New voice of WWE: Joe Tessitore impresses in Raw debut

As the show progressed, Tessitore grew more comfortable in his new role. While he encountered a few challenges — such as a potential lack of enthusiasm during the conclusion of the Ilja Dragunov vs. Dominik Mysterio vs. Dragon Lee triple-threat match and some possible volume issues — he seemed to adjust well by the end of the broadcast.

What stood out most about Tessitore was his ability to blend his natural commentary skills from sports with his charisma and passion for wrestling. After all, he is the same person who interviewed The Rock before his match at WrestleMania 40 in April. This ability shone through in moments like the CM Punk and Drew McIntyre segment, where, instead of building up unnecessary suspense about who attacked Punk, Tessitore voiced what everyone was thinking, pointing out that it was Drew McIntyre in a hoodie.

Additionally, in contrast to McAfee — who always had plenty of enthusiasm but often struggled to know when to dial it up or down — Tessitore's more measured approach seemed to complement the action well. He never talked over anyone, never tried to steal the spotlight, and enhanced the broadcast by providing more descriptive commentary for viewers at home. His style fit seamlessly with Wade Barrett's smooth English accent and trademark snide remarks, and they more or less knocked it out of the park on their first night together.

There’s a famous saying, “The first impression is the last impression,” and if that holds true, Joe Tessitore made a fantastic impression on WWE fans during his debut. While there is still room for improvement, his challenges are all areas that could be refined with advice from more experienced wrestling commentators like Michael Cole and with more time spent in the business and calling shows. 

Overall, Tessitore’s debut was promising, and with a few adjustments, he could become an excellent fit for WWE's new era of programming. His ability to blend sports commentary with wrestling’s unique demands suggests he has the potential to excel in this new role and become a key figure in WWE’s evolving presentation style.