WWE Premium Live Events Could Land On ESPN Much Sooner Than Expected

The streaming home for WWE’s biggest shows may be changing a lot earlier than fans thought.

While WWE’s $1.6 billion deal with ESPN isn’t scheduled to officially kick in until 2026, new reports suggest the company could begin shifting Premium Live Events (PLEs) from Peacock to ESPN’s streaming service as soon as next month.

On the latest Wrestling Observer Radio, Bryan Alvarez hinted that the transition could already be in motion. “I’m hearing we may have ESPN going forward,” Alvarez said, adding that the September 20th Wrestlepalooza event — rumored to be headlined by John Cena vs. Brock Lesnar — may serve as the first major test run for the new partnership.

WWE’s current deal with Peacock doesn’t expire until March 2026, but Alvarez pointed out a key detail that could explain the early exit: event quotas. According to him, WWE may have already satisfied its contracted number of shows with Peacock. The addition of extra events — such as the second night of SummerSlam and the Evolution special — could mean WWE has already gone beyond its required obligations, freeing them up to pivot to ESPN early.

If true, the shift would mark a significant moment in WWE’s media landscape. ESPN brings a wider sports-focused audience and potentially more crossover visibility for WWE’s product, while Peacock subscribers could be left adjusting to the change much sooner than expected.

Nothing has been made official yet, but the possibility of WWE’s biggest matches — like Cena vs. Lesnar — being part of ESPN’s streaming lineup in 2024 is a game-changer for fans and for the company’s future direction.