WWE has been in the news quite a bit the last few days, but not simply because of the action going on in the ring. The business side of the equation has created several interesting headlines. For example, WWE fans will no longer use the Peacock streaming app to catch WWE PLEs, as they are set to move to the new ESPN app starting with the new event, WWE Wrestlepalooza on September 20. There was another interesting news tidbit that came out on Wednesday and that involved ESPN's coverage of All Elite Wrestling. The news is that ESPN has seemingly removed all coverage of AEW, pointing toward a major issue with its new partnership with WWE.
Multiple news outlets confirmed, and as of this writing, the AEW tab on ESPN now goes to a "page error" message, redirecting the user back to the ESPN homepage. This tab used to include the same type of coverage as seen in the WWE tab, focusing on AEW specific headlines. ESPN, WWE, nor AEW have commented on the matter, but this points toward a larger problem with WWE's continued attack on AEW's business and ESPN's compitulation to those moves.
ESPN is recognized as the "Worldwide Leader in Sports." It is a tagline that has stuck with the organization for decades, and at one time, ESPN was seen as the foundational place for true sports journalism. Those times are no longer here, as the E for entertainment has grown larger than anything else in the equation. But what does it say when ESPN is willing to remove content covering the competition of a partner?
This doesn't happen for other sports organizations. For example, ESPN covers the UFC, carrying much of its content for the last several years. But the company also covers the PFL, a direct competitor to the UFC. They also covered Bellator before that promotion was acquired by PFL. The same is true for boxing, and other combat sports. Removing content from AEW points to a massive conflict of interest and it is one that should not go ignored.
WWE is attempting to use all its leverage to close the walls around AEW's growth. It doesn't stop with this move either. WWE content is now appearing on seven different platforms, liminting AEW's options for continued growth coming out of its new deal with HBO. This, along with counterprogramming and other tactics are direct attacks on AEW's business. But remember, WWE wants its loudest fans to believe it doesn't see AEW as competition. Yet, there's reason to believe that WWE's power and new partnership with ESPN lead to the outlet's removal of all AEW content.
Competition is vital for business, and that includes professional wrestling. WWE is attempting to do all it can to harm AEW from a business standpoint. Fans, performers, and staff members stand to suffer if that strategy works. ESPN's removal of AEW content isn't helping at all, and it is something that should not be ignored.