WWE will often hold themed television shows based on holidays, with the notable specials being Christmas and Halloween, both of which regularly feature a themed street fight.
While Santa might get involved or pumpkins might be smashed and wrestlers can get in on the fun, announcers can no longer participate in dressing up in costumes according to Tom Hannifan (formerly Tom Phillips in WWE). All thanks to Byron Saxton.
"Obviously, announcers don't really wear costumes, at least predominately in WWE. NXT they get away with it or did get away with it. When I was there, it was Byron Saxton who ruined outfits like costumes at Christmas and Halloween for the announcers. He is a very festive guy. I want to preface this, I love Byron Saxton. He is a saint and going to heaven. [He's nicer than] anyone in wrestling," Hannifan said on Talk'n Shop with Doc Gallows & Karl Anderson.
After noting how nice Saxton is, he explained how he "ruined" costume-wearing for announcers.
"There was a Halloween edition of Raw with the Okerlund set up for the desk. It's (Michael) Cole, (Corey) Graves, and Byron. Graves wore the David S. Pumpkins suit from the SNL [Saturday Night Live] sketch. He wore it a week or two after the sketch, so it was timely as all hell. Of course, he rocked it. Byron wore a onesie. A bright, powder blue ducky onesie with footsies. He's sitting there, on camera, so you can see their feet to the point that, after that, the edict was put out, 'No more costumes for announcers.' Ruined all the fun for us," he said.
Saxton remains part of the WWE Raw announce team alongside Graves and Jimmy Smith. Hannifan was released by WWE in May 2021, but was hired by IMPACT Wrestling, debuting at Hard To Kill on Saturday.
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