Tag: ESPN

WWE Confirms Premium Live Events Jumping to ESPN’s New Streaming Service Sooner Than Expected – WrestlePalooza In Indianapolis Set as First Show 9/20/2025

WWE’s deal with ESPN is kicking in way earlier than fans thought. Instead of waiting until 2026, WWE announced this week that its Premium Live Events (PLEs) will move to ESPN’s brand-new direct-to-consumer streaming service immediately following Clash in Paris. That event, set for August 31, will mark the final WWE PLE airing on Peacock in the United States.

The shift comes after WWE reportedly hit its PLE quota with Peacock. According to Bryan Alvarez of F4WOnline, the extra day of SummerSlam plus shows like Evolution helped WWE fulfill its contractual obligations ahead of schedule. What isn’t clear yet is where the massive WWE library—including decades of pay-per-views, documentaries, and specials—will end up once the Peacock deal fully wraps.

Starting August 21, fans can subscribe to ESPN’s DTC platform, with WWE events included under the “Unlimited Plan.” Select shows will also simulcast on ESPN’s linear TV channels, giving PLEs more visibility outside of just streaming.

And WWE isn’t wasting any time launching the new era. The company confirmed WrestlePalooza for September 20 at Indianapolis’ Gainbridge Fieldhouse. Not only is this the long-rumored counter to AEW’s All Out weekend, but it also marks the very first WWE PLE to air exclusively on ESPN’s streaming service.

For fans, this raises plenty of questions about accessibility, costs, and how the ESPN subscription tiers will affect viewing. But one thing is certain: WWE is making another big play to expand its reach, and ESPN is putting wrestling front-and-center as it launches its next big digital project.

ESPN provided further information on its DTC service page outlining the subscription packages.

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.

WWE Strikes Blockbuster Streaming Deal with Disney – Premium Live Events Heading to ESPN Streaming Service in 2026

A major shift is coming to how U.S. wrestling fans will watch WWE’s biggest shows. Beginning in 2026, WWE’s premium live events (PLEs) will stream exclusively on a brand-new direct-to-consumer platform from Disney-owned ESPN. The deal is reportedly worth a staggering $1.6 billion over five years, averaging $325 million annually, according to reports from The Wall Street Journal and CNBC.

That means starting with WrestleMania 42, fans will need to subscribe to ESPN’s upcoming streaming service to catch all major WWE events, including Royal Rumble, SummerSlam, Survivor Series, and Money in the Bank. The price tag? $29.99 per month—or $299.99 for the year—a significant increase compared to the current setup on Peacock.

Disney Dives Into the Ring

The move marks WWE’s exit from its current deal with NBCUniversal’s Peacock, which began in March 2021 and reportedly brought in around $900 million over its term. That deal included both WWE’s live events and its massive video library. At this point, it’s unclear whether the Disney deal includes the WWE Network archives.

While the full scope of content hasn’t been confirmed, ESPN did announce that select WWE events will also air on its linear TV networks—potentially giving casual viewers a taste of WWE’s top-tier programming without a streaming subscription.

“This agreement, which features the most significant WWE events of the year, bolsters our unprecedented content portfolio and helps drive our streaming future,” said ESPN chairman Jimmy Pitaro, adding that WWE’s “immense, devoted and passionate fan base” was a key reason behind the partnership.

What’s Staying, What’s Changing

WWE’s SmackDown will remain on the USA Network, and replays of weekly programming will still be available on Peacock for the time being. However, if you’re a fan who tunes in for the big shows—the ones that define WWE’s calendar year—you’ll need to adjust your subscription habits by 2026.

WrestleMania 42 Ushers in a New Era

This deal kicks off with WrestleMania 42, signaling the start of a new era for WWE’s distribution strategy in the U.S. With a direct-to-consumer model, ESPN and WWE are betting big on loyal fans being willing to pay a premium for exclusive access.

For WWE, the move is a financial windfall. For fans, it’s a shake-up—one that could lead to deeper content, more mainstream exposure, but also a higher monthly bill.

Triple H on WWE/ESPN deal

WWE’s Chief Content Officer Paul “Triple H” Levesque appeared on Wednesday’s episode of Get Up on ESPN.

Triple stated the PLE’s on ESPN will be more of a spectacle than they have been.

“There’s nothing bigger, there’s no bigger opportunity for us than this right now…Nick and I have been thinking about it for a long time, of it is the right home for it. It’s something that we’ve been trying to work through for a long time. Jimmy Pitaro making it happen, it’s thrilling for us. Can’t be more excited…from my point of view, nobody does large-scale, massive events like ESPN. Super Bowl, all of it, right? It’s what you do. And it’s what we like to think we do better than anybody else on the planet,” he said. “So this is the perfect marriage. When we get together, things like WrestleMania, SummerSlam, Royal Rumble are going to be bigger than ever. They’re going to be more of a spectacle than ever before. And we’re going to light the world on fire.”

