Josh Mathews says he's been pushing to leave IMPACT commentary booth for over a year.
Josh Mathews has been involved with pro wrestling since he was a contestant on Tough Enough. Josh would find his niche in pro wrestling at the commentary desk, serving as the lead SmackDown broadcaster at one time and the lead anchor on WWE Network panels before transitioning to IMPACT Wrestling and replacing Mike Tenay as the lead broadcaster when the promotion moved to Destination America.
For the following years, Josh would serve as the voice of IMPACT. Most recently, commentating alongside his wife Madison Rayne prior to her retirement.
Now, transitioning to a full-time producer role, Mathews reveals to Sports Illustrated that this was a move that he has wanted for over a year, saying that during his career, he learned a lot from Vince McMahon and Kevin Dunn and wants to put that knowledge to good use.
“I’ve pushed for over a year to make this change,” said Mathews. “I learned so much from my time in WWE from Kevin Dunn and Vince McMahon, and I was pseudo-producing shows back then. Producing a live show is a real thrill, and I came alive in the truck when producing Countdown to Bound for Glory last October. Switching out of the truck and then going to call the show, it was different. I’m ready to oversee the whole presentation, which is a transition I’ve been pushing for.
“For me, it is even more meaningful that I was able to finish my broadcasting career calling shows with my wife Madison Rayne. Now I get to also focus on this new show, Before The Impact, as well as focus my attention in the truck.”
Currently, IMPACT commentary is handled by D'Lo Brown and Matt Striker. Fightful will have live coverage of IMPACT on AXS TV beginning Tuesday at 8 p.m. Eastern.