The allegations became more rampant after the release of “Best Seat in The House,” a book by former WWE ring announcer Justin Roberts. Roberts alleged Layfield bullied him and others regularly, particularly announcers. This behavior and culture was not only tolerated but encouraged by WWE owner Vince McMahon.
ESPN started covering WWE regularly last year, launching its own pro wrestling section on its website, and with a weekly SportsCenter segment by ESPN anchor Jonathan Coachman, a former WWE announcer himself.
ESPN has been questioned for its involvement with WWE, especially its reluctance to cover negative news about the company, almost to the point of sticking to storyline-esque interviews on its programming. The questioning began heating up over the weekend when the story bullying story began to go viral. When asked in a tweet if ESPN would cover the controversy, wrestling journalist Meltzer replied expressing doubt in strong language.
Coachman wasn’t involved in the discussion, but entered the fray anyway with a shot at Meltzer.
2 things: we don't report on rumors for any sport or company. And you getting "heat" for anything is laughable. https://t.co/9s4VK0fqLd
— Jonathan Coachman (@TheCoachrules) April 7, 2017
Good one. Ever watch your own morning shows? An announcer missing for a month is a rumor? https://t.co/V4E7F5ubKG
— Dave Meltzer (@davemeltzerWON) April 7, 2017
Reporting on a topic and actual details of a story two different things. Do you know how many this "story" came up at mania...zero.. https://t.co/FoPt1ER8Yq
— Jonathan Coachman (@TheCoachrules) April 7, 2017
Zero? It was a leading topic of conversation from people in the industry all weekend long. Has been for weeks. https://t.co/C3ghB1n9Qt
— Dave Meltzer (@davemeltzerWON) April 8, 2017
the guy has been gone for 4 weeks, that's news not speculation. This story hasn't been about speculation from day one. https://t.co/YuduUS7CZg
— Dave Meltzer (@davemeltzerWON) April 8, 2017
Maybe Coach's tweet was a passive-aggressive way to bring major outlet attention to the story...
🤔
— Top Rope Travis (@TopRopeTravis)
Ask him. He'll make it clear he doesn't think with that level of depth. https://t.co/FbVpfnth0U
— Dave Meltzer (@davemeltzerWON) April 8, 2017
In the middle of his argument, Coachman announced he was dropping the weekly WWE segment from SportsCenter. He deleted the Tweet later, then said he had been planning on dropping it for several weeks because of other projects, but his timing seemed suspect. He pointed fans toward ESPN’s vertical for pro wrestling and WWE coverage.
We have incredible vertical website. I am sure they will continue their fantastic coverage. Just not me. @WWEonESPN https://t.co/GwLD7MqU9o
— Jonathan Coachman (@TheCoachrules) April 8, 2017
Coachman claims he's done covering WWE. Exactly how a media figure should react when a legit story involving a fellow announcer breaks.
— Dave Meltzer (@davemeltzerWON) April 8, 2017
ESPN has drawn ire for its news coverage, often for its abundance of debate shows during the morning hours and conflict of interest of having TV deals with the companies it covers. The network dropped a planned fictional show based on a pro football team after criticism from the NFL, then later dropped support of a PBS Frontline documentary on accusations the NFL had covered up concussion issues.
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