WrestlingRevealed.com has learned that Jonathan Coachman (aka Coach) will be replacing JBL as the color commentator on Smackdown.

When JBL left the broadcasting table to return to the ring, a void was created.

WWE auditioned several people as a replacement, including Michael Hayes and Tazz.

Michael Hayes is Smackdown’s lead writer. Putting him at the broadcasting table would take away even more time from his writing. There’s already a handful of wrestlers who don’t have storylines on Smackdown.

Tazz would have been a good choice, but that would mean that WWE would have to find a replacement for him on ECW. Management wasn’t too fond of the idea of using Tazz for both shows.

So, for the time being, Jonathan Coachman will fill in next to play by play commentator Michael Cole.

Of course, this could be a temporary thing. Jonathan Coachman already has a role as Vince McMahon’s executive assistant. Plus, he’s stated in the past that he doesn’t want to be a full time commentator. He doesn’t mind filling in.

Can’t say that we disagree with Jonathan Coachman. He’s a gifted talker and his character is well defined.

It’d almost be waste to have him commentating, don’t you think?

Get the WWE Royal Rumble 2006 DVD and see Jonathan Coachman as a participant in the Royal Rumble. In case you’ve forgotten, the 2006 Royal Rumble was the emotional one with Rey Mysterio winning.