ESPN continues WWE PLE simulcasts after SummerSlam absence explained
Yahoo Sports • 1 min read • Latest: Aug 10, 2026, 4:30 PM
Last updated Aug 10, 2026
ESPN will maintain its simulcasting of the first hour of WWE Premium Live Events despite not broadcasting SummerSlam last weekend. This change surprised fans as ESPN had previously aired a simulcast for major WWE events. According to reports, the absence was due to scheduling conflicts rather than a drop in subscriptions. ESPN is expected to continue with simulcasts for significant events in the future. The company's $325 million annual deal for WWE PLEs aims to attract new subscribers to its direct-to-consumer app.
- •SummerSlam aired without ESPN simulcast for the first time.
- •ESPN cited scheduling conflicts for not broadcasting the event.
- •WWE PLEs have been exclusive to ESPN Unlimited since September.
- •ESPN pays WWE $325 million annually for broadcast rights.
- •Future simulcasts are planned for major WWE events.
- 4:30 PMYahoo Sports — ESPN will reportedly continue to simulcast first hour of WWE PLEs on linear networks, despite ‘SummerSlam’ absence
"The second-biggest event on the WWE calendar, SummerSlam, came and went last weekend without any exposure on the ESPN family of networks. That decision came as a surprise to many wrestling fans, as ESPN has made a habit of airing a simulcast for WWE Premium Live Events (PLEs) since beginning a media rights deal with the…
Sources
External linksOriginal reporting and copyright belong to the linked sources. SportsNewsReport.com aggregates and links — it does not republish full articles.
Related Stories
Last 14 days
WWE•Aug 10, 2026, 6:49 PMFormer WWE Star Joe Gacy Reflects On Atmosphere Leading Up To Release
WWE•Aug 10, 2026, 6:14 PMBackstage Update On John Cena's Current WWE Contract Status
WWE•Aug 10, 2026, 6:10 PMRaquel Rodriguez Identifies Absent WWE Star As Ideal Judgment Day Recruit
WWE•Aug 10, 2026, 5:47 PMJeff Jarrett Says There Is Still One 'Glaring Unknown' With WWE Star Oba Femi
WWE•Aug 10, 2026, 5:45 PMElijah Holyfield Informed Of Change In Brand Status On Latest WWE LFG- WWE•Aug 10, 2026, 5:32 PMWatch Zuckerberg spar with UFC's Dvalishvili before falling into water