, as does the question of how Solo Sikoa will respond after his failed coup attempt.
SmackDown has officially raised the stakes for Survivor Series, and fans are eager to see what chaos unfolds when War Games hits the cage. Will Punk and Reigns be able to coexist, or is this alliance destined for implosion?
BONUS: CM Punk and The OG Bloodline stand tall: SmackDown exclusive, Nov. 22, 2024
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