As WWE’s domestic streaming landscape shifts away from Peacock, archival library content is beginning its transition to Netflix. Several classic events have been added to the platform’s “Coming Soon” section.
Classic Programming Heading to Netflix
Netflix has updated its “Coming This Week” rail to include several WWE events. The initial list of archival shows scheduled for the platform includes:
- WWE No Mercy
- The Great American Bash
- Breaking Point
- Greatest Royal Rumble
- Invasion
- St. Valentine’s Day Massacre
- The Wrestling Classic
- Breakdown: In Your House
- December to Dismember 2006
- Capital Carnage
- Bash in Berlin
- Rock Bottom
- One Night Only
- Great Balls of Fire
- Capital Punishment
- This Tuesday in Texas
While Netflix currently hosts new and archived episodes of WWE Raw, Peacock will retain the rights to stream Saturday Night’s Main Event.
During the UBS Global Media and Communications Conference, TKO President and COO Mark Shapiro addressed the future of the WWE archive. Shapiro stated that the company is currently working on a non-exclusive deal for the library, indicating that the content may eventually be split across multiple platforms rather than tied to a single provider. A formal announcement regarding the permanent home of the archive is expected in the first quarter of 2026.
Regarding the rights for NXT Premium Live Events, Shapiro noted that TKO has not yet gone to market. He emphasized that the company is being “deliberate and thoughtful” and is in “no rush” to finalize that specific deal.
The Move to ESPN for PLEs in 2026
In a separate landmark agreement announced in August 2025, WWE confirmed that ESPN will become the exclusive US domestic home for all main roster Premium Live Events (PLEs) starting in 2026. The $1.6 billion deal includes marquee events such as WrestleMania, Royal Rumble, and SummerSlam. Shapiro characterized the choice of ESPN as a strategic move to prioritize brand exposure and reach over potentially higher financial offers from other suitors.
The Evolution of WWE’s Streaming Strategy
This move marks the latest chapter in WWE’s decades-long content distribution evolution:
- WWE 24/7 (2004–2009): A Video On Demand service through cable providers.
- WWE Network (2014–2021): The company’s first direct-to-consumer “over-the-top” platform.
- Peacock (2021–2025): A licensing era that saw the US library and PLEs move to NBCUniversal’s service.
- Netflix & ESPN (2026–Present): A multi-platform model shifting flagship programming to Netflix and major PLEs to ESPN.
For content not yet available on these services, the official WWE Vault and WCW Vault YouTube channels continue to provide hundreds of hours of classic matches and full television episodes.
