WWE legend Michael Cole will leave Raw and join SmackDown with his replacement Joe Tessitore set to debut.
The newest member of the wrestling giant’s broadcast time made his first appearance during Countdown to SummerSlam on Saturday night, as veteran commentator Cole made the huge announcement.
‘Joe is actually going to start on Monday Night Raw,’ he said. ‘Monday September 2, Denver, Colorado will be Joe’s first show. I’ll be shifting to Friday Night SmackDown.’
Tessitore admitted he was ‘blessed and honoured’ to be part of WWE, and described being at SummerSlam as ‘special’.
‘You haven’t lived till you’ve come through the entryway with Michael Cole at SummerSlam,’ the broadcaster said.
He added: ‘You are a living legend, my friend.’
As just announced by @MichaelCole, @JoeTessESPN will be debuting on the commentary team on #WWERaw on September 2 live from Denver, CO with Cole heading back to #SmackDown! pic.twitter.com/OGgCMtJHTI
— WWE (@WWE) August 3, 2024
Earlier this month it was confirmed Tessitore would be leading a three-man booth alongside colour commentators Barrett and Graves.
It wasn’t specified at the time whether that would be on Raw or SmackDown, but now we know Cole is moving to Raw.
However, the future of Pat McAfee is yet to be clarified with his upcoming commitments on College Game Day in the US.
‘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.’
Tessitore described the move as ‘an honour’, heaping praise on the company’s ‘undeniable’ success in recent years.
‘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,’ he added.
‘Corey and Wade are absolute stars and it is my privilege to join their team. Pat [McAfee] and [Michael] 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.’
In recent years, the likes of Kevin Patrick, Jimmy Smith and Byron Saxton have tried their hand at commentary.
Patrick and Smith, who both came into wrestling from the outside world, are no longer with the company, while former wrestler Saxton works as a backstage interviewer and broadcaster.
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It’s said Cole and McAfee will remain together, while Tessitore has some backing behind him in the form of WWE president Nick Khan, having been the businessman’s first media client.
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