Lilian Garcia shares update following WWE rumors on RAW and SmackDown
The first WWE SmackDown of 2025 is just hours away, and more changes are being made by the company as another action-packed year begins. Amid increased rumors and speculation, Triple H and his team are putting the finishing touches on a big episode, and another significant change is set to be unveiled.
Lilian Garcia returned to WWE in mid-May for a one-night appearance, but then Triple H brought her back in late October to replace Samantha Irvin, and since then, she has signed a full-time contract. The veteran announcer and singer originally worked for WWE from August 23, 1999, until September 21, 2009. She returned from December 5, 2011, until August 1, 2016, and has made special appearances between stints.
Backstage sources revealed earlier this week that WWE officials were planning a change in ring announcers ahead of the new year and the RAW Netflix premiere. Garcia was expected to handle tonight's loaded live SmackDown episode, fueling rumors of a full-time change. At the same time, word came down that Alicia Taylor was being sent to RAW to handle ring announcing duties on the red brand, beginning on Monday with the Netflix premiere.
Garcia is confirmed to be in Phoenix for SmackDown, with just hours until showtime. While PWInsider provided an update to note that Garcia is, in fact, handling blue brand duties tonight, the Professional Fighters League announcer took to Instagram earlier today to also confirm that she is in the Arizona capital for the first event of 2025. The 58-year-old chose "Heaven Knows" by The Hunts as the theme song for the post.
"Hello Phoenix! Let’s goooooo! [grinning face with smiling eyes emoji] [blue heart emoji x 2]," Lilian Garcia wrote with the video below.
The WWE ring announcer changes come after another shake-up to the commentary teams. Michael Cole and Corey Graves will call tonight's SmackDown, but Cole and Pat McAfee will begin calling RAW on Monday with the Netflix premiere. With that change forcing Wade Barrett and Joe Tessitore off the RAW announce desk, Tessitore is rumored to head to SmackDown after this week, while Barrett has been rumored for a NXT return, but that is not confirmed.
