WWE World Heavyweight Champion Seth “Freakin” Rollins expressed strong enthusiasm about the new WWE partnership with ESPN, calling it a defining moment that legitimizes professional wrestling both as a sport and a form of entertainment art. Speaking on ESPN’s Get Up show, Rollins reflected on how the deal symbolizes a coming-of-age for wrestling in the mainstream sports media landscape.
“I grew up watching SportsCenter every morning,” Rollins said. “For a lot of kids, cartoons dominated Saturday mornings – for me, it was SportsCenter. To see WWE now embraced by ESPN, one of the biggest sports media companies in the world, is incredible. It sends the right message: wrestling is both athletic competition and storytelling art.”[1]
The significance of this deal cannot be overstated, as WWE and ESPN officially announced a landmark rights agreement in early August 2025. Beginning September 20, 2025, WWE Premium Live Events (PLEs)—including major shows like Wrestlepalooza, Crown Jewel, Survivor Series, and eventually WrestleMania starting in 2026—will stream exclusively on ESPN’s new direct-to-consumer (DTC) service in the United States. WWE’s live events, long cornerstones of the sports entertainment industry, will now be presented side-by-side with ESPN’s core offering of traditional sports programming, elevating the visibility and acceptance of wrestling as a legitimate athletic showcase.[2][3]
Rollins, the current World Heavyweight Champion and leader of the faction The Vision, spoke about this evolution from the perspective of someone who grew up inspired by sports media. “WWE has always blended high-level athleticism with dramatic storytelling,” he said during his ESPN interview. “This deal with ESPN validates that blend — showing that wrestling is worthy of being covered by sports media powerhouses and appreciated for its unique artistry.” Insider sources close to WWE further suggest that this integration will open new doors for wrestlers as athletes and performers, increasing career opportunities and fan engagement.[1][2]
The first event to launch this partnership on ESPN’s DTC platform will be Wrestlepalooza from Indianapolis on September 20, 2025, featuring blockbuster matches with top stars like John Cena, Cody Rhodes (Undisputed WWE Champion), Seth Rollins, Becky Lynch, CM Punk, and Drew McIntyre. This event marks a milestone, not only as the beginning of WWE’s exclusive streaming deal with ESPN, but also as a celebration of the sport’s recent growth in profile and popularity. According to WWE.com, all future WWE Premium Live Events in the U.S. will be exclusive to ESPN’s platform, which will require fans to subscribe to the ESPN Unlimited plan or authenticate through select providers to watch live.[1][3]
This transition comes after years of WWE’s content presence on Peacock and other streaming platforms, but sources from Fightful and other wrestling news outlets have reported that the move to ESPN is viewed internally as a major step toward mainstream sports legitimacy rather than mere entertainment programming. The enhanced exposure on ESPN means WWE’s marquee events will enjoy broader promotional resources and cross-sport marketing opportunities.[2][3]
In addition to the live event streaming, ESPN’s enhanced app and DTC service aim to provide new features and content formats around WWE events to engage both hardcore fans and new viewers. As a WWE insider told Fightful, “This deal brings WWE into the big leagues. It’s no longer just about wrestling fans — it’s now about reaching general sports fans who might not normally watch WWE but appreciate high-level athletic competition.”[2]
For Seth Rollins and his peers, the deal represents more than just a distribution change; it symbolizes their craft receiving the respect and recognition it deserves. Rollins concluded his interview saying, “We always knew we were athletes and artists, but now the world sees it through ESPN’s lens. That’s huge for us and for the future of wrestling.”[1]
In summary, WWE’s partnership with ESPN beginning in late 2025 is a historic development that brings pro wrestling to the forefront of mainstream sports media. Seth Rollins’ remarks underscore how this deal boosts the sport’s credibility, blending the worlds of athletic competition and theatrical storytelling. With WWE’s biggest events streaming exclusively on ESPN, fans can look forward to innovative coverage and elevated stature for wrestling as a global entertainment spectacle.[1][2][3]