WWE

A union of Endeavor's U.F.C. combat league and World Wrestling Entertainment would increase the combined company's leverage in negotiations with content ...

The W.W.E. The U.F.C. The company is holding its WrestleMania event at SoFi Stadium in Los Angeles this weekend, drawing long-running wrestling stars, including John Cena and Rey Mysterio. programming available on the Fox broadcasting network and NBCUniversal’s U.S.A. streams its matches on ESPN+, the streaming service operated by Disney’s sports division. The deal would be a coda to a tumultuous chapter in the career of W.W.E.’s executive chairman, Vince McMahon, who in January was reinstated in that role after announcing his retirement last year amid allegations of misconduct. league composing 51 percent of the business and W.W.E. currently streams WrestleMania, one of its signature events, on Peacock, the streaming service owned by Comcast. The combination would establish a behemoth in combat entertainment, both real and scripted. McMahon took over the company from his father and built it into a television and live-event juggernaut that draws millions of fans annually. Streaming services like YouTube TV are also paying top dollar for the rights to marquee sporting events, including N.F.L. at more than $9 billion, and U.F.C.

Endeavor Group Holdings is reportedly nearing a deal to acquire Vince McMahon's World Wrestling Entertainment Inc.

“The only way for WWE to fully capitalize on this opportunity is for me to return as Executive Chairman and support the management team in the negotiations for our media rights and to combine that with a review of strategic alternatives.” [WWE](https://variety.com/t/wwe/)) is nearing a deal to be acquired by [Endeavor Group](https://variety.com/t/endeavor-group/) Holdings Inc. Endeavor, the entertainment agency powerhouse led by Ari Emanuel, has a blueprint for incorporating the WWE into its assets. McMahon had exited his WWE leadership role last year amid investigations into sexual misconduct allegations, leaving his daughter, Stephanie McMahon, to take on offices as chairman and co-CEO alongside Nick Khan, who previously served as the company’s president. WWE shares have climbed 33% this year as speculation surrounding an acquisition has mounted. The two-day pay-per-view and streaming extravaganza concludes Sunday evening, with more than 80,000 fans in attendance in Los Angeles.

Endeavor Group Holdings Inc , the parent of the popular UFC mixed martial arts franchise, is in advanced talks to acquire World Wrestling Entertainment Inc ...

His daughter, Stephanie McMahon, resigned as the company's co-CEO and chair less than a week after her father [returned to the board](/lifestyle/sports/wwe-co-ceo-chairwoman-stephanie-mcmahon-steps-down-2023-01-11/). [Deals](/markets/deals/) In January, WWE said it would explore strategic options that could include a sale, shortly after Vince McMahon's return to the company. [Asian Markets](/markets/asia/) Emanuel has worked to transform Endeavor into a sports and entertainment powerhouse, making more than 20 acquisitions. Endeavor shareholders will own 51% of the combined company, while WWE shareholders would get 49%, the sources said.

WWE, which is controlled by Vince McMahon, has spent the past several months looking for a buyer.

[McMahon's father](https://www.wwe.com/superstars/vincemcmahon) founded WWE in its original incarnation during the middle of the 20th century, and McMahon is the controlling shareholder in the company. The elder McMahon recently locked in a [retired from the company](https://www.cnbc.com/2022/07/22/vince-mcmahon-retires-as-chief-of-wwe-amid-probes-into-alleged-misconduct.html) in July following a string of revelations that he paid several women millions of dollars over the years to keep them quiet about alleged affairs and misconduct. The company has spent the past several months looking for a buyer. McMahon has a brash public persona, making him an apparently good match for Emanuel and White, who are also known for their Last year, the MMA league helped Endeavor's sports business make $1.3 billion in revenue. Emanuel is expected to act as chief executive of both Endeavor and the new company. McMahon, likewise, is expected to be executive chairman, while Endeavor President Mark Shapiro will also work in the same role at the new company. Endeavor's market cap stood at about $10.53 billion as of Friday's close. The Endeavor deal gives WWE an enterprise value of $9.3 billion, they said. The development comes during the same weekend WWE hosts its flagship live event, WrestleMania, in California. A deal could be announced as soon as Monday.

03/22 Pro Wrestling Boom Podcast With Jason Powell (Episode 250): Zack Heydorn on his Steve Austin book, WM39, AEW, and more · 03/19 Dot Net Weekly Five-Year ...

Powell’s POV: Emanuel previously indicated that he was not interested in acquiring WWE because Endeavor was still in debt reduction mode. Under new ownership, Vince McMahon is expected to serve as executive chairman, while Nick Khan will be named as president of the wrestling side of the business. The announcement of a WWE sale to Ari Emanuel’s Endeavor Group could be announced as soon as Monday, according to CNBC.com.

WWE CEO Nick Khan would remain president of wrestling operations, while Dana White would continue to over UFC as its president. McMahon stepped away from WWE in ...

