With The People’s Champ back in WWE, he is having the time of his life as a heel persona, and his outstanding mic skills and charismatic promos have played a key role in the show. With an unparalleled mic skill and the ability to connect with the audience on an emotional level; he makes the wrestling show an entertaining watch. Naturally, fans would look forward to the storyline of The Bloodline vs Cody Rhodes and Seth Rollins that would reach its peak climax this WrestleMania.
The Bloodline
However, Dwayne Johnson’s electrifying promos have invited him into some trouble as it has rubbed off people in the wrong way, setting up double standards in the show. Johnson, who has recently joined the Tko group as one of its board members, used profane language, not adhering to the PG guidelines that the company has set for its stars.
Dwayne Johnson...
The Bloodline
However, Dwayne Johnson’s electrifying promos have invited him into some trouble as it has rubbed off people in the wrong way, setting up double standards in the show. Johnson, who has recently joined the Tko group as one of its board members, used profane language, not adhering to the PG guidelines that the company has set for its stars.
Dwayne Johnson...
- 3/17/2024
- by Tushar Auddy
- FandomWire
Dwayne Johnson’s WWE return has marked the beginning of a new era in the company, he is not just a wrestler but also a board member of Tko Holdings—WWE’s parent company. John Cena, who recently made it into gossip and headlines after his 2024 Oscar stunt, made a decision about his wrestling career.
John Cena. Image: WWE
WWE has been the bread and butter for Cena for decades before the wrestler-turned-actor opened his career path in Hollywood. Recently, the former WWE World Champion revealed that he will not wrestle after he turns 50, it would be very different from what Johnson is doing right now.
John Cena Will Not Wrestle After A Certain Age Dwayne Johnson and John Cena. Image: WWE
While John Cena is still a hot discussion after splashing the internet with his Oscar stunt going to present the Best Costume award almost n*ked, the WWE...
John Cena. Image: WWE
WWE has been the bread and butter for Cena for decades before the wrestler-turned-actor opened his career path in Hollywood. Recently, the former WWE World Champion revealed that he will not wrestle after he turns 50, it would be very different from what Johnson is doing right now.
John Cena Will Not Wrestle After A Certain Age Dwayne Johnson and John Cena. Image: WWE
While John Cena is still a hot discussion after splashing the internet with his Oscar stunt going to present the Best Costume award almost n*ked, the WWE...
- 3/13/2024
- by Lachit Roy
- FandomWire
When Vince McMahon stepped into the New York Stock Exchange on Jan. 23, he was on hand to celebrate what was supposed to be a triumph for Tko Group Holdings, the company for which he was executive chairman, and the owner of the WWE, the wrestling promotion that McMahon turned into a multibillion-dollar business.
Earlier that morning the WWE announced a blockbuster 10-year, $5 billion deal with Netflix to stream Raw in the U.S. and almost all of its other live programming in other markets around the world. And Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson, one of the WWE’s biggest stars — turned global movie star — was set to ring the opening bell, in connection with an agreement to join Tko’s board of directors.
Speaking to attendees in the NYSE’s ornate 6th floor board room that morning, Johnson accepted a gold Tko championship belt from McMahon and Tko CEO Ari Emanuel.
Earlier that morning the WWE announced a blockbuster 10-year, $5 billion deal with Netflix to stream Raw in the U.S. and almost all of its other live programming in other markets around the world. And Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson, one of the WWE’s biggest stars — turned global movie star — was set to ring the opening bell, in connection with an agreement to join Tko’s board of directors.
Speaking to attendees in the NYSE’s ornate 6th floor board room that morning, Johnson accepted a gold Tko championship belt from McMahon and Tko CEO Ari Emanuel.
- 2/7/2024
- by Alex Weprin
- The Hollywood Reporter - Movie News
Vince McMahon, one of the founders of World Wrestling Entertainment, has resigned as executive chairman of Tko Group, WWE’s parent company, after a former employee accused him of sexual assault and sex trafficking. McMahon left Tko on Friday, according to The New York Times. The Times also obtained an email from WWE president Nick Khan in which Khan told employees that McMahon “will no longer have a role with Tko Group Holdings or WWE.” One day prior, a lawsuit filed in U.S. District Court in Connecticut named McMahon, former WWE executive John Laurinaitis, and the WWE itself as defendants. That suit accused McMahon of trafficking ex-staffer Janel Grant and subjecting her to physical and emotional abuse. And one allegation in the suit claimed that McMahon and Laurinaitis had at one point taken turns raping her. Grant alleged that McMahon and Laurinaitis pulled her behind a locked door, and...
- 1/27/2024
- TV Insider
Vince McMahon is stepping down from his post atop Tko Group Holdings — the company formed in the wake of WWE’s merger with UFC — following sex abuse allegations from a former WWE staffer, Variety reports.
“I wanted to inform you that Vince McMahon has tendered his resignation from his positions as Tko Executive Chairman and on the Tko Board of Directors,” WWE president Nick Khan said in an email to staff. “He will no longer have a role with Tko Group Holdings or WWE.”
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“I wanted to inform you that Vince McMahon has tendered his resignation from his positions as Tko Executive Chairman and on the Tko Board of Directors,” WWE president Nick Khan said in an email to staff. “He will no longer have a role with Tko Group Holdings or WWE.”
More from TVLine2024 AFC Championship Livestream: How to Watch the Chiefs vs. Ravens Game Online2024 NFC...
- 1/27/2024
- by Keisha Hatchett
- TVLine.com
Following a suit Thursday asserting that Vince McMahon sexally assaulted and trafficked former WWE employee Janel Grant, the WWE founder has resigned from his role as chairman of parent company Tko Group Holdings, according to an email from WWE president Nick Khan shared with TheWrap. Tko Group was created as the new parent company of WWE in its merger last year with UFC.
“I wanted to inform you that Vince McMahon has tendered his resignation from his positions as Tko Executive Chairman and on the Tko Board of Directors,” Khan wrote in an email to staff on Friday. “He will no longer have a role with Tko Group Holdings or WWE.”
“I stand by my prior statement that Ms. Grant’s lawsuit is replete with lies, obscene made-up instances that never occurred, and is a vindictive distortion of the truth,” McMahon said in a statement. “I intend to vigorously defend myself against these baseless accusations,...
“I wanted to inform you that Vince McMahon has tendered his resignation from his positions as Tko Executive Chairman and on the Tko Board of Directors,” Khan wrote in an email to staff on Friday. “He will no longer have a role with Tko Group Holdings or WWE.”
“I stand by my prior statement that Ms. Grant’s lawsuit is replete with lies, obscene made-up instances that never occurred, and is a vindictive distortion of the truth,” McMahon said in a statement. “I intend to vigorously defend myself against these baseless accusations,...
- 1/27/2024
- by Mike Roe
- The Wrap
Vince McMahon is out at Tko.
Following allegations of battery and sex trafficking from a former employee, McMahon “has tendered his resignation from his positions as Tko Executive Chairman and on the Tko Board of Directors. He will no longer have a role with Tko Group Holdings or WWE,” stated WWE Nick Khan president in an email to staff late on Friday, just before 8:30 p.m. eastern.
In a statement of his own, McMahon said that “I stand by my prior statement that Ms. Grant’s lawsuit is replete with lies, obscene made-up instances that never occurred, and is a vindictive distortion of the truth. I intend to vigorously defend myself against these baseless accusations, and look forward to clearing my name.
“However, out of respect for the WWE Universe, the extraordinary Tko business and its board members and shareholders, partners and constituents, and all of the employees and...
Following allegations of battery and sex trafficking from a former employee, McMahon “has tendered his resignation from his positions as Tko Executive Chairman and on the Tko Board of Directors. He will no longer have a role with Tko Group Holdings or WWE,” stated WWE Nick Khan president in an email to staff late on Friday, just before 8:30 p.m. eastern.
In a statement of his own, McMahon said that “I stand by my prior statement that Ms. Grant’s lawsuit is replete with lies, obscene made-up instances that never occurred, and is a vindictive distortion of the truth. I intend to vigorously defend myself against these baseless accusations, and look forward to clearing my name.
“However, out of respect for the WWE Universe, the extraordinary Tko business and its board members and shareholders, partners and constituents, and all of the employees and...
- 1/27/2024
- by Alex Weprin
- The Hollywood Reporter - Movie News
Exclusive: Slammed by allegations of rape, defecation, sex trafficking and more, Vince McMahon is out at WWE and UFC parent company Tko Group Holdings.
“I stand by my prior statement that Ms. Grant’s lawsuit is replete with lies, obscene made-up instances that never occurred, and is a vindictive distortion of the truth,” McMahon said this evening of the scorching lawsuit against him filed earlier this week. “I intend to vigorously defend myself against these baseless accusations, and look forward to clearing my name.”
“However, out of respect for the WWE Universe, the extraordinary Tko business and its board members and shareholders, partners and constituents, and all of the employees and Superstars who helped make WWE into the global leader it is today, I have decided to resign from my executive chairmanship and the Tko board of directors, effective immediately,” the WWE co-founder added.
McMahon’s abrupt exit was spawned...
“I stand by my prior statement that Ms. Grant’s lawsuit is replete with lies, obscene made-up instances that never occurred, and is a vindictive distortion of the truth,” McMahon said this evening of the scorching lawsuit against him filed earlier this week. “I intend to vigorously defend myself against these baseless accusations, and look forward to clearing my name.”
