WWE Radio on SiriusXM | Netflix Viewership | ESPN cuts | Pollock & Thurston
Pollock and Thurston discuss WWE's expansion into satellite radio through the WWE Radio rebrand of SiriusXM's Pro Wrestling Nation, analyze Netflix viewership data showing mixed WWE performance, and examine ESPN's cuts affecting wrestling reporter Andreas Hale following his critical coverage of WWE, while also covering the Janelle Grant lawsuit resolution and AEW's upcoming Redemption event.
Summary
The episode opens with discussion of the Janelle Grant lawsuit against WWE and Vincent McMahon, which has moved to private arbitration after all parties agreed to dismiss the federal case with prejudice. Within five business days of the July 20th filing, a stipulation of voluntary dismissal will be filed, and Judge Sarah Russell is expected to approve it, moving the dispute entirely to confidential arbitration where public details will likely remain unknown.
Brandon Thurston provides an extensive update on his ongoing challenge to access sealed documents in the WWE-WCW merger lawsuit. He has filed a third notice of challenge targeting redacted exhibits and pre-trial briefs. After negotiations with the defendants' attorneys (approximately 30 lawyers involved), Thurston and the defense reached agreement on a proposed schedule for how exhibits will be handled. The dispute centers on whether pre-trial brief materials are subject to public access, with Thurston arguing they are based on precedent from Leo Investments v. Molly's Bay Capital, while defendants contend they are not. The court will consider letters from both sides on July 30th, each limited to 1,000 words, before Judge Travis Laster makes a final determination.
A significant discussion focuses on WWE's takeover of SiriusXM's Pro Wrestling Nation, rebranding it as WWE Radio beginning July 27th. The channel will include existing shows like Busted Open, Sam Roberts' show, and add new WWE-related content including Cody Rhodes and Stephanie McMahon podcasts. Notably, raw, SmackDown, and NXT will have audio simulcasts. The hosts express concern about the optics of a major wrestling promotion essentially controlling a satellite radio channel previously branded as independent pro wrestling coverage. They argue that while no explicit editorial directives need to be issued, the mere existence of the partnership creates implicit pressure on hosts and reporters to avoid critical coverage, as demonstrated by the treatment of reporter Andreas Hale.
Andreas Hale's removal from ESPN is analyzed as a case study in media capture. After Hale gave a C grade to a WWE pay-per-view and faced credential denial at WrestleMania, ESPN digital coverage of WWE essentially ceased. When ESPN made broad cuts this week, Hale was among those terminated. While ESPN declined to comment on whether WWE pressure influenced his removal, the timing and pattern suggest retaliation. The hosts argue this exemplifies how partnership arrangements between media outlets and sports properties create chilling effects on independent journalism without explicit censorship—future reporters will self-select into compliance to maintain job security.
A JP Morgan analyst report on TKO stock is discussed, which noted "concern around the state of WWE creative and ticket demand, including for upcoming SummerSlam." The analysts observed that while periodic fan dissatisfaction isn't unprecedented, WWE's creative has become a monitoring point for equity analysts, representing unusual scrutiny in equity research.
Brandon Thurston presents detailed Netflix viewership analysis showing mixed results for WWE programming. Royal Rumble was essentially flat year-over-year (3.1 million vs. 3 million), Elimination Chamber was identical at 1.6 million, WrestleMania Night One was up 13% (2.7 million vs. 2.4 million), and Night Two up 7% (3 million vs. 2.8 million). International SmackDown viewership is significantly up (Q1 up, Q2 flat), while US SmackDown on USA Network is down 17% year-to-date according to Nielsen data. Raw on Netflix is down year-over-year internationally. NXT remains stable at 200,000 global views per episode. WWE Unreal Season Two saw a dramatic 43% decline from Season One (2.8 million vs. 4.9 million average viewers per episode). Netflix is scaling back their engagement reports from semi-annual to annual releases, likely effective mid-year 2026.
WrestleMania 2026 will occur in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, but exact dates remain unannounced. WWE will host watch parties in US cities, with AAA and NXT Stand and Deliver events scheduled around the weekend at Madison Square Garden's Ifsees Theater. The hosts discuss whether AEW might counter-program but conclude this is unlikely to be a strategic focus.
AEW's Redemption pay-per-view this weekend shows 6,400 tickets distributed at the Bell Centre in Montreal, described as unimpressive for a major city. Tony Khan confirmed Ty Mellow requested and was granted a release from her wrestling contract. He also dismissed "false reports" about Sammy Guevara and Anna Jay, theorizing that negative AEW stories emerge when the company gains momentum. Kenny Omega and MJF were supposedly scheduled to headline before "sleight of hand" adjusted the card, though Khan avoided directly confirming this. Khan expressed optimism about the Paramount-Warner Bros. Discovery merger and working under David Ellison.
