AS I SEE IT
Bob Magee
Pro Wrestling Between the Sheets
PWBTS.com
In WWE's continued counter-programming battle with WWE, WWE
is running the Wrestlepalooza PLE on September 20 in
Indianapolis, IN head-to-head with AEW's ALL OUT from
Toronto, ON. This would make the first time that WWE will
put a main roster PLE against an AEW show head-to-head.
Previously, WWE has counter programmed AEW PPVs and TV shows
using either NXT head-to-head or running main roster shows
later in the day when AEW had an earlier start time. This
would be just three weeks from the Clash In Paris PLE, and
three weeks prior to Crown Jewel in Perth, Australia. This
show is scheduled for the Gainbridge Fieldhouse, home to the
NBA’s Indiana Pacers.
WrestleVotes was first to report the event as
Wrestlepalooza, an event longtime ECW wrestling fans
remember as the name of the PPV promoted by ECW which aired
in 1995, 1997, 1998, and 2000.
Presumably WWE has made a deal with Minnesota's F1RST
Wrestling, which has the name trademarked and has run shows
under the name, as recently as this past June. But there's
no official word as of yet.
But an even bigger story is that WWE PLEs are moving from
NBC’s Peacock streaming service to ESPN’s direct-to-consumer
network, aka ESPN Unlimited, much sooner than previously
planned. WWE and ESPN originally announced a five-year, $6.5
billion deal for the PLEs to move to ESPN beginning with
WrestleMania next year.
However, WWE and ESPN announced Wednesday that the
partnership is starting six months sooner. Peacock’s final
show will be Clash in Paris on August 31, and ESPN will
begin their contract with the Wrestlepalooza PLE airing on
ESPN Unlimited.
Bryan Alvarez reported on the August 20 Wrestling Observer
Live that the reason this could happen is that WWE has
already fulfilled the number of PLEs contracted for between
Peacock and WWE because of two-day PLEs and the added
Evolution PLE. The final WWE PLE on Peacock will be Clash In
Paris.
In addition, Saturday Night’s Main Event will become a
Peacock only show...which means as of now, John Cena's final
match will air on December 13...on Peacock, rather than the
flagship RAW on Netflix, nor on a WWE PLE on ESPN. This
contract lasts until March 2029.
Smackdown will continue to air on Fridays on USA Network.
But this succession of moves seems to show how badly WWE's
attempt to counter-program ALL IN failed. ALL IN outdrew all
three shows combined. Goldberg's retirement show on Saturday
Night's Main Event disappointed NBC so badly running same
day as ALL IN that NBC, in essence, tapped out and relegated
SNME to Peacock. NBC also refused to move the December SNME
to go head-to-head with World's End. So as of today, WWE's
only platform on broadcast TV is NXT.
ESPN’s Unlimited direct-to-consumer service launched
beginning on August 21 and costs those streaming $29.99 a
month, or $39.99 a month when bundled with the new Fox One
streamer.
As stated previously in this blog, there have been some
questions about whether people who currently subscribe to
ESPN via cable, satellite, or OTT bundles will receive
access to the WWE PLEs and the rest of the content on ESPN’s
direct-to-consumer app. As of this writing, ESPN Unlimited
does not currently have deals with Xfinity, Cox, or YouTube
TV for subscriber authentication, but customers of DirecTV,
Hulu + Live TV, Charter, Fubo, Optimum, and Verizon Fios
will have access at no additional cost.
Alex Sherman of CNBC Sport verified this Thursday with his
sources that Comcast, Cox and YouTube TV’s carriage deal
renewals with Disney are all set for 2025. But unless these
deals are done by September 20 (whether or not WWE realizes
this or not) they've created a situation where most of their
viewers on cable as of this writing will only have access to
watching ALL OUT, but not Wrestlepalooza. The entire purpose
of running this PLE was to take away viewers from AEW. Cable
subscribers aren't going to pay $29.99 for the PLE if
they're already paying for AEW's ALL OUT. People can work
around this by using a VPN, and watching on Netflix, which
maintains international rights to WWE programming and PLEs
or using an Amazon fire stick.
According to Sean Ross Sapp of Fightful, NXT PLE events will
still remain domestically on Peacock through March 2026,
according to The Hollywood Reporter.
Meanwhile, this past Friday, Australia's TEG Sport ticketing
service announced Grand Slam Australia for February 2026 in
Sydney and Melbourne. No venue or ticket information was
available as of yet.
Finally, summer is in the homestretch and fall is on the
horizon with the NFL season starting next week and schools
opening everywhere this or next week. That means that
wrestling indies will soon be thinking about the season of
giving.
