A WWE PLE is set to return after 25 years on September 20 in Indianapolis, and it could be a unique event.
It has been reported that the forgotten Wrestlepalooza PPV would be returning after 25 years. According to PWInsider, it may air on ESPN as a one-off preview of the upcoming broadcast deal. Traditionally, the PLEs stream on Peacock in the US, with international rights held by Netflix. Yet reports suggest that this September show could break that pattern, offering fans a first look at how WWE events will appear on ESPN when the new partnership begins in April 2026. The report stressed that it would be a unique event, unlike the regular pool of shows and PLEs.
While WWE has not confirmed the event’s name or broadcast platform, it does plan to announce those details later this week. The move comes amid a stretch of August events on Peacock, SummerSlam and Clash in Paris on August 31, and ahead of an October PLE.
The much-anticipated John Cena vs Brock Lesnar match is also expected to be on this PLE.
There has been discussion within the broadcast industry that the planned added WWE event for 9/20 could end up being an extra, unique event that would air on ESPN as a preview of the type of programming WWE will bring to that new partnership that officially kicks off in April… pic.twitter.com/4DNidmFPAj
— WrestlePurists (@WrestlePurists) August 18, 2025
If the September 20 show lands on ESPN, it would stand alone outside the regular schedule, highlighting WWE’s confidence in its content and the strength of its new alliance.
WWE PLE Partnership with ESPN and Upcoming Changes
Starting in early 2026, ESPN’s platforms will become the exclusive US home for all WWE PLEs, such as WrestleMania, Royal Rumble, Survivor Series, SummerSlam, Money in the Bank, and others. WWE will continue to produce every event, but ESPN will hold all domestic streaming rights. Internationally, Netflix remains the PLE partner.
For WWE, the shift represents a major broadcast realignment, tying its flagship events to one of the world’s leading sports brands. ESPN gains younger and more diverse audiences. The promotion’s fanbase is about 38 percent female and skews younger than traditional sports viewers, which supports its strategy to attract and retain subscribers year-round.
The cost of being a WWE fan in 2026 in the US (a month)
WWE PLE 29.99
Netflix for Raw 17.99
Smackdown/NXT Sling Blue 45.99 (sling)93.97 a month
Dang, man.
— SanchoWest (@SanchoWest) August 6, 2025
WWE president Nick Khan called the partnership ‘a pivotal moment for our millions of fans across the United States,’ while ESPN chairman Jimmy Pitaro praised the promotion’s ‘rich storytelling’ and ‘cultural tentpole experiences’ that align with ESPN’s content goals.
As the company prepares to unveil the September 20 event’s details, it would be interesting to see what name the company chooses and what streaming platform it goes live on.