“However, out of respect for the WWE Universe, the extraordinary Tko business and its board members and shareholders, partners and constituents, and all of the employees and Superstars who helped make WWE into the global leader it is today, I have decided to resign from my executive chairmanship and the Tko board of directors, effective immediately,” the WWE co-founder added.
McMahon’s abrupt exit was spawned...
- 1/27/2024
- by Dominic Patten
- Deadline Film + TV
Nick Khan has become one of the most influential figures in WWE over the past few years, currently serving as the sports entertainment company’s President, but his beginnings were a little more modest. After leading WWE’s rights negotiations over the past year, which saw a 10-year partnership formed with Netflix yesterday, Tuesday, January 23, an old clip of Khan on Wheel of Fortune resurfaced and went viral on social media. Khan’s appearance on the long-running game show came on December 25, 2000, when he was a struggling lawyer just out of law school. He managed to win $16,650 on the show and put his winnings towards the Bar exam and officially kicked off his law career. During the show, Khan told host Pat Sajak he was working on a book about law school, “sort of a 10-step program to get through it.” WWE President Nick Khan on an episode of Wheel of Fortune on December 25th,...
- 1/24/2024
- TV Insider
Netflix is reportedly spending $5 billion for 10 years of WWE programming; the streaming giant might want to avoid fighting the NFL for viewers.
For essentially the whole of its over 30-year reign as one of cable television’s most popular programs, WWE’s flagship show “Monday Night Raw” has lived on Monday nights — but now that sports entertainment's marquee show is moving from cable to Netflix is a move to a different day on the table? In all of Netflix’s press materials announcing the move, the show was only referred to as “Raw,” removing any reference to its traditional air date. Does that mean that when the WWE moves to the world’s largest streamer in 2025 that “Raw” could be on a new night?
WWE CEO Nick Khan appeared on “The Pat McAfee Show” to discuss the WWE’s new deal with Netflix. Starting in January 2025, “WWE Raw” will exclusively...
For essentially the whole of its over 30-year reign as one of cable television’s most popular programs, WWE’s flagship show “Monday Night Raw” has lived on Monday nights — but now that sports entertainment's marquee show is moving from cable to Netflix is a move to a different day on the table? In all of Netflix’s press materials announcing the move, the show was only referred to as “Raw,” removing any reference to its traditional air date. Does that mean that when the WWE moves to the world’s largest streamer in 2025 that “Raw” could be on a new night?
WWE CEO Nick Khan appeared on “The Pat McAfee Show” to discuss the WWE’s new deal with Netflix. Starting in January 2025, “WWE Raw” will exclusively...
- 1/24/2024
- by Matt Tamanini
- The Streamable
WWE is making another change with it’s Monday Night Raw programming!
The wrestling program currently airs on USA Network, but starting in 2025, the show will move to Netflix, leaving linear television for the first time since it started in 1993.
Raw isn’t the only thing that WWE is bringing over to Netflix.
Keep reading to find out more…
In addition to Raw moving to the streaming in January 2025, Netflix will also be the international home to SmackDown and Nxt, as well as “WrestleMania, SummerSlam and Royal Rumble,” and their award-winning documentaries, original series and forthcoming projects.
Raw will air on Netflix in the US, Canada, UK and Latin America.
“This deal is transformative,” Tko President and COO Mark Shapiro said. “It marries the can’t-miss WWE product with Netflix’s extraordinary global reach and locks in significant and predictable economics for many years. Our partnership fundamentally alters and strengthens the media landscape,...
The wrestling program currently airs on USA Network, but starting in 2025, the show will move to Netflix, leaving linear television for the first time since it started in 1993.
Raw isn’t the only thing that WWE is bringing over to Netflix.
Keep reading to find out more…
In addition to Raw moving to the streaming in January 2025, Netflix will also be the international home to SmackDown and Nxt, as well as “WrestleMania, SummerSlam and Royal Rumble,” and their award-winning documentaries, original series and forthcoming projects.
Raw will air on Netflix in the US, Canada, UK and Latin America.
“This deal is transformative,” Tko President and COO Mark Shapiro said. “It marries the can’t-miss WWE product with Netflix’s extraordinary global reach and locks in significant and predictable economics for many years. Our partnership fundamentally alters and strengthens the media landscape,...
- 1/24/2024
- by Just Jared
- Just Jared
WWE’S Raw To Stream On Netflix From Next Year, $5 Billion Deal Is Valued For More Than 10 Years(Photo Credit –WWE/Twitter)
Here’s a great piece of news for all the WWE fans. In the latest turn of events, WWE’s flagship program, Raw, has been taken over by the Ott giant. In a new deal with Netflix, the show will stream on the platform starting next year. If the latest reports are abuzz, then Netflix and Tko Group Holdings have come together and announced that it would be Netflix’s first step towards live sports. It is worth noting that the big move is going to be a 10-year deal and is valued at a whopping $5 billion.
Speaking about the deal, according to a report in CNBC, the Ott giant will have the option to exit the deal after five years. But they will also have an option...
Here’s a great piece of news for all the WWE fans. In the latest turn of events, WWE’s flagship program, Raw, has been taken over by the Ott giant. In a new deal with Netflix, the show will stream on the platform starting next year. If the latest reports are abuzz, then Netflix and Tko Group Holdings have come together and announced that it would be Netflix’s first step towards live sports. It is worth noting that the big move is going to be a 10-year deal and is valued at a whopping $5 billion.
Speaking about the deal, according to a report in CNBC, the Ott giant will have the option to exit the deal after five years. But they will also have an option...
- 1/23/2024
- by Oshine Koul
- KoiMoi
Netflix is making the tag, as the streaming giant has just acquired exclusive broadcast rights to WWE Raw. The deal, worth $5 billion over the course of 10 years, will find the flagship show moving from the USA Network to Netflix in 2025.
This is just the latest major business deal related to the WWE over the past year, as the sports entertainment company merged with the UFC under Endeavor’s Tko Group Holdings in April 2023.
In a statement, Tko President and COO Mark Shapiro said of the deal, “This deal is transformative…It marries the can’t-miss WWE product with Netflix’s extraordinary global reach and locks in significant and predictable economics for many years. Our partnership fundamentally alters and strengthens the media landscape, dramatically expands the reach of WWE, and brings weekly live appointment viewing to Netflix.”
WWE president Nick Khan stated, “In its relatively short history, Netflix has engineered a phenomenal track record for storytelling…...
This is just the latest major business deal related to the WWE over the past year, as the sports entertainment company merged with the UFC under Endeavor’s Tko Group Holdings in April 2023.
In a statement, Tko President and COO Mark Shapiro said of the deal, “This deal is transformative…It marries the can’t-miss WWE product with Netflix’s extraordinary global reach and locks in significant and predictable economics for many years. Our partnership fundamentally alters and strengthens the media landscape, dramatically expands the reach of WWE, and brings weekly live appointment viewing to Netflix.”
WWE president Nick Khan stated, “In its relatively short history, Netflix has engineered a phenomenal track record for storytelling…...
- 1/23/2024
- by Mathew Plale
- JoBlo.com
Netflix is spending more than $5 billion on a deal that’ll bring WWE‘s long-running live show Raw to its platform for an entire decade.
Raw has been airing on network TV since its debut in 1993, but starting in January 2025, it’ll be Netflix’s marquee live sports program, with new episodes airing weekly in the U.S., U.K., Canada, and Latin America. Netflix will air about 150 hours of exclusive Raw content per year, per the Wall Street Journal.
The deal also includes international rights to WWE’s annual professional wrestling event WrestleMania, plus distribution for other WWE shows like Smackdown and Nxt.
This is one of Netflix’s biggest deals ever, and by far its largest deal for live sports to date. Raw‘s previous deal, with NBCUniversal‘s USA Network, was a five-year agreement valued at $1.3 billion. That deal, unlike Netflix’s, didn’t include any international distribution rights.
Raw has been airing on network TV since its debut in 1993, but starting in January 2025, it’ll be Netflix’s marquee live sports program, with new episodes airing weekly in the U.S., U.K., Canada, and Latin America. Netflix will air about 150 hours of exclusive Raw content per year, per the Wall Street Journal.
The deal also includes international rights to WWE’s annual professional wrestling event WrestleMania, plus distribution for other WWE shows like Smackdown and Nxt.
This is one of Netflix’s biggest deals ever, and by far its largest deal for live sports to date. Raw‘s previous deal, with NBCUniversal‘s USA Network, was a five-year agreement valued at $1.3 billion. That deal, unlike Netflix’s, didn’t include any international distribution rights.
- 1/23/2024
- by James Hale
- Tubefilter.com
Netflix and the parent company of World Wrestling Entertainment have struck a deal that will see the WWE’s flagship program “Raw” stream live on the service for the first time ever.
The deal is valued at over $5 billion and includes live domestic and international telecast rights to Raw over the course of 10 years. The agreement is set to take effect in 2025, when WWE’s broadcast contract with NBC Universal expires.
“In its relatively short history, Netflix has engineered a phenomenal track record for storytelling,” WWE President Nick Khan said on Tuesday. “We believe Netflix, as one of the world’s leading entertainment brands, is the ideal long-term home for Raw’s live, loyal, and ever-growing fan base.”
