Adnan Virk Reveals How He Got The WWE Raw Commentary Job

Virk began working for WWE last Monday

Mitch Waddon smiling

Apr 19, 2021

Adnan Virk - WWE Raw 2021.jpg

Adnan Virk has revealed the interview and try-out process he went through in order to become the new lead commentator on Monday Night Raw.

WWE announced Virk's appointment last Monday with the 42-year-old being confirmed as the new play-by-play announcer for the red brand. Virk has been joined by Corey Graves and Byron Saxton on Raw.

The former ESPN and MLB Network reporter has now detailed the process of being offered the job by WWE, revealing how his audition in early February involved commentating on previously taped matches.

Speaking to the 'Bommer In the Morning' podcast, Virk said: "The brain trust there (at WWE) made the decision late last year. They said, ‘We want to kind of get a legit sportscaster guy.’ Like an actual sportscaster to come in and offer a different feel.

"Nick Khan was my former agent at CAA and he’s the current President of WWE. Michael Cole is of course the voice of Smackdown on Fridays, and he’s in charge of all the talent in the division. He reaches out to my guy, asks ‘Would I be interested?’ And I was like, ‘Yeah, let’s give it a shot.’

"So I auditioned in early February. And the audition was just amazing. I’m calling matches, previous matches, off the monitor that had happened the previous weeks on RAW and Smackdown. And I approached just as I would if I were calling a (Calgary) Flames/(Edmonton) Oilers game. I just went on the website and went ‘Okay, here’s Shayna Baszler. She’s been with WWE for this many years, her featured move is Kirifuda Driver.’ And I just called the action.

"Play by play follows a three at structure; introduce the characters, establish the characters and put a bow on it. That’s what I did. Afterwards I interviewed a couple of the WWE stars.

"I went home, they called a few weeks later, said, ‘Hey you got the job.’ I couldn’t tell anybody. Nick said I could tell five people; your parents, your wife, your brother and one of your kids. I was like ‘okay.’

"Then Saturday afternoon some reports of it started getting out. I literally flew to Tampa under the cloak of darkness. I’m wearing a fedora, I’m sitting in the back of the plane, trying to keep a low profile. And then on Monday they revealed it."

H/T Wrestling Inc

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