WrestlePalooza Confusion Tied to ESPN’s Push for Hulu + Live TV Users

WrestlePalooza was meant to kick off WWE’s $1.6 billion ESPN deal with a bang—but for many fans, it was a disaster from the moment they tried to log in. Now, It’s been confirmed what many suspected all along: ESPN never intended to let traditional cable subscribers watch the show.

During Fightful’s Backstage Report podcast, Sean addressed the massive confusion over ESPN Unlimited, the new subscription tier required to stream WWE premium live events. Many fans assumed their existing cable package or ESPN login would work. It didn’t—and according to Sean, that was always by design.

“There’s also never a plan for ESPN to reach like a last-minute agreement with cable providers to carry ESPN Unlimited. This—they want you to sign up for Hulu Live, because that’s their deal. That’s what they want.”

Sean made it clear that this strategy was deliberate and confirmed by ESPN’s own media call leading up to WrestlePalooza.

“That’s their goal. Not cable. Not Spectrum.”

This aligns with what ESPN SVP of DTC John Lasker said days before the event. While fielding questions from reporters, Lasker noted that only Hulu + Live TV, FuboTV, DirecTV, Spectrum, and Verizon Fios customers could access ESPN Unlimited. Anyone else? They’d have to wait until ESPN gradually expanded the tier.

“We’re not 100% there today, but over the next couple of months, the vast majority of folks that are subscribed to ESPN through an MVPD will have access to our ESPN Unlimited plan and then therefore have access to all the PLEs to come.”

Despite that heads-up, countless fans still hit login walls, received error screens, or couldn’t even find the event once it began. ESPN even had SportsCenter broadcasting live from WrestlePalooza—only for the launch to be marred by tier confusion and subscriber outrage.

Sean emphasized that this isn’t a temporary issue—it’s part of Disney’s long-term plan to funnel viewers into their streaming bundle, which includes Hulu + Live TV, Disney+, and ESPN+.

“The answer that ESPN gave John Alba on the presser or the media call was consistent with the people that I’m talking to behind the scenes as well.”

So if you were expecting your regular cable subscription to deliver WWE premium events under the ESPN deal—think again. This isn’t changing any time soon.

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