ESPN is reportedly pleased about the possibility of Stephen A. Smith landing an on-air role with WWE.
According to WrestleVotes Radio, via Fightful Select, ESPN sources are “pleased and enthusiastic” about the idea of Smith getting involved in WWE’s partnership.
The report notes Smith’s cordial relationship with TKO officials, adding that there is an expected payoff for his involvement, which is reportedly being pitched for this summer.
Smith recently revealed that WWE President Nick Khan encouraged him to get involved with the partnership.
A recent episode of First Take featured Joe Tessitore breaking down the WrestleMania 42 match card. During the discussion, Tessitore mentioned Pat McAfee’s recent actions and alliance with Randy Orton. Smith said he supports McAfee getting involved in the feud between Cody Rhodes and Orton, and shared that Khan had pitched him a similar role.
Stephen A Smith previously said Nick Khan encouraged him to work with WWE
“I love it. I love it, and I want to applaud Pat McAfee for that, because let me tell you something. They were talking to — I go back to the old days of Bobby ‘The Brain’ Heenan and people like that,” Stephen A. Smith explained.
“I actually wanted to do that. Your man Nick Khan talked to me about that. See, the difference is, I’m not as courageous as Pat McAfee. I ain’t trying to get hit by one of them big boys, at all! I want no part of it, but I love that stuff because I think the sport needs it.”
Smith frequently appears as an NBA analyst for ESPN on SportsCenter, NBA Countdown, and the network’s NBA broadcasts. He is also an avowed pro wrestling fan, having interviewed the likes of Roman Reigns, Paul Heyman, and Triple H, who announced his retirement on Smith’s show a couple of years ago.
Smith was also involved in a humorous exchange with Danhausen on the road to WrestleMania 42. The lighthearted segment saw Danhausen hit Smith with his “you are cursed” catchphrase before disappearing. Smith later appeared in the crowd at the premium live event, where he was heavily booed.
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