After a years-long tour through the land of lost media rights and broken CW dreams, Billy Corgan and his retro-chic wrestling revival project, the National Wrestling Alliance (NWA), have finally found a streaming sanctuary: The Roku Channel.
In a move that absolutely no one had on their 2024 bingo card, NWA is bringing “NWA Powerrr” to Roku’s new Sports Channel, starting Tuesday, July 29 at 8 p.m. in the U.S., Mexico, and Canada. That timing? Oh yeah—it’s exactly when WWE’s NXT airs on USA Network. Let the battle of gold belts and questionable lighting begin.
🖥️ The Deal (Minus the Details)
No word yet on the exact length, money, or number of Smashing Pumpkins albums Corgan threw in to sweeten the pot. But Joe Franzetta, head of Roku Sports (and possibly the coolest name in corporate), gave the PR-friendly blessing:
“We’re thrilled to call The Roku Channel the streaming home of the National Wrestling Alliance…”
Corgan, never one to understate a moment, went full-pageant-speech:
“…we have now partnered with the #1 TV streaming platform in North America…”
Translation: “Suck it, CW.”
⏪ How We Got Here:
-
2017: Billy Corgan buys NWA. Yes, that Billy Corgan.
-
2023: Rumors fly that NWA might land on The CW.
-
Reality: WWE says “We’ll take that, thanks,” and NXT signs with CW instead.
-
2024: Roku enters the ring with a handshake and a weekly 8 p.m. slot that just so happens to go toe-to-toe with WWE’s up-and-comer brand.
🎤 What’s Next?
Corgan’s making it clear: this isn’t just a streaming deal, it’s a line in the sand. NWA isn’t hiding in the shadows anymore—it’s stepping into primetime against the developmental monster that made The Shield and Bianca Belair.
Whether this turns into a full-on Tuesday Night War or just a respectful skirmish between gritty throwbacks and neon gymnastics remains to be seen.
One thing’s for sure: the forbidden door now has a Roku remote.