Could Renee Young & Alex Riley be the next commentary team?

[The Man That Sanity Forgot]

After watching this week's NXT, in which Renee Young joins the commentary team, I've been thinking...

Alex Riley's one of the colour commentators on the B-Shows now and seems to be being groomed for a future main show place. Renee Young's the first non-superstar female to be on the commentary team (I think) and did a pretty good job of it. So could Renee and Alex end up being the next commentary duo with all the changes happening lately? Could even have Cole, JBL and Lawler on Raw and have Renee and Riley on Smackdown, or at least Main Event/Superstars.

What do we think?

[CATCH_US IS the Conversation]

Get Riley off of the Superstars announce team so that he can start wrestling more often on that program. His announce duties should be relegated exclusively to NXT (and Saturday Morning Slam if/when it comes back), and filling in on Main Event when Miz isn't available or is booked to compete.

While I like the fact that doing commentary has allowed Alex Riley to showcase his personality and enthusiasmn, he should be a wrestler first and an announcer second. His stint on the announce table should be used as a way to kick-start possible in-ring programs with other Superstars.

Actually Riley should be part of the Corporation storyline. Let him be a disgruntled face who wants to get in on the action, but HHH and Stephanie force him to sit at the announce table. For some reason Stephanie brings up the fact that Riley cant stop mentioning the Miz because he longs for his glory days. Riley keeps trying to provoking Big Show into knocking him out because he longs for the physicality, he begs and begs until Show finally obliges and hits him with the KO punch. Riley eats it like a man, and he's laid out on the mat with a smile on his face.

[Sparkybob]

Might be cool.

[EoE: Well There's Your Problem]

With Tony Dawson gone and Scott Stanford seemingly too busy nowadays with his other job, Young could be there a lot more often from the next tapings onward.

[Deleted]

I don't think anything could more accurately convey "This show is completely missable and nothing of any importance will ever happen here" than having that duo on commentary together regularly.

I know both have fans here but the point stands. I really doubt I'm the only person that would get that impression either.

[Abdullah]

Sept 25, 2013 22:58:33 GMT -5 @bootytime said:

I don't think anything could more accurately convey "This show is completely missable and nothing of any importance will ever happen here" than having that duo on commentary together regularly.

I know both have fans here but the point stands. I really doubt I'm the only person that would get that impression either.

Of course, the way to change that would be to have them commentating on a show where things actually happen.

Smackdown always leaning on the side of filler has very little to do with its commentary team.

[Chip]

God I hope not. Riley is one of the worst parts about NXT. We get it Riley, you were Miz's fluffer for a couple of months, please stop bringing him up. In terms of Young, I'd have to hear her commentary to pass judgement.

[The Man They Call Asher]

Sept 25, 2013 22:12:37 GMT -5 CATCH_US IS the Conversation said:

Get Riley off of the Superstars announce team so that he can start wrestling more often on that program. His announce duties should be relegated exclusively to NXT (and Saturday Morning Slam if/when it comes back), and filling in on Main Event when Miz isn't available or is booked to compete.

While I like the fact that doing commentary has allowed Alex Riley to showcase his personality and enthusiasmn, he should be a wrestler first and an announcer second. His stint on the announce table should be used as a way to kick-start possible in-ring programs with other Superstars.

Actually Riley should be part of the Corporation storyline. Let him be a disgruntled face who wants to get in on the action, but HHH and Stephanie force him to sit at the announce table. For some reason Stephanie brings up the fact that Riley cant stop mentioning the Miz because he longs for his glory days. Riley keeps trying to provoking Big Show into knocking him out because he longs for the physicality, he begs and begs until Show finally obliges and hits him with the KO punch. Riley eats it like a man, and he's laid out on the mat with a smile on his face.

[CATCH_US IS the Conversation]

Sept 26, 2013 4:52:22 GMT -5 The Man They Call Asher said:

Sept 25, 2013 22:12:37 GMT -5 CATCH_US IS the Conversation said:

Get Riley off of the Superstars announce team so that he can start wrestling more often on that program. His announce duties should be relegated exclusively to NXT (and Saturday Morning Slam if/when it comes back), and filling in on Main Event when Miz isn't available or is booked to compete.

While I like the fact that doing commentary has allowed Alex Riley to showcase his personality and enthusiasmn, he should be a wrestler first and an announcer second. His stint on the announce table should be used as a way to kick-start possible in-ring programs with other Superstars.

Actually Riley should be part of the Corporation storyline. Let him be a disgruntled face who wants to get in on the action, but HHH and Stephanie force him to sit at the announce table. For some reason Stephanie brings up the fact that Riley cant stop mentioning the Miz because he longs for his glory days. Riley keeps trying to provoking Big Show into knocking him out because he longs for the physicality, he begs and begs until Show finally obliges and hits him with the KO punch. Riley eats it like a man, and he's laid out on the mat with a smile on his face.

