Wrestling Without Cable: Top Streaming Services & Devices to Watch Online - HotDog (2024)

If you are a WWE, AEW, or just a general professional wrestling fan, you likely already know that you don’t need cable TV to see events. But the truth is much better: wrestling fans can see more online. Read on to find out how!

In a hurry? If you aren’t interested in the details and just want to start live streaming NXT and Dynamite, these services will suit you well:

Looking for info on amateur and college wrestling. See below!

Since the late 19th century, professional wrestlers have been entertaining crowds throughout the world. Until the 1930s, professional wrestling was generally just a sport like boxing or mixed martial arts (MMA). However, for almost 100 years, it has been sports entertainment — scripted but still very much athletic events.

This has worked out well because people get to see great athleticism along with events and even season-long stories. And they are most definitely not fake. In fact, very real conflicts and disagreements have a way of showing up in the storylines.

Professional wrestling sells out arenas around the world. Its pay-per-view (PPV) events generate millions of dollars in revenue each. And pro wrestling merchandise is huge too.

If you are a fan, read on to learn how to see all the important pro wrestling events without cable.

Sign Up for a Free Fubo Trial

Superpower Your Sports Streaming With a VPN

For the sake of privacy, security, and access, you should be using a VPN. They are low-cost and easy to use. We’ve been using them for years and our top pick is ExpressVPN. Other brands worth checking out include Hotspot Shield and CyberGhost.

i	Our VPN Buyer’s Guide provides a complete introduction and all you need to know to choose the best VPN for your needs.

Streaming Services for Pro Wrestling

Because of the diversity of events, fans have a lot of options in terms of streaming professional wrestling. Broadly speaking, you can go with a general content provider that gives you wrestling along with a diverse set of other channels. Or you can go with more focused providers, which are normally less expensive.

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Live TV Streaming Services for Pro Wrestling

The major streaming services provide at least some coverage of professional wrestling.

• Fubo (formerly FuboTV): This is a great streaming service for live sports fans so if you can live with the loss of AEW Dynamite and Rampage, this is worth a look. It comes with 1000 hours of cloud DVR storage and streaming on up to 10 devices. See our Fubo review for everything you need to know.
• Sling TV: For a very low cost, you get the important channels for wrestling. And Sling has lots of add-ons so you can construct exactly the channel lineup you want. It features a 50-hour cloud DVR and streaming on 3 devices simultaneously. Our Sling TV review and wrestling guide explains everything. If you’re an AEW fan and Fubo leaves you high and dry, see our guide to AEW on Sling.
• DIRECTV STREAM: Although a bit more expensive, you get all the pro wrestling channels from a name you can trust. It also allows you to stream on unlimited devices at once, so it’s great for a large household. Check out our DIRECTV STREAM review for more details. (Note: DIRECTV STREAM was previously known as DirecTV Now, AT&T TV NOW, and AT&T TV.)
• Hulu + Live TV: Provides 85+ channels including Fox, USA, and TBS/TNT. You also get a full range of other channels including local ABC, CBS, and NBC affiliates. It comes with unlimited cloud DVR (9 months of storage) and the ability to stream on up to 2 devices at once. See our Hulu + Live TV review for all the details.
• YouTube TV: This 100+ channel service provides all the wrestling channels. Overall, it is very much like Hulu’s plan.

All of these plans should provide you with everything you need to enjoy the professional wrestling year.

Specialized Streaming Services for Professional Wrestling

There are a couple of other ways you can watch wrestling online.

Peaco*ck allows you to watch WWE content both live and on-demand. But it doesn’t come with their free plan. You will need to pay for one of its premium packages. For $5.99/mo, you can watch all programming made available on the platform with ads. If you are willing to pay an extra $5 per month, the content will stream without any commercial interruptions.

The FITE+ package allows you to watch shows from a variety of MMA, pro wrestling, and similar promotions 30 days after they air live. You can watch content without ads for $7.99 a month or $69.99 per year.

You can also subscribe to NWA All Access through FITE TV for $4.99 per month to receive new and past episodes of Powerrr and NWA USA per month in addition to other exclusive content. See our FITE review for more information.

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TVs and Streaming Devices to Watch Pro Wrestling

To fully appreciate professional wrestling events, you really need to view it on the proper hardware. The streaming services we’ve highlighted support most of the TVs and devices currently in use.

TVs and TV Devices

All the streaming services support Samsung smart TVs. Hulu, Sling, and Fubo also support LG, Vizio, and Android TV-powered smart TVs.

The streaming services also all support the following devices:

• Amazon Fire TV: Plugs into your TV’s HDMI jack and allows it to run apps.
• Apple TV: Apple’s version of the same thing.
• Roku: Various devices that do the same — one of the earliest manufacturers.

