While a number of factors stand in the way of any change occurring, sources say WWE officials have been evaluating the current state of the various announce teams.
According to the Wrestling Observer Newsletter, the pay-per-view team of Michael Cole, Jerry Lawler and Matt Striker has particularly come under scrutiny. Though the official stance of WWE’s higher-ups is unclear, it is becoming well-known that Cole and Lawler do not like working with the SmackDown! announcer. Cole, in particular, took Striker to task as recently as Survivor Series.
Some have been pushing for CM Punk to replace Striker at the table for pay-per-views, but by turning the broadcast team into an all-RAW crew, WWE would effectively be treating SmackDown! as a distant B-show.
And because very few are high on Todd Grisham’s work, Striker could very well remain in the mix for PPV commentary.
As far as a Jim Ross return, while people were indeed asking for it based on his short performance on the Old School RAW, there has been no sign that WWE is seriously heading in that direction.
They better cause ive been a fan of wwe since i was a kid, but now it doesnt seem as fun!Cole sucks tryna be the bad guy! I find myself looking forward to TNA and think taz and tenay great, if JR goes to TNA, The WWE ship will start to sink!