I know, dude. I just really like Riley, and it's so hard being a fan of the guy sometimes. I know it's pathetic. I just think that Riley is too young and has too much potential to be wasted as a full time commentator. He should be in the ring right now while he's still in his prime. If WWE insists on using him solely at the announce table, the least they can do for him is give him a deal like Lawler's where he can wrestle indy shows on the side over the weekend. Riley deserves better than to go down in wrestling history as a never was who got banished to the announce table, It's practically a crime that Riley has won no titles in his career

I just want the guy to be successful. Riley deserves better than to be a "never was" who never got a fair shot to make something out of himself.

Plus I honestly feel that the only way that Riley will shut up about Miz is if they give him something else to talk about.

["Gizzark" Mike Wronglevenay]

Sept 25, 2013 22:12:37 GMT -5 CATCH_US IS the Conversation said:

Get Riley off of the Superstars announce team so that he can start wrestling more often on that program. His announce duties should be relegated exclusively to NXT (and Saturday Morning Slam if/when it comes back), and filling in on Main Event when Miz isn't available or is booked to compete.

While I like the fact that doing commentary has allowed Alex Riley to showcase his personality and enthusiasmn, he should be a wrestler first and an announcer second. His stint on the announce table should be used as a way to kick-start possible in-ring programs with other Superstars.

Actually Riley should be part of the Corporation storyline. Let him be a disgruntled face who wants to get in on the action, but HHH and Stephanie force him to sit at the announce table. For some reason Stephanie brings up the fact that Riley cant stop mentioning the Miz because he longs for his glory days. Riley keeps trying to provoking Big Show into knocking him out because he longs for the physicality, he begs and begs until Show finally obliges and hits him with the KO punch. Riley eats it like a man, and he's laid out on the mat with a smile on his face.

This is a quite cool idea for an angle, but uh... it leads nowhere and gets no-one over.

[________ has left the building]

I got no problem with it. WWE could use some youth in the commentary booth.

[trollrogue]

^Youth in the booth. +1 vote.

Renee was pretty impressive, she played off Regal like an expert, and likewise he gave 1,100% extra effort on commentary while Renee was joining them, haha.

[Deleted]

I've been hoping for a woman on commentary for a bit now. PYT Renee Young would be a great choice - she effuses professionalism and seriousness in everything I've seen her do, in a very real way.

I think pairing her with a more seasoned announcer would work until she gets her feet wet.

But yeah, the commentary team right now is 2.5 shades of stupid and the onscreen stuff really gets handicapped by it sometimes (which it definitely doesn't need right now).

[Slammy Award-Winning Cannibal]

Haha I love all the Riley wrestling return dreamers. Guys, its never going to happen. Politics is a bitch and Riley is gonna either be like his dad and do commentary or he won't have a job. It is what it is. He is not gonna be incorporated in the Corporation storyline.

Anyway, Riley has stopped the Miz stuff on NXT but I still can't believe him as a colour guy because he just comes across as a sour grapes wrestler. He simply doesn't fit to me. It's almost impossible for me to disconnect from that because it just feels like he's seething underneath every call. He doesn't sound like he's into his job and it makes sense since we know he obviously doesn't wanna be doing it.

As for Renee, as a fellow Torontonian, for female commentary I would say it's definitely her or no one. But I think it'll be hard for me to believe in her as a full-time play-by-play since wrestling is always perceived as a "men's sports" and its ALWAYS men on commentary. so it'll be a real challenge to accept a woman calling all the matches. As they say on 30 Rock, it'll be "like seeing a dog wearing clothes." But I hope she gets a chance and I hope it's something I and everyone else can get accustomed to. She does an incredible job in every role in WWE so far.

[CATCH_US IS the Conversation]

Sept 27, 2013 2:54:46 GMT -5 Slammy Award-Winning Cannibal said:

Haha I love all the Riley wrestling return dreamers. Guys, its never going to happen. Politics is a bitch and Riley is gonna either be like his dad and do commentary or he won't have a job. It is what it is. He is not gonna be incorporated in the Corporation storyline.

Anyway, Riley has stopped the Miz stuff on NXT but I still can't believe him as a colour guy because he just comes across as a sour grapes wrestler. He simply doesn't fit to me. It's almost impossible for me to disconnect from that because it just feels like he's seething underneath every call. He doesn't sound like he's into his job and it makes sense since we know he obviously doesn't wanna be doing it.

As for Renee, as a fellow Torontonian, for female commentary I would say it's definitely her or no one. But I think it'll be hard for me to believe in her as a full-time play-by-play since wrestling is always perceived as a "men's sports" and its ALWAYS men on commentary. so it'll be a real challenge to accept a woman calling all the matches. As they say on 30 Rock, it'll be "like seeing a dog wearing clothes." But I hope she gets a chance and I hope it's something I and everyone else can get accustomed to. She does an incredible job in every role in WWE so far.

