Seth Rollins Reacts to WWE’s Early ESPN Deal: “It Legitimatizes What We Do”

The wrestling world was rocked on August 20 when WWE and ESPN revealed their new multi-year partnership would kick off earlier than expected, starting with Wrestlepalooza on September 20. The deal had originally been slated for 2026, but now fans will see WWE programming on ESPN platforms more than a year ahead of schedule.

Seth Rollins wasted no time weighing in. Appearing on ESPN’s Get Up the following morning, the World Heavyweight Champion made it clear just how big this is for the company and the industry as a whole.

“The fact that we’re here teaming up with ESPN, it’s like my two favorite things in the world — sports and WWE — coming together. It’s huge for us as an industry. Professional wrestling has been a part of Americana for many, many, many years with different iterations and as we start to dip our toe further into the mainstream and really integrate ourselves into the mainstream, this is a huge step for us legitimatizing what we do as artists, as athletes. For me personally, to be a part of the ESPN family is huge. I’m looking forward to this partnership and everything that it brings.”

As of now, no matches have been announced for Wrestlepalooza, but the event already feels monumental given it will be the first major WWE premium live event streamed under the ESPN banner.