While the move from the USA Network to Netflix is bringing an end to Joe Tessitore’s tenure as the lead commentator for WWE Raw, he is still going to be calling one of the promotion’s biggest shows.
Paul Levesque (AKA, Triple H), was a guest on the SI Media With Jimmy Traina podcast. When asked if Tessitore would be moving to WWE SmackDown, which airs on USA on Friday nights, Levesque answered, “Yes.”
He also praised Tessitore’s work as an announcer.
“He’s such a massive fan,” Triple H said, H/T Jeremy Lambert, Fightful.com. “Even before he was doing anything with us, Joe would text me on stuff. We became friends through Nick. He would be telling me, ‘I saw on this podcast,’ and I don’t even know what he’s talking about, and it’s my job to know what he’s talking about.”
Tessitore began serving as Raw’s lead play-by-play man in September 2024. His performance in that role has generally been well-received.
On Netflix, Raw will be called by Michael Cole (play-by-play) and Pat McAfee (color commentary).
In addition to Tessitore, SmackDown will be adding Wade Barrett to its announce team. Like Tessitore, Barrett is coming from Raw. The pair will join color commentator Corey Graves.
[SI Media With Jimmy Traina, Fightful.com (transcription), Photo Credit: USA Network]