He doesn't sound bitter to me. Sure he would rather be in the ring, but Riley seems like one of the most upbeat and enthusiastic guys I've heard on commentary. Riley is the living embodiment of J.R.'s old "maximize your minutes" spiel. I don't really get the sour grapes feeling from him. But if he was, could you really blame him?

Nothing wrong with Riley being a commentator. I just don't see any reason why he can't commentate AND wrestle, even in just an enhancement role.

Objectively speaking, it looks awkward to have a full time commentator who looks like he could take any given guy on the roster in a fight.

And why waste time and energy training a guy to wrestle only to have them not wrestle?

[Emmet Russell]

Honestly, it would be a breath of fresh air. I am so tired of the announcers on Raw & SD (I rarely watch Superstars or Main Event), I really wanted them to use Scott Stanford more at the announce table as he brings a really professional voice who seems genuinely interested in the product. Also he seems to have a good sense of humor - which is more than I can say for the team of JBL, Cole & King.

The little bit i've heard of Riley on NXT was some very solid work - especially for someone who's only just starting out at the job. Renee is very well spoken too & having a female announcer would be something new for wrestling & something I would really like to hear & see how it goes. I could see her having a lot of success in the position.

[Toates Madhackrviper]

Riley is definitely being Matt Striker'd/Josh Mathews'd. Kinda sad because I do think he had a potential career in ring.

[Slammy Award-Winning Cannibal]

Sept 27, 2013 3:00:48 GMT -5 CATCH_US IS the Conversation said:

He doesn't sound bitter to me. Sure he would rather be in the ring, but Riley seems like one of the most upbeat and enthusiastic guys I've heard on commentary. Riley is the living embodiment of J.R.'s old "maximize your minutes" spiel. I don't really get the sour grapes feeling from him. But if he was, could you really blame him?

Nothing wrong with Riley being a commentator. I just don't see any reason why he can't commentate AND wrestle, even in just an enhancement role.

Objectively speaking, it looks awkward to have a full time commentator who looks like he could take any given guy on the roster in a fight.

And why waste time and energy training a guy to wrestle only to have them not wrestle?

I'm not saying he sounds bitter. I just mean that he doesn't sound into it since we know commentary isn't his passion. And really, it's not and you can tell. For example, I can't stand when Riley says "wow, that was awesome" but he ALWAYS says it with half assed enthusiasm. Think of Phillips, Cole, JR, Bradshaw, Mathews, etc. They put 100% energy/emotion into their calls. They are fully invested in it. Riley delivers lines like he's slumped in his chair. I don't know if he's being directed in his headset to be relaxed, casual and laid back but it just sounds awful. I love raw emotion as if calling a match is your lifeblood (see: JR). Riley's never done that.

[CATCH_US IS the Conversation]

Riley deserves so much better. I just cant accept him as being just a commentator. I like and respect him too much. I want to see him putting on fun matches and hyping up the crowd. Like i would enjoy the product so much more if Riley were allowed to have a respectable part in it.

[Bo Rida]

Sept 26, 2013 12:07:20 GMT -5 @personman01 said:

I've been hoping for a woman on commentary for a bit now. PYT Renee Young would be a great choice - she effuses professionalism and seriousness in everything I've seen her do, in a very real way.

I think pairing her with a more seasoned announcer would work until she gets her feet wet.

But yeah, the commentary team right now is 2.5 shades of stupid and the onscreen stuff really gets handicapped by it sometimes (which it definitely doesn't need right now).

Yeah I agree, well apart from hoping for a woman as Renee is a special case.
I'm not sure she'd cope with the clowns on Raw shouting over each other and acting like the show exists solely for their own amusement, that's not a dig at her as nobody should have to deal with that as we've seen several people struggle in that environment on guest commentary, it doesn't suit Renee's more professional style.

Like you say she could do with a regular pairing with a veteran and I think Regal would be the ideal partner as he's got enough character to make it fun but still takes it seriously and doesn't try to get attention for himself at the expense of the product, I expect the two of them could build a good partnership if they were given a run of NXT episodes.

Sept 26, 2013 3:49:23 GMT -5 Chip said:

God I hope not. Riley is one of the worst parts about NXT. We get it Riley, you were Miz's fluffer for a couple of months, please stop bringing him up.

Totally agree with that, even if he didn't bring up his ex every few minutes he still wouldn't be any good. Like Mine Führer said he's not enthusiastic enough, doesn't bring any expert knowledge apart from the basic tag strategy he learned with The Miz and worst of all acts like he's above everyone, if Regal is happy to say that certain people on the roster are his equal/ better than him then Riley shouldn't act like he's above everybody.

I'm another that thinks he'd be better off in the ring even if it is at the bottom of the card.