Pat McAfee Faces Potential Legal Trouble Over Controversial Comments on His Show

Pat McAfee, known for stirring up controversy both as a WWE commentator and ESPN host, is once again in hot water—this time over comments made on The Pat McAfee Show that could lead to legal consequences.

The situation stems from a February 26 episode of McAfee’s show, where he and his co-hosts discussed an online rumor involving an Ole Miss college student allegedly having an affair with her boyfriend’s father. While McAfee didn’t mention the student by name, The Athletic has since identified her as 18-year-old freshman Mary Kate Cornett, a business major with no ties to sports.

The discussion happened during a segment with NFL insider Adam Schefter, who was covering Ole Miss quarterback and NFL Draft prospect Jackson Dart. Despite no apparent connection between Dart and Cornett, the rumor gained traction after McAfee’s show addressed it. Former NFL receiver Antonio Brown, personalities from Barstool Sports, and ESPN St. Louis radio host Doug Vaughn further amplified the story, leading to widespread social media harassment directed at Cornett, her boyfriend, and her family. The harassment escalated to the point that Cornett had to relocate to emergency housing.

Cornett has since hired attorney Monica Uddin and is pursuing legal action against McAfee, ESPN, and potentially others involved. Speaking on the ordeal, Cornett expressed how deeply the situation has affected her life.

“I would like people to be held accountable for what they’ve done,” she said. “You’re ruining my life by talking about it on your show for nothing but attention, but here I am staying up until 5 in the morning, every night, throwing up, not eating because I’m so anxious about what’s going to happen for the rest of my life.”

As of now, neither McAfee nor ESPN have responded to the controversy. With legal action on the horizon, this situation could have serious consequences for McAfee’s media career—not to mention his role with WWE.

Stephanie McMahon’s ESPN+ Series “Stephanie’s Places” Set to Debut on March 26

Stephanie McMahon is stepping back into the WWE spotlight—but not in the boardroom. Instead, she’s set to launch her own interview series, Stephanie’s Places, which will premiere on ESPN+ on Wednesday, March 26. The ten-episode series is produced by Peyton Manning’s Omaha Productions, alongside ESPN and WWE, and will feature McMahon sitting down with some of the biggest names in wrestling history.

With Stephanie’s Places, McMahon will take a page out of Manning’s playbook, mirroring his Manning’s Places series by exploring the personal and professional journeys of WWE’s top stars in locations that hold significance for them.

“WWE has been a part of my life for as long as I can remember,” McMahon said. “I’m looking forward to having viewers join me as we visit some of the most iconic stars of past and present, in places of meaning for them, and hear how they overcame adversity to become who they are today.”

Star-Studded Lineup for Season One

The series will kick off with a blockbuster first episode, as Stephanie McMahon sits down with CM Punk in an interview recorded just before WWE SummerSlam 2024 in Cleveland. Given Punk’s tumultuous history with WWE and his shocking return last year, this conversation is sure to turn heads.

Other major WWE names set to appear throughout the season include:

  • Undisputed WWE Champion Cody Rhodes
  • Women’s World Champion Rhea Ripley
  • WWE Hall of Famer “Stone Cold” Steve Austin
  • Charlotte Flair
  • Roman Reigns and The Bloodline
  • Pat McAfee
  • The Undertaker
  • Triple H (McMahon’s husband and WWE’s Chief Content Officer)

The season finale, airing May 28, will be one of the most emotional episodes, as McMahon interviews John Cena. With Cena inching closer to retirement, the episode will serve as a reflection on his legendary career and his impact on WWE.

A Unique Look at WWE’s Biggest Names

While WWE programming is no stranger to documentaries and behind-the-scenes specials, Stephanie’s Places offers a fresh, intimate perspective. Rather than focusing solely on in-ring careers, McMahon’s series will explore personal struggles, triumphs, and the roads that led these superstars to where they are today.

With its mix of nostalgia, storytelling, and insight from some of the biggest names in wrestling, Stephanie’s Places is shaping up to be must-watch content for WWE fans.

WWE Personality Pat McAfee Reportedly Likely To Move His Show To ESPN

Pat McAfee may be looking to deepen his relationship with ESPN. McAfee, of course, took a step back from his WWE commentator duties last September to fill an analyst role at ESPN for “College Gameday.” Now, The New York Post reports that McAfee seems likely to strike a deal with ESPN to bring his daily talk show, “The Pat McAfee Show,” to their platform as well.

In December 2021, McAfee signed a four-year deal with FanDuel to sponsor his show for $30 million a year. McAfee had a clause that allowed him to opt out of the contract after three years, but The New York Post recently reported that McAfee had contemplated walking out on his current endorsement deal early. As McAfee seems to close in on an exit from FanDuel, he has begun exploring potential new homes for his show. ESPN has been cited as the “leading candidate,” but as of now, no deal has been finalized.

