After Samantha Irvin announced her departure from WWE on Monday afternoon, former ring announcer Lilian Garcia stepped back into the role for Raw.
Garcia shared a heartfelt video on Instagram, expressing her gratitude to fans for their support, acknowledging her nerves about returning, and sharing her excitement for the future. She also took a moment to address Irvin’s exit.
“Oh my gosh, guys. Did that just happen? Did I just really go back to the WWE after being gone for like eight years? I mean, I’ve popped in every now and then, but it’s been eight years since I was the full-time announcer there. And my goodness, when my music hit and I got introduced, the cheers and the applause and the roar that you gave me tonight — thank you. Thank you for that, because I was nervous. I was so nervous. I could even tell when I started announcing that I was nervous, but it is all worth it," Garcia said.
It’s all worth taking a risk and a gamble and just being excited and just coming back. Just seeing everybody, like between also the WWE Superstars, my friends, and reuniting with the crew — I don’t know where this is all going, but I’m excited and I am strapping on my seatbelt for that…But Sam, I do want to tell you, I think you’re an extraordinary talent. You’re unbelievable. And I know it could not have been easy to walk away from here, but I wish you all the success in your music career. I know you’re going to kill it. You’re going to kill it. Ok, but WWE Universe, I look forward to seeing you. I look forward to signing your autographs and to high-fiving and all of that. All right, I love you. I’m back. I’m back home," the 58-year old added.
Garcia served as the WWE Raw ring announcer from 1999 to 2009. Following her initial departure, she pursued a music career. She returned to WWE in 2011 but left again in 2016, making occasional appearances before her latest return on Monday. After her second exit from WWE, Garcia provided ring announcing for the MMA organization Professional Fighters League and hosted a YouTube podcast called "Chasing Glory," where she interviewed WWE talent.
Samantha Irvin's departure
Wrestling fans were shocked when Samantha Irvin announced her departure from WWE just hours before the October 21 edition of Raw aired. Irvin joined WWE in 2021 and swiftly climbed the ranks, becoming a ring announcer for SmackDown in early 2022 before later transitioning to Raw. Following her announcement, WWE swiftly replaced her with Lilian Garcia, who previously handled announcing duties for the company from 1999 to 2009 and again from 2011 to 2016.
