WWE and ESPN have announced a new partnership that will bring exclusive live events to fans. The first event, “Wrestlepalooza,” will take place on September 20 at Gainbridge Fieldhouse in Indianapolis. The event will feature top WWE Superstars such as John Cena, Cody Rhodes, and Seth Rollins. This partnership marks a significant shift for ESPN, which will now have rights to WWE’s biggest live spectaculars.
The deal also solidifies ESPN’s connection with TKO, the sports-management company that operates the UFC mixed-martial-arts league. However, this new partnership may impact ESPN’s ability to show UFC matches after a year, as TKO has committed to partnering with Paramount+ for their events. The partnership will also give ESPN another way to promote its upcoming streaming service, which launches on Thursday.
The partnership brings together the biggest brand in sports media and WWE’s top talent, promising an exciting experience for fans. With this new deal, WWE and ESPN are set to deliver high-quality live events that will be exclusive to the ESPN platform.
Source: https://variety.com/2025/tv/news/wwe-espn-wrestlepalooza-september-20-1236494387