Mobile Streaming Devices

The major smartphones and tablets are universally supported:

• Android devices: All recent Android-powered phones.
• iOS devices: iPhones, iPads, and even some iPods.

You can use these devices to cast to your Chromecast-enabled TV.

Any device with a web browser can show pro wrestling with these streaming services. You can connect some of these devices to a TV via an HDMI cable.

Gaming Consules and VR

Gaming consoles are a popular way to stream video. All the services (except DIRECTV STREAM) support the Xbox One. Hulu also supports the PlayStation and Nintendo Switch. And Sling TV even supports Oculus.

Other devices are supported. See the individual streaming reviews for the complete list of each.

Brief History of Wrestling on TV

Throughout much of the 20th century, Saturday night meant that the family gathered around the TV to watch their favorite WCW superstars in action. Primarily, WCW TV shows aired on superstations such as TBS or WGN throughout most of the 1980s and 1990s. However, WCW would bring Nitro to TNT on Monday nights starting in 1995 and Thunder to TBS on Thursday nights in 1998 in an effort to compete with WWE.

In 1993, WWE began airing a show called RAW IS WAR on USA Network. From 1996 to 1999, WWE and WCW engaged in what was known as the Monday Night Wars. Nitro won the ratings battle for 83 straight weeks thanks to the NWO storyline featuring Hulk Hogan. However, stars such as the Rock and Steve Austin would eventually help WWE defeat WCW. The war was over for good when WCW was purchased by the WWE in March 2001.

Extreme Championship Wrestling (ECW) offered a niche product that also appeared on minor cable TV networks. Although it was also purchased by WWE, the company developed a cult following that still exists to this day. In fact, the WWE revived the ECW brand for several years alongside Raw and Smackdown before shutting it down for good.

Major Pro Wrestling Organizations and Where to Watch

When most people think about professional wrestling, the first name that comes to mind is Hulk Hogan who is symbolic of the rise of pro wrestling in the 1980s and 1990s. He was a popular performer with the World Wrestling Federation (WWF). Between 1994 and 2000 he was also a headline act for World Championship Wrestling (WCW).

However, there are several mainstream companies that feature top performers who attract large followings. Let’s take a look at a few of these organizations and how you can watch their shows.

World Wrestling Entertainment

WWE has been around so long, its various brands and series have moved around a lot, so figuring out where you can watch them can be a headache. Here’s a breakdown of where you can find all the most popular stuff.

• WWE Smackdown live events are on Fridays on Fox.
• WWE Smackdown replays are on Fox Sports on-demand for 30 days.
• Monday Night Raw and NXT, the company’s developmental brand, are live each week on USA Network.
• WWE Superstars, Raw, Smackdown, NXT, NXT Level Up, WWE Main Event, and WWE 205 Live are all available for streaming next-day on Hulu.

Don’t miss the WWE Official Podcast WWE After the Bell with Raw commentator Corey Graves on Spotify or Apple Podcasts.

Series on Peaco*ck Premium:

• Raw and Smackdown are on-demand 30 days after they air live.
• NXT replays are available the day after they air.
• You can watch WWE NXT Level Up, a spin-off of NXT, live weekly. Replays are available 15 days after they air.
• WWE The SmackDown Lowdown, a review and analysis program post-SmackDown with Matt Camp and Jackie Redmond.

Also available are replays of NXT Takeover.

All annual events that used to be PPV or on the WWE Network are now Premium Live Events on Peaco*ck, included in your Premium subscription. You can also find lots and lots of archival fights from WWE, WCW, and ECW going all the way back to the 1980s with old-school faves like Hulk Hogan, “Macho Man” Randy Savage, Andre the Giant, the Undertaker, and more.

• WWE Extreme Rules
• Crown Jewel
• Survivor Series
• Hell in a Cell
• WrestleMania
• SummerSlam
• Royal Rumble
• Money in the Bank
• WWE Clash of Champions

You can get more info on our complete guide watching the WWE without Cable.

All Elite Wrestling

Fans of All Elite Wrestling (AEW) can watch its signature show Dynamite on TBS each week (note that it used to be on TNT). The company also has a show on TNT called AEW Rampage that typically airs on Friday nights. Finally, you can find AEW Dark and AEW Dark Elevation on YouTube, totally free.

New Japan Pro Wrestling

If you are watching in Japan, this organization can be seen on TV Asahi, Fighting TV Samurai, and Abema TV. In the United States, you can watch most content on The Roku Channel with certain major events being broadcast on FITE TV. FITE+ has also made available over 158 hours of the “greatest moments in recent New Japan Pro Wrestling history” to subscribers.

You can find special PPV events like NJPW Let’s Go Glamping with Chaos Part I and Part II on the site njpwworld.com.

Typically, broadcasts shown in the United States are dubbed with commentary in English.

