Jerry Lawler gives his verdict on Joe Tessitore as a WWE commentator (Exclusive)

Jerry Lawler was one of WWE's main commentators for three decades before stepping aside in 2023 due to health issues. In an exclusive interview, the Hall of Famer spoke with Sportskeeda Wrestling's Senior Editor Bill Apter about new WWE announcer, Joe Tessitore.

On September 2, Tessitore debuted as RAW's play-by-play commentator alongside former WWE Superstar Wade Barrett. The 53-year-old has a background in sports broadcasting and has earned rave reviews during his first few weeks on RAW.

Bill Apter praised Tessitore's commentary style and compared him to legendary WCW and WWE interviewer Gene Okerlund:

"They've brought in a new sports broadcaster, Joe Tessitore I think his name is, and he's almost got like a Mean Gene Okerlund type of delivery to him and I think he's fantastic." [5:08 – 5:23]

Agreeing with Apter, Lawler made it clear he has been impressed with Tessitore's work so far:

"Yes, he does really good. Really good." [5:24 – 5:27]

Watch the video above to hear Jerry Lawler address his health after suffering two strokes.

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Jerry Lawler explains origin of Attitude Era phrase

In the late 1990s, Jerry Lawler's edgy on-screen persona referred to bre**ts as "puppies." He began using the term when former WWE star, Sable was one of the company's top stars.

Although the word became synonymous with Lawler, he admitted he did not originally come up with the phrase:

"It happened first with one of the other wrestlers asking, oh my gosh, I can't remember what her name was [Sable] but, anyway, he said, 'Show me your puppies [to Sable].' And he just did it one day on an interview that night, and when I heard that I just picked it up and started using it every day." [6:17 – 6:41]

In the same interview, Lawler said a current WWE star deserves a Hall of Fame induction after more than 20 years with the company.

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