Samantha Irvin stunned many fans on Monday when she announced her departure as the ring announcer for WWE Raw.
As it turns out, the pro wrestling company already had her successor in place — and it happens to be a familiar face.
Prior to Monday’s episode of WWE Raw in Philadelphia, play-by-play announcer Joe Tessitore took the microphone to introduce Irvin’s replacement. And it was none other than legendary WWE ring announcer Lilian Garcia, who served in same role during the highly popular “Attitude Era” of the late-1990s and early-2000s.
“Philly! Wow. It sure does feel good to be back!” Garcia shouted as she took the microphone.
Welcome back, @LilianGarcia! ❤️#WWERaw pic.twitter.com/Nz2YzYfunE
— WWE (@WWE) October 22, 2024
While it was unclear at the time whether this was a one-off, the 58-year-old Garcia took to social media after the show to seemingly confirm that she’s back with WWE on a full-time basis.
“Oh my gosh, guys did that just happen? Did I just really go back to the WWE after being gone for like eight years? I mean, I’ve popped in every now and then. But it’s been eight years since I’ve been the full-time announcer there,” she said. “My goodness, when my music hit and I got introduced, the cheers and the applause and the roar that you gave me tonight, thank you, thank you for that. Because I was nervous. I was so nervous. I could even tell I was nervous when I was announcing. But it is all worth it.”
Garcia proceeded to address Irvin, who had been the ring announcer for Raw since 2023 and with WWE since 2021 prior to her departure on Monday.
“Sam, I do want to tell you, I think you’re an extraordinary talent. You’re unbelievable,” Garcia said. “And I know it could not have been easy to walk away from here. But I wish you all the success in your music career. I know you’re going to kill it. You’re going to kill it.
“OK, but WWE Universe, I look forward to seeing you. I look forward to signing your autographs and to high-fiving and all of that. I love you. I’m back! I’m back home.”
Considering Irvin’s status as a fan favorite, the former America’s Got Talent contestant left behind some sizable shoes to fill. And WWE certainly could’ve done worse than to go back to a proven commodity — and a fellow fan favorite — in Garcia to fill that void.
[WWE]
