Smackdown Goes Hardcore

Many fans and wrestling analysts/bloggers have been unhappy with the 2 newest commentators added to the ECW and Smackdown shows. On ECW, Joey Styles just recently left, as he was promoted to head up the WWE.com website production. Styles' replacement is sports reporter, Mike Adamle, who has been had early troubles doing the commentary, to the point The Miz was on his case about it. Months ago, John Bradshaw Layfield came out of wrestling retirement to return to the Raw roster, leaving his Smackdown commentator position. He was promptly replaced by Johnathan Coachman, and many criticized the move by WWE.

Now WWE has made a good move by taking Coach out of his commentator's seat on Smackdown and placing the Hardcore legend Mick Foley alongside Michael Cole. Foley always has some interesting and humorous remarks to say, he knows the wrestlers and the wrestling well, so this should be a good fit. Not only will it work as potentially great commentary, it also can set up future wrestling storylines involving Foley.

Here's the official word from WWE.com:

After debuting on color commentary for SmackDown at Backlash, WWE.com has learned Mick Foley will be coming to Friday nights for good.

Don't miss Foley's debut this Friday on SmackDown at 8/7 CT on The CW Network.

At Backlash, the Hardcore Legend called the World Heavyweight Championship Match between titleholder Undertaker and Edge, as well as other SmackDown matches, alongside Michael Cole.

Foley first took the microphone at One Night Stand 2005 when he joined WWE.com's Joey Styles at the announcers' table. The three-time WWE Champion brings invaluable in-ring and out-of-the-squared circle experience to SmackDown's team.

(Source: WWE.com)

It will be interesting to see just how long Mike Adamle stays in his commentator's position with ECW. It can take some time to adjust to the new role, since Adamle was never a traditional wrestling commentator until now. He has experience working with NBC Sports including NFL shows, and also co-hosted American Gladiators for many years back in the 90's. But should there be a few more weeks of stumbling on the commentary, and WWE receiving continued criticism, it may be enough for them to yank the plug on Adamle.

See more about Mike Adamle at Wikipedia entry