The rights deal includes international distribution of several other WWE programs, including “Smackdown!,” “Nxt” and the pay-per-view events “Royal Rumble,” “SummerSlam” and “WrestleMania.” In the United States, those events will continue to...
The deal is valued at over $5 billion and includes live domestic and international telecast rights to Raw over the course of 10 years. The agreement is set to take effect in 2025, when WWE’s broadcast contract with NBC Universal expires.
“In its relatively short history, Netflix has engineered a phenomenal track record for storytelling,” WWE President Nick Khan said on Tuesday. “We believe Netflix, as one of the world’s leading entertainment brands, is the ideal long-term home for Raw’s live, loyal, and ever-growing fan base.”
The rights deal includes international distribution of several other WWE programs, including “Smackdown!,” “Nxt” and the pay-per-view events “Royal Rumble,” “SummerSlam” and “WrestleMania.” In the United States, those events will continue to...
- 1/23/2024
- by Matthew Keys
- The Desk
“Raw” will become the streaming giant’s first regular live broadcast and first live sports rights.
There is a new champ in the world of sports entertainment, and it’s a streaming service coming off of the top rope. In a landmark deal to acquire the flagship professional wrestling program on television, Netflix has secured the rights to the WWE’s “Monday Night Raw” for 10 years, beginning in January 2025. The deal is reportedly worth $5 billion and will move the weekly show from the USA Network to streaming for the first time.
“Monday Night Raw” will air worldwide on Netflix beginning in 2025. The sports entertainment program will be the streamer’s first regular live program. The deal will last for 10 years and cost Netflix $5 billion. Sign Up $6.99+ / month netflix.com
The deal will see Netflix become the broadcast home for “Raw” in the United States, Canada, United Kingdom, and Latin America...
There is a new champ in the world of sports entertainment, and it’s a streaming service coming off of the top rope. In a landmark deal to acquire the flagship professional wrestling program on television, Netflix has secured the rights to the WWE’s “Monday Night Raw” for 10 years, beginning in January 2025. The deal is reportedly worth $5 billion and will move the weekly show from the USA Network to streaming for the first time.
“Monday Night Raw” will air worldwide on Netflix beginning in 2025. The sports entertainment program will be the streamer’s first regular live program. The deal will last for 10 years and cost Netflix $5 billion. Sign Up $6.99+ / month netflix.com
The deal will see Netflix become the broadcast home for “Raw” in the United States, Canada, United Kingdom, and Latin America...
- 1/23/2024
- by Matt Tamanini
- The Streamable
After insisting publicly for years that it was not dead-set on pursuing sports rights, Netflix has made a landmark deal for one of linear TV’s staples, WWE’s Monday Night Raw.
Starting in January 2025, Netflix will now be the exclusive home of Raw in the U.S., Canada, UK and Latin America. Additional territories from Netflix’s footprint of more than 190 are to be added over time. USA Network had aired the Raw franchise and launched it in January 1993.
The deal is for 10 years and more than $5 billion, a person familiar with the terms told Deadline.
Along with the main Raw program, Netflix will become the home for all WWE shows and specials outside the U.S., including other weekly shows SmackDown and Nxt. It will also stream the company’s roster of live events like WrestleMania, SummerSlam and Royal Rumble and also make WWE documentaries, original series and...
Starting in January 2025, Netflix will now be the exclusive home of Raw in the U.S., Canada, UK and Latin America. Additional territories from Netflix’s footprint of more than 190 are to be added over time. USA Network had aired the Raw franchise and launched it in January 1993.
The deal is for 10 years and more than $5 billion, a person familiar with the terms told Deadline.
Along with the main Raw program, Netflix will become the home for all WWE shows and specials outside the U.S., including other weekly shows SmackDown and Nxt. It will also stream the company’s roster of live events like WrestleMania, SummerSlam and Royal Rumble and also make WWE documentaries, original series and...
- 1/23/2024
- by Dade Hayes
- Deadline Film + TV
Updated: “Monday Night Raw” is headed to Netflix.
In a major shakeup, WWE has struck a deal with Netflix that will see its flagship weekly live pro wrestling show begin airing exclusively on the streaming giant beginning in January 2025. That will mark the first time in its three-decade history that “Raw” has not aired new episodes on a linear television network.
The deal is valued at $500 million per year for 10 years. Netflix has the option to opt out after the initial five years and to extend for an additional 10 years. By comparison, sources also say WWE’s current five-year deal for “Raw” with NBCUniversal is worth approximately $250 million-$260 million per year.
“We are excited to have WWE Raw, with its huge and passionate multigenerational fan base, on Netflix,” said Netflix chief content officer Bela Bajaria. “By combining our reach, recommendations and fandom with WWE, we’ll be able to deliver...
In a major shakeup, WWE has struck a deal with Netflix that will see its flagship weekly live pro wrestling show begin airing exclusively on the streaming giant beginning in January 2025. That will mark the first time in its three-decade history that “Raw” has not aired new episodes on a linear television network.
The deal is valued at $500 million per year for 10 years. Netflix has the option to opt out after the initial five years and to extend for an additional 10 years. By comparison, sources also say WWE’s current five-year deal for “Raw” with NBCUniversal is worth approximately $250 million-$260 million per year.
“We are excited to have WWE Raw, with its huge and passionate multigenerational fan base, on Netflix,” said Netflix chief content officer Bela Bajaria. “By combining our reach, recommendations and fandom with WWE, we’ll be able to deliver...
- 1/23/2024
- by Joe Otterson
- Variety Film + TV
In a major streaming deal, WWE Monday Night Raw will leave USA Network for Netflix beginning in January 2025, with the streaming giant also set to become the home of WWE content outside of the U.S.
The deal, which a source pegs at 10 years and is valued at about $5 billion, marks a significant expansion into live events for Netflix, which will now stream Raw live every Monday night in the U.S., Canada, U.K. and Latin America, 52 weeks per year, with other territories to be added over time.
Netflix will also be the exclusive home of WWE content outside of the U.S., including its live shows and premium events like Wrestlemania, as well as documentaries and original series.
Thus far, Netflix has only held occasional live events, like a Chris Rock stand-up comedy special or the ill-fated Love Is Blind reunion special.
That being said, Netflix has also...
The deal, which a source pegs at 10 years and is valued at about $5 billion, marks a significant expansion into live events for Netflix, which will now stream Raw live every Monday night in the U.S., Canada, U.K. and Latin America, 52 weeks per year, with other territories to be added over time.
Netflix will also be the exclusive home of WWE content outside of the U.S., including its live shows and premium events like Wrestlemania, as well as documentaries and original series.
Thus far, Netflix has only held occasional live events, like a Chris Rock stand-up comedy special or the ill-fated Love Is Blind reunion special.
That being said, Netflix has also...
- 1/23/2024
- by Alex Weprin
- The Hollywood Reporter - Movie News
Updated: Dwayne Johnson has joined the board of directors of Tko Group Holdings, Inc., the company formed by Endeavor that merged WWE and the UFC.
Johnson, one of the most popular actors and media personalities on the planet, broke out as a star for WWE (then WWF) in the 1990s and early 2000s. He held multiple world championships in his time with the pro wrestling juggernaut and is widely regarded as one of the greatest professional wrestlers of all time.
“I am thrilled to partner with Dwayne and welcome his immense talent to Tko’s Board,” said Ariel Emanuel, CEO of Tko. “Dwayne brings an incredible track record of creating content and building globally recognized consumer brands, and he will play a key role in realizing our ambitions for Tko.”
WWE added that it has also entered into a services and merchandising agreement with Johnson. Under that agreement, Johnson will provide promotional,...
Johnson, one of the most popular actors and media personalities on the planet, broke out as a star for WWE (then WWF) in the 1990s and early 2000s. He held multiple world championships in his time with the pro wrestling juggernaut and is widely regarded as one of the greatest professional wrestlers of all time.
“I am thrilled to partner with Dwayne and welcome his immense talent to Tko’s Board,” said Ariel Emanuel, CEO of Tko. “Dwayne brings an incredible track record of creating content and building globally recognized consumer brands, and he will play a key role in realizing our ambitions for Tko.”
WWE added that it has also entered into a services and merchandising agreement with Johnson. Under that agreement, Johnson will provide promotional,...
- 1/23/2024
- by Joe Otterson
- Variety Film + TV
WWE has hired Lee Fitting as the company’s new head of media and production, Variety has learned.
The hiring comes just after the departure of Kevin Dunn, the longtime WWE head of production. Dunn had been with WWE for over four decades before his exit was announced in late December.
Fitting joins WWE after a 25-year run at ESPN. During his time with the sports broadcasting powerhouse, he oversaw production on telecasts like Monday Night Football, College GameDay, the Colleg Football Playoff, and several others. He departed ESPN in August 2023.
“Lee is a phenomenal leader and executive known for work that generates both critical acclaim and mass appeal,” said WWE President Nick Khan. “Lee will be a tremendous addition to our stellar media and production team and play a key role in helping catapult WWE’s growth.”
This is the latest change at WWE in the past year. WWE...
The hiring comes just after the departure of Kevin Dunn, the longtime WWE head of production. Dunn had been with WWE for over four decades before his exit was announced in late December.
