The former Tom Phillips in WWE is now the new play-by-play announcer for Impact Wrestling.
The news was first revealed by Renee Paquette as she announced that Phillips, now going by his real name Tom Hannifan, will be on her podcast Tuesday to discuss the news.
Hannifan will begin his duties starting Saturday at Hard to Kill. He replaces Matt Striker as the news of his end with the company broke earlier this week.
Hannifan was cut by WWE last May as part of the beginning of a large internal restructuring and combining of several departments. He had served as the lead voice on Raw, SmackDown, NXT UK, and NXT in his time there, but was replaced by Adnan Virk last April on Raw.
Saturday’s show from Dallas, Texas, features four title matches including Impact World Champion Moose vs. Matt Cardona vs. W. Morrissey and ROH World Champion Jonathan Gresham vs. Chris Sabin.
The former Tom Phillips gave his first interview following his release from WWE last week, talking about his tenure with the company and his removal from the Raw announce team.
Speaking to sports media reporter Richard Deitsch on his weekly podcast, Philips (Tom Hannifan) wasn’t asked about what he was told about being released or anything regarding his departure. Hannifan was positive toward his WWE experience throughout the interview and was grateful for the opportunity they gave him coming out of college.
He was asked about being replaced by Adnan Virk as lead Raw announcer and said that he was surprised with the news, but that he respected Virk and his ability to get the job done. He also said he was surprised by how short Virk’s tenure was, but that he’ll do just fine considering how many other jobs he has.
He said he always fine with being produced and that it happens regularly to anyone on commentary. He said his job was to tell stories and that sometimes his micro view was different than the macro view of those producing the show when it came to the story they were trying to tell.
Hannifan hopes to keep up his relationships with those he met in WWE and talked about his friendships with The New Day as he got to know Xavier Woods and Big E from NXT. He said the most important call of his WWE tenure was when Kofi Kingston won the WWE Championship at WrestleMania, a call he admitted he got emotional on.
Hannifan said that in looking for his next opportunity, he wants to get in on the ground floor and work his way up. He didn’t have any preference for what sport he calls next even though he is an ardent fan of college football.
After nearly ten years, Tom Phillips is no longer with WWE as he has been released.
The news was first reported by Fightful and also confirmed by Spectrum Sports 360’s Jon Alba.
His release comes in a week that saw a large group of company cuts that affected several departments, mostly in the WWE Network, WWE Studios and advanced media departments.
Less than two years out of Penn State, Phillips (Tom Hannifan) started with WWE in 2012 as a backstage interviewer. He eventually made his way to the announce desk and during his tenure, he performed play-by-play duties for every show the company currently has (Raw, SmackDown, NXT, NXT UK, 205 Live and Main Event) in addition to pay-per-views. He also commentated on the now-defunct Superstars.
The 32-year-old was replaced on the Raw commentary team by Adnan Virk last month. Virk was then replaced by Jimmy Smith after Virk and WWE parted ways on Tuesday. At the time of the Virk hiring, WWE said Phillips would return to 205 Live and would “oversee special projects for WWE’s programming on Peacock and at the WWE Performance Center in Orlando” in addition to his role as senior manager of on air talent.
Phillips, who recently changed his social media handles to his real name, has yet to comment publicly, nor has WWE.
Sportscaster Adnan Virk has joined WWE and will be the new lead play-by-play voice of Raw starting tonight. Corey Graves and Byron Saxton will join Virk on the Raw commentary team.
Tom Phillips, Samoa Joe, and Saxton had formerly been the Raw commentary team. WWE notes that Phillips will become the new host of 205 Live and will “oversee special projects for WWE’s programming on Peacock and at the WWE Performance Center in Orlando.” Phillips will also continue in his role as senior manager of on air talent.
Joe remains part of the WWE talent roster.
The Athletic reports that Virk has signed a multi-year deal with WWE. Their article on Virk signing with WWE notes that he was recommended to the company after Cole called television agent Matt Olson of CAA (Creative Artists Agency) looking to see if he had any clients that would be interested in working in WWE broadcasting. Virk had an audition for WWE in February and WWE also interviewed a handful of other broadcasters. In mid-March, WWE decided to hire Virk.
“I’m elated to be joining the premier sports-entertainment company in my new role with WWE,” said Virk. “As a kid who grew up idolizing WWE Hall of Famers like Bret Hart and Ric Flair, the opportunity to call modern legends like Drew McIntyre, Bobby Lashley, Randy Orton, Charlotte Flair and so many others alongside Corey Graves and Byron Saxton is truly humbling.”
Virk will continue in his role for the MLB Network this season, along with hosting his GM Shuffle with Michael Lombardi and Cinephile podcasts. Virk formerly worked for ESPN but was fired in 2019 for leaking information to the media about the company.
WWE president and chief revenue officer Nick Khan was formerly Virk’s agent.
The WWE Raw commentary booth will be changing once again as sports broadcaster and personality Adnan Virk is reportedly replacing Tom Phillips as lead commentator starting this Monday.
The news was first reported by Wrestling Inc. and confirmed by Mat Men’s Andrew Zarian. Dave Meltzer was unable to confirm as of Saturday night.
