Roman Reigns recently spoke about World Wrestling Entertainment‘s major agreement with ESPN, calling the move a milestone for the company and its fans. Starting in 2026, all of WWE’s premium live events in the United States will shift from Peacock to ESPN’s streaming platform, a transition expected to reshape how audiences engage with WWE content.
Reigns acknowledged during an interview on First Take that this collaboration is the result of decades of effort by the Stamford-based organization, highlighting the significance of reaching such an influential sports broadcasting partner.
“I mean, I think the fact that we’re teaming up with ESPN, our, you know, premium live events, the biggest shows of the year. To be able to be seen on the ESPN platform, it’s just unheard of, and it’s something we’ve been working on for decades, it seems now,” he said.
—Roman Reigns, WWE Superstar
The WWE Universal Champion also shared that the entire roster is energized by this development and eager to leverage the momentum it brings to the company’s ongoing product.
“And I think everybody’s just so excited, and when you continue to create this type of excitement, the fact that we’re an annual product, we don’t shut down. This is episodic. You need that type of, you know, that type of juice. That type of energy. And it just gives us momentum to keep going and doing what we’re doing. So we wanna keep the high tide going,” he added.
—Roman Reigns, WWE Superstar
Roman Reigns’ Upcoming WWE Appearance Confirmed Amid Storyline Developments
Roman Reigns recently made a notable return on WWE RAW after a dramatic segment featuring Seth Rollins and his allies attacking CM Punk and LA Knight. Reigns confronted Rollins’ faction backstage, demonstrating his ongoing central role in WWE storylines despite overwhelming odds.
Despite putting up a fight, Reigns was overwhelmed by the numbers advantage, suffering a series of attacks from Bron Breakker and Bronson Reed, including several powerful Tsunami moves. Many viewers assumed this would sideline him for a while following the beatdown.
However, an official announcement from the Wells Fargo Center in Philadelphia revealed that Roman Reigns is scheduled to appear on the August 18, 2025, episode of Monday Night RAW, confirming his continued presence in WWE programming.
It remains unclear how the creative team led by Triple H plans to utilize Reigns in upcoming storylines, but his return date signals ongoing importance to WWE’s future plans.
Implications of the WWE-ESPN Partnership and Roman Reigns’ Role
The shift of WWE’s major live events to ESPN represents a significant change in the landscape of sports entertainment broadcasting, likely increasing visibility and accessibility for WWE fans in the United States. This new phase is expected to bring fresh energy and new audiences to wrestling programming.
As one of WWE’s top stars and a central figure in its storytelling, Roman Reigns will play a crucial role in this evolving era. His enthusiasm for the deal reflects the company’s desire to sustain momentum and build on decades of growth, making the WWE-ESPN deal not just a broadcast transition but a defining moment for the promotion’s future.
