“Sports-Based” Presentation

By Scott Keith on 17 December 2024

Haven't reached out in a few years but thought I'd toss something your way to deem its worthiness for broader discussion.
One of the things that intrigued me about AEW initially was the promise of a “sports-based” presentation style, whether that be tracking wins and losses and making them 'matter', or commentary's play-by-play approach that was clearly a ramp-up in specifics and nomenclature for wrestling moves, holds and psychology.
I appreciate Excalibur's play-by-play move set callouts; the wrestling nerd in me loves hearing and learning the names of all the moves.
It got me thinking about WWE's hire of play-by-play guy Joe Tessitore. As the show goes on his appeal kind of wanes, but his open to the show, coming out of commercial, and ad reads do make me feel like I'm watching something important.
Do you think WWE takes a risk on Tessitore without AEW in the picture?
Does WWE even go that route without TKO in the picture?

No, obviously the TKO influence was a big factor in Joe getting hired and being able to use that kind of approach to his announcing. I really wish Vince had been gone before Mauro got driven out and made even crazier by their bullshit because he would be flourishing right now and it's a shame. Same with Joey Styles. They really did destroy some big talent for no reason.