Virk has a tie to WWE President Nick Khan as he was Virk’s agent when he worked with CAA.
Zarian added that Virk, Corey Graves and Byron Saxton will make up the new Raw announce team. It’s unknown if that would mean Samoa Joe would head to SmackDown to replace Graves who is currently on the commentary team with Michael Cole.
The Canadian-born Virk made headlines in 2019 for being fired by ESPN for reportedly leaking information to the media about the company. He has since moved on to work for MLB Network, NHL Network, DAZN, and his own podcast talking about movies that is now part of Dan LeBatard and John Skipper’s new media entity.
If the news is accurate, it’s unknown what the future will hold for 31-year-old Phillips who has been with WWE since 2012. He has been the lead announcer on Raw, SmackDown, NXT, NXT UK, Superstars and Main Event in his tenure.
This would make the second change in personnel on Raw as Charly Caruso recently departed for ESPN following reports of backstage issues in WWE. She was replaced by Kevin Egan (Kevin Patrick).
WWE has revealed the hosts for tonight’s modified format edition of NXT.
Prior to tonight’s NXT, WWE announced that the episode will be hosted by Triple H and Tom Phillips. WWE issued a statement yesterday noting that the show “will air as regularly scheduled in a modified format with elements ranging from in-depth character profiles and story breakdowns as well as never-before-seen interviews and content.”
Triple H and Michael Cole did commentary for last Friday’s SmackDown, while Phillips, Byron Saxton, and Jerry Lawler called Raw.
Adam Cole celebrating becoming the longest-reigning NXT Champion in history was originally announced for tonight’s show. Candice LeRae was also supposed to face Mercedes Martinez, with the winner qualifying for the number one contender’s ladder match that was scheduled for NXT TakeOver: Tampa.
Chelsea Green, Mia Yim, and Tegan Nox had already qualified for the ladder match, though the status of the match is unclear with TakeOver: Tampa being canceled.
WWE has made a change to the commentary team for Raw.
PWInsider reported last night that Tom Phillips is replacing Vic Joseph on the Raw commentary team. Their report has been confirmed by our Dave Meltzer.
Phillips and Jerry Lawler also represented Raw on commentary at the Royal Rumble last night. PWInsider wrote that Joseph is still with WWE and the decision to make the change was made within the last week.
With Mauro Ranallo having a commitment with Showtime Boxing, Phillips also called Saturday night’s NXT vs. NXT UK Worlds Collide special.
Phillips was part of the SmackDown commentary team prior to WWE shaking up their announcer lineup ahead of the show’s move to FOX. Phillips joined the NXT announce team after that and also did play-by-play for 205 Live.
Raw’s fallout from the Royal Rumble is taking place at the AT&T Center in San Antonio, Texas tonight. Liv Morgan vs. Lana — with Rusev and Bobby Lashley both banned from ringside — has been announced for the show.
The travel delays after Crown Jewel will also force a change to SmackDown’s commentary team for tonight.
The Wrap has reported that Renee Young, Tom Phillips & Aiden English will be the commentary team for tonight’s show. Michael Cole & Corey Graves are the usual SmackDown commentary team but were in Saudi Arabia for Crown Jewel.
WWE announced earlier today that: “More than 175 Superstars, production crew and employees boarded a 747 charter flight back to the United States on Thursday. After the door closed, due to several aircraft problems including mechanical issues, all passengers sat on the tarmac for more than six hours. With SmackDown set to emanate live from Buffalo, N.Y., several Superstars felt so strongly that they arranged for their own separate charter in order to make it back to the U.S. for the show. Due to unforeseen issues, that charter will not land until after the live broadcast on FOX.”
After formerly being part of the Raw commentary team, Young is hosting WWE’s Backstage studio show on FS1 with Booker T. The show makes its official weekly premiere at 11 p.m. Eastern time next Tuesday (November 5).
Phillips was formerly on the SmackDown commentary team and now calls NXT UK and 205 Live. English is a color commentator for 205 Live.
A SmackDown Women’s Championship match is set for tonight, with Bayley defending her title against Nikki Cross. WWE has also announced that Brock Lesnar will appear on the show.
Tom Phillips looks to have a new commentary role in WWE.
Phillips is doing play-by-play at today’s NXT UK television tapings in Brentwood, England. He’s calling the show alongside color commentator Nigel McGuinness.
Vic Joseph and McGuinness had been the commentary team for NXT UK. McGuinness is also part of the NXT US team with Mauro Ranallo and Beth Phoenix.
NXT UK will be back in Brentwood tomorrow for night two of the tapings.
New commentary teams for Raw and SmackDown took effect this week. Joseph, Dio Maddin, and Jerry “The King” Lawler are calling Raw, while Michael Cole, Corey Graves, and “special contributor” Renee Young were announced for SmackDown.
SmackDown’s FOX debut is taking place at the Staples Center in Los Angeles, California tonight. Young and Booker T will be anchoring the desk for the “blue carpet” kickoff show starting at 7:30 p.m. Eastern time.
Phillips, Graves, and Byron Saxton were the former SmackDown commentary team.
