Bully Ray: Lilian Garcia’s WWE Raw Return Marred by Nerves

One big thing: Lilian Garcia’s return to WWE Raw as ring announcer was met with mixed reactions

Bully Ray, speaking on “Busted Open Radio,” critiqued Garcia’s performance in her first full wrestling show since 2018.

• “I saw the nerves within Lillian, I heard the nerves within Lillian,” Bully said.
• He noted that Garcia seemed to be “trying to be more than she needed to be.”
• Co-host Dave LaGreca agreed, suggesting Garcia was attempting to imitate Samantha Irvin’s tone at times.

Why it matters

Garcia’s return marks a significant shift in WWE Raw’s presentation, replacing the popular Samantha Irvin. The quality of ring announcing can greatly impact the viewer experience and the overall atmosphere of the show.

By the numbers

• Garcia last announced a full WWE show at Evolution in 2018.
• She has been a prominent WWE ring announcer since 1999.

The big picture

Garcia’s return comes amidst changes in WWE’s announcing team. Her performance and adaptation to the current WWE style will be crucial for fan acceptance and show continuity.

What they’re saying

Bully Ray advised: “All Lillian Garcia has to do, moving forward, is be Lillian Garcia. Don’t do the inflection. Don’t do anything like Samantha did.”

What’s next

Reports indicate that Garcia will continue as Raw’s ring announcer for the foreseeable future, though it’s unclear if this is a permanent arrangement.

How do you feel about Lilian Garcia’s return to WWE Raw? Do you think she’ll settle into her role and recapture her previous form? Leave a comment below with your thoughts!