FREE POST: ESPN-WWE Media Call Notes: AEW Counter Programming, Brock Lesnar

Fightful Select on the first ever ESPN-WWE media call ahead of WrestlePalooza. Notes are below. The call is at this link

• It actually started off with a commercial for WrestlePalooza

• There was a slideshow including some of the media appearances this week and upcoming programming.

• ESPN confirms Fightful Select's report that they're working on rolling out deals for other cable subscribers to give them ESPN Unlimited access

• I asked ESPN programming execs about WWE counter programming AEW. Matt Kenny tells me ESPN collaborates with WWE on dates, and the company had many of their dates already set.

  They wanted a big event in September. They welcome competition, but they also had big competition from college football. They also want to serve wrestling fans as best as possible on ESPN Unlimited.

  JT Lasker speaks specifically on football competition, that ESPN Unlimited will have a multiview option

• ESPN does not plan on adding the WWE library at this time beyond PLE events, they tell Dom D'Angelo.

• When @DominicDeAngelo asks about a potential ESPN WWE debate-style show, they wouldn't commit to that, but said that Sportscenter being at the site of WWE WrestlePalooza on a college football Saturday is a big deal.

• ESPN clarifies to Mike Johnson that they had no contact with Peacock, and that WWE handled that. They wanted to start their partnership ASAP.

  The deal does end five years from this weekend as a result of the deal starting earlier.

• ESPN execs are asked by @JonAlba about Brock Lesnar being on the show while mentioned in the active lawsuits against WWE and Vince McMahon.

  ESPN says that WWE maintains creative control as it relates to their storylines, and talent. ESPN clarifies to Alba that they don't request certain talent.

• There are a minimum number of WWE events that are required to mutistream on the ESPN traditional network.

• Programming execs dealt with a lot of pushback from traditional "stick and ball people" with UFC, and knew they were going to have to for WWE.

• The Usos were at ESPN yesterday, and very popular with employees.

• ESPN wouldn't detail what metrics they would consider a success. They think it will help drive subscribers to their service and add value.