WWE launched a genuine free version of WWE Network on June 1, 2020. WWE said it contained more than 15,000 titles, required no credit card, and offered selected originals, recent weekly episodes, historical events and short-form shows. It was not the complete paid WWE Network, and it was not the same thing as a free trial.
When did the WWE Network free version launch?
The Free Version of WWE Network launched on June 1, 2020. WWE described it as a way to introduce non-subscribers to its archive and original programming without requiring a paid subscription or credit card. The announcement said the service was accessible through the WWE App on televisions, game consoles, phones, tablets and computers, and that its library contained more than 15,000 titles—a WWE-reported figure covering many types of video, not an independently audited count.
| # | Preview | Product | Price | |
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| 1 |
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WWE: WrestleMania 39 | $20.45 | Buy on Amazon |
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WWE: Wrestling's Greatest Factions | $14.00 | Buy on Amazon |
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WWE: Legends of Mid-South Wrestling | $24.94 | Buy on Amazon |
| 5 |
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WWE: Greatest Stars of the '90s | $9.99 | Buy on Amazon |
At launch, viewers could create or use a WWE account and stream the advertised free programming without entering payment details.
WWE’s June 1, 2020 announcement provides the original launch details.
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What could fans watch for free?
The free tier was a curated selection rather than the entire Network archive. WWE’s launch list included:
Original series
- Monday Night War
- Ride Along
- Table for 3
- Photo Shoot
- Story Time
Recent weekly programming
- Recent episodes of Raw, SmackDown and NXT
- Raw Talk, which streamed after Raw on Mondays
Historical events and highlights
- Selected historical WWE pay-per-views
- Selected NXT TakeOver events
- Top 10
- The Bump
- WWE Now
- The Best of WWE
- WWE Timeline
“More than 15,000 titles” therefore did not mean 15,000 complete matches or events. It referred broadly to episodes, originals, specials, clips and other videos in the free catalog. WWE said historical events were selected, so the tier did not promise every pay-per-view, documentary or episode.
Was WrestleMania included?
Not as a permanent guarantee of the June free tier. On March 23, 2020, WWE temporarily opened thousands of hours of programming, including every WrestleMania available at that time, during the early COVID-19 period. That was a separate, limited-time access promotion.
The June 1 free version followed with a standing, curated library. WWE’s free-version page distinguishes that library from paid access to additional content and live premium events, including events such as WrestleMania. The two announcements should not be treated as one offer.
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Was it a free trial?
No. The June 2020 product was described as a free version, not a time-limited trial that automatically converted to a paid subscription. WWE had used trial promotions before:
- A free one-week trial accompanied the paid Network launch in 2014.
- Temporary free-month promotions ran in November 2014 and February 2015.
Those offers were promotions for the paid service. The June 2020 free tier was a separate, ongoing access level with no credit-card requirement for the advertised content.
Was the entire WWE Network free?
No. The free version supplied selected archive material and programming while the paid service retained additional content and live premium-event access. “Free” did not mean every historical event, every original, every current episode or every live broadcast was unlocked.
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An account or app login could still be required even though no paid subscription or payment method was needed. Catalogs could also differ by territory because WWE’s distribution rights are not identical worldwide.
How was the free version accessed?
- Open or download the WWE App on a supported device.
- Create a WWE account or sign in if prompted.
- Choose the free WWE Network section or a title marked as free.
- Start streaming without entering credit-card information.
WWE originally listed TVs, gaming consoles, mobile devices, tablets and computers. The surviving free-page compatibility list displays Amazon Fire TV, Android TV, Apple TV, Chromecast, LG Smart TV, Roku, Sony Android TV, PlayStation 4, Xbox One, Android devices, iPhone and iPad, macOS and Windows PC. That list may reflect an older page; device support and app availability can change by country, so it is not a promise that every listed device still works everywhere.
What happened to the standalone service?
| Date | Development |
|---|---|
| February 24, 2014 | WWE launched the paid WWE Network in the United States. |
| March 23, 2020 | A temporary promotion opened thousands of hours, including every WrestleMania available at the time. |
| June 1, 2020 | WWE launched the formal free version with more than 15,000 advertised titles and no credit card requirement. |
| March 2021 | Peacock became the exclusive U.S. home of WWE Network content. |
| August 2026 | WWE’s U.S. viewing guide directs different programs to different services rather than one all-in-one U.S. WWE Network subscription. |
The Peacock move means older U.S. instructions telling viewers to subscribe directly through a standalone WWE Network app may no longer describe the current route.
Can you still watch WWE for free?
WWE still maintains a live free-version page advertising more than 15,000 free titles and no credit-card requirement. That confirms the page and its offer remain visible, but it does not establish that the 2020 U.S. catalog, app or device experience operates unchanged in every country.
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Before trying to watch, check your country on WWE’s current viewing guide. Availability, catalog selection, payment options and live-event rights are territory-specific. A WWE Network label on the website is not proof of one globally identical service.
Independent reader supportYour contribution helps us test, update, and keep practical guides available for everyone.Where to watch WWE in the United States in 2026
WWE’s guide, checked for August 2026, lists this distribution for major current programming:
| Content | U.S. destination |
|---|---|
| WWE Premium Live Events, including WrestleMania, SummerSlam, Royal Rumble and Survivor Series | ESPN Unlimited plan through the ESPN App |
| Raw | Netflix |
| Saturday Night’s Main Event | Peacock |
| SmackDown | USA Network |
| NXT | The CW |
Rights can change, so treat this table as an August 2026 snapshot and verify the WWE guide before subscribing.
Peacock
Peacock is the U.S. destination identified for Saturday Night’s Main Event and related on-demand programming, not every current WWE premium live event. Peacock’s plans page showed, on August 18, 2026, Select at $7.99 per month or $79.99 per year, Premium at $10.99 per month or $109.99 per year, and Premium Plus at $16.99 per month or $169.99 per year. Prices and plan features are subject to change; see Peacock’s official plans page.
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ESPN Unlimited
WWE’s August 2026 guide says current U.S. Premium Live Events stream in the ESPN App with the ESPN Unlimited Plan. The official pages checked for this article did not provide a reliable current price, so no price is stated here. Use WWE’s viewing guide and ESPN Watch for current access details.
Netflix
Netflix is the U.S. home of Raw. WWE also says viewers in most international regions can watch Raw, SmackDown, NXT and every Premium Live Event live on Netflix, subject to local rights. Plans are listed at Netflix’s official signup page.
What this means for viewers
- For free archive material, start with WWE’s current free page.
- For current U.S. Premium Live Events, check ESPN Unlimited rather than assuming Peacock carries them.
- For U.S. Raw, check Netflix; for Saturday Night’s Main Event, check Peacock.
- For SmackDown and NXT, use the networks listed in WWE’s current guide.
- International viewers should use the country selector and verify local rights before relying on any old WWE Network instructions.
The headline was accurate: WWE did launch a substantial free tier on June 1, 2020. It was a curated, no-credit-card library—not the full premium Network—and the U.S. distribution model has since fragmented across several platforms.
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