WWE’s relationship with ESPN has brought Stephen A. Smith into the pro wrestling conversation far too often for my tastes, but it sounds like we’re only getting more of it in the coming months.
According to a new report from WrestleVotes, ESPN is “enthusiastic” about Smith being “more involved in the WWE partnership” going forward.
The report indicates that Smith has a close relationship with several people in TKO, and there is “an expected payoff to his involvement coming this summer,” probably ahead
of a major WWE Premium Live Event on ESPN.
This doesn’t mean he’ll wrestle, of course, as there are plenty of other ways for Stephen to be part of an angle or match as an outside party. This is apparently the sort of thing that both WWE and ESPN want out of their business relationship, given the mainstream attention that Smith potentially adds to the WWE product.
Smith has already been booed at WrestleMania 42, cursed by Danhausen, and said he’s coming for Paul Heyman. Who knows, maybe he’ll be the next outside force who the rich TKO execs send in to ruin Cody Rhodes’ SummerSlam main event on ESPN.
What do you think the payoff will be if Stepehn A. Smith continues to be more involved with WWE this summer? Let me know in the comments below, Cagesiders.