In 2024, independent wrestling promotions helped their
communities during the Holiday season through wrestling
shows, Comic-Cons, playing video games,10-day marathons
sitting on top of a trailer, bowling parties, online trivia
contests, chicken BBQ's, portrait sittings, Twitch streams,
and a dozen other means. Fans in 31 states and
provinces gave and gave and gave at 170 charity
shows/events/efforts that took place to help their
communities for the Holidays with that came to
369,707.70 in cash donations, 18,081
pounds (that's OVER NINE TONS) of canned and non-
perishable food, 26,843 toys; at least 60 winter
jackets, at least 70 pairs of socks and underwear,
250 backpacks, "bags full of winter clothes" and "tons of
school supplies", 40 blankets, 8 pairs of gloves, a dozen
pair of wool socks, 4 knit hats, over 200assorted
"personal care items"; as well as animal blankets, cat
litter, indoor dry/wet food, cat/dog toys, and unscented
baby wipes for animal rescue groups.
Given the current regime in Washington, far more help will
be needed from every private source possible to help the
hungry, the sick, the cold, the homeless, LGBT people,
sexual/domestic violence victims, animal welfare, and too
many more causes.
Indies, start thinking about what you can do now. If your
local indie hasn't scheduled or announced an event or events
for the Holiday season, ask them why not. Better yet, offer
to help them organize one.
11 indie promotions already got an early start, and 23
promotions/organizations have already scheduled
50 shows and events:
* Big Time Wrestling returned to Newark, CA on August 8 for
Family Giving Tree, and the third annual Back-To-School
Backpack Drive collecting 62 backpacks for local kids in
need, grades K-12.
* EPW Wrestling came to Philadelphia, MS on August 9 for the
annual Headlocks for Toys Toy Drive, with WWE/WCW/nWo star
Buff Bagwell, collecting over 100 toys.
* Ottawa/Gatineau, ON independent Mystery Wrestling ran a
24-hour livestream wrestling match on August 11/12 raising
$36,900 CDN ($26,802.50 US) for the 14th annual Fighting
Back: Wrestling with Cancer effort.
* Capital City Championship Wrestling returned to Ottawa, ON
on August 15, raising a collective total for the Canadian
Cancer Society of $132,000 CDN/$95,517.20 US at the 14th
annual Fighting Back: Wrestling with Cancer.
* Supreme Pro Wrestling teamed up with Alex's Lemonade Stand
Foundation to raise money for its annual fundraiser against
childhood cancer on August 17 in Elk Grove, CA raising
$3,790.
* Mall Mania, a wrestling event and fan expo with Tommy
Dreamer and Arn Anderson, came to the Four Seasons Town
Centre in Greensboro, NC on August 17 to raise $300 for Blue
Hearts for Autism.
* Pro Wrestling King, in cooperation with Fishers BBQ and
Chips' Annual School Supplies Drive, held a Pack a Back Pack
show on August 17 in South Bend, IN, collecting 30 full back
packs with school supplies, and shoes.
* Love Wrestling Canada did their August 19 Quizplex monthly
online fundraiser, raising $150 for Dallas Hope Charities.
* Memphis Wrestling comes to Tupelo, MS at the Tupelo
Furniture Market on August 22 to raise money for St. Jude
Children's Research Hospital with Rikishi appearing. The
promotion seeks to raise $25,000 at this event.
* Prestige Wrestling ran its most unique show ever on August
23 in Hillsboro, OR for FJR. 100% of the profits from the
event will be donated to RAINN-the nation's largest sexual
abuse charity. Promoter's estimates of current money raised
from advance orders is $4,000
* Rock Solid Wrestling returns to Kirkland Lake, ON on
August 23 for the Community Living Kirkland Lake in Kirkland
Lake, ON; which assists developmentally challenged adults.
* Great Canadian Wrestling will hold their fall and winter
series of wrestling shows and Comic-Cons, collecting food
for the local community food banks in each locality in which
they run events; collecting non-perishable and food items
including kids school snacks, juice (boxes and large),
canned veggies/fruit, canned pasta, cereal,
toothpaste/soap/toiletries, pet foods, diapers and baby
supplies. Future shows scheduled thus far are: Barrie,
ON/September 6, Belleville, ON/September 13, Whitby,
ON/September 14, Peterborough, ON/September 26, Kingston,
ON/September 27, Fenelon Falls, ON/September 28, Cobourg,
ON/October 4, Aurora, ON/October 5 , Collingwood, ON/October
18, Bolton, ON/October 20, Lindsay, ON/November 8, Meaford,
ON/November 15, Orillia, ON/November 16, Owen Sound,
ON/November 22, Smith's Falls ON/November 29, Brockville,
ON/November 30, Newmarket, In/December 6, Oshawa,
ON/December 27, Peterborough, ON/January 3
* Insane Wrestling Revolution will be holding a drive to
bring back to school items, backpacks or snacks for school
kids at their September 11 show in Monroe, MI..
