ESPN App Quietly Adds WWE Sections Ahead of Major Streaming Shift

The ESPN DTC app just gave fans a preview of WWE’s next digital home—and it’s happening sooner than you think.

In a quiet but very telling update, the ESPN direct-to-consumer platform has rolled out full sections dedicated to WWE content ahead of WWE’s official streaming debut next month. The new layout includes hubs for WWE RAW, RAW Highlights, WWE Vintage, NXT, SmackDown, and Main Event.

This comes as WWE prepares to officially launch its billion-dollar streaming deal with ESPN, starting with Wrestlepalooza on September 20. The first premium live event under the Disney-owned platform will mark a major shift in WWE’s digital future, as most main roster PLEs depart Peacock and begin airing exclusively through ESPN’s service.

Earlier this month, Sean Ross Sapp clarified that while the ESPN deal is full steam ahead, not everything is jumping ship just yet. On the Fightful Report podcast, Sapp said:

“Saturday Night’s Main Event will continue on Peacock. Not on NBC. NXT PLEs will continue on Peacock for the time being.”

That means for now, shows like NXT Deadline, Halloween Havoc, and Stand & Deliver will remain on Peacock—even as RAW, SmackDown, and WWE’s top PLEs start their new chapter under the ESPN banner.

But with NXT now appearing as its own category within the ESPN app, signs are pointing toward a bigger shift in the works. WWE may not have officially moved the developmental brand yet—but the groundwork is clearly being laid.