Is WWE planning to bring back brand specific PLEs in 2026?

Brand-exclusive PLEs were used during different eras of the WWE brand split.

Since the TKO takeover, the Stamford-based promotion has expanded into multiple new markets, signing exclusive and historic deals. Despite this growth, some fans remain hopeful that the promotion will bring back elements that made WWE events so exciting, such as brand-exclusive PLEs and more matches on each pay-per-view.

However, a new report from Fightful suggests that brand-specific PLEs are unlikely to return, as WWE’s hands are tied by its deal with ESPN.

ESPN’s current deal doesn’t allow for individual Raw and SmackDown PLEs

In a recent Q&A with Fightful, Sean Ross Sapp was asked whether the promotion might revive brand-specific PLEs to give underutilized talent more spotlight.

Sapp explained that the choice to bring back brand-specific PLEs isn’t simply creative; it’s driven by business. According to Sapp, WWE’s current agreement with ESPN prevents separate Raw and SmackDown PLEs unless the network is willing to increase its investment.

“They did not pay for half a roster on a PLE, What they did pay for though are basically five to six match PLEs. That’s become the standard now.”

Furthermore, Sapp noted that doing fewer matches on PLEs has let the promotion showcase more marquee matches on weekly television. Nevertheless, the main obstacle remains straightforward: unless ESPN revises its current agreement, there’s little incentive for WWE to produce additional events.

“Unless WWE is paid for those additional events, it wouldn’t serve them well to do them, They’ve got a set minimum number of events they do with ESPN. And unless ESPN comes along and says, ‘Well, we’ll expand this deal and you can do this,’ there’s really nobody that benefits.”

[H/T: Ringside News]

To summarise, WWE’s decisions are largely driven by profit. Unless ESPN offers additional funding, the promotion is unlikely to revive the old-school brand-split PLE format and will likely continue running dual-brand shows with five to six matches.

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