Fitting joins WWE after a 25-year run at ESPN. During his time with the sports broadcasting powerhouse, he oversaw production on telecasts like Monday Night Football, College GameDay, the Colleg Football Playoff, and several others. He departed ESPN in August 2023.
“Lee is a phenomenal leader and executive known for work that generates both critical acclaim and mass appeal,” said WWE President Nick Khan. “Lee will be a tremendous addition to our stellar media and production team and play a key role in helping catapult WWE’s growth.”
This is the latest change at WWE in the past year. WWE...
- 1/9/2024
- by Joe Otterson
- Variety Film + TV
A group of former WWE shareholders has filed a class-action lawsuit alleging that the events leading up to the merger of WWE and Endeavor’s UFC into Tko Group this year resulted in a “sham sales process” designed to keep Vince McMahon in power and minimizing other bidders.
The suit, made public Monday in Delaware Chancery Court, asserts breach of fiduciary duty claims against the defendants: seven members of the WWE board that include McMahon and Paul “Triple H” Levesque. It claims the actions of the board led by McMahon orchestrated an eventual deal “designed to favor Endeavor and exclude other bidders seeking [to] axe McMahon.”
Read the shareholder lawsuit here.
McMahon, who was forced out by the board as WWE president and CEO in 2022 amid sexual abuse and harassment allegations an an ensuing investigation, eventually returned with a newly installed board and announced a “strategic review process,” a move that, according to the suit, was McMahon “maneuvering to secure his power and control over the Company in the face of mounting stockholder discontent and government investigations into his illegal predatory behavior.”
The suit added: “McMahon immediately approached his long-time friend and Endeavor CEO Ari Emanuel, whom McMahon knew would allow him to remain at the helm of the post-transaction Company. … Thereafter, the WWE Board—which was controlled by McMahon— conjured up a sham sales process designed to favor Endeavor and exclude other bidders seeking axe McMahon.
The suit said WWE began signing confidentiality agreements with potential bidders on February 6, 2023. “The very next day, Endeavor submitted a proposal to combine Endeavor’s Ultimate Fighting Championship (‘UFC’) subsidiary with WWE in a cash and stock transaction where WWE stockholders would receive consideration equivalent to $88.43 per share.”
The suit claims there were three other suitors for WWE besides Endeavor, two of which submitted higher per-share cash offers (all three names were redacted from the filing).
“By March 13, 2023, WWE had received three additional offers to acquire the entire Company: [redacted] submitted a cash offer at $95-$100 per share, [redacted] submitted a cash offer for $90-$97.50 per share, and [redacted] submitted a cash offer at an implied share price of $76.83,” it noted. “But because these offers all contemplated cashing out WWE stockholders (including McMahon—signaling his complete ouster from the Company and likely the wrestling world), the Board never bothered to make a counterproposal to [redacted].”
Eventually, the suit claims, the process led to the all-stock deal made official in September merging WWE and UFC into Tko Sports, with Endeavor owning 51% of the company and former WWE stockholders owning 49%. “The implied Merger consideration for former WWE stockholders was, at the time, $95.66 per share—which fell below both [redacted] opening all-cash offers,” the suit claims.
The deal saw Endeavor CEO Emanuel installed as Tko’s CEO, with McMahon its executive chairman. Nick Khan, another of the lawsuit’s defendants, was named WWE’s president. Tko Sports began trading September 12 on the NYSE.
Deadline has reached out to Tko Group Holdings for comment on the suit.
The suit, made public Monday in Delaware Chancery Court, asserts breach of fiduciary duty claims against the defendants: seven members of the WWE board that include McMahon and Paul “Triple H” Levesque. It claims the actions of the board led by McMahon orchestrated an eventual deal “designed to favor Endeavor and exclude other bidders seeking [to] axe McMahon.”
Read the shareholder lawsuit here.
McMahon, who was forced out by the board as WWE president and CEO in 2022 amid sexual abuse and harassment allegations an an ensuing investigation, eventually returned with a newly installed board and announced a “strategic review process,” a move that, according to the suit, was McMahon “maneuvering to secure his power and control over the Company in the face of mounting stockholder discontent and government investigations into his illegal predatory behavior.”
The suit added: “McMahon immediately approached his long-time friend and Endeavor CEO Ari Emanuel, whom McMahon knew would allow him to remain at the helm of the post-transaction Company. … Thereafter, the WWE Board—which was controlled by McMahon— conjured up a sham sales process designed to favor Endeavor and exclude other bidders seeking axe McMahon.
The suit said WWE began signing confidentiality agreements with potential bidders on February 6, 2023. “The very next day, Endeavor submitted a proposal to combine Endeavor’s Ultimate Fighting Championship (‘UFC’) subsidiary with WWE in a cash and stock transaction where WWE stockholders would receive consideration equivalent to $88.43 per share.”
The suit claims there were three other suitors for WWE besides Endeavor, two of which submitted higher per-share cash offers (all three names were redacted from the filing).
“By March 13, 2023, WWE had received three additional offers to acquire the entire Company: [redacted] submitted a cash offer at $95-$100 per share, [redacted] submitted a cash offer for $90-$97.50 per share, and [redacted] submitted a cash offer at an implied share price of $76.83,” it noted. “But because these offers all contemplated cashing out WWE stockholders (including McMahon—signaling his complete ouster from the Company and likely the wrestling world), the Board never bothered to make a counterproposal to [redacted].”
Eventually, the suit claims, the process led to the all-stock deal made official in September merging WWE and UFC into Tko Sports, with Endeavor owning 51% of the company and former WWE stockholders owning 49%. “The implied Merger consideration for former WWE stockholders was, at the time, $95.66 per share—which fell below both [redacted] opening all-cash offers,” the suit claims.
The deal saw Endeavor CEO Emanuel installed as Tko’s CEO, with McMahon its executive chairman. Nick Khan, another of the lawsuit’s defendants, was named WWE’s president. Tko Sports began trading September 12 on the NYSE.
Deadline has reached out to Tko Group Holdings for comment on the suit.
- 11/28/2023
- by Patrick Hipes
- Deadline Film + TV
The wrestling promotions major monthly events currently air on Peacock in the US, but could they be on the move?
It was inevitable that things would change once the WWE was acquired by Endeavor, the parent company of mixed-martial arts promotion UFC. With the majority of the wrestling federation’s media rights set to expire over the next few years — beginning in fall 2024 — the company is now exploring a number of alternatives to its current partnerships. In September, it was announced that one of the organization’s flagship weekly events, “WWE Smackdown,” would be moving from Fox to the USA Network. Earlier this week, the WWE announced that its developmental promotion “WWE Nxt” would move from USA to The CW. Now, one wrestling insider is reporting that the WWE’s flagship show “Monday Night Raw” is potentially headed to Disney-owned FX.
WWE has secured TV deals for two of its...
It was inevitable that things would change once the WWE was acquired by Endeavor, the parent company of mixed-martial arts promotion UFC. With the majority of the wrestling federation’s media rights set to expire over the next few years — beginning in fall 2024 — the company is now exploring a number of alternatives to its current partnerships. In September, it was announced that one of the organization’s flagship weekly events, “WWE Smackdown,” would be moving from Fox to the USA Network. Earlier this week, the WWE announced that its developmental promotion “WWE Nxt” would move from USA to The CW. Now, one wrestling insider is reporting that the WWE’s flagship show “Monday Night Raw” is potentially headed to Disney-owned FX.
WWE has secured TV deals for two of its...
- 11/10/2023
- by Jeff Kotuby
- The Streamable
Founded by Vince McMahon, 'World Wrestling Entertainment' ('WWE') will become the official broadcast home to" WWE Nxt" ('Next Generation') in a new 5-year agreement with The CW network, who are ditching their 'Arrowverse' superhero programming for a more muscular approach, beginning October 2024:
"We are thrilled to welcome the 'WWE' brand into the 'CW Sports' portfolio as they play an integral role in our mission to bring live sporting events to the network year round," said Dennis Miller, President, The CW Network.
"WWE Nxt is a perfect fit for The CW thanks to its dynamic young talent featuring the hottest rising stars in the sport and exhilarating, unpredictable weekly events. The passion and engagement of WWE's fanbase is unmatched, and we are eager to grow that audience as WWE Nxt's new home on broadcast television."
"The CW has made impressive moves over the past year with its live sports programming schedule,...
"We are thrilled to welcome the 'WWE' brand into the 'CW Sports' portfolio as they play an integral role in our mission to bring live sporting events to the network year round," said Dennis Miller, President, The CW Network.
"WWE Nxt is a perfect fit for The CW thanks to its dynamic young talent featuring the hottest rising stars in the sport and exhilarating, unpredictable weekly events. The passion and engagement of WWE's fanbase is unmatched, and we are eager to grow that audience as WWE Nxt's new home on broadcast television."
"The CW has made impressive moves over the past year with its live sports programming schedule,...
- 11/9/2023
- by Unknown
- SneakPeek
Updated, Nov. 10: Vince McMahon is cashing out a big chunk of the stock he received from the sale of WWE.
McMahon, the former CEO of WWE, intends to sell 8.4 million shares of Class A common stock in Tko Group Holdings, the company formed by the merger of WWE and UFC, which was engineered by Endeavor (owner of UFC).
