WWE’s longstanding partnership with Peacock officially concluded at Clash in Paris, marking the end of an era that began five years ago. NBC Sports President Rick Cordella publicly expressed his gratitude to WWE’s leadership for taking a chance on Peacock when the streaming service was just launching, highlighting the positive collaboration between the two organizations.
End of an Era: WWE and Peacock’s Five-Year Partnership
Since 2021, WWE’s main roster pay-per-views (PLEs) and weekly episodes have been streamed live on Peacock, which served as the exclusive distributor for WWE content in the United States. This agreement coincided with Peacock’s launch in April 2020; WWE’s willingness to partner with a fledgling streaming platform was pivotal for Peacock’s growth in the crowded streaming market.
At Clash in Paris, commentator Michael Cole made a rare public acknowledgment on air, thanking Peacock and Rick Cordella for their support over the past five years as this chapter came to a close.
Following the event, Cordella took to social media to return the appreciation.
“A big thank you to WWE, Nick Khan, TripleH and StephMcMahon for taking a chance on Peacock 5 years ago, as we were just launching,” he tweeted. “But it’s not goodbye. We’re excited to stay a partner of the WWE, with must-watch Saturday Night Main Events for years to come.”
Transition to ESPN and Future Streaming Plans
WWE’s PLEs will now move to ESPN, starting with WrestlePalooza on September 20, 2025. This transition was initially planned for early 2026 but happened seven months earlier than expected, signaling a strategic realignment of WWE’s broadcast partnerships.
Despite this move, Peacock will retain rights to air select WWE content. Notably, Saturday Night Main Event specials will continue to be exclusive to Peacock, and NXT pay-per-views will also remain on the platform until their contract expires in March 2026. Additionally, archived SmackDown episodes will be available on Peacock 30 days after airing on the USA Network, further extending the platform’s WWE offerings.
Behind the Scenes: A Seamless Partnership
Sources close to WWE revealed that the transition between Peacock and ESPN was amicable and professionally managed. According to a WWE insider, “Rick Cordella and the NBC Sports team have been fantastic partners. The transition to ESPN opens exciting opportunities, but everyone involved wanted to end this chapter with gratitude and respect.”
The relationship between WWE executives, including Nick Khan, Triple H, and Stephanie McMahon, and NBC Sports has been described as collaborative and visionary. Cordella credited WWE’s leadership for their risk-taking at a pivotal moment. “WWE took a gamble betting on a new streaming platform,” says Cordella, “and that leap helped define Peacock’s place in sports entertainment streaming.”
What This Means for WWE Fans
For fans, the shift is significant yet smooth, with minimal disruption expected. Those accustomed to watching WWE’s PLEs on Peacock will now tune into ESPN starting this September. However, fans of NXT and Saturday Night Main Event can continue to enjoy these shows on Peacock for the foreseeable future.
This dual-platform approach aims to balance WWE’s broad streaming presence while maximizing viewership through ESPN’s sports-centric audience reach and Peacock’s established subscriber base.
Cordella’s Message: More Than Just Business
Rick Cordella’s public comments highlight a relationship that transcended mere business dealings. “This wasn’t just a contract,” he said in his social post. “It was a partnership built on trust and mutual growth. We’re proud to have played a role in WWE’s streaming journey, and we look forward to many more years of collaboration.”
Michael Cole’s on-air shoutout and Cordella’s reply symbolize respect on both sides after half a decade of partnership that changed how millions of WWE fans consume content.
Looking Ahead: WWE’s Streaming Strategy
With the ESPN partnership now in place, WWE is poised to leverage one of the country’s premier sports networks. This move aligns with WWE’s broader strategy to increase mainstream sports exposure and deepen its footprint within the American market.
NBC Sports’ continued involvement through NXT and Saturday Night Main Event ensures fans will still find quality WWE programming on Peacock. As streaming wars heat up, WWE’s multi-pronged digital approach reflects its ambition to be ubiquitous across platforms.