The decision to schedule WWE’s Wrestlepalooza opposite AEW’s All Out this Saturday immediately raised speculation of a direct challenge, according to F4Wonline. But according to WWE’s new broadcast partner, the move was driven by business logistics, not promotional warfare.
On a media call earlier today, ESPN Vice President of Programming and Acquisitions Matt Kenny explained that the timing stemmed from WWE negotiating an early exit from its Peacock deal. That accelerated ESPN’s partnership with the company, originally planned to begin in April 2026. With the launch of a new streaming platform this month, ESPN sought a marquee WWE event to help anchor it.
“Really, it had less to do with any particular wrestling competition,” Kenny said. He emphasized that ESPN takes a “holistic view” of an already crowded Saturday sports calendar that includes college football. “We welcome competition and do take a ‘game on’ approach. We are focused in this particular case to super-serve WWE and wrestling fans on our platforms.”
Even if the scheduling was strategic rather than combative, the branding of WWE’s new tentpole show is drawing scrutiny from within. Appearing on ESPN’s Pardon My Take, CM Punk didn’t mince words when asked about the name. “I’ve been doing my best to not say the word Wrestlepalooza the entire time,” he admitted. “That might actually be the first time I’ve said it. It’s a ridiculous name.”
Punk’s comments stand out given WWE’s reported plans to position Wrestlepalooza as a second WrestleMania-level event. The name also carries historical baggage, having been used by ECW two decades ago.
Despite his reservations, Punk will be featured prominently on the card. He is set to team with AJ Lee against Seth Rollins and Becky Lynch in a mixed tag team match, continuing one of WWE’s most prominent ongoing rivalries.