The Paramount-WBD merger faces antitrust challenges from 11 state attorneys general led by California's Rob Bonta, alleging harm to basic cable, tentpole theatrical releases, and theatrical distribution. A temporary restraining order was granted initially for 14 days and extended another 14 days to August 17th. A preliminary injunction hearing is scheduled for August 3rd. The September 30th merger completion deadline carries significant financial implications: Paramount faces $7.3 million daily ticking fees after that date, while Skydance would owe an $7 billion breakup fee if it walks away, on top of the $2.8 billion already paid to Netflix. This pressure gives state attorneys general substantial leverage in settlement negotiations.
AEW ticket sales data shows All In now at 32,000 tickets distributed with projections reaching 46,000, representing a 14% increase since Kenny Omega won the AEW title. SummerSlam ticket sales have improved with discount codes starting at $25, with Night One projected at 36,000 and Night Two at 37,000 based on WrestleTix modeling.
About this episode
<p><a href="https://bsky.app/profile/iamjohnpollock.bsky.social" rel="nofollow"><strong>John Pollock</strong></a> and <a href="https://bsky.app/profile/brandonthurston.bsky.social" rel="nofollow"><strong>Brandon Thurston</strong></a> cover Janel Grant’s move toward arbitration, WWE’s viewership on Netflix, and WWE Radio launching on SiriusXM.</p><p>VIDEO VERSION: <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nClugYUhJ5s" rel="nofollow">https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nClugYUhJ5s</a></p><p>Topics this week include:</p><ul><li><a href="https://www.postwrestling.com/2026/07/21/janel-grant-vince-mcmahon-wwe-agree-to-arbitration-in-writing-grant-to-file-for-dismissal-of-suit/" rel="nofollow">Janel Grant, WWE & McMahon heading to arbitration</a></li><li><a href="https://wrestlenomics.com/articles/2026/wwe-viewership-on-netflix-wrestlemania-royal-rumble-slightly-up-from-2025/" rel="nofollow">WWE viewership on Netflix over the first six months of 2026</a></li><li><a href="https://www.postwrestling.com/2026/07/18/wwe-announces-wrestlemania-43-watch-party-nxt-and-aaa-events-in-new-york/" rel="nofollow">WWE adds ‘Mania 43 Watch Parties, live events for NYC</a></li><li><a href="https://www.postwrestling.com/2026/07/21/combat-sports-reporter-andreas-hale-among-cuts-at-espn/" rel="nofollow">Andreas Hale among cuts at ESPN</a></li><li><a href="https://www.postwrestling.com/2026/07/23/wwe-and-siriusxm-announce-launch-of-wwe-radio/" rel="nofollow">WWE Radio on SiriusXM </a></li><li><a href="https://www.postwrestling.com/2026/07/20/judge-hits-temporary-pause-on-paramount-warner-bros-merger/" rel="nofollow">Paramount - WBD merger is temporarily paused</a></li><li>Update on Thurston’s Third Notice of Challenge</li><li>AEW Redemption media call with Tony Khan</li><li><a href="https://www.patreon.com/wrestletix/posts/wwe-summerslam-u-164435487" rel="nofollow">WWE SummerSlam</a> & <a href="https://www.patreon.com/wrestletix/posts/aew-all-in-164487061" rel="nofollow">AEW All In London ticket updates</a> </li></ul><p><br /></p><p><em>Music courtesy: </em><a href="https://soundcloud.com/IAmBenTramer" rel="nofollow"><em>“Panic Beat” by Ben Tramer</em></a></p><p><strong>POST Wrestling</strong></p><p><strong>Subscribe: </strong><a href="https://postwrestling.com/subscribe" rel="nofollow"><strong>https://postwrestling.com/subscribe</strong></a></p><p><strong>Patreon: </strong><a href="http://postwrestlingcafe.com" rel="nofollow"><strong>http://postwrestlingcafe.com</strong></a></p><p><strong>Forum: </strong><a href="https://forum.postwrestling.com/" rel="nofollow"><strong>https://forum.postwrestling.com</strong></a></p><p><strong>Discord: </strong><a href="https://discord.com/invite/Q795HhR" rel="nofollow"><strong>https://discord.com/invite/Q795HhR</strong></a></p><p><a href="http://www.twitter.com/POSTwrestling" rel="nofollow"><strong>Twitter</strong></a>/<a href="http://www.facebook.com/POSTwrestling" rel="nofollow"><strong>Facebook</strong></a>/<a href="http://www.instagram.com/POSTwrestling" rel="nofollow"><strong>Instagram</strong></a>/<a href="http://www.youtube.com/POSTwrestling" rel="nofollow"><strong>YouTube</strong></a><strong>: @POSTwrestling</strong></p><p><strong>Bluesky: </strong><a href="https://bsky.app/profile/postwrestling.com" rel="nofollow"><strong>https://bsky.app/profile/postwrestling.com</strong></a></p><p><br /></p><p><strong>Wrestlenomics</strong></p><p><strong>Subscribe: </strong><a href="https://wrestlenomics.com/podcast/" rel="nofollow"><strong>https://wrestlenomics.com/podcast/</strong></a></p><p><strong>Patreon: </strong><a href="https://patreon.com/wrestlenomics" rel="nofollow"><strong>https://patreon.com/wrestlenomics</strong></a></p><p><strong>Substack: </strong><a href="https://wrestlenomics.substack.com/" rel="nofollow"><strong>https://wrestlenomics.substack.com/</strong></a></p><p><a href="http://www.twitter.com/wrestlenomics" rel="nofollow"><strong>Twitter</strong></a>/<a href="http://www.facebook.com/wrestlenomics" rel="nofollow"><strong>Facebook</strong></a>/<a href="http://www.instagram.com/wrestlenomics" rel="nofollow"><strong>Instagram</strong></a>/<a href="http://www.youtube.com/wrestlenomics" rel="nofollow"><strong>YouTube</strong></a><strong>: @Wrestlenomics</strong></p><p><strong>Bluesky: </strong><a href="https://bsky.app/profile/wrestlenomics.com" rel="nofollow"><strong>https://bsky.app/profile/wrestlenomics.com</strong></a></p><br /><br />Advertising Inquiries: <a href="https://redcircle.com/brands">https://redcircle.com/brands</a><br /><br />Privacy & Opt-Out: <a href="https://redcircle.com/privacy">https://redcircle.com/privacy</a>
Key Insights
- WWE Radio's rebranding of SiriusXM's Pro Wrestling Nation channel creates implicit editorial pressure without explicit censorship, as personalities and reporters will self-select into WWE-friendly coverage to maintain job security
- ESPN's declining to comment on whether WWE pressure influenced Andreas Hale's termination is strategically significant—an explicit denial would have been easy, so the silence implies WWE was a factor in his removal
- The template established by WWE's response to Andreas Hale's C grade of a pay-per-view (credential denial, studio coverage blackout) demonstrates that critical wrestling journalists face expulsion from major media outlets partnered with WWE
- Netflix is consolidating viewership reporting from semi-annual to annual releases, potentially removing transparency during significant WWE storyline periods and reducing scrutiny of quarterly performance variations
- International SmackDown viewership on Netflix is up year-over-year while US viewership on traditional television is down 17%, suggesting WWE's international audience is growing while domestic audience erosion continues
- The Paramount-WBD merger faces a September 30th deadline with $7.3 million daily financial penalties for delays, giving state attorneys general massive leverage to extract concessions or block the deal entirely
- AEW's ticket sales for All In surged 14% following Kenny Omega winning the AEW title, suggesting championship storyline changes have immediate measurable impact on merchandise and event demand
- Nick Khan's strategy involves systematically building relationships with media executives across sports media, business media, and wrestling media, leveraging these connections to suppress critical coverage rather than through direct editorial mandates
- WWE's acquisition of audio broadcast rights for Raw, SmackDown, and NXT through SiriusXM represents new revenue generation from previously unmonetized content rights
- Tony Khan's reference to 'sleight of hand' regarding pay-per-view card changes suggests deliberate opacity in AEW's promotional strategy, potentially to avoid contractual or competitive disclosures
- The JP Morgan analyst report citing WWE creative concerns as a monitoring point represents unusual scrutiny from equity research, elevating internal creative satisfaction to the level of investment risk factors
- The Janelle Grant case moving to private arbitration eliminates all public accountability and disclosure regarding any settlement terms, meanings, or admission of facts, preventing future pattern-of-conduct analysis
Topics
Transcript
I'll be honest, this summer is stacked. Between that one big international soccer tournament, America's 250th anniversary, and the Route 66 Centennial, people are going to be traveling. What a lot of folks don't realize is that taking a trip in an RV is a whole heck of a lot more enjoyable than TSA lines or stodgy hotels. And you don't even have to own an RV, or drive one, to take part. With Outdoorsy, you can rent an RV or camper almost anywhere in the country. You can drive it, tow it, or have it delivered and set up for you. And these aren't bare-bones setups. Many come with full kitchens, bathrooms, showers, and real beds. It's often more…
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