While McAfee continues discussions with ESPN, network executives are reportedly wanting a guaranteed profit on the deal, as they and their parent company of Disney are in the process of laying off thousands of employees. As McAfee’s search for a professional home continues, his personal home recently welcomed a new addition. Last week, McAfee announced that his wife, Samantha, had given birth to their first child. The couple has been open about their previous troubles with fertility. After enduring surgery, blood tests, and about 150 shots, Samantha finally conceived through in vitro fertilization (IVF), and on May 4, their daughter arrived.

Source: Wrestling Inc.

WWE Reportedly In Renewed Talks With ESPN Following Endeavor Deal

The question of WWE’s TV rights following news of the WWE-UFC Merger have been a subject of speculation, and it seems a first move for the post-merger WWE is in motion. According to PWInsider Elite, WWE is in talks with ESPN to collaborate on new projects moving forward. The biggest caveat being that, for the time being, these talks do not involve a weekly TV series.

A collaboration between WWE and ESPN wouldn’t be the first for the companies, as ESPN was airing classic WWE content in 2020. The relationship between the two ended after WWE’s deal to migrate WWE Network content to Peacock in 2021. Speculation at the time held that NBCUniversal was a probable candidate for an eventual sale of WWE, due to the large portion of WWE’s content on various NBCU platforms.

However, it seems with the WWE-UFC Merger that WWE may be looking to diversify its TV presence. WWE’s TV rights with both NBCU and FOX are up next year. Reporting holds that WWE is open to all conversations on new TV deals, barring somebody paying a lofty sum for exclusive TV rights for the various WWE shows. 

Another interesting piece of information from the report is the news that another promotion was in talks with ESPN. Despite AEW’s recent deal with ESPN to air their programming in Australia, New Zealand, and the Pacific Islands, it is confirmed that AEW is not the promotion in question. Which promotion was in talks with ESPN is unknown, but it can be assumed with WWE stepping back in that those talks are in jeopardy.

Source: Wrestling Inc.

ESPN Secures Exclusive Broadcast Rights To AEW In Major Overseas Deal

All Elite Wrestling and ESPN announced a major partnership on Thursday, which will see Dynamite, Rampage and AEW pay-per-view events made available to ESPN subscribers in Australia, New Zealand and the Pacific Islands.

You can check out an excerpt from the press release below:

“ESPN announced that it has secured exclusive broadcast rights to top American professional wrestling promotion All Elite Wrestling (AEW), bringing its premium matches and entertainment to ESPN subscribers in Australia, New Zealand and the Pacific Islands starting February 16.

Each week on ESPN, fans in the region can catch all the action on “AEW: DYNAMITE” on Thursday AEDT, and “AEW: RAMPAGE” on Saturday AEDT, with same-day replays and episodes made available on-demand. In addition, through ESPN, fans will have access to all of AEW’s quarterly pay-per-view events on delay: REVOLUTION, DOUBLE OR NOTHING, ALL OUT and FULL GEAR.

AEW will be available on ESPN in the following locations: Australia, New Zealand, Fiji, Samoa, Tonga, Cook Islands, Solomon Islands, Niue, Nauru, Vanuatu, Kiribati, Northern Marianas, Tokelau, Tahiti, Tuvalu, New Caledonia, American Samoa, Marshall Islands, Palau, Federated States of Micronesia, Papua New Guinea, and Wallis and Futuna.”

https://www.instagram.com/p/CoduIjXIRRp/?utm_source=ig_embed&ig_rid=52edfa2f-9aef-471d-9e0b-a354e51bad0a

Starting on Thursday, February 16th, AEW Dynamite will air on AEDT and Rampage will air on Saturdays AEDT with episodes available via same-day replays and on-demand as well.

Source: eWrestlingNews

Pat McAfee joining ESPN’s College GameDay

Pat McAfee has landed another gig as he has signed a full-time deal with ESPN.

The former NFL punter will help host “College GameDay,” which is a show about college football that airs every Saturday morning during the football season.

The news was first reported by the New York Post. It has since been confirmed by McAfee.

McAfee said today on his podcast/radio show that he will be putting his SmackDown duties on hold during the college football season but he is still part of the WWE family.

McAfee said that he was thinking about doing both gigs at the same time but it’s tough for him to keep up with the travel schedule and WWE suggested for him to take the time away and he could return when the time is right.

“Now one of our guys is on College GameDay,” McAfee said in regards to a text message he got from an “OG” from WWE after praising the company on his show.

