WWE has announced significant shakeups to the commentary teams of its two flagship shows, WWE Raw and WWE SmackDown. The changes take effect over the next couple weeks, starting with next week’s Raw and completing the following Friday, when SmackDown returns to the USA Network after a 5-year run on FOX.
| WWE Raw | WWE SmackDown |
|---|---|
| Joe Tessitore | Michael Cole |
| Wade Barrett | Corey Graves |
| Starting Sep. 2 | Starting Sep. 13 |
Michael Cole Shifts to SmackDown
Corey Graves filled in for Pat McAfee at the commentary booth for this week’s WWE Raw. McAfee is on hiatus and is returning to his other gig hosting ESPN College GameDay. Graves and Cole will reunite on September 13 for WWE SmackDown’s big homecoming on the USA Network. The duo has worked extensively together over the years and is regarded as one of WWE’s strongest teams.
Enter Joe Tessitore
With today’s “Voice of WWE” changing brands, WWE has tapped veteran broadcaster Joe Tessitore to serve as the new lead announcer for Raw starting next Monday, September 2, 2024. Tessitore has decades of experience in broadcasting, including working with ESPN doing play-by-play for Monday Night Football and coincidentally College Game Day.
Wade Barrett joins Tessitore on Monday nights. Former Nexus leader has proven himself to be an asset in recent years; calling action on Raw, SmackDown and NXT.