Bill Apter glad "amazing person" is back in WWE eight years after leaving (Exclusive)

Samantha Irvin recently left her role as a WWE ring announcer after three years with the company. While Bill Apter enjoyed Irvin's announcing style, the legendary reporter is happy to see Lilian Garcia back.

Garcia worked for WWE between 1999 and 2009 before returning for another spell with the company between 2011 and 2016. She made sporadic on-screen appearances over the next few years before being confirmed as Irvin's full-time replacement on October 21.

Apter appeared on Sportskeeda's The Wrestling Time Machine alongside host Mac Davis and Hall of Famer Teddy Long. Reacting to the recent changes, he spoke positively about Garcia's return:

"First of all, I'm glad to see Lilian Garcia back," Apter said. "She's an amazing singer, she's an amazing ring announcer, and she's an amazing person, personality. She's excellent." [From 01:33 – 01:49]

Apter also addressed the sudden timing of Irvin's departure, which was confirmed a few hours before the October 21 episode of RAW:

"I don't think the Samantha Irvin thing was just, 'Snap, I'm not showing up tonight. Get someone else. Goodbye.' I do know that she's been working on her musical career." [From 01:49 – 02:01]

After fans speculated how much notice Irvin gave, the 35-year-old revealed she informed WWE of her plan to leave in August.

---

Bill Apter on Samantha Irvin's professionalism after WWE exit

The news of Samantha Irvin's departure came as a surprise to many fans. In just three years, the former RAW personality quickly established herself as one of the most popular ring announcers in the company's history.

Given how much Irvin praised her former employers on social media, Bill Apter thinks she likely left her job on good terms:

"No one knows for sure except she was with WWE for a long time and she's moving on to some more things that she really wants to do. She thanked everybody in her tweet and on her Facebook page, thanked everybody, so I don't think there's any hard feelings anywhere." [From 2:23 – 2:41]

Legendary on-screen authority figure Teddy Long also gave his opinion on what the future might hold for Irvin outside the wrestling business.

What are your thoughts on Lilian Garcia's return? Hit the discuss button and let us know.

---

Please credit Sportskeeda's The Wrestling Time Machine and embed the video if you use quotes from this article.