The WWE’s
time on Peacock is ending earlier than expected. A new report confirms that
starting next month, WWE’s premium live events (PLEs) will begin streaming on
ESPN’s new platform—well ahead of the original 2026 launch date.
According to
journalist Bryan Alvarez, WWE will wrap up its Peacock commitments with the Clash
in Paris event on August 31st.
Why the Move Is Happening Early.
The shift
comes because WWE expanded its 2025 premium live event schedule. The calendar
now includes a two-night SummerSlam and the return of the all-women’s
Evolution event. With this busier schedule, WWE will have already met
its yearly PLE quota for Peacock by the end of August. This clears the way for
its new deal with ESPN to start right after.
That means
the September 20th premium live event—still unannounced
officially—will be the first-ever WWE main roster PLE to
stream on ESPN’s new service.
WWE’s Streaming Journey.
This marks
the third big change in WWE’s streaming history in the U.S.:
·
2014: WWE launched the WWE Network,
offering all pay-per-views for a monthly fee.
·
2021: WWE signed a billion-dollar deal
with NBC, moving its content to Peacock.
·
2025: Now, under TKO Group
Holdings, WWE joins forces with its sister company UFC
under ESPN.
The new five-year,
$1.6 billion deal will bring every WWE premium live event to the
“Worldwide Leader in Sports,” helping WWE push deeper into the mainstream
sports world.
What Fans Need to Know.
ESPN’s
direct-to-consumer streaming service launches this week at $29.99 per
month. However, reports suggest that fans who already get ESPN through
cable or satellite may be able to watch WWE content for no extra cost
once they verify their subscription.
One
unanswered question is what will happen to WWE’s massive archive of
past shows and pay-per-views, which currently lives on Peacock. The
future home of that library hasn’t been announced yet.
Kicking Off the ESPN Era.
WWE’s first
ESPN-exclusive show on September 20th is rumored to be called “WrestlePalooza.”
The card is expected to feature two huge matches:
·
John Cena vs. Brock Lesnar
·
Cody Rhodes vs. Drew McIntyre
This stacked
lineup makes it clear that WWE wants to start its ESPN partnership with a bang.
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