WWE fans were surprised this week to discover that most of the company’s content library will be removed from Peacock by the end of December, much earlier than anticipated. Although WWE and Peacock’s agreement was set to run until 2026, viewers started seeing expiration warnings on a variety of content, including the entire WCW and ECW archives, footage from the Territory era, and numerous classic WWE and WWF events. It has now been confirmed that this content will leave Peacock sooner than expected.
This early removal is due to the expiration of a five-year contract between WWE and Peacock that began in March 2021, which brought the full WWE Network library under Peacock for U.S. audiences. However, WWE is currently reshuffling and moving its media rights. Shows like Raw are moving to Netflix, SmackDown to USA Network, NXT to CW, and premium live events to ESPN’s direct-to-consumer platform, with the complete content library being the last major piece still awaiting a new home.
Speaking on Wrestling Observer Radio, Dave Meltzer confirmed the content removal timeline and shared uncertainty about WWE’s video-on-demand future. He said, “Libraries at the end of this month will no longer be on Peacock. The fate of U.S. libraries remains unclear.” Meltzer mentioned that ESPN has expressed interest and a partnership might be possible, but the level of investment by ESPN remains to be seen. He also noted that Netflix is often discussed, though certain international rights issues could complicate distribution.
Meltzer urged fans to watch classic wrestling footage, especially from the Territorial era, before it vanishes, warning, “If you want to see a lot of the old stuff… especially the territorial material… you should watch it next month because there’s no guarantee that future rights holders will keep all that content, as some might deem it not worthwhile.”
Peacock will continue to stream Saturday Night Main Event, but under the new deal, nearly all other content, including detailed pay-per-view archives, documentaries, and regional programming, will be pulled by December 31, 2025. Fans hoping to revisit classic WrestleMania moments, ECW’s iconic rise and fall, or rare gems from Mid-South, Stampede, and AWA should act quickly.
Which classic WWE or territory program will you binge before the library disappears? Share your must-watch recommendations and where to find them in the comments.
Fan Take: This accelerated content removal is a significant moment for WWE fans, highlighting how fluid media rights can impact access to wrestling history. As WWE moves its media presence across platforms, fans need to be proactive to preserve and enjoy these invaluable pieces of wrestling heritage before they potentially vanish from streaming services.
