ESPN Reportedly Had Requested Expanded Card for WWE Night of Champions 2026
This past June’s WWE Night of Champions 2026 event in Riydah, Saudi Arabia was notable for featuring a six-match card instead of a usual five-match card for regular WWE PLEs since WWE CCO Paul “Triple H” Levesque took over WWE’s creative.
WrestleVotes Radio on Figthful Select reported that their sources stated that ESPN officials approached WWE about adding an additional match or two to the lineup for Night of Champions 2026. It was reported that the idea was strengthen the paid portion of the event on ESPN Unlimited. Of the six matches, two took place during the free ESPN portion of the broadcast and the remaining four took place on ESPN Unlimited for subscribers.
Those spoken to reportedly stated that ESPN’s strategy of simulcasting the first hour of WWE PLEs on television is currently expected to remain in place through at least Fall 2026. ESPN reportedly is hoping viewers will subscribe to Unlimited to watch the rest of the show after being able to watch the first hour for free.
Backstage Update on WWE’s Current Plans for Gunther & Nick Aldis Following Altercation Angle at WWE Night Of Champions 2026
As noted before, this past June’s WWE Night of Champions 2026 event in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia featured a post-show angle that took place involving Gunther and SmackDown GM Nick Aldis getting into a heated argument and physical altercation backstage. WWE provided a storyline update during this past Monday’s WWE RAW show stating both Gunther and Aldis were sent home and Aldis has been placed on “administrative leave” as punishment.
WrestleVotes Radio on Fightful Select reported that their sources stated that the concept of a match between Gunther and Aldis has been discussed before within WWE but not in the context that is currently unfolding on WWE programming.
It was reported that if there is a match between the two, the current expectation within WWE is that it will be Gunther facing off against Aldis and not Aldis selecting someone to fight for him.
CM Punk’s WWE Abscense & Return Plans Update
As noted before, CM Punk has been absent from WWE since this past April’s WWE RAW After Mania show due to WWE officials changing their post-WrestleMania 42 plans for him after moving Gunther to SmackDown and Jacob Fatu to RAW. Punk is currently expected to return to WWE this July and for the SmackDown brand. Punk has been pushing hard for him to make his return at the upcoming WWE RAW show on July 6 due to it being in his hometown area of Chicago.
WrestleVotes Radio on Fightful Select reported that their sources stated that the current expectation within WWE is still that CM Punk will be making his return at the WWE RAW show on July 6 in Chicago.
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