ESPN’s Joe Tessitore joins WWE Raw as new commentator, JBL weighs in on transition challenges

Joe Tessitore, known for his work as an ESPN broadcaster covering NFL, college football, and boxing, has recently joined WWE Raw as the new play-by-play commentator. WWE Hall of Famer John Bradshaw Layfield (JBL) shared his thoughts on Tessitore’s transition to professional wrestling commentary during an appearance on “Huge Pop Radio.”

JBL believes Tessitore is intelligent and well-researched, which should serve him well in his new role. However, he emphasized that WWE commentary is significantly different from traditional sports broadcasting. In professional wrestling, commentators are an integral part of the show and must consider storylines, match outcomes, and future plot developments when calling matches. JBL explained that commentators need to be strategic in how they describe wrestlers and matches, as their words can impact how audiences perceive the action and storylines.

While acknowledging that Tessitore’s background is in “real” sports commentary, JBL expressed confidence in Tessitore’s ability to adapt to the unique demands of WWE broadcasting. He believes Tessitore’s intelligence will help him navigate the complexities of professional wrestling commentary and fill any gaps in his experience with the sport’s theatrical elements.

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