At present, Michael Cole and Pat McAfee are WWE’s announce group on Monday nights for Uncooked, which Corey Graves and Wade Barrett have been calling the motion Friday nights on SmackDown.
That look set to vary quickly, no less than in response to the New York Publish. This morning (July 9), the Publish’s Ryan Glasspiegel studies that WWE is hiring ESPN’s Joe Tessitore as an announcer. Tessitore will begin later this summer season and add WWE to his current workload calling school soccer and High Rank boxing, as sources informed the Publish the 53 yr outdated will stay at ESPN and ABC.
These sources have been unable to say whether or not Tessitore will likely be doing play-by-play for Uncooked or SmackDown, nonetheless. They are saying he’ll lead a three-person sales space with Graves (who solely just lately moved into play-by-play when WWE parted methods with Kevin Patrick) and Barrett, which would appear to point Tessitore is headed to SmackDown — nevertheless it’s probably his hiring will result in WWE’s announce groups switching nights.
McAfee’s standing for the upcoming season of ESPN’s School GameDay is at the moment unconfirmed. If he have been to go on hiatus from WWE once more to work the touring school soccer present, extra adjustments may comply with. Glasspiegel’s sources did inform him Cole & McAfee would stay collectively.
WWE’s observe document of hiring announcers from the non-scripted sports activities world hasn’t been nice. The dismissal of soccer announcer Patrick (actual title Kevin Egan) places him on an notorious listing with names like Adnan Virk and Mike Adamle. The Publish is bullish on Tessitore’s prospects, citing his “excitable broadcast voice” and familiarity with fight sports activities through his boxing work.
It’s additionally identified that Tessitore was the primary media shopper of WWE President Nick Khan again throughout Khan’s days as an agent, and that the announcer has “an ideal relationship” with Chief Artistic Officer Paul “Triple H” Levesque.
A proper announcement of Tessitore’s hiring is anticipated quickly.
UPDATE: That formal announcement got here rapidly after the Publish report. Right here it’s…
Joe Tessitore joins WWE
STAMFORD, Conn., July 9, 2024 – WWE as we speak introduced that Joe Tessitore, some of the versatile and veteran voices in sports activities tv, will be part of the corporate as a play-by-play broadcaster starting this summer season.
In his position, Tessitore will work alongside analysts Wade Barrett and Corey Graves. Michael Cole and Pat McAfee will stay teamed up.
“Whether or not it’s a world title battle that’s bought the globe buzzing or a university soccer rivalry that’s grabbed the nation’s consideration, Joe’s voice gives that large occasion really feel every time he’s behind the microphone,” mentioned WWE Chief Content material Officer Paul “Triple H” Levesque. “We’re excited for Joe to hitch legendary WWE broadcaster Michael Cole and our esteemed announce group, bringing his signature power and meticulous preparation to our WWE telecasts every week.”
“It’s an honor to be part of WWE. The current success and trajectory are plain,” mentioned Tessitore. “Being there at WrestleMania XL, one may really feel it – from Cody, Seth, Roman and The Rock, to inventive and manufacturing, these are a few of the highest storytellers in TV. Corey and Wade are absolute stars and it’s my privilege to hitch their group. Pat and Cole are simply magical collectively and Cole is the best to ever sit in that chair. As a lifelong viewer, I’m humbled to hitch this group and to serve our followers.”
With almost three a long time of broadcasting expertise, Tessitore is broadly thought of one of many trade’s foremost play-callers. Tessitore will stay in his position at ESPN and ABC the place, since 2002, he has been a key fixture on the community’s protection of school soccer. He’s referred to as ESPN and ABC Saturday Evening primetime video games, the School Soccer Playoff and extra. Tessitore is effectively often called ESPN’s blow-by-blow commentator, having referred to as memorable World Championship fights of Tyson Fury, Deontay Wilder, Terence Crawford, amongst many others. Moreover, he has led ESPN’s Monday Evening Soccer, and has referred to as the NFL Professional Bowl and Wildcard Playoff video games on ABC. He has discovered success in leisure as effectively, teaming with Rob Riggle and Stephen Curry on the comedy competitors Holey Moley.