WWE and indeed pro wrestling in general may well be a predetermined event, but that doesn’t mean that sportsbooks won’t provide odds when the biggest events of the year come around.
WWE, and its growing rival AEW (All Elite Wrestling), continue to secure regular TV and event audiences, with the WWE’s Network showing every event for a monthly subscription fee. In general there are two/three TV shows per week, with WWE running Raw on Monday nights (USA Network) and Smackdown on Fridays (Fox). WWE also operates a third brand, NXT, which showcases the best up-and-coming talent in the wrestling business. This show airs on a Wednesday night on the USA Network.
AEW meanwhile was only established in 2019 and yet has built an impressive audience and roster of talent. Their weekly show, Dynamite, airs on a Wednesday evening on TNT.
While the vast majority of sportsbooks won’t provide odds on regular TV events, the ‘Big Four’ in WWE’s canon – Royal Rumble (January), Summerslam (August), Survivor Series (November) and the granddaddy of them all, Wrestlemania (April) are all likely to have selected win/loss markets available to place wagers on.
With the likes of Drew McIntyre, Roman Reigns, Kevin Owens, Daniel Bryan and others competing in major events, sportsbooks will offer selected markets in order to meet demand – but don’t expect the same set of options that are offered to more conventional sports.
Proof that WWE is just fine with sports betting came in March 2021 when it inked a partnership with DraftKings for the latter to become an Official Gaming Partner.
The deal majors on DraftKings’ free-to-play pools product, and the first pool is set for Wrestlemania 37 at Raymond James Stadium in Tampa on April 10 and 11.
Is betting on WWE legal?
WWE and AEW betting is now legal in a growing number of US states following the 2018 decision by the Supreme Court to strike down the 1992 Professional and Amateur Sports Protection Act (P.A.S.P.A). P.A.S.P.A had stopped states outside Nevada gambling on a single game.
Make sure you consult our state-by-state betting guides to find out the exact regulations in the state where you live. This is because each state passes its own rules on sports betting – some states allow land-based sportsbooks only while some (notably New Jersey) allow online and mobile options too.
There are also some states in the middle of the process, while some haven’t even begun. But it’s sure to be up for debate in every state at some point in the near future.
If WWE is predetermined, how can you bet on it?
We know that WWE and AEW are predetermined, but in the same way that you can bet on the winner of the Bachelor, you can place bets on wrestling. As mentioned, only select bookmakers are likely to provide odds on WWE/AEW, and the markets available are likely to be restricted to money lines. But WWE is your passion, explore the options available and pick a sportsbook which meets your needs.
WWE picks
Picks will be limited, generally around major PPV events and perhaps restricted even more to the ‘Big Four’ events mentioned above. But follow the wrestling writers in the know to assess how the markets look and see if there’s any value available. There won’t be too many betting experts offering paid tips on WWE, so have a look around the key figures writing about the sport to assess the situation prior to the show starting.
WWE betting odds & lines
In WWE/AEW the money line market (see below) will be the most popular for virtually all the events, but parlays could be possible. It really depends on how many matches a sportsbook wishes to offer on their respective bookmakers.
Bets can either be placed in the pre-game markets or once the match has begun to take advantage of in-play betting.
WWE money line
A money line provides the odds on a wrestler just to win his match. There is no spread or any other factor involved, the wrestler must win the match to earn a return on your initial stake. Your potential return is predicated on the size of your stake and the odds which the bet are placed at.
Example: Drew McIntyre (-200) is fighting the Miz (+150)
- You bet $200 on Drew and they win, your profit is $100.
- You bet $100 on the Miz and they win, your profit is $150.
Money lines aren’t as subject to fluctuation in the run-up to kick-off as some other sports, but things do change so this is something to be aware of if placing a pre-game bet.
WWE prop bets
You don’t have to bet on the final outcome of a match or the number of goals scored, however; you can place a prop bet. A prop bet, or proposition bet, is placed on a specific event that takes place within a match.
For wrestling this can vary depending on the type of event. For example the Royal Rumble includes a 30-man match in which entrants have to be thrown over the top rope in order to be eliminated. A prop bet on this event would be the longest time in the ring, or which wrestler would be first to enter the match. You may also be able to bet on which wrestler will eliminate another within the contest.
Best WWE betting: which sportsbooks should I use?
The introduction of regulated sports betting has encouraged a number of different sportsbooks into the market. Each of them will have different styles, different products and different odds, so it’s important to find the one which is most suitable for you and the wagers you would like to place. Not all of them will offer WWE/AEW odds in their sportsbooks, so find one that does.
You can use Oddscritic’s sportsbook guides to have an idea of each one before signing up. By using our links you can get great sign-up bonuses. And remember – you can open as many accounts as you like, making it easier to shop for the best odds available.