JBL described WWE’s four-man commentary team on SmackDown Live during late 2016 to early 2017 as a complete failure, emphasizing that having two commentators is usually the most effective setup. Speaking on the latest episode of Something to Wrestle, where he co-hosts with Conrad Thompson, JBL explained that increasing the number of commentators often works against the broadcast quality rather than improving it.
He noted that three-person booths can be challenging, especially when you have both a babyface and a heel as color commentators, which can result in chaos. JBL specifically recalled the four-man SmackDown booth as a “disaster.” According to him, a two-person commentary team is ideal as it provides a dynamic that benefits the show, typically with the color commentator taking a heel role.
JBL explained that the heel commentator adds value by presenting exaggerated arguments or excuses, like denying obvious cheating, while the play-by-play announcer acts as the straight man. This contrast works well because the heel can push the narrative in ways the straight commentator can’t.
He praised the classic team of Bobby Heenan and Gorilla Monsoon as the gold standard, where playful banter never overshadowed the matches themselves. JBL mentioned that although a single commentator setup, like Joey Styles’ ECW runs, can work, he always prefers a two-person booth.
Having extensive experience on commentary desks since 2006 after retiring from in-ring competition, JBL spoke about the communication challenges behind the scenes. He shared a humorous story about a mix-up during a live broadcast when Vince McMahon’s direct communication to producer Kerwin Silfies mistakenly connected to JBL’s headset. JBL couldn’t intervene directly as he was live on air, leading to Vince angrily believing Kerwin was ignoring instructions, until JBL finally texted Vince to clarify the confusion, which he found hilarious.
This story also highlighted the limited communication tools commentators have during live broadcasts, with only basic features like a cough button and hand signals to interact with the production crew.
Fan Take:
JBL’s insights underscore how critical the right commentary chemistry is in elevating the fan experience, proving that less can be more when it comes to broadcast teams. For fight fans, understanding these behind-the-scenes dynamics offers a new appreciation for the art of storytelling in wrestling and how it shapes the sport’s presentation and drama.
Source: wrestlingnews.co
