Latest Rumors on WWE's ESPN Contract, Roman Reigns, Cody Rhodes, MVP Backstage in AEW

Bleacher Report catches you up on the latest news from the WWE Universe.

Reported Terms of WWE's PLE Deal with ESPN

WWE and ESPN announced a landmark agreement Wednesday that will see WWE premium live events air on ESPN's upcoming streaming platform beginning next year.

ESPN will have the exclusive streaming rights to WWE PLEs in the United States, and select PLEs will be simulcasted on ESPN's linear channels as well.

According to CNBC's Alex Sherman, the deal between WWE and ESPN is a five-year pact that will see ESPN pay WWE $325 million annually.

WWE's existing PLE streaming deal with Peacock was reportedly a five-year contract worth $180 million per year, which speaks to the climbing value of WWE's content.

ESPN's streaming service is set to launch on Aug. 21 at a monthly cost of $29.99, which is news that was met with some negative reactions from fans since Peacock is far cheaper.

However, Sherman reported that those who get ESPN as part of their cable package will also be subscribed to the ESPN streaming service at no additional cost.

That means cable users who already get ESPN can watch WWE PLEs in 2026 and beyond without paying an extra subscription fee.

Reigns Advertised for Upcoming Raw Despite Rumors

Despite being on the receiving end of an attack by Seth Rollins, Bron Breakker and Bronson Reed on Monday night's episode of Raw, Roman Reigns may not be gone for long.

The Wells Fargo Center announced Wednesday on X that Reigns will appear on the Aug. 18 episode of Raw in Philadelphia.

That news came after dueling reports regarding whether Reigns was set to take some time off.

Dave Meltzer of Wrestling Observer Radio (h/t Steve Carrier of Ringside News) reported that the injury angle was meant to write Reigns off TV so he could go film for the upcoming Street Fighter movie, which also features fellow WWE Superstar Cody Rhodes.

However, PWInsider.com's Mike Johnson countered by reporting that Street Fighter does not begin production until September with Reigns due on set on Sept. 2, meaning he is still available for WWE appearances until then.

Reigns, who will play the role of Akuma in the Street Fighter film, is seemingly not done with his WWE commitments yet.

With Reigns advertised for the Aug. 18 Raw, it could leave the door open for him being part of the Clash in Paris premium live event card, which will emanate from France on Aug. 31.

Details of MVP's Reported Backstage Issues in AEW

There is reportedly some controversy surrounding MVP regarding his backstage actions and how he has been received in AEW.

Fightful Select reported on the matter Wednesday, supporting much of what was said by The Wrestling Binder's JCup2013 during an X Space.

Per Fightful, MVP has "rubbed a lot of people the wrong way" in AEW due to his outspokenness about not wanting the Hurt Syndicate to drop the AEW World Tag Team Championships to certain teams.

It is reportedly "well known backstage" that MVP does not like "Speedball" Mike Bailey, and he did not want the team of Bailey and Kevin Knight to beat Bobby Lashley and Shelton Benjamin as a result.

MVP was reportedly also against a pitch that would have seen FTR beating Lashley and Benjamin for the titles at All In.

Instead, MVP reportedly favors the idea of a younger team such as Gates of Agony, The Outrunners or Private Party being the ones to beat the Hurt Syndicate for the titles.

Previously, MVP, Lashley, Benjamin and Cedric Alexander made up a stable called the Hurt Business in WWE, and while it was highly successful, WWE never pulled the trigger on reforming it after the group broke up.

All four members ultimately left WWE, and MVP debuted in AEW in September 2024 with Benjamin and Lashley showing up shortly thereafter to form the Hurt Syndicate.

Lashley and Benjamin won the tag titles in January, and they are approaching 200 consecutive days as champion, making them the third-longest-reigning tag champs in company history.

Fightful's report suggests MVP has perhaps had something to do with keeping the titles around the waists of Lashley and Benjamin, although it sounds like he hasn't ingratiated himself to many people in AEW in the process.