* 1CW Pro Wrestling presented Lines Cross on September 13 in
Houston, DE to benefit Autism Awareness
* Wrestle Against Hunger returned to Tulsa, OK on September
13.
* 4Ever Pro Wrestling comes to Scottsburg, IN on September
19 for Going Gold for an childhood cancer awareness
fundraiser with a portion of the proceeds benefiting Bree's
Blessings.
* Ruthless Pro Wrestling takes part in BLEED FOR THE CAUSE:
Tables, Ladders, And Charity on September 20th at 1720 Venue
in Los Angeles with a pre-party taking place the night
before on the 19th at Knucklehead in Hollywood.
A night of ultra-violent wrestling and death metal for a
good cause. All profits will be donated directly to the LA
Children's hospital cancer ward. If you purchase a ticket
for the main event on the 20th show that ticket to get into
the pre-party on the 19th! There will be vendors as well as
charity raffles to win merch and other prizes.
* Journey Independent Championship Wrestling returned on
September 27 in Martinsville, IN for the Austin Fury
Memorial Tournament, raising money to benefit Suicide
Awareness.
* Crossfire Wrestling returned to The Merritton Lions Club,
St Catharines, ON on September 28, for FIRED UP 2025.
Partial proceeds will go to The Niagara Peninsula Foundation
for Children.
* Insane Wrestling Revolution will be holding a
toy/food/clothing drive at their October show (date to be
announced in September)
* Magnum Wrestling presents Over The Top at Granary Green,
Ralston, NE on October 3 to raise funds for All proceeds
from this event will go to Little Leaf Learning Center.
* Did you get your tickets yet? IWF returns to North
Arlington, NJ on October 4th and limited seats remain!
World-class athletes compete for the Heavyweight, American,
Tag Team and Women's Championships - all to benefit the
Michael Robert Cammett Jr. Memorial Foundation.
* Timmy Global Health presents the 24th annual Timmy
Takedown on Saturday, October 11 in Kirklin, IN. Timmy
Global Health works to connect people to primary healthcare,
and supports community leadership and engage global health
advocates in a community-oriented primary care mode. It
engages students and volunteers to impact both our
international partner’s work and their local home
communities.
* 1CW Pro Wrestling returned on October 11 in Houston, DE to
benefit the American Cancer Society.
* Dropkick Depression presents It's Fun to Play on October
11 at the YMCA of Piscataway, NJ. Come see some family
friendly, action-packed professional wrestling as we raise
money for a good cause. Proceeds from this event will
benefit ALS United, an organization helping those who have
been diagnosed with ALS live a long, comfortable life with
medical care, resources, programs, and support.
* Interspecies Wrestling presents the Canadian version of
Cannonbrawl on October 18, in Chateauguay, QU, Canada as
ISW and friends honor and fundraise for one of their own.
Jeff Cannonball, who has been diagnosed with ALS. We want to
help lighten that load a little - for Jeff, Sam, and little
Milo. This event will feature wrestlers from all over Canada
and the United States,100% of the proceeds from this event,
and all things associated with it (streams, auctions,
raffles) will go directly to Jeff and his family to help
with the costs associated with his care
* 365 Pro Wrestling returns to Goderich, ON at Goderich
Memorial Arena on October 18 for a benefit wrestling show
and BBQ to benefit the Hunter Costello Memorial Fun-dation,
which works to build an accessible playground in Goderich,
and to provide financial relief to families with ill or
injured children in the local community.
* Midwest All-Star Wrestling will hold its annual
fundraising dinner and Q&A with Great Muta on October 31 in
Bloomington, MN; then the annual Women of Nations Grand Slam
7 on November 1 in North St. Paul, MN, raising funds for the
Women of Nations shelter that works with survivors of
domestic violence/sexual abuse.
* Independent Pro Wrestling presented Hammering Cancer 6 on
November 9 in Hamilton, ON to raise money and awareness for
the Juravinski Cancer Centre.
* Total Wrestling Federation presents Wreck the Halls on
November 15, at the Colonial Theatre, 3522 Stockton Blvd,
Sacramento, CA in its annual Shriners Hospital toy drive
show.
* 1CW Pro Wrestling returned on November 22 to Harrington,
DE for a Boys and Girls Club benefit
* UWC Pro Wrestling returns for its annual Toys for Tots
Show on November 29 at 2 Meadowbrook Lane, New Egypt, NJ.
Admission is FREE with a $20 suggested value new toy
donation, or $20 at the door (all ages). This event happens
conveniently after all those wonderful Black Friday
sales!!!!
* MCW Pro Wrestling returns in December for its annual Toys
for Tots Show.
* 1CW Pro Wrestling returned on December 6 in Houston, DE
for the annual Toys for Tots show.
* Revolt Ministries will hold its annual 12 day Stuff The
Bus Toy Drive at The Guardian's Legacy show in Florida this
December 7-17.
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