A new report suggests the long-term future of WWE’s relationship with ESPN could be in doubt.
According to SEScoops, ESPN is not currently expected to renew its agreement with WWE when the company’s streaming rights deal expires in 2030, potentially forcing WWE to find a new home for its premium live events.
WWE-ESPN Partnership Facing Uncertain Future
WWE and ESPN announced a landmark partnership in 2025 that brought WWE premium live events to the ESPN Unlimited streaming platform as part of a five-year deal reportedly worth more than $1 billion.
At the time, the agreement was viewed as a major win for both companies, giving ESPN a marquee entertainment property while providing WWE with another lucrative media rights package.
However, according to the report, sources familiar with the situation believe ESPN has grown less enthusiastic about the partnership due to several factors.
Among the issues reportedly cited are:
Changes in the overall media landscape
ESPN Unlimited not gaining the level of cable distribution originally expected
A perceived lack of cultural fit and synergy between WWE and ESPN
The report claims the original agreement was largely negotiated between executives at TKO and Disney, with limited direct involvement between WWE and ESPN personnel during the early stages of the partnership.
ESPN Has Increased WWE Promotion
Despite the reported concerns, communication between the two sides is said to have improved significantly in recent months.
ESPN has reportedly become more aggressive in promoting WWE programming, including airing portions of premium live events across ESPN platforms and dedicating more discussion time to WWE on its studio shows.
That increased coverage has not gone unnoticed.
According to the report, WWE has received more discussion on some ESPN morning programs in 2026 than traditional sports properties such as Major League Baseball and the NHL, leading to criticism from some viewers and media observers.
Subscription Numbers Reportedly A Key Issue
The report comes shortly after ESPN announced another price increase for ESPN Unlimited subscriptions.
Sources reportedly believe the move is tied to the service falling short of internal projections.
ESPN and Disney had hoped the streaming platform would help offset declining cable revenues, but that goal has reportedly not materialized to the extent expected.
As a result, ESPN has shifted strategy by making WWE content more accessible and promoting it more heavily, whereas WWE premium live events were initially viewed as a major incentive designed to drive new subscriptions.
Deal Could Still Be Saved
While the report paints a challenging picture, it also notes that a future agreement remains possible.
For that to happen, ESPN Unlimited would likely need to see a significant increase in subscribers or secure broader cable distribution under terms favorable to ESPN.
At this stage, neither development appears guaranteed.
Similar Concerns Surfaced In 2025
This is not the first time questions have been raised about the WWE-ESPN partnership.
In late 2025, actor and former WWE writer Freddie Prinze Jr. claimed ESPN was experiencing buyer’s remorse over the deal due to lower-than-expected subscription growth.
Those claims were later denied by sources from both WWE and ESPN.
As of now, neither company has publicly commented on the latest report.
With four years still remaining on the current agreement, there is plenty of time for the situation to change. However, if the report proves accurate, WWE may eventually find itself searching for a new streaming partner when its ESPN Unlimited deal expires in 2030.
Former WWE United States Champion and NXT Champion Ilja Dragunov is reportedly no longer with WWE.
According to PWInsider, a report that has since been confirmed by Fightful Select, Dragunov’s contract with WWE has expired. While the exact expiration date has not been disclosed, multiple signs point to his departure from the company.
Dragunov Removed From WWE Roster
The reports note that Dragunov was removed from WWE’s internal roster this week. In addition, WWE has moved “The Mad Dragon” to the alumni section of its official website, further indicating that his tenure with the company has come to an end.
Dragunov had most recently been featured on SmackDown following his return from a lengthy absence due to an ACL sprain.
One of the biggest moments of that comeback came in October 2025 when he defeated Sami Zayn to capture the United States Championship in his first match back from injury.
Future Remains Unclear
As of now, there is no word on whether Dragunov’s expired contract includes a non-compete clause that would prevent him from immediately signing elsewhere.
That uncertainty has already led to speculation regarding his next destination.
With AEW All In: London scheduled for August 30, some fans have wondered whether Dragunov could potentially appear for AEW. However, there is currently no indication that such a move is imminent, nor has AEW publicly expressed interest.
Final WWE Matches
Dragunov’s final WWE appearance came in the 2026 Andre the Giant Memorial Battle Royal on the SmackDown episode preceding WrestleMania 42.
The match was ultimately won by Royce Keys.
His final singles match took place on March 30, where he was defeated by then-United States Champion Carmelo Hayes.
Accomplished WWE Career
Dragunov first joined NXT UK in February 2019 and made his televised debut later that year.
He quickly became one of the brand’s standout performers, earning widespread praise for his hard-hitting matches and intense rivalry with GUNTHER.
In 2022, Dragunov transitioned to NXT in Orlando, where he entered a memorable feud with Carmelo Hayes over the NXT Championship.
His performances eventually earned him a main roster call-up during the 2024 WWE Draft, leading to a successful run that included capturing the United States Championship.
While WWE has yet to officially comment on Dragunov’s departure, reports indicate that his contract has expired, bringing an end to his run with the company. The next chapter of his career remains one of the biggest questions in professional wrestling.
WWE has seemingly revealed the identity of Shinsuke Nakamura’s mystery partner, and the reveal points to another major international signing joining the SmackDown roster.
After making his first WWE appearance since May during a pre-recorded backstage segment last week, Nakamura promised that he had found an ally to help him take the fight to Tama Tonga and Talla Tonga, collectively known as The MFT’s.
Nakamura Sends Warning To New WWE Tag Team Champions
Friday night’s edition of SmackDown saw Tama Tonga and Talla Tonga capture the WWE Tag Team Championship, defeating Damian Priest, R-Truth, and AAA Tag Team Champions The War Raiders in a triple threat match.
