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Joe Tessitore's Busy Schedule Complicates WWE's Commentary Shake-Up
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Published in Media and Entertainment on Wednesday, December 24th 2025 at 19:37 GMT by Wrestling News- 🞛 This publication is a summary or evaluation of another publication
- 🞛 This publication contains editorial commentary or bias from the source
Joe Tessitore’s Busy Schedule Complicates WWE’s Commentary Shake‑Up
The WWE’s recent commentary reshuffle has taken an unexpected turn when the league’s new play‑by‑play partner, former college football and NFL broadcaster Joe Tessitore, revealed that his hectic schedule may prevent him from fully committing to the Monday Night Raw lineup. The 56‑year‑old veteran, best known for his work with ESPN’s college football coverage and his long‑standing role as a commentator for the NFL’s “Monday Night Football,” had been slated to join the WWE’s broadcast team as the lead voice for Raw’s flagship show. However, Tessitore’s pre‑existing commitments to the NFL and other high‑profile sports events have forced WWE to reconsider how he will fit into the evolving commentary rotation.
The Big‑Name Addition
The WWE announced in late November that Tessitore would be joining the Raw commentary booth, adding a “sports‑broadcast” flavor that many fans expected would bring a new level of polish to the show’s call. Tessitore was set to work alongside long‑time WWE commentator Alex Riley and the charismatic former‑pro wrestler‑turned‑analyst Adrian Finlay. The trio was announced in a joint interview, with Tessitore expressing excitement about finally getting a chance to call a wrestling match and noting his respect for the sport’s storytelling traditions.
During the interview, Tessitore said, “I’ve been calling college football and the NFL for many years, and I’ve always admired the athleticism, the drama, and the fan engagement that WWE brings to the table. It’s a natural next step for me.” WWE’s president of talent development, Kevin Kelly, echoed the sentiment, calling Tessitore “a great fit for our brand” and emphasizing how his experience could elevate Raw’s production values.
The Unforeseen Scheduling Conflict
The excitement, however, was tempered when Tessitore disclosed that his commitments to the NFL would clash with WWE’s schedule. The NFL’s broadcast calendar for 2024 includes high‑profile Thursday night games, as well as the Monday night primetime slot that would normally be available for a WWE show. Because Tessitore is one of the league’s senior announcers, he is regularly required to cover key match‑ups that run into the same times as Raw’s live telecast.
Tessitore’s spokesperson confirmed that he would still be available for a select number of Raw episodes, particularly on Saturday nights when WWE’s “Super Saturday” event series is scheduled. In addition, Tessitore would call a special “WrestleMania 40” pre‑match segment that will air during the NFL’s post‑season coverage. But for the majority of Raw’s weekly shows, WWE will need to rely on other voices.
How WWE’s Commentary Rotation Is Adapting
The commentary shake‑up announced last month had already been designed to bring a fresh dynamic to Raw’s broadcast. In addition to Tessitore, WWE announced that:
- Alex Riley – a former WWE wrestler and current play‑by‑play commentator – will continue to be a mainstay in the booth, bringing his seasoned insight into wrestling’s evolving storylines.
- Adrian Finlay – a former SmackDown wrestler and current commentator – will stay on to provide in‑depth analysis of in‑ring action and deliver backstage interviews.
- Tony Darnell – a former WWE talent agent and seasoned broadcaster – will step into a more regular role, serving as the “analyst” in the booth.
- Jill Kelly – the former WWE creative director turned commentator – will appear on special episodes as a “guest analyst,” offering behind‑the‑scenes commentary on key story arcs.
With Tessitore’s reduced availability, WWE’s creative team announced that they would rotate Tessitore into key moments – such as title changes, high‑stakes matches, or “must‑watch” segments – while using Riley, Finlay, and Darnell to fill the rest of the week’s commentary slots. This plan, the WWE officials said, allows the company to keep the “energy” and “expertise” that Tessitore brings to the booth without jeopardizing the NFL’s broadcast commitments.
Fan Reaction and Industry Context
When the announcement hit, the WWE fan base split into two camps. Some supporters embraced the idea of Tessitore’s “sports‑broadcast” approach, noting that his clear voice and analytical style would make Raw more accessible to casual viewers. Others, however, expressed concern that the schedule adjustments might dilute the “WWE brand” that fans have grown accustomed to, and worry that fans could be disappointed by the absence of a consistent lead voice.
Industry analysts have compared the situation to similar challenges faced by other entertainment ventures that share talent with sports leagues. In particular, the WWE has previously worked with other football broadcasters such as Jim Ross and the late Tony Schiavone, both of whom have had to juggle scheduling conflicts. “In the world of broadcast sports, you often have to balance multiple commitments,” explained former NFL broadcaster Matt Loughran. “The key is finding a flexible plan that keeps all parties satisfied.”
Looking Forward
While Tessitore’s busy schedule complicates the WWE’s commentary plans, the organization appears committed to keeping the brand’s flagship show engaging for its audience. WWE’s creative team has already begun testing new on‑air chemistry between Riley, Finlay, and Darnell, and is developing “special segments” that will feature Tessitore in a prominent role during big events such as WrestleMania, SummerSlam, and the annual “Survivor Series.” These moments will not only showcase Tessitore’s voice but also give fans the chance to experience the “sports‑broadcast” flair he brings to wrestling.
Ultimately, Tessitore’s involvement, even on a part‑time basis, marks a bold new chapter for WWE’s broadcast team. It underscores the company’s willingness to experiment with talent from other sports domains and reflects the increasingly intertwined nature of sports entertainment and mainstream sports broadcasting. For fans, the hope is that the final product will still be as captivating and entertaining as the years of wrestling history that WWE has built upon.
As the 2024 season progresses, WWE will continue to fine‑tune the commentary lineup, and the league’s fans will be watching closely to see how this high‑profile partnership unfolds in the ring—and on the microphone.
Read the Full Wrestling News Article at:
[ https://www.ewrestlingnews.com/news/wwe/joe-tessitores-busy-schedule-affecting-wwes-commentary-shake-up ]
