ESPN Confirms It Will Host Two Special Pre-Event Shows for WWE Wrestlepalooza—Start Times, and How to Watch
Just one day after Wrestling.news discovered ESPN’s “Wrestlepalooza” listing hidden inside the Watch schedule, the network has officially confirmed its historic coverage plans. ESPN today issued a press release outlining its week-long programming schedule, which will culminate with the first-ever WWE Premium Live Event streaming on the ESPN App in the United States.
This is more than just a broadcast—it’s a milestone moment for both ESPN and WWE. For the first time, wrestling fans will see ESPN deliver wall-to-wall coverage that mirrors how the network builds anticipation for major sports championships. From SportsCenter hitting the road to crossover appearances from top WWE Superstars, the rollout makes it clear ESPN is treating Wrestlepalooza as a major tentpole event.
The Breakdown: Wrestlepalooza Week Schedule
📺 ESPN Wrestlepalooza Special
- Friday, September 19
- 3–4 p.m. ET
- Live on ESPN2 & the ESPN App (multiple viewings on ESPNNews after)
📺 Road to Wrestlepalooza
- Saturday, September 20
- 3–5 p.m. ET
- Live on ESPN social media platforms (YouTube, etc.) & the ESPN App
🔥 WWE Wrestlepalooza Premium Live Event
- Saturday, September 20
- Pre-show: 5 p.m. ET
- Main card: 7 p.m. ET
- Streaming exclusively on the ESPN App (ESPN Unlimited subscribers only)
What’s Coming During Wrestlepalooza Week
- WWE Wrestlepalooza® PLE streams exclusively on the ESPN App September 20 at 7 p.m. ET (for ESPN Unlimited subscribers).
- Pre- and Post-Shows: WWE’s official programming plus ESPN’s own live specials.
- On-Site Shows in Indianapolis: Pacers star Tyrese Haliburton joins Peter Rosenberg for ESPN’s Wrestlepalooza Special, while O’Shea Jackson Jr. and TJ Jefferson co-host Road to Wrestlepalooza.
- SportsCenter on Location: Elle Duncan brings the flagship show to Indy on September 19 with live segments featuring WWE Superstars.
- Superstar Crossovers: Names like Cody Rhodes, Seth Rollins, Becky Lynch, CM Punk, AJ Lee, and Triple H will appear across ESPN platforms throughout the week.
- Robust Social Coverage: Behind-the-scenes, fan atmosphere, and influencer-driven coverage will hit ESPN’s social feeds.
And of course, the main attraction is the Wrestlepalooza card itself—headlined by John Cena vs. Brock Lesnar, plus Cody Rhodes defending against Drew McIntyre, Seth Rollins and Becky Lynch teaming against CM Punk and AJ Lee, and much more.
Full press release available, here in ESPN's Pressroom.
🗣️ Wrestling.news | Backstage Take
This announcement solidifies what we suspected the moment we found that ESPN Watch schedule was updated on ESPN.com—Wrestlepalooza isn’t just another Premium Live Event, it’s WWE and ESPN making a statement. The synergy here mirrors what ESPN does for the NBA Finals or the College Football Playoff: shoulder content, athlete crossovers, and a total media blitz. For fans, it means WWE’s biggest stars will be impossible to miss across sports media in the days leading up to the event.
It’s also worth noting how ESPN is positioning its streaming app as the only destination for the live broadcast in the U.S. This could be the beginning of a broader play, where ESPN cements itself as the mainstream home for WWE events moving forward (meaning no updates on WWE's X, or YouTube account during the event). If Wrestlepalooza delivers strong numbers, it won’t just be historic—it could reshape how wrestling is consumed in America.
#WWENews #WrestlingEvents #Wrestlepalooza
