Peyton Manning Praises Stephanie McMahon as She Prepares to Launch “Stephanie’s Places” on ESPN

NFL legend Peyton Manning has publicly praised Stephanie McMahon, the former WWE Chairwoman and Chief Brand Officer, as she prepares to launch her highly anticipated new ESPN series, “Stephanie’s Places.”

The show, produced by Manning’s Omaha Productions in collaboration with ESPN and WWE, is set to premiere on March 26, 2025. It promises to offer fans a behind-the-scenes look at some of the most iconic figures and moments in WWE history.

📢 Peyton Manning’s Statement:

“The world of WWE has never been more popular and exciting than it is right now. There is no one better than Stephanie to tell the stories of WWE’s greatest stars and uncover the moments that shaped them.”

Manning even went as far as to repost an ESPN announcement on his Instagram story, further showing his support for McMahon and the show.

But what exactly is Stephanie’s Places, and why has it garnered such high-profile attention from a sports legend like Peyton Manning? Let’s dive into the details, expectations, and impact of this new show.

What is “Stephanie’s Places”?

1. A Follow-Up to “Peyton’s Places”

If the title “Stephanie’s Places” sounds familiar, it’s because it follows the format of “Peyton’s Places,” an NFL-focused documentary series created by Manning’s Omaha Productions in partnership with ESPN.

🏈 “Peyton’s Places” explored the history of the NFL, featuring Manning traveling across the country, visiting legendary football locations, and interviewing hall-of-fame athletes and coaches.

Now, Stephanie McMahon is set to bring a similar format to the world of professional wrestling with “Stephanie’s Places.”

2. What Can Fans Expect from the Show?

“Stephanie’s Places” will feature Stephanie McMahon traveling across the country, visiting iconic locations in WWE history, and interviewing legends who played a major role in shaping the industry.

🔥 Key Features of the Show:
✅ Behind-the-scenes look at WWE’s most legendary moments
✅ Interviews with WWE Hall of Famers & Superstars
✅ Historical deep dives into WWE’s greatest rivalries and events
✅ Personal stories from wrestlers, fans, and industry insiders

3. First Episode: Featuring CM Punk

The first episode of “Stephanie’s Places” will feature none other than CM Punk, one of the most polarizing and iconic figures in WWE history.

This episode is expected to delve into:
📌 Punk’s controversial WWE departure and return
📌 His relationship with Stephanie and the McMahon family
📌 His legacy in WWE and beyond

The combination of Stephanie McMahon and CM Punk guarantees fireworks and a must-watch premiere for wrestling fans worldwide.

Why is Peyton Manning Supporting “Stephanie’s Places”?

1. The Omaha Productions and ESPN Connection

Peyton Manning’s Omaha Productions has been making big moves in the sports entertainment world. After successfully launching shows like “Peyton’s Places”, the company has expanded into new areas, including:

🏀 “Sue’s Places” (WNBA – hosted by Sue Bird)
⚾ “David’s Places” (MLB – hosted by David Ortiz)
🎤 “Eli’s Places” (College Football – hosted by Eli Manning)

Now, with “Stephanie’s Places”, Omaha Productions is entering the WWE universe for the first time.

Given WWE’s growing popularity, particularly after its merger with UFC under TKO Group Holdings, it’s a logical step for ESPN and Manning’s team to explore this world.

2. Manning’s Respect for WWE and Stephanie McMahon

Peyton Manning has always been a fan of WWE, having made multiple appearances on WWE programming over the years. He understands the athleticism, storytelling, and entertainment value that wrestling brings.

As a sports icon and entrepreneur, Manning recognizes Stephanie McMahon as a trailblazer in her own right:

🔹 First-ever female WWE Chief Brand Officer
🔹 Key player in WWE’s transition to mainstream sports entertainment
🔹 Instrumental in WWE’s $21 billion merger with UFC

Manning’s praise for McMahon isn’t just about “Stephanie’s Places”—it’s about recognizing her legacy and influence in sports entertainment.

What Does “Stephanie’s Places” Mean for WWE and ESPN?

1. WWE’s Growing Relationship with ESPN

WWE has been expanding its presence in mainstream sports media, particularly with ESPN. This partnership has included:

📺 ESPN airing WWE documentaries
📊 WWE getting more coverage on ESPN shows like “SportsCenter” and “First Take”
🎤 Cross-promotions with UFC (via TKO Group Holdings)

By launching “Stephanie’s Places” on ESPN, WWE is further cementing its relationship with the network, ensuring more mainstream exposure.

2. Strengthening WWE’s Crossover Appeal

With WWE becoming more integrated into traditional sports culture, projects like “Stephanie’s Places” help bridge the gap between pro wrestling and mainstream sports fans.

By featuring NFL, NBA, and other sports personalities as guest stars, the show has the potential to:

✅ Attract a new audience to WWE
✅ Break the stigma of wrestling as “fake” entertainment
✅ Showcase the athletic and storytelling aspects of WWE

In many ways, Stephanie McMahon is the perfect person to lead this crossover—having spent decades promoting WWE to the corporate world.

Wrestling Community Reactions: Excitement and Speculation

As news of Peyton Manning’s support for “Stephanie’s Places” spread, the wrestling community erupted with reactions.

1. WWE Superstars React

Several WWE superstars took to Twitter/X and Instagram to share their excitement about the upcoming show.

💬 Triple H: “Couldn’t be more proud of @StephMcMahon. This is going to be must-see TV!”

💬 The Rock: “Big moves! Can’t wait to see what you have in store, Steph!”

💬 Becky Lynch: “A show that finally tells the REAL stories of WWE. Count me in!”

2. Fan Reactions: Positive Anticipation

🎤 @WrestlingFanatic99: “Stephanie McMahon hosting a show about WWE history? TAKE MY MONEY!”

📢 @ESPNSportsGuy: “Peyton Manning is spot on. Stephanie is the perfect host for this. WWE is bigger than ever!”

🔥 @CM_Punk_Loyalist: “If the first episode has CM Punk, you KNOW it’s gonna be good!”

The Future of “Stephanie’s Places” and WWE on ESPN

1. Could This Lead to More WWE Shows on ESPN?

If “Stephanie’s Places” is successful, ESPN may invest in more WWE-related content, including:

📌 A weekly wrestling roundtable discussion show
📌 A documentary series on WWE’s biggest feuds
📌 More WWE content on ESPN+

2. Could Peyton Manning Appear in WWE?

Given his involvement in Omaha Productions’ WWE content, could Peyton Manning make a special WWE appearance?

👀 Potential WWE Appearances for Manning:
✅ Guest host of Monday Night RAW
✅ WrestleMania special appearance
✅ Involvement in WWE-NFL crossover events

WWE loves bringing in high-profile sports figures, and Manning fits the bill perfectly.

Final Thoughts: A New Era for WWE Storytelling

With Stephanie McMahon at the helm, “Stephanie’s Places” promises to be a groundbreaking show that blends WWE history with mainstream sports storytelling.

🔹 Peyton Manning’s praise and involvement validate WWE’s crossover appeal.
🔹 ESPN’s partnership strengthens WWE’s presence in mainstream sports media.
🔹 Stephanie McMahon continues to shape WWE’s future beyond the ring.

As WWE continues its rapid expansion, one thing is clear: “Stephanie’s Places” is just the beginning of something much bigger.

🔥 Are you excited for “Stephanie’s Places”? What do you think of Peyton Manning’s involvement? Let us know in the comments!