WWE has added an elite sports play-by-play announcer to its roster.
ESPN announcer Joe Tessitore is set to begin doing WWE commentary later this summer, The Washington Post has learned.
A formal announcement is expected later Tuesday.
The 53-year-old Tessitore will remain with ESPN and ABC as a broadcaster for college football and Top Rank Boxing, sources said.
It’s unclear whether Tessitore will start on “Raw” or “SmackDown.”
What is known is that Tessitore will head up a three-person booth that will also feature commentators Corey Graves and Wade Barrett.
The latest addition to the “SmackDown” announcing team is former professional wrestler Graves, who handles the play-by-play.
Graves, who was previously a commentator, took over the role in late January after Kevin Patrick was fired by WWE.
Current “Raw” announcers Michael Cole and Pat McAfee will continue to work together.
A WWE spokesperson declined to comment, and Tessitore could not be reached for comment.
WWE’s blend of athletics and surreal scripted entertainment is not your average sport, but Tessitore is perhaps more prepared than anyone to make the leap.
He has an enthusiastic commentary voice to match the big moments of professional wrestling, and is well versed in the tenets of martial arts from his days commentating on boxing matches.
The job marks something of a full circle for Tessitore, who was WWE president Nick Khan’s first media client.
Khan was a super agent before heading up the wrestling promotion.
Tessitore also has a great relationship with WWE’s Chief Creative Officer, Paul LeVeck (aka “Triple H”).
He has previously called “Monday Night Football” and College Football Playoff games.
“SmackDown” will move to the US later this year, while “Raw” is expected to arrive on Netflix in early 2025.
This is the first season that ESPN has exclusive rights to the SEC. The network also has exclusive rights to the ACC and splits the Big 12 with Fox.
