The joint venture between WWE and ESPN is already being fast tracked as the two entities are launching their first project earlier than anticipated. The new venture will culminate in the much awaited WWE WrestlePalooza, which is planned to take place on Saturday, September 20, at the Gainbridge Fieldhouse in Indianapolis, Indiana.
WrestlePalooza kicks off ESPN streaming deal
The event will be broadcast live at 7 p.m. ET (4 p.m. PT) on ESPN’s newly launched direct-to-consumer streaming platform. This will render ESPN the official residence of WWE Premium Live Events in future.
EW will compete directly against its All Out pay-per-view and, therefore, the rivalry will be tight. WWE is obviously trying to establish the pace with this face-off.
WrestlePalooza has already laid down a good card John Cena will be the main event of the show which is confirmed to be the last time John Cena will appear in Indianapolis in a match. Other stars being promoted to headline high profile matches include WWE Champion Cody Rhodes, World Heavyweight Champion Seth Rollins, Women Intercontinental Champion Becky Lynch, CM Punk, and Drew McIntyre.
“On September 20, WWE and ESPN are coming together for a can’t-miss event to kick off our new partnership,” said WWE Chief Content Officer Paul “Triple H” Levesque. “The biggest Superstars in WWE. The biggest brand in sports media. Are you ready?”
WWE Premium Live Events on ESPN
The deal also incorporates ESPN DTC service that covers all the WWE Premium Live Events These are some of the biggest events like WrestleMania and SummerSlam, which now take place over two nights, and Royal Rumble, Survivor Series and Money in the Bank.
The unlimited subscription will cover all WWE Premium Live Events The chosen shows will also be shown concurrently on ESPN traditional television channels thus guaranteeing maximum access to the audience. The strategy enables fans to have various options to experience the biggest nights of WWE.
Transition from Peacock to ESPN
Clash in Paris is the final WWE main roster Premium Live Event planned to air on Peacock, on August 31. Then, it is ESPN turn. The first large events to be exclusively streamed on the platform of ESPN will be the Crown Jewel on October 11 and Survivor Series on November 29.
NBC Universal and WWE have also agreed in the interim to keep all the NXT Premium Live Events on Peacock. It is also said that the Saturday Night Main Event specials which have been a staple on NBC will now appear exclusively on Peacock instead of being televised.
WrestlePalooza tickets and fan packages
The tickets of WrestlePalooza will go on sale on Ticketmaster on Friday, August 22 at 10 a.m. ET. Individuals who want to obtain the first access can use the presale which started on Thursday, August 21.
Fans who would like to have an extra special experience can also buy WrestlePalooza Priority Pass packages in partnership with WWE partner On Location. These are all-inclusive prime seating, special hospitality engagements with Superstar meet-and-greets, exclusive photo opportunities and other perks. Fans can now book such packages ahead of the time when the general public will be allowed to buy the tickets
WrestlePalooza will be the stage of the new WWE and ESPN partnership, thus, making it one of the most influential nights in the history of wrestling.
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