WWE is entering a new era this weekend as Wrestlepalooza becomes the first Premium Live Event to stream on the brand-new ESPN DTC (direct-to-consumer) App. To build momentum, ESPN will air a “WWE Wrestlepalooza Special” across its networks beginning Friday, September 19, in what is expected to become a regular lead-in series for every major WWE event moving forward.
ESPN’s Road to Wrestlepalooza Special
The debut special premieres Friday at 3 PM ET on ESPN2, with a re-airing at 5 PM ET on ESPNews, and additional slots scheduled throughout the weekend. The program will serve as WWE’s official “road to” preview show, spotlighting the top matches and rivalries heading into Saturday’s spectacle.
On event day, the special will run directly before Wrestlepalooza’s pre-show at 5 PM ET on the ESPN App, with the Premium Live Event streaming live at 7 PM ET exclusively for ESPN “Unlimited” subscribers. This marks WWE’s first attempt to integrate its tentpole events into ESPN’s subscription-based ecosystem, signaling a shift in how WWE distributes its biggest shows to fans.
Schedule Below (Note: Times Below are in Pacific Standard Time)
The stakes for Wrestlepalooza couldn’t be higher. WWE/TKO executives have been internally positioning the event as a marquee event on par with “WrestleMania”, meant to anchor the fall schedule as a massive annual attraction.
This year’s main event delivers on that ambition:
John Cena vs. Brock Lesnar — Lesnar’s first match in two years, against the 16-time World Champion on his farewell tour.
Cody Rhodes vs. Drew McIntyre for the WWE Championship.
Seth Rollins & Becky Lynch vs. CM Punk & AJ Lee in a blockbuster mixed tag.
WWE is betting big that Wrestlepalooza will capture mainstream buzz and rival WrestleMania in scale, particularly with the ESPN partnership giving the event unprecedented exposure on sports television.
Why This Matters
By debuting on the ESPN App, WWE is tapping into a fresh market of sports fans and driving subscriptions for ESPN Unlimited. It’s also a trial run for the synergy between TKO’s combat sports portfolio — UFC (until 2026), WWE, and now boxing under the Zuffa banner — and ESPN’s global reach.
This is more than just another big weekend for WWE — it’s a historic shift. For the first time, a WWE Premium Live Event isn’t just streaming on a entertainment-specific platform but is tied directly into the ESPN ecosystem. That means casual and die-hard sports fans are going to stumble onto WWE’s product in the same space they watch college football, UFC, and the NBA. This is a game changer and uncharted territories.
If Wrestlepalooza hits the way WWE hopes, this could become an annual institution — a fall mega-event positioned alongside WrestleMania, SummerSlam, Royal Rumble, and Survivor Series as a marquee part of WWE’s calendar. With Cena vs. Lesnar as the headliner, the company couldn’t have picked a stronger card to make its ESPN debut. We will see if it pays off in only 5 short days.