NWA

The NWA (National Wrestling Alliance) has two main programs that air on a regular basis. Each Tuesday, NWA Powerrr is shown on FITE TV while NWA Shockwave is in the process of becoming a weekly PPV event. Shockwave is currently broadcast on the promotion’s Facebook and YouTube pages, but it is planning on being shown on the United Wrestling Network (UWN) in the future.

Others

• Formerly TNA, you can watch Impact Wrestling events on Anthem’s Impact!+ service for $7.99/mo.
• Ring of Honor (ROH) can be streamed live or replays through its OTT service Honor Club for $9.99/mo.
• PWG (Pro Wrestling Guerrilla) does not air any of its events on television or social media outlets, preferring to distribute DVDs of events, including its flagship event, Battle for Los Angeles, held annually in August or September.
• Though not strictly speaking wrestling, UFC Fight Night, along with all other UFC events, is on ESPN+, which you can subscribe to for $10.99/mo.
• Bare-knuckle events such as the recent BKFC 30 Monroe bout are on Fite.
• Bellator MMA fights, including Hungarian #1 Featherweight Ádám Borics, are exclusively PPV Showtime events.

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If you can’t watch your favorite events or teams because of your location, a VPN will allow you to get the access you are entitled to, plus extra security and unequaled privacy. Check out our VPN Guide for everything you need to know, including our top pick ExpressVPN.

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Other brands worth checking out include Hotspot Shield and CyberGhost.

Wrapping Up

Professional wrestling has been a part of society for roughly 160 years, and that is because it has found ways to entertain and thrill audiences of all ages and backgrounds. Whether you like to watch acrobatic moves from the top rope, a more technical style of wrestling, or something in the middle, there is certainly going to be something for you to enjoy.

Thanks to the presence of multiple streaming services, it is easier than ever to watch your favorite performers in the ring. FuboTV is our top choice for pro wrestling. Fubo allows you to try out its service with a free trial.

Sign Up for a Free Fubo Trial

FAQs

What happened to WWE Network?

In February 2014, WWE Network was launched in the hopes that it would provide a vehicle for the company to increase its brand reach. But it struggled to retain its audience. So in April 2021, the network moved with Peaco*ck. This was part of a new rights deal signed by NBCUniversal to broadcast WWE Raw. In October 2019, the company had signed a separate deal with Fox to broadcast Smackdown.

What wrestlers will I see on Peaco*ck’s WWE?

All the same Raw, SmackDown, and NXT wrestlers you know and love are still on their respective shows. Big names include:

What happened to Evolve?

Between 2015 and 2020, Evolve and WWE had a working relationship. During this time, WWE would send wrestlers and scouts to Evolve events as a test run to see if the promotion could be used as a developmental territory. In 2020, Evolve was purchased by WWE, which meant the company was essentially defunct. However, WWE retains the right to revive the brand in the future if it wishes to do so.

What streaming service has wrestling?

If you want to watch pay-per-view wrestling online without cable, Sling TV may be a good choice. For wrestling shown on live TV channels, you’ll want a streaming service package that has Fox, USA, TNT, and TBS available. We recommend Hulu + Live TV.

Does Hulu have wrestling?

As a Hulu + Live TV plan subscriber you have access to Fox, USA, TNT, and TBS. You can watch Wednesday Night Dynamite (AEW). You can also watch a fair number of WWE events on-demand with the basic Hulu plan for $7.99/mo. If you add $6 to your monthly subscription, you can watch these WWE live streams without ads.

How can I watch particular pro wrestling shows?

We’ve written a number of guides on watching different shows:

• AEW Dynamite
• WWE Guide
• WWE NXT
• WWE Raw
• WWE Smackdown.

How can I watch amateur and college wrestling?

Pro wrestling is big business with enormous audiences, which can make amateur wrestling all but invisible. But this is actually a great time for amateur wrestling fans. Competitions from the major college teams like Penn State, Iowa, and NC State are commonly broadcast on league channels like B1G and ACC Network, which can be accessed with live TV streaming services like FuboTV.

Additionally, a lot of matches, including the NCAA Wrestling Championship, appear on ESPN+, which now comes with Hulu + Live TV. Also, FloSports has a whole channel dedicated to wrestling, FloWrestling. It doesn’t just feature college; you will also find high school events there. You can find out more in our FloSports review.

Where can I find any full show online free?

There are always illegal free streaming sites popping up like weeds, but we strongly recommend not using them. They are full of malware, including viruses and keystroke loggers. Plus, if you don’t support your favorite fighting franchises, they won’t last. Show your support by paying for legitimate services.

That said, several of these services, such as Fite, have free content available, or at least free trials. And you can stream AEW Dark and Dark Elevation on YouTube totally free.