WWE, baffled following ESPN's harsh grade for their first PLE on the network

WrestlePalooza was supposed to be a historic moment for WWE, as it became the first major event to be broadcast live on ESPN. However, the celebration turned controversial after the official website of the network published a review with a surprisingly low score: a “C”.

The criticism spread like wildfire on social media and not only caught fans off guard. According to WrestleVotes Radio, the internal reaction within WWE was one of total surprise, as no one expected their broadcasting partner to publish such a negative analysis of the show. It was discussed within the company that WrestlePalooza had not been different from other premium events, so the rating sounded excessively harsh.

The confusion within WWE grew when assuming that ESPN, given the symbolism of the debut, would have a more favorable treatment. Instead, the evaluation sparked intense online debate among fans and critics about whether the score was too severe or a faithful reflection of what was seen on screen.

Beyond the media repercussion, the low rating does not affect the viewership numbers, which remained stable. But it has raised questions about the future relationship between WWE and ESPN: if the network itself does not hesitate to issue such direct criticisms, it could set a precedent for tougher coverage in upcoming events.

The situation reveals an interesting dilemma: WWE is getting the exposure it sought on a global sports platform, but at the same time is exposed to a level of scrutiny that perhaps it did not expect from its main broadcasting partner.