WWE fans got a taste of what it’s like to be in the ring, getting blindsided before the opening bell.
Two weeks ago, WWE and ESPN announced a deal to bring WWE’s Premium Live Events (PLEs) to a new direct-to-consumer (DTC) streaming platform being launched by ESPN. Originally, the plan was to roll things out in 2026.
But, as the saying goes in pro wrestling, plans change.
On Wednesday, ESPN and WWE revealed that the new partnership will kick off much sooner than expected. Starting September 20, WWE’s
PLEs will debut on ESPN’s DTC service with a brand-new event called Wrestlepalooza.
For fans used to paying a modest price of around $10 a month to stream events — first via WWE Network, then Peacock — the shift represents a major price bump: $29.99 per month on ESPN’s new service.
But not everyone will have to pay for the new platform. Per ESPN, subscribers to Hulu + Live TV, DIRECTV (streaming only), Fubo TV, or Spectrum TV will have access to what it calls ESPN Unlimited as part of their existing pay-TV packages. Brandon Thurston of Wrestlenomics and Sports Business Journal both report that Verizon subscribers will also get access.
The Journal added that “More deals are being worked on, with notable absent names (for now) including Comcast Xfinity, YouTube TV, Dish, Sling TV and Cox.”
Domestically, Netflix is WWE’s broadcast partner for Monday Night Raw. In most international markets, the streaming giant is home to Raw, SmackDown, NXT, and all of WWE’s PLEs.
Some fans have suggested that using a VPN (virtual private network) — which can make it appear as though your device is connecting from another country — could be a way to bypass ESPN altogether and access WWE content through Netflix.
But according to Netflix, “You can’t use a VPN while watching a live event on Netflix or with an ad-supported experience.” Users who do may get the error code E106 or this message: “You seem to be using a VPN or proxy. Please turn off any of these services and try again.”
As WWE and ESPN treat their fans like wrestlers — getting the jump on them — they shouldn’t be surprised if fans respond in kind, acting like heels and finding a rogue way to beat the system.
