Joe Tessitore is set to join WWE.
Ryan Glasspiegel of the New York Post reports that ESPN announcer Joe Tessitore is joining WWE, and he will begin calling the action later in the summer of 2024. Per sources, Tessitore will remain with ABC and ESPN; he works as a broadcaster for college football and Top Rank boxing.
Glasspiegel writes that Tessitore will lead a three-man booth with Wade Barrett and Corey Graves, but it is not known whether he will start with Raw or SmackDown. Graves and Barrett were officially named the SmackDown broadcast team in February 2024 after Kevin Patrick was released by WWE.
The report also notes that Michael Cole and Pat McAfee, who currently call the action on WWE Raw, will stay together. Furthermore, Glasspiegel notes that Tessitore was the first media client of WWE president Nick Khan, and Tessitore is known to be a wrestling fan.
Tessitore has also called Monday Night Football and College Football playoff games.
WWE then confirmed the news in an official announcement, which noted that Tessitore will work alongside Wade Barrett and Corey Graves, and Michael Cole and Pat McAfee will remain together.
From WWE:
WWE today announced that Joe Tessitore, one of the most versatile and veteran voices in sports television, will join the company as a play-by-play broadcaster beginning this summer.
In his role, Tessitore will work alongside analysts Wade Barrett and Corey Graves. Michael Cole and Pat McAfee will remain teamed up.
“Whether it’s a world title fight that’s got the globe buzzing or a college football rivalry that’s grabbed the nation’s attention, Joe’s voice provides that big event feel each time he is behind the microphone,” said WWE Chief Content Officer Paul “Triple H” Levesque. “We’re excited for Joe to join legendary WWE broadcaster Michael Cole and our esteemed announce team, bringing his signature energy and meticulous preparation to our WWE telecasts each week.”
“It’s an honor to be a part of WWE. The recent success and trajectory are undeniable,” said Tessitore. “Being there at WrestleMania XL, one could feel it – from Cody, Seth, Roman and The Rock, to creative and production, these are some of the very best storytellers in TV. Corey and Wade are absolute stars and it is my privilege to join their team. Pat and Cole are just magical together and Cole is the greatest to ever sit in that chair. As a lifelong viewer, I’m humbled to join this team and to serve our fans.”
With nearly three decades of broadcasting experience, Tessitore is widely considered one of the industry’s foremost play-callers. Tessitore will remain in his role at ESPN and ABC where, since 2002, he has been a key fixture on the network’s coverage of college football. He’s called ESPN and ABC Saturday Night primetime games, the College Football Playoff and more. Tessitore is well known as ESPN’s blow-by-blow commentator, having called memorable World Championship fights of Tyson Fury, Deontay Wilder, Terence Crawford, among many others. Additionally, he has led ESPN’s Monday Night Football, and has called the NFL Pro Bowl and Wildcard Playoff games on ABC. He has found success in entertainment as well, teaming with Rob Riggle and Stephen Curry on the comedy competition Holey Moley.
Triple H commented on Tessitore joining WWE by calling him an absolute pro with incredible energy behind the mic. He wrote that Tessitore was the perfect addition to the announce team.
Joe is an absolute pro with incredible energy behind the mic, and is the perfect addition to our already star-studded announce team. Thrilled to welcome @JoeTessESPN to @WWE this summer. https://t.co/7UbvAuPFRL
— Triple H (@TripleH) July 9, 2024
The announcement did not provide an official start date for Tessitore. Fightful will monitor the situation and provide more information as it becomes available.
