Samoa Joe joins RAW announce team while Dio Maddin pursues in-ring career

As per WWE.com, Samoa Joe has been officially added to the RAW announce team as the third member of the commentary trio, as Dio Maddin has decided to pursue an in-ring career.

Samoa Joe's role, though, will only be temporary - with the former NXT Champion remaining one of the voices of Monday Night RAW while he recovers from a thumb injury. The former United States Champion has also been contributing his knowledge and expertise to WWE's kick-off shows and FS1’s WWE Backstage.

Get ready to hear more of the smooooooooth sounds of @SamoaJoe on Monday nights as the former United States Champion will continue to be on the #RAW commentary team while @GREATBLACKOTAKU looks to step back into the squared circle!https://t.co/CrlvfnQTgh
— WWE (@WWE) December 4, 2019

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Meanwhile, former 205 Live commentator Dio Maddin will be returning to the Performance Center as he aspires to become a WWE Superstar.

Maddin still aspires to become a bona fide Superstar and is headed back to the WWE Performance Center to chase his dream. Maddin had not appeared on Raw since Brock Lesnar sent the WWE TV analyst crashing through the announce table during a brutal attack.

WWE.com also notes that Samoa Joe garnered praise from the WWE Universe after a strong performance filling in for Maddin on RAW this past week.

“He doesn’t need to be 100% because he started out at 200.”I have to say, @SamoaJoe is doing a stellar job on commentary and, while I can’t wait to see the former NXT Champion back in the ring, having him behind the announce table is a stroke of genius.#RAW
— Gary Cassidy (@consciousgary) December 3, 2019