ESPN Star Stephen A. Smith to Get Significant WWE Role: Report
With his expressive outbursts and hot take rants on ESPN, there’s no denying that Stephen A. Smith is one of their more polarizing figures on screens.
That seemingly plays perfectly into the world of professional wrestling, and WWE is reportedly looking to further capitalize on the relationship between ESPN and WWE with Smith. A new report on Thursday indicates that Smith is expected to have a significant on-screen role with the company.
And that doesn’t necessarily mean he’d be in his on-air interviews featuring WWE stars, as it appears he could be ringside or on the outside of the ring for a significant event.
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According to WrestleVotes Radio on Fightful Select, there are “ESPN sources” who are “pleased and enthusiastic” about Smith having a greater role in WWE’s partnership.
That seems to suggest he’ll be in a managerial or authority-figure role, but there’s always the possibility that something else is on the way. Smith previously teased getting involved when ESPN had WWE commentator Joe Tessitore as a guest before WrestleMania this month.
Smith’s ESPN co-star, Shae Cornette, asked Tessitore who Smith might be a good manager for, and he suggested Trick Williams or Gunther. Smith didn’t seem fond of the latter, but being a manager for either could make sense.
Williams is also associated with hip-hop star Lil Yachty, who actually got involved in his Mania match to help him defeat Sami Zayn for the WWE United States Championship.
Along with having critics from his ESPN appearances, Smith already appears to be a serious WWE heat generator. Wrestle Features asked fans on X about their interest in seeing Smith in WWE, and many expressed their disapproval of his involvement.
“The product I once love is now dying to the overly mainstream audience,” a commenter replied.
“I don’t even care about him on ESPN so definitely don’t want him in WWE,” someone said.
“Zero interest….I can't stand him on ESPN . I turn off the tv whenever he comes on,” another individual wrote.
Adding to that outrage is that he showed up at WrestleMania 42, and when the camera showed him in the arena, many fans in attendance loudly booed him. However, Smith delighted in his WrestleMania moment when talking about it on ESPN, which is the perfect attitude for a heel manager or authority figure in WWE.
Smith’s fellow ESPN co-star, Pat McAfee, was involved in multiple WWE matches, including the main event match on the first night of WrestleMania 42 between Randy Orton and Cody Rhodes. After being attacked by both wrestlers and singer Jelly Roll, McAfee seemingly announced his retirement from WWE within a few days.
While it’s unclear when Smith could show up, there is speculation that he could appear at one of WWE’s biggest premium live events, SummerSlam, which takes place this August in Minneapolis, Minnesota.
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This story was originally published April 30, 2026 at 4:50 PM.