WWE to make further changes to RAW and SmackDown when they move to Netflix - Reports
In January 2025, WWE RAW will move to Netflix. While SmackDown will remain televised in the United States, international markets will seemingly find the blue show on the popular streaming platform from early next year. The move will no doubt bring changes to the company's product, and it's being reported that there will be a shake-up when it comes to the promotion's commentary teams.
Currently, Michael Cole and Pat McAfee are the voices of RAW, while Corey Graves and Wade Barrett call SmackDown. However, Cole is set to move to the blue brand next month, with ESPN's Joe Tessitore taking his place on the Monday night program.
Despite the upcoming switch, Dave Meltzer of the Wrestling Observer (via Cultaholic) claims that Cole will re-join RAW once the show has moved to Netflix, while Tessitore will join SmackDown. It's currently unclear which brands McAfee, Graves, and Barrett will be on in January 2025.
It also remains to be seen if NXT's Vic Joseph and Booker T will be affected by the forthcoming alterations. Tessitore was initially expected to join Barrett and Graves on SmackDown upon his debut. However, it was revealed over SummerSlam weekend that the veteran media personality was headed for the red brand.
Joe Tessitore starts with WWE on September 2
Fans can expect to hear Joe Tessitore's voice when RAW opens from Ball Arena in Denver, Colorado, on September 2, 2024. That show takes place just a couple of days after Bash in Berlin. As of this writing, it's unclear whether Pat McAfee will be alongside Tessitore or if further changes will be made to the organization's commentary teams.
Joe Tessitore joins the Stamford, Connecticut-based promotion after several years of calling boxing matches for ESPN and college football games for ABC and ESPN. Notably, Tessitore will still be contracted to ABC and ESPN while working for WWE.