WWE is going through a boom period. After being freed from the influence of billionaire septuagenarian and alleged sexual predator Vince McMahon, the company’s storytelling has soared to new heights and cemented its place atop the professional wrestling landscape.
In the midst of that, the company is turning to a recent tenet that has struggled to pay off in the past. It’s bringing an established sports broadcaster from outside the world of wrestling to its announce team.
Joe Tessitore is a staple of ESPN’s college football broadcasts and has been a part of NFL and boxing coverage in his career. He’s also one of the hosts of ABC’s Holey Moley alongside Rob Riggle. Now he’ll join Corey Graves and Wade Barrett at ringside to call the action inside the squared circle in prime time.
Tessitore is qualified to handle his business. He’s a combat sports veteran who understands the history of pro wrestling — he was part of ESPN’s coverage of WrestleMania 40 this spring. His turn on Holey Moley has proven he can pull off serious or silly with aplomb.
That’s not to say this move doesn’t come with risk. WWE has borrowed from other sports in an effort to punch up its commentary in the past. Broadcasters Adnan Virk, Jimmy Smith and Kevin Patrick came from sports backgrounds outside the ring and failed to leave a lasting impact with the promotion.
Even so, Tessitore has the capacity to outshine each thanks to his bonafides as a media personality and familiarity with the product. WWE is hoping his addition will be more Pat McAfee than Kevin Patrick. The question now is whether his wrestling duties will interfere with his gridiron coverage and if the respected voice of ESPN coverage can keep from spreading himself too thin come autumn.