WWE featured at the ESPYS with their own category

The WWE has been on a mission to have their brand taken seriously in mainstream media coverage. Their efforts are paying off as the category of “Best WWE Moment” will be highlighted for the first time at the ESPY Awards.

For quite awhile now the WWE has been campaigning hard to be accepted by mainstream media outlets. In an episode of 24 on the WWE Network, Triple H stated how the interviews with different outlets often came with a patronizing snicker.

Through concentrated efforts, the WWE focused on changing the misconception and stereotype that followed pro wrestling for years. Now as the juggernaut that is WWE continues to show up at awards shows, talk shows and podcasts, the Superstars are garnering respect and understanding for what it is they actually do. They perform athletic feats to entertain and it’s finally being recognized.

Although WWE has had a strong presence at the ESPY Awards in the past this is the first year they will have their own dedicated category. Short for “Excellence in Sports Performance Yearly,” ESPN’s ESPY Awards recognize individual and team athletic achievement and other sports-related performances, with fans taking part in the voting.

“Best WWE Moment” highlights four standout moments that occurred within the last two years:

• Roman Reigns’ triumphant return to Monday Night Raw
• Becky Lynch wins both Raw and SmackDown Women’s Championships at WrestleMania 35
• Kofi Kingston wins first WWE Championship at WrestleMania 35
• Ronda Rousey captures her first WWE Women’s Championship at SummerSlam

Reigns, Lynch and Rousey (along with Charlotte Flair) were also recognized at the 2019 MTV Movie and TV awards, with nominations for “Best Real-Life Hero” and “Best Fight,” respectively. WWE alumni Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson received a “Generation Award” which acknowledged the span of his career which included his work in WWE.

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The skyrocketing popularity of Lynch in the last six months is also responsible for bringing outside eyes onto the WWE. Actress Jenna Dewan noted on an episode of the morning talk show Ellen (with guest host John Cena) that she watched WrestleMania for the first time because she needed to see if Lynch would win the winner-takes-all main event match.

Lynch’s bravado, beauty and bad-ass attitude has also landed her on some major podcasts such as The Moment, hosted by co-creator of Showtime’s Billions Brian Koppelman and Ariel Helwan’s MMA Show among others. She and Seth Rollins’ appearance on the MTV Movie and TV Awards red carpet was such fire that the photos made the rounds on major news outlets.

WWE will undoubtedly continue to make strides to garner mainstream media attention. With the deal with FOX in place and ready to launch in October, it means more eyes will be on the product. With all this attention it’s clear now that the snicker is gone and once again it’s cool to be a wrestling fan.

If you want to vote in the ESPY Awards head on over to ESPN.com