ESPN’s Joe Tessitore joins WWE as live commentator

By Jason PowellProWrestling.net Editor (@prowrestlingnet)

WWE announced with the following press release that Joe Tessitore is joining the commentary team as a live commentator.

STAMFORD, Conn., July 9, 2024 – WWE®, part of TKO Group Holdings (NYSE: TKO), today announced that Joe Tessitore, one of the most versatile and experienced voices in sports television, will join the company as a live commentator beginning this summer.

In his role, Tessitore will work with analysts Wade Barrett and Corey Graves. Michael Cole and Pat McAfee will remain on the team.

“Whether it’s a world championship match that has the world on edge or a college football rivalry that has the nation’s attention, Joe’s voice brings the feeling of a major event every time he steps behind the microphone,” said WWE Chief Content Officer Paul “Triple H” Levesque. “We’re excited to have Joe join legendary WWE commentator Michael Cole and our esteemed commentary team, bringing his signature energy and meticulous preparation to our WWE broadcasts each week.”

“It’s an honor to be a part of WWE. The recent success and evolution is undeniable,” said Tessitore. “You could feel it at WrestleMania XL – from Cody, Seth, Roman and The Rock to the creative staff and production, these are some of the best storytellers on television. Corey and Wade are absolute stars and I’m honored to join their team. Pat and Cole are just magic together and Cole is the greatest to ever sit in that chair. As a lifelong viewer, I’m honored to join this team and serve our fans.”

With nearly three decades of broadcast experience, Tessitore is widely regarded as one of the best game commentators in the business. Tessitore will maintain his role at ESPN and ABC, where he has played a central role in the network’s college football coverage since 2002. He has commentated on Saturday night primetime games, the college football playoffs and more on ESPN and ABC. Tessitore is known as ESPN’s live commentator, commenting on memorable world championship fights by Tyson Fury, Deontay Wilder, Terence Crawford and many others. In addition, he hosted ESPN’s Monday Night Football and commented on the NFL Pro Bowl and Wildcard Playoff games on ABC. He has also found success in entertainment, working with Rob Riggle and Stephen Curry on the comedy competition Holey Moley.

Powell’s view: This appears to be another move by Nick Khan, as Tessitore was his first media client. It looks like Graves will step back into the role of co-commentator once Tessitore joins the company. That Tessitore describes himself as a “lifelong viewer” is encouraging.