Early Friday, Tko announced McMahon’s shares would be priced at $79.80 per share, making the stock sale worth $670.3 million. McMahon “will receive all of the net proceeds from this offering,” Tko said in a filing Thursday with the SEC. The stock he’s selling represents about 30% of the 28 million shares McMahon previously owned in Tko, per a regulatory filing.
Tko said it would repurchase approximately $100 million of shares of its Class A common stock from the underwriters in the stock sale by McMahon.
McMahon, who has the role of executive chairman of Tko Group,...
McMahon, the former CEO of WWE, intends to sell 8.4 million shares of Class A common stock in Tko Group Holdings, the company formed by the merger of WWE and UFC, which was engineered by Endeavor (owner of UFC).
Early Friday, Tko announced McMahon’s shares would be priced at $79.80 per share, making the stock sale worth $670.3 million. McMahon “will receive all of the net proceeds from this offering,” Tko said in a filing Thursday with the SEC. The stock he’s selling represents about 30% of the 28 million shares McMahon previously owned in Tko, per a regulatory filing.
Tko said it would repurchase approximately $100 million of shares of its Class A common stock from the underwriters in the stock sale by McMahon.
McMahon, who has the role of executive chairman of Tko Group,...
- 11/9/2023
- by Todd Spangler
- Variety Film + TV
The WWE and The CW shocked the wrestling world on Tuesday with news that Nxt — WWE’s developmental brand, — will air its weekly programming on the network starting in October 2024. This marks the first time in its 13-year history that WWE Nxt will air on a broadcast television network, and the first time WWE programming will air on The CW since “Saturday Morning Slam” aired on the network from 2012 to 2013.
WWE Nxt will begin airing on The CW following the end of the current season. Nxt currently airs on the USA Network and will move to a broadcast channel for the first time next October. The WWE is also in the midst of making moves with its flagship properties “Raw” and “Smackdown” as well.
“We are thrilled to welcome the WWE brand into the CW Sports portfolio as they play an integral role in our mission to bring live sporting events to the network year-round,...
WWE Nxt will begin airing on The CW following the end of the current season. Nxt currently airs on the USA Network and will move to a broadcast channel for the first time next October. The WWE is also in the midst of making moves with its flagship properties “Raw” and “Smackdown” as well.
“We are thrilled to welcome the WWE brand into the CW Sports portfolio as they play an integral role in our mission to bring live sporting events to the network year-round,...
- 11/8/2023
- by Jeff Kotuby
- The Streamable
The CW will become the official broadcast home of WWE Nxt in a new five-year deal that will see the showcase for WWE’s up-and-coming stars move from USA Network in October of 2024.
The network will air 52 live weekly events throughout the season, making Nxt the latest addition to the CW’s growing roster of live sports, including Acc football and basketball games airing Saturdays throughout the season, and Liv Golf. The CW is also the new home of weekly studio series Inside the NFL and will broadcast the NASCAR Xfinity Series beginning in 2025. The network said it will soon offer more than 500 hours of sports programming.
Nxt is part of Tko Group, the newly created public company that houses WWE and UFC, and is majority-owned by Endeavor.
WWE renewals have been a bit of musical chairs. In September, Tko announced that WWE and NBCUniversal have agreed to a five-year...
The network will air 52 live weekly events throughout the season, making Nxt the latest addition to the CW’s growing roster of live sports, including Acc football and basketball games airing Saturdays throughout the season, and Liv Golf. The CW is also the new home of weekly studio series Inside the NFL and will broadcast the NASCAR Xfinity Series beginning in 2025. The network said it will soon offer more than 500 hours of sports programming.
Nxt is part of Tko Group, the newly created public company that houses WWE and UFC, and is majority-owned by Endeavor.
WWE renewals have been a bit of musical chairs. In September, Tko announced that WWE and NBCUniversal have agreed to a five-year...
- 11/7/2023
- by Jill Goldsmith
- Deadline Film + TV
The CW is set to air the upcoming wrestling program “WWE Nxt” under a new five-year agreement with the networks.
“WWE Nxt,” which is set to showcase WWE’s rising talent, will make its debut on The CW in October 2024 and will air 52 live weekly events throughout the season.
“We are thrilled to welcome the WWE brand into The CW Sports portfolio as they play an integral role in our mission to bring live sporting events to the network year-round,” The CW president Dennis Miller said in a statement. “’WWE Nxt’ is a perfect fit for The CW thanks to its dynamic young talent featuring the hottest rising stars in the sport and exhilarating, unpredictable weekly events. The passion and engagement of WWE’s fanbase is unmatched, and we are eager to grow that audience as ‘WWE Nxt’s’ new home on broadcast television.”
“WWE Nxt,” which launched in 2012 and was airing on USA Network,...
“WWE Nxt,” which is set to showcase WWE’s rising talent, will make its debut on The CW in October 2024 and will air 52 live weekly events throughout the season.
“We are thrilled to welcome the WWE brand into The CW Sports portfolio as they play an integral role in our mission to bring live sporting events to the network year-round,” The CW president Dennis Miller said in a statement. “’WWE Nxt’ is a perfect fit for The CW thanks to its dynamic young talent featuring the hottest rising stars in the sport and exhilarating, unpredictable weekly events. The passion and engagement of WWE’s fanbase is unmatched, and we are eager to grow that audience as ‘WWE Nxt’s’ new home on broadcast television.”
“WWE Nxt,” which launched in 2012 and was airing on USA Network,...
- 11/7/2023
- by Raquel 'Rocky' Harris
- The Wrap
WWE’s weekly Nxt show is heading to The CW.
Nxt, which serves as a showcase for WWE’s developmental talent, currently airs on USA Network but will move to CW in October 2024 in a new five-year deal. A source close to the deal pegged the value of the deal to WWE at about $20 million-$25 million a year.
Nxt will air weekly throughout the year on CW, marking the first time the show has aired on broadcast television since it launched its weekly format in 2012.
“Between the new leadership and ownership, the economics of the deal and with their broadcast network now being in over 100 million homes, it became a no brainer to move Nxt, one of our signature weekly shows, to the CW,” said Nick Khan, president of WWE.
Nxt is the brainchild of Paul “Triple H” Levesque, who now serves as WWE’s chief content officer. The show...
Nxt, which serves as a showcase for WWE’s developmental talent, currently airs on USA Network but will move to CW in October 2024 in a new five-year deal. A source close to the deal pegged the value of the deal to WWE at about $20 million-$25 million a year.
Nxt will air weekly throughout the year on CW, marking the first time the show has aired on broadcast television since it launched its weekly format in 2012.
“Between the new leadership and ownership, the economics of the deal and with their broadcast network now being in over 100 million homes, it became a no brainer to move Nxt, one of our signature weekly shows, to the CW,” said Nick Khan, president of WWE.
Nxt is the brainchild of Paul “Triple H” Levesque, who now serves as WWE’s chief content officer. The show...
- 11/7/2023
- by Joe Otterson
- Variety Film + TV
After five years on Fox, Friday Night SmackDown is returning to the USA Network. In October 2024, SmackDown will leave Fox as part of a new deal with NBCUniversal. It also includes WWE producing four annual specials for NBC and serves as the first time WWE content will air during NBC‘s primetime slot. “NBCUniversal has been a tremendous partner of WWE for decades,” WWE President Nick Khan said in a statement. “We are excited to extend this longstanding relationship by bringing SmackDown to USA Network on Friday nights and look forward to debuting multiple WWE special events annually on NBC.” NBCUniversal Entertainment Chairman Frances Berwick added: “It’s a privilege and thrill to continue NBCU’s decades-long partnership with WWE, which has helped cement USA Network’s consistent position as the top-rated cable entertainment network in live viewership. With Friday nights on USA, primetime specials on NBC, and the WWE hub on Peacock,...
- 9/21/2023
- TV Insider
The Tko Holdings era of WWE is off to a raucous start with the news that “WWE Friday Night SmackDown” is headed to the USA Network in October 2024. “Monday Night Raw” and “Nxt” will remain on the NBCUniversal cable channel through September 2024, but rumor has it that both properties will leave USA at that time for another yet-unknown destination.
The “SmackDown” deal is for five years and includes the weekly episodic wrestling program along with four primetime specials per year that will air on NBC, a first for the network. While no financial information was provided at this time, pundits believe the deal will run NBCU about $1.4 billion, an increase when compared to the deal WWE got from Fox.
Sign Up $5.99+ / month peacocktv.com
“NBCUniversal has been a tremendous partner of WWE for decades,” WWE President Nick Khan said. “We are excited to extend this longstanding relationship by bringing SmackDown...
The “SmackDown” deal is for five years and includes the weekly episodic wrestling program along with four primetime specials per year that will air on NBC, a first for the network. While no financial information was provided at this time, pundits believe the deal will run NBCU about $1.4 billion, an increase when compared to the deal WWE got from Fox.
Sign Up $5.99+ / month peacocktv.com
“NBCUniversal has been a tremendous partner of WWE for decades,” WWE President Nick Khan said. “We are excited to extend this longstanding relationship by bringing SmackDown...
- 9/21/2023
- by Jeff Kotuby
- The Streamable
After a five-year run on broadcast TV, Friday Night SmackDown is returning to basic cable.
SmackDown is returning to USA Network in October 2024, it was revealed Thursday morning.
