ESPN didnâ€t just stream WrestlePalooza—they showed up in full force.
During the Fightful Select Backstage Report, Sean Ross Sapp revealed that top ESPN executives were backstage at WWEâ€s WrestlePalooza, showing just how serious the network is about its new $1.6 billion deal with WWE. This wasnâ€t just a routine meet-and-greet—sources told Fightful that ESPNâ€s internal push for WWE content even surpassed how they rolled out UFC.
“There were a number of ESPN execs at WrestlePalooza… ESPN sources told us that the push for WWE content even eclipsed when UFC was brought on board. Those that we spoke to said there isnâ€t anything resembling the stigma to pro wrestling that there once was.â€
Sapp made it clear that wrestling has earned full respect within ESPNâ€s corporate culture.
“The stigma around wrestling is gone inside ESPN.â€
Thatâ€s a major shift from how pro wrestling was viewed just a few years ago, especially by traditional sports outlets like ESPN. But with Disney doubling down on its live-event strategy, WWE is now being positioned right alongside the NFL, NBA, and UFC.
This full embrace comes after a controversial streaming launch. WrestlePalooza was meant to kick off the new ESPN Unlimited tier, but fans were left frustrated after discovering their standard cable subscriptions wouldnâ€t grant access. Sapp explained that the company never intended to make ESPN Unlimited available on cable—this was always about pushing people toward Hulu + Live TV.
“They want you to sign up for Hulu Live, because thatâ€s their deal. Thatâ€s what they want. Thatâ€s their goal. Not cable. Not Spectrum.â€
Despite the backlash, ESPN appears fully committed to wrestling—on every level. The backstage presence of top executives, the internal enthusiasm, and the strategic focus all point toward one thing: WWE is no longer a guilty pleasure for ESPN. Itâ€s a priority.
Please credit Ringside News if you use the above transcript in your publication.
Do you think this ESPN-WWE relationship will truly reshape how wrestling is viewed by mainstream sports media? Please share your thoughts and feedback in the comment section below.
September 22, 2025 8:20 am
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