• Loading stock data...
Saturday, January 18, 2025

WWE Plots NBC Primetime Special Against Competitor AEW’s Summer Pay-Per-View

WWE is running its “Saturday Night’s Main Event” show on NBC head-to-head against AEW’s “All In” this July.

"The Miz” jumps off the top rope during the Intercontinental Title Match with “The Ring General” Gunther at "WWE Monday Night Raw" at Wells Fargo Arena in Des Moines.
Imagn Images

WWE is flexing its muscles to compete with All Elite Wrestling’s annual summer stadium extravaganza.

AEW, the pro wrestling promotion launched in 2019 by Tony Khan, the son of Jaguars owner Shad Khan, has its annual All In pay-per-view at Globe Life Field in Texas on Saturday, July 12.

Internet sleuths on Monday noticed an interesting nugget in Peacock’s schedule of upcoming WWE premium live events: There was an episode of Saturday Night’s Main Event on NBC scheduled for the same night.

While Peacock has since deleted this listing from its schedule page, Front Office Sports has confirmed that WWE will indeed air the special on that evening.

Spokespeople for WWE and AEW declined to comment.

Saturday Night’s Main Event was a program that WWE (then the WWF) aired on NBC during special occasions in the 1980s.

The event was revived last December after WWE’s new TV deal with USA Network—owned by NBCUniversal—included five Saturday night specials on the NBC broadcast network per year.

The debut of the reimagined program in December featured retro graphics, the WWE return of Jesse “The Body” Ventura as a special guest commentator, and a main event of Cody Rhodes vs. Kevin Owens for the WWE heavyweight championship. 

Presumably, WWE will also stack its card in July in an attempt to entice as many pro wrestling fans as possible to watch its event on broadcast TV—and to skip AEW’s pay-per-view. 

Nevertheless, AEW is well capitalized, as the promotion recently signed a multiyear contract to keep its programming with Warner Bros. Discovery. The deal is reportedly worth about $185 million per year.

Linkedin
Whatsapp
Copy Link
Link Copied
Link Copied

What to Read

Notre Dame Fighting Irish quarterback Riley Leonard and running back Jeremiah Love celebrate a touchdown during the first half of a game against the Indiana Hoosiers in the first round of the College Football Playoff.

Notre Dame Found a Title-Worthy NIL Formula. Now It Has to Pivot

Its title run was buoyed by a collective that no longer exists.
Jan 17, 2025; Miami, FL, USA; Dearica Hamby (5) of the Vinyl reaches for the ball as Azura Stevens (23) of the Rose follows on the play during the second half of the Unrivaled women’s professional 3v3 basketball league at Wayfair Arena.

 Inside Unrivaled’s Explosive Opening Night

The 3-on-3 league went big for its season opener in Miami.
Miami, Florida, USA; Japan starting pitcher Roki Sasaki (14) delivers a pitch during the first inning against Mexico at LoanDepot Park

Dodgers Land Japanese Phenom Roki Sasaki for Bargain-Basement Price

The 23-year-old phenom signed with Los Angeles at a relative steal.
Nebraska's Rebekah Allick, right, lunges to pass the ball during a Big Ten volleyball match against Penn State at Rec Hall on Friday, Nov. 29, 2024, in State College, Pa.

DOE Issues More Guidance on Title IX Application to Athlete Pay

Financial assistance, including revenue-sharing, has to be equitable.

Featured Today

Baseball for All founder Justine Siegal walks in front of the over 400 young players participating in her league during the opening ceremony for an organization focused on giving girls an opportunity to play baseball, at Hohokam Stadium in Mesa, Ariz. on Wednesday, July 20, 2022. Baseball For All 15 Mar 30, 2023; Miami, Florida, USA; Miami Marlins general manager Kim Ng walks on the field prior to the game against the New York Mets at loanDepot Park.

Can a Professional Women’s Baseball League Launch in Softball’s Shadow?

The biggest hurdle to the WPBL’s success may be its closest kindred.
Showboats’ Daewood Davis (2) celebrates after scoring a touchdown during the UFL game between the San Antonio Brahmas and Memphis Showboats in Simmons Liberty Bank Stadium in Simmons Bank Liberty Stadium in Memphis, Tenn., on Saturday, April 6, 2024.
January 15, 2025

The UFL Is Primed for Success—If It Can Resist Its Impulse for..

The spring football league must buck temptation if it wants to succeed.
Race leader and eventual stage winner Primož ROGLIČ (SVN/RedBull-Bora-Hansgrohe) in the final kilometer up the finish climb of stage 19 from Logroño to Alto De Moncalvillo (ESP/168km) of the 79th La Vuelta Ciclista a España 2024 on 6 September. // Kristof Ramon / Red Bull Content Pool // SI202409060905 // Usage for editorial use only //Primož ROGLIČ (SVN/RedBull-Bora-Hansgrohe) congratulated by teammate Florian LIPOWITZ (DEU/RedBull - BORA - hansgrohe) after a very strong stage 13 from Lugo to Puerto De Ancares (ESP/171km) of the 79th La Vuelta Ciclista a España 2024 on 30 August
January 13, 2025

Red Bull Is on a Hot Streak in Sports. Can It Win..

The company is betting on a big future in cycling.
Ohio State Buckeyes defensive end Jack Sawyer (33) knocks the ball out of the hands of Texas Longhorns quarterback Quinn Ewers (3) and returns the fumble for a touchdown in the fourth quarter of the Cotton Bowl Classic during the College Football Playoff semifinal game at AT&T Stadium in Arlington, Texas on January, 10, 2025.
January 11, 2025

College Football Is Closer Than Ever to Perfecting the Championship Process

Despite valid criticisms, the first expanded Playoff is working.

‘Brady Rules’ Tested As He Calls Game Featuring Raiders Coach Targets

Brady will be on the call for Fox’s broadcast of Commanders-Lions.
Bob Uecker
January 16, 2025

Bob Uecker, Legendary Baseball Announcer, Dies at 90

The Brewers announced the icon’s death Thursday.
January 16, 2025

Australian Open Animating Matches on YouTube in Broadcast Loophole

The animated players have drawn comparisons to Wii Sports characters.
Sponsored

How UBS Crafts Impactful Partnerships Across Sports, Arts, and Culture

As UBS continues to expand its impressive array of sports and entertainment partnerships, the company solidifies its position as a leader in wealth management.
January 16, 2025

LIV Golf’s New TV Deal to Air Some Rounds on Fox Business..

The league announced a new media rights deal with Fox Sports.
May 17, 2024; Arlington, Texas, USA; A general view of the ballpark in the fifth inning of the game between the Los Angeles Angels and the Texas Rangers at Globe Life Field.
January 15, 2025

Texas Twist: Rangers Will Stream Games for $100, TV Deal Still in..

The MLB club aligns with the upstart streaming service.
January 15, 2025

NFL TV Ratings Down in Lopsided First Round; Cowboys Absence Felt

Five of six wild-card games are down or flat from a year ago.
January 15, 2025

LeBron James Admits NFL ‘Kicked Our Ass’ on Christmas Day

The NBA has played on Christmas every year since 1947.