Interestingly, WWE will also make four specials that will be reserved for NBC every year.
"NBCUniversal has been a tremendous partner of WWE for decades," WWE President Nick Khan said in a statement Thursday.
"We are excited to extend this longstanding relationship by bringing SmackDown to USA Network on Friday nights and look forward to debuting multiple WWE special events annually on NBC."
Added NBCUniversal Entertainment Chairman Frances Berwick: "It's a privilege and thrill to continue NBCU's decades-long partnership with WWE, which has helped cement USA Network's consistent position as the top-rated cable entertainment network in live viewership."
"With Friday nights on USA, primetime specials on NBC, and the WWE hub on Peacock, we'll continue to use the power of our...
SmackDown is returning to USA Network in October 2024, it was revealed Thursday morning.
Interestingly, WWE will also make four specials that will be reserved for NBC every year.
"NBCUniversal has been a tremendous partner of WWE for decades," WWE President Nick Khan said in a statement Thursday.
"We are excited to extend this longstanding relationship by bringing SmackDown to USA Network on Friday nights and look forward to debuting multiple WWE special events annually on NBC."
Added NBCUniversal Entertainment Chairman Frances Berwick: "It's a privilege and thrill to continue NBCU's decades-long partnership with WWE, which has helped cement USA Network's consistent position as the top-rated cable entertainment network in live viewership."
"With Friday nights on USA, primetime specials on NBC, and the WWE hub on Peacock, we'll continue to use the power of our...
- 9/21/2023
- by Paul Dailly
- TVfanatic
WWE’s “SmackDown” is officially set to return to USA Network in a new five-year rights deal.
The weekly show currently airs on Fox but will move to its new network home in October 2024 when the Fox deal expires. “Smackdown” originally began airing on Fox in 2019 as part of a five-year deal between the network and WWE. It had previously aired on USA Network from 2016-2019 and had a number of network homes before that, including Syfy, The CW, Upn, and MyNetworkTV.
Financial terms of the deal were not disclosed, but sources say the new deal is worth roughly $1.4 billion, up from the $1 billion Fox paid in 2019. As part of the new deal for “Smackdown,” WWE will produce four primetime specials per year for NBC, marking the first time that WWE will air in primetime on the network. It is unknown at this time exactly what form those primetime specials will take,...
The weekly show currently airs on Fox but will move to its new network home in October 2024 when the Fox deal expires. “Smackdown” originally began airing on Fox in 2019 as part of a five-year deal between the network and WWE. It had previously aired on USA Network from 2016-2019 and had a number of network homes before that, including Syfy, The CW, Upn, and MyNetworkTV.
Financial terms of the deal were not disclosed, but sources say the new deal is worth roughly $1.4 billion, up from the $1 billion Fox paid in 2019. As part of the new deal for “Smackdown,” WWE will produce four primetime specials per year for NBC, marking the first time that WWE will air in primetime on the network. It is unknown at this time exactly what form those primetime specials will take,...
- 9/21/2023
- by Joe Otterson
- Variety Film + TV
Friday Night SmackDown is headed back to basic cable.
Following a five-year stint at Fox, SmackDown will return to USA Network in October 2024. As part of a newly struck deal with NBCUniversal, WWE will also produce four annual specials for NBC, marking the first time WWE content will air as part of NBC’s primetime slate.
More from TVLineSofia Vergara's Griselda Sets January Release at Netflix - Watch First TrailerTVLine Items: Slow Horses Return Date, Duplass Brothers Doc Trailer and MoreThe Irrational Review: Jesse L. Martin Plays Mind Games in NBC's Stubbornly Mediocre Procedural
“NBCUniversal has been a tremendous partner of WWE for decades,...
Following a five-year stint at Fox, SmackDown will return to USA Network in October 2024. As part of a newly struck deal with NBCUniversal, WWE will also produce four annual specials for NBC, marking the first time WWE content will air as part of NBC’s primetime slate.
More from TVLineSofia Vergara's Griselda Sets January Release at Netflix - Watch First TrailerTVLine Items: Slow Horses Return Date, Duplass Brothers Doc Trailer and MoreThe Irrational Review: Jesse L. Martin Plays Mind Games in NBC's Stubbornly Mediocre Procedural
“NBCUniversal has been a tremendous partner of WWE for decades,...
- 9/21/2023
- by Ryan Schwartz
- TVLine.com
WWE, part of the newly created Tko Group, and NBCUniversal have agreed to a five-year domestic media rights deal that will bring Friday Night SmackDown to USA Network starting in Oct. 2024, exiting its current home on Fox.
WWE will also produce four specials a year for NBC primetime.
Raw, the top-rated flagship property that also airs Mondays on USA Network, is not part of this deal. Today’s announcement noted that USA Networks “is currently home to WWE Monday Night Raw and WWE Nxt, “which will continue to air on USA Network through September of 2024.” A number of players are said to be circling Raw.
Financial terms weren’t disclosed but Mark Shapiro, president and chief operating officer of WWE parents Tko Group and Endeavor, said recently when asked about negotiations that he expected results “in line with market expectations.” That could mean about a 40% bump from the previous SmackDown deal,...
WWE will also produce four specials a year for NBC primetime.
Raw, the top-rated flagship property that also airs Mondays on USA Network, is not part of this deal. Today’s announcement noted that USA Networks “is currently home to WWE Monday Night Raw and WWE Nxt, “which will continue to air on USA Network through September of 2024.” A number of players are said to be circling Raw.
Financial terms weren’t disclosed but Mark Shapiro, president and chief operating officer of WWE parents Tko Group and Endeavor, said recently when asked about negotiations that he expected results “in line with market expectations.” That could mean about a 40% bump from the previous SmackDown deal,...
- 9/21/2023
- by Jill Goldsmith
- Deadline Film + TV
A number of layoffs of WWE office staff took place Friday, TheWrap has learned.
There were more than 100 WWE employees reportedly let go Friday, industry news outlet PWInsider reports, out of approximately 800 overall. The news comes following WWE and UFC merging to become Tko Group Holdings, under new parent company Endeavor. That deal closed earlier this week.
The layoffs did not include any of the wrestlers themselves, who are also generally classified as independent contractors. Layoffs were expected, as with most mergers. That’s due to both cost-cutting and to people at both companies in similar roles no longer having a place in the new corporate structure.
WWE declined TheWrap’s request for comment. We have reached out to Tko for comment.
Those laid off include Dana Warrior, wife of the late wrestler Ultimate Warrior, according to PWInsider. She served as a WWE public ambassador and previously worked on the company’s creative team.
There were more than 100 WWE employees reportedly let go Friday, industry news outlet PWInsider reports, out of approximately 800 overall. The news comes following WWE and UFC merging to become Tko Group Holdings, under new parent company Endeavor. That deal closed earlier this week.
The layoffs did not include any of the wrestlers themselves, who are also generally classified as independent contractors. Layoffs were expected, as with most mergers. That’s due to both cost-cutting and to people at both companies in similar roles no longer having a place in the new corporate structure.
WWE declined TheWrap’s request for comment. We have reached out to Tko for comment.
Those laid off include Dana Warrior, wife of the late wrestler Ultimate Warrior, according to PWInsider. She served as a WWE public ambassador and previously worked on the company’s creative team.
- 9/15/2023
- by Mike Roe
- The Wrap
The marriage of UFC and WWE is complete: Endeavor and WWE announced the close of their deal to create Tko Group Holdings, merging the wrestling entertainment company and Mma leader UFC.
The hope is that by tag-teaming as a unified force, UFC and WWE together will become stronger than they could be separately. Tko together boasts more than 1 billion fans around the world, reaching viewers in 180 countries, and producing more than 350 annual live events. The company’s new website is at tkogrp.com.
Shares in Tko will begin trading Tuesday (Sept. 12) on the New York Stock Exchange under the ticker symbol “Tko.” Endeavor holds a 51% controlling interest in the new company and existing WWE shareholders hold a 49% interest on a fully diluted basis. With the launch of Tko, WWE shares will cease trading on the NYSE; WWE closed up 2.7% Monday, to $100.65/share. The price of Tko shares is pegged to WWE’s stock price,...
The hope is that by tag-teaming as a unified force, UFC and WWE together will become stronger than they could be separately. Tko together boasts more than 1 billion fans around the world, reaching viewers in 180 countries, and producing more than 350 annual live events. The company’s new website is at tkogrp.com.
Shares in Tko will begin trading Tuesday (Sept. 12) on the New York Stock Exchange under the ticker symbol “Tko.” Endeavor holds a 51% controlling interest in the new company and existing WWE shareholders hold a 49% interest on a fully diluted basis. With the launch of Tko, WWE shares will cease trading on the NYSE; WWE closed up 2.7% Monday, to $100.65/share. The price of Tko shares is pegged to WWE’s stock price,...
- 9/12/2023
- by Todd Spangler
- Variety Film + TV
Endeavor Group Holdings’ mixed martial arts promotion UFC and the sports entertainment powerhouse WWE are now officially a tag team, closing a mega-combination that they had unveiled in early April.
“We’re ready to fire out of the gate,” says Mark Shapiro, Endeavor’s president and COO, who will hold the same title at the combined company, Tko Group. With the companies combined, Endeavor and its leadership team will “now have a much stronger and firmer seat at the table. But our first mission is to fully capitalize on this insatiable demand for premium content and live events.”
