Despite social media rumors of a last-minute deal, tonight’s WWE Wrestlepalooza will not be available on YouTube TV. A new report from Pwinsider confirms no such agreement exists, cementing the show as the first premium live event to stream exclusively on the new ESPN App. The platform is also currently unavailable to Comcast subscribers.
The broadcast on ESPN will be headlined by Cody Rhodes defending his Undisputed WWE Championship against Drew McIntyre. However, that high-stakes match wasn’t the company’s original plan for the top of the card. A report from Fightful Select revealed the show was initially slated to feature a blockbuster main event between legends Brock Lesnar and John Cena.
The report clarifies the change was a creative decision, explicitly refuting speculation that it was made to accommodate Lesnar’s known desire to leave events early.
This backstage shuffle helps explain public confusion earlier this week, when an ESPN anchor incorrectly stated Lesnar vs. Cena would headline before Pat McAfee clarified the match would instead open the show. The new main event was made official during a volatile contract signing on last night’s SmackDown, which ended with McIntyre leveling Rhodes with a Claymore Kick after a massive brawl.
With the main event now set, fans hoping to watch Wrestlepalooza will need to be ESPN Unlimited subscribers and access the show through the ESPN App. The app is currently available through services like DirecTV, Hulu + Live TV, and Spectrum, among others.