WWE WrestlepaloozaCredit: WWE
WWE is not enjoying video games or pulling punches. On Wednesday, the promotion made a symphony of bulletins and it seems like they’re dropping a diss monitor concentrating on AEW. Right here’s the breakdown.
For starters: WWE’s transfer to ESPN has been expedited.
Initially, it was set to start in 2026, however the WWE has moved to have this settlement begin in September. Guess what day? You guessed it. WWE is kicking off a “huge” new premium dwell occasion known as WrestlePalooza and it’ll happen on September 20.
Should you’re in contact with AEW’s product, you already know that’s the identical day as AEW All-Out, which is ready to function WWE Corridor-of-Famer Adam Copeland aka Edge. That occasion will happen in Vancouver.
WWE’s WrestlePalooza occurs in Indianapolis.TORONTO, CANADA – JULY 6: John Cena makes his approach to the ring throughout Cash within the Financial institution at Scotiabank Enviornment on July 6, 2024 in Toronto, Ontario. (Photograph by WWE/Getty Photographs)WWE through Getty Photographs
The inaugural WrestlePalooza will happen at Gainbridge Fieldhouse, headlined by John Cena in what’s being billed as his last wrestling look in Indianapolis. He’ll be joined by Cody Rhodes, Seth Rollins, Becky Lynch, CM Punk, and Drew McIntyre on a card designed to showcase WWE’s prime champions and marquee names.
The occasion begins at 7 p.m. ET and streams dwell on ESPN’s new direct-to-consumer service which begins on August 21.
This marks the official begin of WWE’s five-year, $1.6 billion partnership with ESPN. Subscribers to ESPN’s limitless plan will obtain all Premium Dwell Occasions as a part of the package deal, instantly positioning WWE programming in entrance of one of many largest sports activities audiences on the planet.
Paul “Triple H” Levesque known as it a defining second, promising “the most important Superstars in WWE” on “the most important model in sports activities media.”
Indianapolis appeared like a robust selection, coming off a profitable Royal Rumble at Lucas Oil Stadium earlier this yr. Tickets for WrestlePalooza go on sale Friday, with presales starting Thursday.
The transfer provides extra weight to WWE’s fall schedule, which additionally consists of Crown Jewel on Oct. 11 and Survivor Sequence on Nov. 29, each slated for ESPN platforms.TORONTO, CANADA – JUNE 18 : CEO of AEW (All Elite Wrestling) Tony Khan speaks at ‘The best way to construct model’ panel throughout day considered one of Collision 2024 in Toronto, Ontario oan June 18, 2024. (Photograph by Mert Alper Dervis/Anadolu through Getty Photographs)Anadolu through Getty Photographs
For AEW, the timing couldn’t be worse. Already dealing with sagging viewership and the stress of negotiating a brand new tv deal, All Out now goes head-to-head with a stacked WWE card on a mainstream community.
AEW signed a brand new rights take care of Warner Bros. in 2024. Nonetheless, the viewership has been down as has ticket gross sales. WrestlePalooza threatens to influence each essential metrics.
Analysts have known as it a “energy play,” with WWE Corridor-of-Famer Bully Ray suggesting the corporate is ensuring “no person is ever ready to change into competitors once more.”
I do not blame WWE for its strikes. This can be a extremely aggressive market and whereas shrewd, that is how corporations give their product one of the best likelihood to extend its success in a aggressive market.
WWE is seemingly planning a stacked card that snatches away a big proportion of viewership from AEW on a key night time. As a wrestling fan, it’s going to be thrilling to see what WrestlePalooza turns into and the way or if AEW responds to WWE’s energy transfer.