The new, publicly listed company, whose stock will be trading on the New York Stock Exchange, consists of two “iconic, complementary” global sports and entertainment brands, UFC and WWE, and is officially called Tko Group Holdings. Its ticker symbol, Tko, is also a reference to the short version of the term “technical...
“We’re ready to fire out of the gate,” says Mark Shapiro, Endeavor’s president and COO, who will hold the same title at the combined company, Tko Group. With the companies combined, Endeavor and its leadership team will “now have a much stronger and firmer seat at the table. But our first mission is to fully capitalize on this insatiable demand for premium content and live events.”
The new, publicly listed company, whose stock will be trading on the New York Stock Exchange, consists of two “iconic, complementary” global sports and entertainment brands, UFC and WWE, and is officially called Tko Group Holdings. Its ticker symbol, Tko, is also a reference to the short version of the term “technical...
- 9/12/2023
- by Georg Szalai and Alex Weprin
- The Hollywood Reporter - Movie News
UFC, the mixed martial arts powerhouse, has officially tied the knot with Vince McMahon’s professional wresting juggernaut WWE, creating a new company called Tko Group that started trading on the New York Stock Exchange today.
Execs from both sides rang the NYSE opening bell to celebrate “a new premium sports and entertainment company serving more than one billion young and diverse fans, reaching viewers in 180 countries, and producing more than 350 annual live events,” according to UFC parent Endeavor, which is banking on new content, international expansion and an easy-to-understand investment thesis for Wall Street.
The deal was announced before market open this morning. Tko Group Holding shares are up 0.78% at $101.44 in mid-morning trade, off their highs but bucking a ho-hum market
It’s an epic moment as McMahon, who built the company his father founded into a powehouse and has been the face of WWE for decades, as well as its biggest shareholder,...
Execs from both sides rang the NYSE opening bell to celebrate “a new premium sports and entertainment company serving more than one billion young and diverse fans, reaching viewers in 180 countries, and producing more than 350 annual live events,” according to UFC parent Endeavor, which is banking on new content, international expansion and an easy-to-understand investment thesis for Wall Street.
The deal was announced before market open this morning. Tko Group Holding shares are up 0.78% at $101.44 in mid-morning trade, off their highs but bucking a ho-hum market
It’s an epic moment as McMahon, who built the company his father founded into a powehouse and has been the face of WWE for decades, as well as its biggest shareholder,...
- 9/12/2023
- by Jill Goldsmith
- Deadline Film + TV
UFC and WWE are about to make their marriage official.
Endeavor Group Holdings and World Wrestling Entertainment said Thursday that the combination of UFC and WWE will be completed next week.
The two organizations will together form Tko Group Holdings, which will trade on the New York Stock Exchange under the ticker symbol “Tko,” on Tuesday.
The deal, which was announced in April, values UFC at $12.1 billion and WWE at $9.3 billion. Endeavor will hold a 51% controlling interest in the new company and existing WWE shareholders will hold a 49% interest in the new company.
WWE shares, which traders have been viewing as a proxy for the new stock, slipped 7 cents in morning trading, to $100.28, up 12% since the deal was revealed.
Endeavor shares added 30 cents to $21.81 as the broader market dipped. The stock is down 3% since the April announcement.
The move will mark the end of WWE’s status as a family-operated business,...
Endeavor Group Holdings and World Wrestling Entertainment said Thursday that the combination of UFC and WWE will be completed next week.
The two organizations will together form Tko Group Holdings, which will trade on the New York Stock Exchange under the ticker symbol “Tko,” on Tuesday.
The deal, which was announced in April, values UFC at $12.1 billion and WWE at $9.3 billion. Endeavor will hold a 51% controlling interest in the new company and existing WWE shareholders will hold a 49% interest in the new company.
WWE shares, which traders have been viewing as a proxy for the new stock, slipped 7 cents in morning trading, to $100.28, up 12% since the deal was revealed.
Endeavor shares added 30 cents to $21.81 as the broader market dipped. The stock is down 3% since the April announcement.
The move will mark the end of WWE’s status as a family-operated business,...
- 9/7/2023
- by Eileen AJ Connelly
- The Wrap
UFC parent Endeavor Group and World Wrestling Entertainment said today they expect to close the planned merger of UFC and WWE on September 12. That’s on the earlier end of expectations as Endeavor said in August it expected the deal to close in mid-to-late September.
Endeavor and WWE announced a deal last spring for the Ari Emanuel-led company to take control of WWE and merge it into a new, stand-alone entity with UFC. The professional wrestling and mixed martial arts powerhouse will be called Tko Group Holdings and trade on the New York Stock Exchange. Valued at $21 billion, Tko will be a subsidiary of Endeavor, with 51% control. WWE will control 49%.
Emanuel will be CEO. Dana White will continue as president of UFC.
Vince McMahon, WWE’s longtime leader, executive chairman and major shareholder, who orchestrated the deal with Endeavor, was set as executive chair of the new company’s board.
Endeavor and WWE announced a deal last spring for the Ari Emanuel-led company to take control of WWE and merge it into a new, stand-alone entity with UFC. The professional wrestling and mixed martial arts powerhouse will be called Tko Group Holdings and trade on the New York Stock Exchange. Valued at $21 billion, Tko will be a subsidiary of Endeavor, with 51% control. WWE will control 49%.
Emanuel will be CEO. Dana White will continue as president of UFC.
Vince McMahon, WWE’s longtime leader, executive chairman and major shareholder, who orchestrated the deal with Endeavor, was set as executive chair of the new company’s board.
- 9/7/2023
- by Jill Goldsmith
- Deadline Film + TV
WWE executive chairman Vince McMahon has expressed confidence that a new federal investigation into misconduct allegations against him will be “resolved without any findings of wrongdoing.”
On July 17, federal law enforcement executed a search warrant and served a federal grand jury subpoena on McMahon to investigate the allegations, the company revealed in a Securities and Exchange Commission filing on Wednesday.
WWE said in the filing that it received “voluntary and compulsory legal demands for documents, including from federal law enforcement and regulatory agencies, concerning the investigation and related subject matters.”
According to the filing, no charges have been brought in the federal government’s investigations. McMahon is currently out on a medical leave of absence “until further notice” following a major spinal surgery, the filing adds.
“Throughout this experience, I have always denied any intentional wrongdoing and continue to do so,” McMahon said. “I am focused on completing the recovery...
On July 17, federal law enforcement executed a search warrant and served a federal grand jury subpoena on McMahon to investigate the allegations, the company revealed in a Securities and Exchange Commission filing on Wednesday.
WWE said in the filing that it received “voluntary and compulsory legal demands for documents, including from federal law enforcement and regulatory agencies, concerning the investigation and related subject matters.”
According to the filing, no charges have been brought in the federal government’s investigations. McMahon is currently out on a medical leave of absence “until further notice” following a major spinal surgery, the filing adds.
“Throughout this experience, I have always denied any intentional wrongdoing and continue to do so,” McMahon said. “I am focused on completing the recovery...
- 8/2/2023
- by Lucas Manfredi
- The Wrap
Updated with statements, 10:30 Am: In dual statements issued later in the day, Vince McMahon said he is “confident” the government’s investigation will not find wrongdoing. WWE said it fully understands and respects the government’s need for a complete process.”
McMahon statement: “In 2022, WWE formed a special committee to review allegations of misconduct against me. That review was concluded in November 2022 following an extensive investigation. Throughout this experience, I have always denied any intentional wrongdoing and continue to do so. I am confident that the government’s investigation will be resolved without any findings of wrongdoing. I am focused on completing the recovery process from my recent spinal surgery and on closing our transaction with Endeavor, which will create one of the preeminent global sports and entertainment brands.”
WWE statement: “We believe this is a continuation of the investigation that commenced last summer. WWE has cooperated throughout and...
McMahon statement: “In 2022, WWE formed a special committee to review allegations of misconduct against me. That review was concluded in November 2022 following an extensive investigation. Throughout this experience, I have always denied any intentional wrongdoing and continue to do so. I am confident that the government’s investigation will be resolved without any findings of wrongdoing. I am focused on completing the recovery process from my recent spinal surgery and on closing our transaction with Endeavor, which will create one of the preeminent global sports and entertainment brands.”
WWE statement: “We believe this is a continuation of the investigation that commenced last summer. WWE has cooperated throughout and...
- 8/2/2023
- by Jill Goldsmith
- Deadline Film + TV
WWE executive chairman Vince McMahon is going on leave, right as the company looks to close its blockbuster merger with the UFC. At the same time, McMahon is facing continued scrutiny over the alleged hush money payments that were the focal point of an internal investigation led by the company’s board last year.
In the WWE’s 10-q filing Wednesday morning, the company disclosed in a footnote that “on July 17, 2023, federal law enforcement agents executed a search warrant and served a federal grand jury subpoena on Mr. McMahon. No charges have been brought in these investigations.”
The company had previously said that it had received requests for documents and other information from regulators and law enforcement, and that it was cooperating with those requests. However, a search warrant suggests that the investigation is ongoing and active.
Also in a footnote Wednesday, the company disclosed that McMahon, who rejoined the...
