ESPN Writer Says WWE Never Gave Him Reason on Why His WrestleMania 42 Credentials Were Denied

As previously reported, ESPN boxing, MMA, and pro wrestling reporter Andreas Hale, who notably gave WWE’s debut event on ESPN, Wrestlepalooza, a C grade, revealed last month that WWE denied him credentials and blocked his access to WrestleMania 42. Hale spoke to Jonathan Coachman on Sirius XM’s Off The Ropes about the matter, stating that while ESPN reached out on his behalf, WWE never provided a reason for the decision. Below aare some highlights of Hale commenting on the issue (via Fightful):

Andreas Hale on WWE Not Approving His Credentials

“It was never approved for either day. I don’t know (what happened). I was never given a reason. I did everything I was supposed to do. I did my job as a reporter. I’ve covered pro wrestling for ESPN. I’ve written stories about Jey Uso heading into WrestleMania, Seth Rollins, John Cena, so on and so forth. The infamous match grades, which we discussed the last time I was here, which had a big buzz on social media, and then all of a sudden, it was, ‘Your credentials not approved,’ and I was never given a reason why. We never found out why, and that’s kind of where it stood.”

On Why It Was Shocking for Him

“It was a big shocker, and yes, I tweeted about it, and that caused an uproar, but how can ESPN’s reporter not be at WrestleMania without saying anything? So, the only thing I could say is what I said in that tweet: I don’t know what happened. Nobody gave me a reason. ESPN asked on behalf. We were never given a reason, and that was that, and I wasn’t at WrestleMania. I watched from home, in my city, by the way. Again, I can’t tell you (a reason why it happened). The relationship between ESPN and WWE, all I could say is it’s above my pay grade. The answer is above my pay grade.”

During a 2025 media call, ESPN executives indicated during a media call that reports for the outlet would maintain full independence in their coverage of WWE. ESPN is WWE’s broadcast partner for the promotion’s premium live events in the U.S. Following WWE Wrestlepalooza, it’s rumored that someone on WWE’s side had the letter grades “killed” for ESPN coverage of WWE.