A new report seems to clarify WWE’s role in ESPN letter grade reviews.
Last week, F4WOnline.com (via the Wrestling Observer Newsletter) reported that ESPN dropped letter grades from editorial reviews of Premium Live Events. According to the newsletter, “someone on the WWE side… had gotten [the use of letter grades] killed.”
According to a report by POST Wrestling, ESPN ceased using letter grades in its editorial reviews of premium live events after WWE’s objections. However, despite the pushback, one source said that the wrestling promotion did not request the change. Apparently, the decision to discontinue letter grades came solely from ESPN. POST asked to explain why they removed the grades and whether WWE had any concerns about the reviews. However, the source declined to provide further comment.
“One source with knowledge of ESPN’s approach maintained that the decision to discontinue letter grades was ESPN’s alone and that WWE did not request the change. When pressed to explain the reasoning for the removal of grades and whether WWE took issue with the reviews, the source declined to respond further,” the report noted.
ESPN acquired exclusive rights to stream the pro wrestling company’s Premium Live Events in the U.S. in September. The first WWE PLE to stream on ESPN+ was WrestlePalooza. In his review, ESPN combat sports reporter Andreas Hale gave the event a C. He highlighted the Women’s World title clash between Stephanie Vaquer and IYO SKY as the show’s standout match.
ESPN’s Crown Jewel review got a B in October, but subsequent events have been covered without letter grades.
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