Nick Khan praised for major WWE RAW addition

WWE officials have implemented numerous changes and upgrades since the new era began with the Endeavor merger and Vince McMahon's exit. Credit for the success has been given company-wide, but individuals like Nick Khan and Triple H were singled out for how they have improved the company post-merger. Khan was just praised for a fan-favorite addition to Monday nights.

World Wrestling Entertainment hired its current president in late 2020, 37 months and eight days before Endeavor merged WWE and UFC. Triple H has not been shy about giving public adulation to Khan. The Las Vegas native began working as a talent agent in 2005, and his first client was Joe Tessitore, who he hired to do RAW commentary this summer. Another broadcaster once represented by Khan and then hired to work RAW is Adnan Virk, who signed in April 2021 to replace Tom Phillips. He and WWE mutually parted ways six weeks later.

Adnan was replaced by Jimmy Smith, who was also hired by Khan and had a similar path to Virk and Tessitore. Speaking on Richard Deitsch's Sports Media Podcast, Virk noted that he and Tessitore are old friends from their ESPN days, and both are fond of the WWE President. He said Tessitore called him when he was hired for RAW and then when he left, labeling him "good counsel" both ways.

Virk was surprised it took so long for Tessitore to get a shot with WWE, praising him as one of the best boxing play-by-play guys. The Canadian sportscaster then reviewed Tessitore's first few weeks on RAW and made a prediction about his longtime friend reaching Michael Cole's level.

"He’s done great. That’s a very tough audience, tough to impress, so if you can come in, and say sixty percent like Tess, that’s a resounding victory. I’m sure that number is higher, but eventually they’ll understand Tess and his cadence. Like I said, the fact that he’s passionate about it and knows it, and he’s a hell of an announcer, I think Michael Cole’s outstanding, but I’m sure Tess at some point can reach those levels as well. It’s obviously a great hire for Nick," Adnan Virk said. [H/T to Fightful]

Tessitore was hired by WWE on July 9 but did not make his debut until September 2. The deal allows the 53-year-old red brand lead announcer to continue working for ESPN and ABC.

Joe Tessitore especially praised at recent WWE RAW

Joe Tessitore has been calling the weekly WWE RAW action with Wade Barrett for the past four episodes. The September 16 episode was held at the Moda Center in Portland, Oregon, in front of around 10,000 fans.

The Portland RAW featured notable moments with top stars, including a hectic show-closing angle with The Judgment Day and The Terror Twins. Tessitore has been heavily praised within World Wrestling Entertainment for his overall performance since debuting, but he particularly earned high internal marks for his performance on September 16.

Jim Ross recently made a somewhat controversial prediction on Tessitore. The Top Rank Boxing commentator was credited with adding a special touch to IYO SKY's win over Bianca Belair, Braun Strowman's battle with Bronson Reed, a segment with Jey Uso and Bron Breakker, plus the main event angle.