WWE have signed a new ring announcer for Friday Night SmackDown, following Lilian Garcia’s role change.
Earlier this month, fan-favorite Garcia told fans that she had finished up as the full-time announcer for the Blue Brand.
“Just finished announcing SmackDown in Barcelona, Spain and it was absolutely incredible!” she wrote, sharing a video on Instagram on March 14.
“But now I have some news – this was my last show as the full-time SmackDown announcer.
“A new era is upon us BUT I will still be with the company as I will be announcing for all WWE Saturday Night’s Main Event shows on NBC and Peacock, singing at certain special events, AND currently working on other show ideas with WWE.
“WWE is my home so stay tuned as a new chapter begins… I invite all of you to continue this journey with me as we share it together!”
Fans didn’t have to wait long to find out who will be stepping in to fill Garcia’s shoes on the Road to WrestleMania 41, with Mark Shunock posting on social media that he will be debuting on SmackDown’s show in London on Friday night (March 28).
Shunock has previously served as a host for the Vegas Golden Knights NHL team in Las Vegas, and as an announcer for Top Rank Boxing.
According to his IMDb profile, he also spent almost 10 years living in New York City, performing on America’s premiere stages.
Shunock earned a Helen Hayes Award nomination for Best Supporting Actor for his role as Timon in The Lion King Musical, and also starred in the Broadway hit Rock of Ages at the Venetian in Vegas.
He is also the creator of ‘Mondays Dark’, which has become Sin City’s premiere variety show for a cause.
The $20 event has become one of the hottest tickets in town, and twice a month it gathers a cast of guests — including musical acts and stars from Hollywood and The Strip — with the mission of raising $10,000 in 90 minutes.
So far, Mondays Dark has partnered with more than 200 local organizations and raised over $2million dollars for the city.
Announcing his new role in the professional wrestling world, Shunock hinted that his on-screen name will be changing.
“Stepping into a new ring with WWE,” he posted on Thursday.
“Thrilled to join Friday Night SmackDown. Mark ‘Nash’ will see you tomorrow night at The O2.”
By joining SmackDown, Shunock will step into the role that was previously filled on a temporary basis by WWE veteran Garcia.
She had been handling the duties in the wake of Samantha Irvin’s departure.
Irvin revealed last October that she was leaving the company, having also appeared on Raw and NXT, because she was not a massive fan of her role.
“I don’t like announcing,” she wrote on Instagram at the time.
“I’m serious! Announcing was only supposed to be my way in. I wanted to manage, maybe even become general manager one day.
“But WWE saw no other future for me besides announcer. I love watching the action but I don’t love being an announcer.”
With an extensive background in live event hosting, Shunock is expected to bring a new dynamic to the SmackDown role as he makes his debut in London.
How to get tickets for the WWE shows in London
*If you click on a link in this boxout we will earn affiliate revenue. Please note that Stubhub and Viagogo are ticket resale sites and as such, tickets may be listed at above face value prices.
Wrestling fans in the UK don’t get to see their idols live very often, as most events are based out in the US.
But this month the chance to see Raw and Smackdown is right around the corner as stars such as The Rock and John Cena will be hitting London’s O2 Arena.
To get tickets to see these shows in the build up to Wrestlemania, follow the links below.
WWE Smackdown tickets (O2 Arena London, 28 March)
- WWE Friday Night Smackdown London tickets at Ticketmaster, from £228 – buy here
- WWE Friday Night Smackdown London tickets at StubHub, from £121 – buy here
- WWE Friday Night Smackdown London tickets at Viagogo, from £141 – buy here
WWE Raw tickets (O2 Arena London, 31 March)