In the WWE’s 10-q filing Wednesday morning, the company disclosed in a footnote that “on July 17, 2023, federal law enforcement agents executed a search warrant and served a federal grand jury subpoena on Mr. McMahon. No charges have been brought in these investigations.”
The company had previously said that it had received requests for documents and other information from regulators and law enforcement, and that it was cooperating with those requests. However, a search warrant suggests that the investigation is ongoing and active.
Also in a footnote Wednesday, the company disclosed that McMahon, who rejoined the...
- 8/2/2023
- by Alex Weprin
- The Hollywood Reporter - Movie News
WWE reported mixed quarterly results for the second quarter of 2023 Wednesday with net income of $52 million, or 67 cents per share, on revenue of $410.3 million. Analysts surveyed by Zacks Investment Research were expecting earnings of 93 cents per share on revenue of $398.5 million.
Revenue in the sports entertainment company’s media division grew 32% year over year to $320.3 million, including $80.1 million in network revenue, $154.8 million in core content rights fees, $18.9 million in advertising and sponsorship revenue and $66.5 million in “other” media revenue.
The live events segment’s total revenue increased 51% year over year to $62 million. There were 53 total ticketed live events in the current quarter, consisting of 43 events in North America and 10 events in international markets. Average attendance at the company’s North American events was approximately 9,900. WrestleMania 39, which aired in April, broke viewership and sales records for the event, with gate revenue exceeding $21.6 million, sponsorship revenue exceeding $20 million and merchandise sales up by 20% from the previous year.
Revenue in the sports entertainment company’s media division grew 32% year over year to $320.3 million, including $80.1 million in network revenue, $154.8 million in core content rights fees, $18.9 million in advertising and sponsorship revenue and $66.5 million in “other” media revenue.
The live events segment’s total revenue increased 51% year over year to $62 million. There were 53 total ticketed live events in the current quarter, consisting of 43 events in North America and 10 events in international markets. Average attendance at the company’s North American events was approximately 9,900. WrestleMania 39, which aired in April, broke viewership and sales records for the event, with gate revenue exceeding $21.6 million, sponsorship revenue exceeding $20 million and merchandise sales up by 20% from the previous year.
- 8/2/2023
- by Lucas Manfredi
- The Wrap
Sports entertainment powerhouse WWE, which has agreed to merge with Endeavor’s UFC to create a live sports and entertainment titan, reported higher second-quarter earnings and record revenue on Wednesday, exceeding Wall Street expectations for several financial metrics. The performance was powered by a record-breaking WrestleMania in early April, as well as higher viewership and live events ticket sales.
WWE’s latest edition of its big annual event, the two-night WrestleMania 39 in Los Angeles, on April 1 and 2, broke various records. The company previously said it was the highest-grossing WrestleMania in WWE history, breaking records in viewership, gate, sponsorship, merchandise, and social media presence. For example, WrestleMania 39’s gate revenue exceeded $21.6 million, with sponsorship revenue exceeding $20 million and merchandise sales up by 20 percent from the previous year’s record.
Each WWE premium live event (WrestleMania, Backlash and Night of Champions) in the latest quarter “set global unique viewership records, with year-over-year increases of 29 percent,...
WWE’s latest edition of its big annual event, the two-night WrestleMania 39 in Los Angeles, on April 1 and 2, broke various records. The company previously said it was the highest-grossing WrestleMania in WWE history, breaking records in viewership, gate, sponsorship, merchandise, and social media presence. For example, WrestleMania 39’s gate revenue exceeded $21.6 million, with sponsorship revenue exceeding $20 million and merchandise sales up by 20 percent from the previous year’s record.
Each WWE premium live event (WrestleMania, Backlash and Night of Champions) in the latest quarter “set global unique viewership records, with year-over-year increases of 29 percent,...
- 8/2/2023
- by Georg Szalai
- The Hollywood Reporter - Movie News
After WWE’s exclusive negotiating window with current broadcast partners Fox and NBCUniversal closed without a deal recently, another potential suitor is reportedly circling the sports entertainment goliath.
According to the New York Post's Andrew Marchand, while NBCU and Fox remain the favorites for WWE’s “Monday Night Raw” and “Friday Night Smackdown,” respectively, a new suitor is angling to swoop in and take some wrestling content for themselves — Disney, and specifically its cable network FX. Disney acquired FX during its purchase of 21st Century Fox back in 2019, so it no longer has any connection to Fox as a broadcast entity, despite the name.
FX has dabbled with live sports content in recent months due to scripted programming leaving the network and heading to streaming services. The network aired live XFL football games and could now be in play to air one of WWE’s flagship programs should they look to jump ship.
According to the New York Post's Andrew Marchand, while NBCU and Fox remain the favorites for WWE’s “Monday Night Raw” and “Friday Night Smackdown,” respectively, a new suitor is angling to swoop in and take some wrestling content for themselves — Disney, and specifically its cable network FX. Disney acquired FX during its purchase of 21st Century Fox back in 2019, so it no longer has any connection to Fox as a broadcast entity, despite the name.
FX has dabbled with live sports content in recent months due to scripted programming leaving the network and heading to streaming services. The network aired live XFL football games and could now be in play to air one of WWE’s flagship programs should they look to jump ship.
- 6/13/2023
- by Jeff Kotuby
- The Streamable
Sports entertainment powerhouse WWE, which is planning to merge with Endeavor’s UFC, has been touting positive TV ratings trends and strong ticket sales for its live events. Now, a new data point shows that the number of Americans aged 8 and over who are identifying as WWE fans has also continued to grow.
In 2022, that figure hit 89.9 million, according to the Ssrs/Luker on Trends Sports Poll, a new record for WWE and an increase of 4.8 million over its previous high of 85.1 million, reached in 2021. The research firm’s core poll results are representative of the U.S. population aged 12 and older, and more than 500,000 Americans have been interviewed for it over 25 years. In addition, its Sports Poll Kids study is conducted with 1,200 kids ages 8-11.
“More people identify themselves as WWE fans now than at any time in the history of the research, which dates back to 1994,” WWE claimed.
In 2022, that figure hit 89.9 million, according to the Ssrs/Luker on Trends Sports Poll, a new record for WWE and an increase of 4.8 million over its previous high of 85.1 million, reached in 2021. The research firm’s core poll results are representative of the U.S. population aged 12 and older, and more than 500,000 Americans have been interviewed for it over 25 years. In addition, its Sports Poll Kids study is conducted with 1,200 kids ages 8-11.
“More people identify themselves as WWE fans now than at any time in the history of the research, which dates back to 1994,” WWE claimed.
- 6/8/2023
- by Georg Szalai
- The Hollywood Reporter - Movie News
The new, publicly traded company to be created by the planned merger of UFC and WWE will be called Tko Group Holdings, a reference to “technical knockout” in fighting sports. Wrestling also has a “total knock out” move.
Sources close to Endeavor confirmed the name. It’s not a huge surprise, the previously announced ticker symbol is Tko. The company will trade on the New York Stock Exchange.
Endeavor and WWE announced the deal in early April. It calls for Ari Emanuel, chief executive of UFC parent Endeavor, to be CEO of the merged entity and for Vince McMahon, WWE’s controlling shareholder and longtime chief, to serve as executive chairman.
WWE CEO Nick Khan and UFC chief Dana White will serve as presidents of, respectively, WWE and UFC.
The WWE professional wrestling circuit has proven one of the most reliable ratings draws in an era of fragmentation, and is...
Sources close to Endeavor confirmed the name. It’s not a huge surprise, the previously announced ticker symbol is Tko. The company will trade on the New York Stock Exchange.
Endeavor and WWE announced the deal in early April. It calls for Ari Emanuel, chief executive of UFC parent Endeavor, to be CEO of the merged entity and for Vince McMahon, WWE’s controlling shareholder and longtime chief, to serve as executive chairman.
WWE CEO Nick Khan and UFC chief Dana White will serve as presidents of, respectively, WWE and UFC.
The WWE professional wrestling circuit has proven one of the most reliable ratings draws in an era of fragmentation, and is...
- 5/17/2023
- by Jill Goldsmith
- Deadline Film + TV
Endeavor will start making quarterly cash dividend payments of up to $25 million starting in the third quarter, is planning to repurchase up to $300 million worth of shares, and will pay down $50 million more in debt as sees its cash position improving with a big asset sale, and ahead of the planned merger of UFC and WWE.
The company saw a revenue bump to $1.6 for the quarter ended in March (up from from $1.47 billion the year before). Net income dropped (to $36 million from $517 million) on higher costs and expenses, and the sale of Endeavor Content in Jan. of 2022
The company has bought and sold some assets since, announcing two major deals in April — a transformational combination of UFC and WWE to form a new publicly-traded company, and a deal to sell Img Academy for an enterprise value of $1.25 billion, closing soon.
The dividend is Endeavors first since it went public in...
The company saw a revenue bump to $1.6 for the quarter ended in March (up from from $1.47 billion the year before). Net income dropped (to $36 million from $517 million) on higher costs and expenses, and the sale of Endeavor Content in Jan. of 2022
The company has bought and sold some assets since, announcing two major deals in April — a transformational combination of UFC and WWE to form a new publicly-traded company, and a deal to sell Img Academy for an enterprise value of $1.25 billion, closing soon.
The dividend is Endeavors first since it went public in...
- 5/9/2023
- by Jill Goldsmith
- Deadline Film + TV
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