Add as a preferred source on Google ESPN played a significant role in the WWE Night of Champions card, with the event taking place on June 27 at Kingdom Arena in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia.
The event aired in the United States through ESPN’s ecosystem, with the first hour airing on the traditional ESPN network and the rest available on the brand’s streaming service.
According to WrestleVotes Radio, ESPN approached WWE before the show about adding one or two more matches to the card, specifically to strengthen the paid portion of the broadcast.
“ESPN approached WWE about adding another match or two to the Night of Champions lineup as a way to strengthen the paid standalone portion of the broadcast that streamed on ESPN+, sources tell @WrestleVotes Radio on @FightfulSelect.
We’re told that the first hour of PLEs being free is expected to remain in place at least through the fall of 2026.”
The information helps explain why Night of Champions ended up with six matches, including three title bouts, two tournament finals and the Steel Cage Match between Seth Rollins and Bron Breakker.
In the main event, Sami Zayn defeated Cody Rhodes and Gunther in a Triple Threat Match to win the Undisputed WWE Championship for the first time. The show also featured Oba Femi defeating Jey Uso in the King of the Ring final, IYO SKY defeating Liv Morgan in the Queen of the Ring final, Rollins beating Breakker, Trick Williams retaining the United States Championship against Ricky Saints, and Tiffany Stratton defending the Women’s United States Championship against Jade Cargill.
The partnership between WWE and ESPN began in August 2025, making the company’s premium live events a central part of the network’s strategy in the United States.