Triple H tweeted the following:

@PatMcAfeeShow approached us about his amazing opportunity with College GameDay. We’d never stand in Pat’s way, as he continues to architect his exceptional career. Pat will remain a member of the @WWE  Universe and we look forward to his return. #UpToSomethingSZN”

Source: WrestlingNews.co

ESPN To Air Classic WWE WrestleMania Events

ESPN is set to air classic WWE WrestleMania events to build to WrestleMania 36, according to a press release sent to us by WWE today.

ESPN will air classic WrestleMania events over the next three Sundays, on their flagship cable network, and then on their mobile app.

The first showing will be this Sunday at 7pm ET as ESPN airs WrestleMania XXX from 2014. WrestleMania 32 will then air on Sunday, March 29 at 7pm ET, and WrestleMania 35 will air on Sunday, April 5 at 3pm ET.

Variety noted that this is the latest example of ESPN working to fill its schedule with “unorthodox content” in the wake of the nation’s coronavirus pandemic, which has put a stop to many sporting events.

“It is a privilege for us to deliver historic WrestleMania content to our world-class partners at ESPN and provide more premium programming to our fans; putting smiles on their faces particularly during this trying time,” said WWE Chief Brand Officer Stephanie McMahon. “We look forward to celebrating WrestleMania history with ESPN as we head into our two-night pop culture extravaganza on April 4 and 5.”

Below is the full announcement sent to us by WWE:

ESPN To Air Encore Presentations of WrestleManiaSpecial Content Initiative Begins This Sunday with WrestleMania 30 on ESPN

ESPN today, in collaboration with WWE, announced it is airing encore presentations of historic WrestleMania events over the next three Sundays on ESPN and streaming via the ESPN App. The special content initiative begins this Sunday, March 22, at 7 p.m. ET with the airing of WrestleMania 30. The full schedule is below:

WrestleMania 30 (airs Sunday, March 22, 7 p.m. ET) – from April 6, 2014

Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson, Hulk Hogan and “Stone Cold” Steve Austin kick off the 30th anniversary of the “Showcase of the Immortals” before a record-breaking crowd at the Mercedes-Benz Superdome, home of the New Orleans Saints. Former UFC Heavyweight Champion Brock Lesnar attempts to end the most celebrated streak in WWE history, Undertaker’s 21 consecutive victories at WrestleMania; witness the emotional culmination of Daniel Bryan’s “Yes! movement” in a championship triple threat match for the WWE World Heavyweight Championship against Randy Orton and Batista.

WrestleMania 32 (airs Sunday, March 29, 7 p.m. ET) – from April 3, 2016

The largest crowd in WWE history filled Jerry World at AT&T Stadium for WrestleMania 32, as more than 101,000 fans witness the “Show of Shows.” Roman Reigns takes on Triple H for the WWE World Heavyweight Championship in the main event; Charlotte Flair vs. Becky Lynch vs. Sasha Banks in a match to crown the first-ever WWE Women’s Champion; the world famous Dallas Cowboys Cheerleaders welcome The Rock to AT&T Stadium; and Shane McMahon stuns the WWE Universe with a death-defying leap in his Hell in a Cell match against Undertaker.

WrestleMania 35 (airs Sunday, April 5, 3 p.m. ET) – from April 7, 2019

WrestleMania at MetLife Stadium features a significant moment in WWE’s Women’s Evolution as the “baddest woman on the planet” Ronda Rousey takes on Becky Lynch and Charlotte Flair in a “Winner Take All” Triple Threat match for the Raw and SmackDown Women’s Championships, marking the first time women were the main event at WrestleMania; Kofi Kingston finally gets a shot at realizing his lifelong dream of becoming WWE Champion against Daniel Bryan; and Batista faces his one-time friend and mentor Triple H in a “no holds barred” match.

“This unique opportunity is a byproduct of the terrific working relationship we’ve enjoyed with WWE over the years and the unprecedented circumstances we all find ourselves in,” said Burke Magnus, executive vice president, programming, ESPN. “WrestleMania is one of the most popular global events in sports and entertainment and the spectacular content it provides will be a treat for fans.”

“It is a privilege for us to deliver historic WrestleMania content to our world-class partners at ESPN and provide more premium programming to our fans; putting smiles on their faces particularly during this trying time,” said Stephanie McMahon, Chief Brand Officer, WWE. “We look forward to celebrating WrestleMania history with ESPN as we head into our two-night pop culture extravaganza on April 4 and 5.”

These three encore presentations will air in advance of this year’s WrestleMania, which for the first time ever, will be held as a two-night event streaming live on Saturday, April 4 and Sunday, April 5 at 7 p.m. ET on WWE Network and available on pay-per-view. WrestleMania will be hosted by three-time Super Bowl Champion Rob Gronkowski. As WWE previously announced, only essential personnel will be on closed sets at multiple locations, including WWE’s training facility in Orlando, during the production of WrestleMania.

Source: Wrestling Inc.