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On Tuesday Nights, he would call all the action from the Blue Brand as it transpired on our TV screens, with Byron Saxton and a certain Corey Graves. But unfortunately, the dream gig seems to have come to an end with Michael Cole, Corey Graves, and Renee Young becoming the voices of the Blue Brand.
Tom Phillips is a familiar face, a talented individual and someone, who by all indications, was well-liked. I'm certain that his stint in WWE isn't done yet and there's more than one hat that he could wear in the coming weeks.
In this article, I shall suggest 5 things that he could potentially do following the commentary stint. Let me know your thoughts and views in the comments section below.
Will you miss Tom Phillips calling the action on WWE SmackDown?
#5 Backstage producer
So, the rumor doing the rounds about Tom Phillips' future is that he will continue as a producer, but no further details have been spilled regarding the same news. This could mean a wide variety of things, and I don't necessarily know that it will be the right decision for WWE to keep such a talented man off TV, and in this particular role when they can utilize him in so many other ways.
But at the same time, if WWE does need producers, Phillips may be well-suited for the role because he understands how the machine known as WWE runs and functions and how time-bound and time-constrained some of the output that we see on TV can be. He understands the talent better than anyone in the company, having called all of their matches.
He also has a great working relationship with those backstage already. He would make a great producer.
#4 Host of special shows on FS1/the WWE Network
As cool as Phillips may look in the avatar that has been linked, I strongly doubt that a General Manager role will go to him, at least at this time. WWE generally likes their general managers to be WWE Legends like Kurt Angle and Mick Foley, or active performers like Baron Corbin and Alexa Bliss. But there is yet another role that he could potentially take on and ace in WWE.
The other big news of the week, apart from the change in the commentary teams, concerned the fact that CM Punk wanted to offer his services to a show called WWE Backstage live on FS1. FOX's coverage of WWE and indeed, the coverage on the WWE Network is sure to include many facets beyond the ring, and Phillips could be the ideal candidate for such a role. He has the necessary expertise, he knows how to speak in the WWE lingo better than a novice and most importantly, he is a familiar face and fans who watch the Network/FS1 will be glad to have a familiar face hosting a show.
He's no CM Punk, but he certainly is Tom Phillips!
#3 Backstage interviewer
Some of you may believe that going from an announcer to a backstage interviewer is a demotion, and maybe it is, but there are many like Renee Young and Mike Rome, who is the ring announcer on RAW, who started out in those very roles. But it's a fresh new start for both RAW and SmackDown Live and maybe the roles won't be as cut-and-dry as they have been in the past.
It may also make sense to mix up the females who're in the backstage interviewer role, with a male or two, just to change the dynamics of the stories being told during the show. Impact Wrestling does this with Jimmy Jacobs and Melissa Santos because the performers react very differently to both.
One doesn't have to cast his mind back too far to remember a time when Tom Phillips and Mike Rome would be confused by Chris Jericho and Kevin Owens, leading to some hilarious moments. Male performers would pick on Phillips while female ones could come on to him, each of them leading to their own story.
And so, it's not really a demotion for Tom Phillips if he chooses to become a backstage interviewer.
#2 On-screen manager
WWE stands for World Wrestling Environment, and while there have always been performers from all across the world through the company's illustrious history, there are probably more international performers now than before. A lot of talents need a mouthpiece or a spokesperson to cut promos for them. They need a manager like in the olden days.
Tom Phillips could easily become the voice for a performer like KUSHIDA, who may have all the ability in the ring, but may lack the necessary skills to cut promos and further a storyline. He could also become the male valet for someone like Io Shirai, for maybe when she comes to RAW or SmackDown on FOX. The possibilities are truly endless for Phillips if he decides to go down this path because there's a multitude of talent that could benefit from an association with the former announcer.
It may make a lot more sense to put him in this role as compared to someone like Sami Zayn or Lio Rush, both of whom are supremely talented Superstars and deserve to get in-ring time. It may be a less stressful and more fun role for Tom Phillips as well if this is the plan WWE does pursue.
#1 Kickoff Show panellist
We often see Jonathan Coachman and Charly Caruso in the Kickoff Show panels with superstars like Booker T, David Otunga, and others. Tom Phillips could quite seamlessly fit into the scheme of things and become the voice of the Kickoff Show panels, either chairing the whole thing or offering his thoughts on the action to follow.
As can be gauged from the tweet above, Phillips is a very well-liked individual who was good at his job and who made SmackDown Live the show we all came to love and enjoy. To lose him in this manner would be a big blow, not only to the man himself but also to the company because Phillips knows his wrestling and can certainly be an asset.
So, if he were to bring us the pre-show panels, maybe even with Byron Saxton in tow, it would be justice for these two men, who've been on the road with WWE day in and day out, as opposed to the pre-show panelists who show up once in a while. I do believe that it would be wrong to let him go.
Do you guys agree?
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