Update On Booker T Remaining As NXT Commentator After Original Plan Was Different

Booker T wasn’t supposed to be the NXT commentator long-term, but he’s taken over the job for now.

It was in October 2022 when WWE decided to change things up with their commentary teams by moving Wade Barrett from NXT to Smackdown to cover for Pat McAfee, who worked for ESPN College GameDay during football season from September to December.

In Barrett’s place on NXT was two-time WWE Hall of Famer Booker T, who has a lot of experience working as an announcer in WWE.

This week in the Wrestling Observer Newsletter, Dave Meltzer mentioned that after football season, the idea was for Pat McAfee to return to Smackdown and Barrett to go back to NXT. It was not mentioned what WWE’s plan is for Barrett or if McAfee will return to Smackdown this month or any time at all. The Championship game in College Football airs this Monday, January 9th on ESPN with McAfee likely to be part of the broadcast.

Earlier this week on his Hall of Fame podcast, Booker T revealed that he was with NXT full-time even though the original plan was for him to leave that spot in late December.

“It was only supposed to be until the end of December. Wade Barrett is gone and forgotten as you can see (he laughs). That’s my job now. That’s my job. I’m full-time now. I’m full-time on NXT. I’m gonna be in your ear every Tuesday night.”

“Wade Barrett, I don’t know if they’re going to keep him on, find a spot for him on RAW or SmackDown, but his ass isn’t coming back to NXT. Booker T stole that spot. I told you guys I was going to steal it. I’m like Tom Brady. Once I get in the game, I ain’t coming out. The thing is, it wasn’t something I was expecting or anything like that, but I’m excited about it. I’m excited about this new venture.”

H/t to WrestlingNewsCo for Booker T’s podcast comments