ESPN Reporter Who Gave Wrestlepalooza a C Grade Claims WWE Denied His Credential and Blocked His Access to WrestleMania 42

ESPN boxing, MMA, and pro wrestling reporter Andreas Hale, who notably gave WWE’s debut event on ESPN, Wrestlepalooza, a C grade, revealed in a statement on his X account that WWE denied his credentials and blocked his access to WrestleMania 42.

Andreas Hale wrote, “I will not be covering #WrestleMania for ESPN. WWE denied my credentials and blocked my access. Neither I nor ESPN has been told why. You can speculate on the reasons, but if you want answers, ask WWE. Let me know what they tell you. ~FIN~”

After Wrestlepalooza, Hale graded WWE Crown Jewel Perth a B grade. As previously reported, word surfaced last month that letter grades for ESPN coverage of WWE premium live events on the ESPN App were dropped. It’s rumored that someone on WWE’s side had the letter grades “killed.”

WWE’s alleged move here appears to contrast with earlier promises made by executives regarding how ESPN coverage of WWE would be handled. During a September 2025 media call, ESPN executives were asked if reporters for the outlet would still maintain full independence in how they cover WWE.

ESPN+ SVP John Lasker’s answer to the question was a clear one. Lasker stated (via POST Wrestling), “I think the answer to that is an emphatic ‘yes.’”

Another executive who was on the call, then-Vice President of Programming & Acquisitions Matt Kenny, also answered in agreement with Lasker, stating, “Unequivocal, ‘yes.’ That’s separation of church and state.” Kenny moved to CBS Sports the following month.

It should be noted that last month, WWE and Hale denied speculation that WWE attempted to have Hale fired for his report on Wrestlepalooza. Additionally, Hale reviews UFC events and continues assigning letter grades on those events through UFC 326. UFC is also owned by WWE’s parent company, TKO.

I will not be covering #WrestleMania for ESPN.

WWE denied my credentials and blocked my access.

Neither I nor ESPN has been told why.

You can speculate on the reasons, but if you want answers, ask WWE.

Let me know what they tell you.

~FIN~

— Andreas Hale (@AndreasHale) April 18, 2026