Following the show, WWE released a digital exclusive featuring Nakamura addressing the new champions.
“Congratulations MFT’s. You are now the champions. Are you savoring the feeling, knowing it will be gone soon? Was the victory as sweet, knowing what’s coming next? Me, my partner, your destruction.”
As the promo continued, WWE showed brief glimpses of Nakamura’s mystery partner while teasing his arrival on SmackDown.
“My partner is what you all pretend to be. Experienced, vicious, deadly. He is chaos. He is a ticking time bomb. Take cover.”
Hiromu Takahashi Appears WWE-Bound
The phrase “Ticking Time Bomb” immediately caught the attention of New Japan Pro-Wrestling fans, as it has long been associated with Hiromu Takahashi.
Takahashi, one of NJPW’s most accomplished junior heavyweight stars, departed the promotion earlier this year after a 15-year run.
In February, NJPW officially announced his departure following discussions with company management.
During his career, Takahashi became one of the most recognizable stars in Japanese wrestling and competed for several major promotions, including:
New Japan Pro-Wrestling
AEW
Ring of Honor
CMLL
Pro Wrestling NOAH
The former IWGP Junior Heavyweight Champion has been heavily linked to WWE since becoming a free agent, and Nakamura’s latest promo strongly suggests that he will soon arrive on SmackDown.
WWE Continues Adding Free Agents
Reports earlier this year indicated that Takahashi was among several notable free agents believed to be WWE-bound.
Since then, a number of those names have already debuted, including:
Big Cass
Baron Corbin
Cruz Montana
Zilla Fatu
If the tease proves accurate, Takahashi would become the latest high-profile addition to WWE’s growing roster.
When Will Takahashi Debut?
As of now, WWE has not officially announced a debut date for Takahashi.
However, with Nakamura openly teasing his arrival and positioning him as a key ally against the newly crowned WWE Tag Team Champions, it appears only a matter of time before the former NJPW star makes his first appearance on Friday Night SmackDown.
Should Takahashi arrive as expected, WWE fans could soon see one of Japan’s most decorated wrestlers join forces with Nakamura in a battle against The MFT’s and the WWE Tag Team Champions.
The Mysterio family’s legacy in WWE could soon be expanding.
According to a report from PWInsider, Aalyah Gutierrez, the daughter of WWE Hall of Famer Rey Mysterio, has been added to WWE’s internal roster after recently reporting to the WWE Performance Center for training.
The report notes that Aalyah is currently listed under her real name rather than the famous Mysterio surname.
Aalyah Continues WWE Training
While Aalyah has never competed in a WWE match, she has become a familiar face to fans over the years through her appearances alongside her father and brother, Dominik Mysterio.
Most notably, she was involved in a storyline during 2020 that centered around a romantic relationship with then-WWE star Buddy Murphy. The angle became a major part of the feud between Rey Mysterio, Dominik Mysterio, Seth Rollins, and Murphy at the time.
However, Aalyah’s previous appearances were limited to acting roles rather than in-ring competition.
Over the last year, that has reportedly changed.
Full-Time Wrestling Career In The Works
Aalyah first visited the WWE Performance Center last fall, where she participated in basic in-ring drills while Rey Mysterio was preparing for his own WWE return.
She later returned to the facility in February for a more extensive training session.
Following that visit, Rey revealed that his daughter had committed to pursuing professional wrestling on a full-time basis with WWE.
Her continued training appears to be progressing, as she was recently featured in a photo alongside fellow WWE Performance Center trainee Marie Malenko and NXT stars Uriah Connors, Lexis King, and Brooks Jensen.
Another Generation Of The Mysterio Family
Should Aalyah eventually make her WWE debut, she would become the latest member of the Mysterio family to compete for the company.
Rey Mysterio made his WWE main roster debut in 2002 and went on to become one of the most decorated stars in company history, earning a place in the WWE Hall of Fame.
Dominik Mysterio followed in his father’s footsteps, making his WWE in-ring debut in 2020 and becoming a former Intercontinental Champion. He currently remains one of the top stars on the Raw roster.
While WWE has not officially announced any plans for Aalyah’s debut, her addition to the company’s internal roster suggests that her journey toward becoming a WWE Superstar is continuing to move forward.
WWE SmackDown may not remain a two-hour show for much longer.
According to a new report from WrestleVotes via Fightful Select, sources at USA Network expect SmackDown to return to a three-hour format beginning in January 2027.
SmackDown Expected To Expand Back To Three Hours
The report states that the tentative date for the change is the January 8, 2027 episode of SmackDown, though WWE has not officially confirmed the move.
The expected adjustment is reportedly tied to USA Network’s programming plans for the new year and would mark another shift in the blue brand’s broadcast length.
SmackDown returned to a two-hour format in July 2026 after previously airing as a three-hour program. At the time, reports indicated that the shortened runtime could remain in place through the end of the year.
WWE Expected To Alternate Formats
Since WWE’s television rights agreement with USA Network began in 2024, reports have suggested that SmackDown could alternate between two-hour and three-hour formats throughout the duration of the five-year deal.
If the latest report proves accurate, January’s return to three hours would be the latest example of that strategy.
Neither WWE nor USA Network has publicly commented on the reported change.
Timing Coincides With WWE’s European Tour
WWE has not yet announced a location for the January 8 episode of SmackDown.
The show is scheduled to take place one week before WWE kicks off its annual European tour on January 15.
The tour will begin in Brussels, Belgium, before SmackDown heads to Manchester, England. Meanwhile, Raw is scheduled to visit Glasgow, Scotland, and Dublin, Ireland as part of the international run.
For now, SmackDown remains a two-hour broadcast, but according to the report, fans may see the blue brand return to a three-hour format shortly after the start of 2027.
