Andreas Hale has been released from ESPN. He issued the following statement:
“I was just informed that my time at ESPN has come to an end, as I am one of the casualties of the company-wide layoffs. I’ve been here before. Change is constant, but the outcomes are uncertain.
There will be those who are overjoyed with the news and others will be shocked. Either way, I gave my all covering boxing, MMA and pro wrestling and will continue to do so wherever the next chapter of my career takes me.
Once again, you know where to find me because I’m not going anywhere.”
For those who don’t know, Andreas is the ESPN reporter who gave WWE PLEs bad reviews right after WWE’s deal with ESPN started last year with Wrestlepalooza. In September 2025, WrestleVotes reported that many within WWE were both surprised and confused by ESPN handing their first-ever PLE a grade of “C.” Several questioned why ESPN would associate that kind of “online stigma” with Wrestlepalooza, which was otherwise viewed internally as a fairly typical WWE event.
Earlier this year, WWE blocked Andreas from covering WrestleMania 42. Here’s what he posted about it:
“I will not be covering WrestleMania for ESPN.
WWE denied my credentials and blocked my access.
Neither I nor ESPN has been told why.
You can speculate on the reasons, but if you want answers, ask WWE.
Let me know what they tell you.”
This led to R-Truth replying the following to him:
“Cause you a b*tch a$$. That’s why🤷🏾♂️… I said what I said”
