Byron Saxton Replaced Alicia Taylor at Money in the Bank
Byron Saxton assumed ring announcing duties after Alicia Taylor was sidelined by a sudden loss of voice.
Updated on Oct. 11, 2026 in Wrestling
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Byron Saxton stepped in to serve as the ring announcer for the 2026 WWE Money in the Bank event at the Smoothie King Center in New Orleans. The change occurred after Alicia Taylor was forced to withdraw from the broadcast due to a loss of voice.
Why it matters
The sudden personnel shift at a major premium live event underscores the reliance on versatile broadcast teams within professional wrestling. It remains unclear how long the vocal injury will sideline Taylor from her typical responsibilities on the RAW brand.
Byron Saxton provided the announcing for the 2026 event following Taylor's sudden departure upon arrival at the venue. Tiffany Stratton, Penta, Roman Reigns, Liv Morgan, and Oba Femi emerged victorious in their respective high-profile matches.
The players
Byron Saxton
He is a long-standing WWE personality who filled the ring announcer role at the 2026 Money in the Bank event.
Alicia Taylor
She is a professional ring announcer who has worked for WWE across NXT and SmackDown since 2018.
The details
Alicia Taylor, who has been with WWE since 2018 and previously served as the SmackDown ring announcer, was unable to perform after arriving at the arena. Byron Saxton transitioned into the role to ensure the broadcast duties were fulfilled for the night's high-stakes matches.
Timeline
December 2018: Alicia Taylor was initially hired by WWE.
2019-2024: Taylor served as a member of the NXT broadcast team.
2024: Taylor held the position of SmackDown ring announcer.
October 10, 2026: WWE Money in the Bank 2026 took place in New Orleans.
Season Trajectory
The need for last-minute replacements highlights the depth of the WWE broadcast roster throughout the 2026 calendar year. Such logistical adjustments are necessary to maintain the production quality of the promotion's major premium live events.
The announcer change did not impact the scheduled results, which saw title wins for Tiffany Stratton and Liv Morgan. Viewers watching the archived stream will hear Saxton calling all match outcomes, including Roman Reigns' victory over LA Knight.
The takeaway
Professional wrestling broadcasts rely on depth in personnel to handle unexpected medical absences. Fans can anticipate that standard broadcast roles may see temporary adjustments whenever performers face unforeseen health challenges.
Further reading
For more on the latest happenings in professional wrestling, visit Wrestling.
Source note: This article includes information reported by NDTVSports.
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