Samantha Irvin, the voice of “WWE Raw” on the USA Network from New Bedford, announced on social media platform X that she will be stepping down as the ring announcer for the professional wrestling show.
In her announcement, Irvin expressed her love and appreciation for her fans, stating, “I love you all tremendously and this does not mark the end of my art, I have a lifetime more to share.” While she did not provide details regarding her departure, she thanked various individuals and teams within the WWE, including the female wrestlers, Raw’s behind-the-scenes crew, Chief Content Officer Paul “Triple H” Levesque, and the roster of WWE wrestlers.
Irvin highlighted the unique nature of WWE entertainment, emphasizing that not just anyone can become a WWE Superstar. “You are the stars that the stars idolize. It doesn’t get any bigger, and I’m proud to have used my voice to let the world know it,” she added.
Samantha Irvin, whose real name is Samantha Johnson, began her journey in the entertainment world after growing up in New Bedford. She gained recognition for her vocal talents as a semi-finalist on Season 10 of “America’s Got Talent” and showcased her flute skills on an episode of FOX’s “I Can See Your Voice.” Irvin also performed in Cirque du Soleil and the show “Vegas! The Show” as Tina Turner.
In 2021, she achieved her dream of becoming a ring announcer for WWE’s “205 Live” on Peacock. As a professional wrestling fan from a young age, she would watch WWE episodes, documenting matches and creating her own commentary and descriptions. Irvin later became a ring announcer for WWE SmackDown and transitioned to the Raw program in 2023.
She received notable praise for her announcing work at WrestleMania 40, a two-night event in Philadelphia, where legendary announcer Michael Buffer complimented her performance on social media.
Irvin is engaged to professional wrestler Trevor Dean Mann, known in the ring as Ricochet, who has recently signed with All Elite Wrestling. Although she did not confirm whether she would be joining him, Irvin ended her announcement with a hint of future plans, saying, “To my fans, my entire career I’ve been waiting for you! We are meant to be and I can prove it. Stay tuned…”