WWE Shifts Premium Live Events to ESPN Sooner Than Anticipated: What It Means for Fans

ESPN is gearing up for a big launch. On September 20, 2025, they will introduce a new streaming app alongside Fox, making waves in sports media. To kick things off, ESPN has moved up the date for streaming WWE’s premium live events from 2026 to just a month away. The first event? A brand-new extravaganza called Wrestlepalooza.

WWE staff are busy in Indianapolis, getting ready for the announcement on launch day. This event will mark a significant shift in how fans access WWE programming. Peacock has agreed to allow this change, but it didn’t sell its remaining rights. Instead, WWE arranged this exit directly with Peacock before bringing it to ESPN, part of Disney.

This shift comes after WWE altered its event schedule. They’ve divided WrestleMania and SummerSlam into two nights, which meant they fulfilled their commitment to Peacock earlier than expected. WWE and Peacock are still collaborating; new main-roster shows will stream on Peacock. Details on that programming will be out soon.

The upcoming Wrestlepalooza in Indianapolis will air live at 7 p.m. ET. It’s a big deal, especially since it will be the last time John Cena wrestles in the city. Fans can also catch Peacock’s final WWE event, Clash in Paris, streaming live at 2 p.m. ET on August 31.

WWE’s chief content officer, Paul “Triple H” Levesque, expressed excitement about this partnership: “On September 20, WWE and ESPN are coming together for a can’t-miss event.”

Upcoming WWE premium events like Crown Jewel on October 11 and Survivor Series on November 29 will also stream on ESPN, marking a new era for WWE fans.

For those wondering about WWE’s weekly shows, Raw is on Netflix while SmackDown airs on USA Network. Peacock will continue to offer SmackDown episodes a day later, but the future of WWE’s extensive library on the platform remains uncertain.

The new ESPN app, launching on August 21, 2025, will cost $29.99 a month. Users will access live feeds of ESPN’s channels and can choose to bundle it with Fox One for $39.99 a month starting October 2. This ambitious move places ESPN in direct competition with other streaming services, elevating the stakes in sports media.

In recent years, sports streaming has grown rapidly, with a 2023 report showing that over 50% of sports fans now prefer streaming to cable TV. This shift reflects changing viewing habits as fans seek more flexibility in how they consume content.

As wrestling and sports entertainment evolve, this partnership between WWE and ESPN signals a new chapter for fans. They’ll have more access to live events and programming than ever before, redefining how they engage with their favorite sports.

For more details, you can refer to The Hollywood Reporter for continued coverage.

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