Former WWE Name ‘Wasn’t Overly Upset’ About Being Released From Contract

WWE

A former WWE name has admitted that they weren’t “overly upset” about their release from the company.

After three years in the company in various different roles, it was announced in January, that former WWE SmackDown lead play-by-play commentator Kevin Patrick had been released from his contract with the company.

Shortly after his departure Patrick landed a high profile job for Apple TV’s MLS 360 show – building upon his prior experience covering football, both before and during his time in WWE.

Patrick recently had the chance to sit down with Sports Media with Richard Deitsch to discuss his WWE departure in detail, where he explained why he felt it was the right time to part ways.

Patrick explained:

“Football was always going to win. If there was ever a collision — and there was one on the horizon, very clearly on the horizon.

“You know, if I’m in Boise, Idaho on a Friday night, for example, doing SmackDown, how am I going to be in the studio in New York at 1 p.m. on a Saturday? And this was coming. I also wasn’t their long-term guy. They need someone who’s all in. Michael Cole has missed two shows in 27 years.”

“And they deserve more. That chair deserves more, you know? So for me, it was time. I wanted to leave. It got to a place where — I had a chat with Michael Cole weeks before and I said, ‘Look, if there’s a thinking here that I move on, fine. I’m good. Let’s hug it out. Let’s be on our way.’”

Patrick then revealed that he remains in contact with veteran WWE commentator Michael Cole – who he called the “best boss he’s ever had”, and would visit shows to see his friends in the company when they’re near his home in Atlanta:

“I still talk to Michael Cole on the phone. When we went through with the release and everything else, I told him he’s the best boss I ever had. And I stand by that. He’s a tremendous guy and everyone I worked with was great.

“It’s a chapter in your life. I wasn’t overly upset about it at all, I don’t think they were. I think it worked out for the best for the product on TV and for me.

“I’m all in on what I’m doing now, and I love it. But when WWE’s in Atlanta, I’ll pop down and I’ll say hello to some friends.”

Following Patrick’s departure, his former SmackDown colleague Corey Graves took over in the role as lead play-by-play commentator with Wade Barrett moving from Raw to accompany him on Friday nights.

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Transcript via F4WOnline

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• Kevin Patrick
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