WWE News: Jonathon Coachman Confirms That He Will Not Cover WWE Anymore For ESPN
Apr 9, 2017 at 1:20 PM
Jonathon Coachman was a former WWE employee during the Attitude Era and the Ruthless Aggression Era. After leaving WWE, he had become a veteran sports journalist on ESPN. Last year, WWE had a tie up with ESPN after which the leading sports media started covering the WWE contents starting from Wrestlemania 32.
Coachman was the regular face while covering the important topics from the WWE. He was fully in charge of covering the Wrestlemania 33, as well upon which he had some serious fallout with another journalist Dave Meltzer. This led him to confirm that he will not cover any WWE news, going forward.
The arguments over these two renowned media persons broke out with WWE commentator Mauro Ranallo’s absence from WWE TV. The Smackdown announcer has been absent on WWE TV from March 14th. News broke out on the social media suggesting that he was suffering from mental depression.
Plus, Mauro’s fellow commentator, JBL was accused of bullying Mauro on live television as well as on the backstage which deteriorated his mental condition. A heated conversation broke out between Meltzer and Coachman on twitter with this matter forcing that the former WWE employee will stop covering professional wrestling. Take a look at the conversation:
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 (@TheCoachESPN) 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
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
Later Coachman released the statement:
“After serious sole searching have decided that I will no longer be doing Off the Top Rope or WWE related content. Will leave to the pros.”
Jonathon Coachman also stated that ESPN will not stop covering the WWE contents, going forward. It’s just that he will not be on the covering panel, anymore. Furthermore, the weekly Off the Top Rope segment featuring WWE superstars might also be stopped from now on.
There has been quite a wave around the pro-wrestling circuit over Mauro Ranallo’s absence from WWE for quite a long time. Various wrestling personalities and former WWE announcers accused the legendary JBL of continuous bullying. JBL has wiped out all of that by responding to them.
As for Mauro, he will not be back in the commentary panel, anytime soon. WWE stated that his contract will be over on August 12th. Until then he would be kept off from TV. It is still not confirmed if any further actions will be taken to JBL or not.