That would come one day after WWE concludes the second night of it's massive annual WrestleMania event, which is expected to be the most-attended and largest-grossing even of its kind in history. That deal comes up at the end of 2023, in close proximity to when WWE's television rights deals with NBCUniversal and Fox expire. In 2021, the company bought out the remaining shareholders to take 100% control of the world's largest mixed martial arts brand. My return will allow WWE, as well as any transaction counterparties, to engage in these processes knowing they will have the support of the controlling shareholder." Endeavor/UFC would take a 51% ownership stake with WWE shareholders retaining 49% of the new company. WWE CEO Nick Khan would remain president of wrestling operations, while Dana White would continue to over UFC as its president.

In another match that had the crowd invested, Roman Reigns continued his dominant run. Who can end his reign now? Meanwhile, multiple Match of the Year ...

Going for the spear, Rhodes hit a schoolboy and then the Figure Four, which Reigns reversed. Referee is back in and as Rhodes went for the pin, Reigns kicked out. Cross Rhodes attempted but the Usos hit superkicks and the 1D. Going for the Superman Punch, and Rhodes countered with the Pedigree. Reigns with a jawbreaker and a headbutt, following it up with a few clubbing blows to the back of the head. Attempting to skin the cat again, and Reigns landed a Rock Bottom for two. Rhodes with a kick and a right hand, and a scoop slam, the crowd emoting with every move. Balor kicked Edge into the cage, and Balor dropkicked Edge through a table. Belair lifted her up and landed a powerbomb to the outside. The total for the weekend: 161,892. Outside of the main event, GUNTHER, Sheamus, and Drew McIntyre competed in a Match of the Year candidate for the Intercontinental Title. Future Shock DDT to GUNTHER, and as McIntyre went for a Claymore Kick, GUNTHER hit the powerbomb.

Will Cody Rhodes dethrone the Tribal Chief Roman Reigns? We're about to find out!

It was definitely a match that met the hype and as much as I love Judgement Day, this was the right call to end this feud once and for all. This was the time to finish Cody's story. Of course, it also makes for a more dramatic turn when Cody finally turns the tide and when he hit that Cody Cutter, both the stadium and the press box exploded with excitement. This was the time to introduce something new. This was the time to end Roman's reign. It does a heart good to see Negative 1, the son of the late Brodie Lee, at ringside with Cody's family as a show of support. Still, like most Lesnar matches (and certainly most Omos matches), this was a short and basic fight. That's exactly the kind of playground a master manipulator like Roman loves, as it allows him to bend the rules and get away with it. Ronda and Shayna won by submission (the first of the weekend, so far, unless you count NXT) but there's no telling what that victory will actually mean going forward. Of course, there's still time for that but given this is a Women's Tag Team Showcase match, it felt more like a bout designed to get a bunch of women not in storylines onto the card. The size difference between Brock (known around these parts as Bork Lazer) and Omos is hilarious because the Beast Incarnate is rarely the little guy in the room. Sheamus (WWE Intercontinental Championship)

In a heated match, where The Usos were fended off by Sami Zayn and Kevin Owens, Solo Sikoa—who was kicked out earlier—managed to sneak his way back in to cost ...

The next phase in The Bloodline storyline seemed to be Cody Rhodes finally prevailing over Reigns, and Reigns’ Bloodline crumbling. And with Rhodes in lock-step with WWE’s fanbase since returning from a company he created to oppose them, live crowds unanimously sided with Cody. WWE’s long-term storytelling has been a lynchpin of the new regime, though Vince McMahon remains a wildcard as he seems to be inching closer to a return to creative. Rhodes was also banned from ever challenging for the AEW World Championship due to losing a stipulation match to Chris Jericho. Fans were almost unanimously behind Rhodes at SoFi Stadium, booing Reigns vociferously as Rhodes looked to finish his story in honor of his father the late great Dusty Rhodes. Roman Reigns defeated Cody Rhodes in a shocking finish at WrestleMania 39.

WWE WrestleMania 39 started strong, but Night 2 needed to solidify this as an all-time great show. The talent delivered in big moments once again, making…

But WWE made the decision to not give him everything at The Show of Shows. He had a safe spot in All Elite Wrestling, even though the crowd was not always behind him. The American Nightmare looked at home in that spot on Sunday. It is time to deliver on the promise of the division or fold it completely. The two men needed to pause briefly after an unfortunate injury to the Irishman, who required medical staff to patch him up. The match itself was solid, but it was an acquired taste. WWE made the awkward decision to repeat that spot on Sunday, this time bringing out Shane McMahon. It only got worse on Sunday when McMahon leapfrogged The Miz and injured his knee. Meanwhile, three tag teams fought on Night 2 only to have Ronda Rousey and Shayna Baszler step in at the last moment and steal their thunder. She has been further solidified as the top woman in WWE after this latest victory. Even the arrival of Damage CTRL could not bring new excitement to the titles. Finn Bálor brought back The Demon but could not overcome a motivated Edge.