Tag: WWE

Two Companies Believed To Be In Best Contention For WWE SmackDown Media Rights

WWE is in discussions with various networks regarding the upcoming media rights agreements for Raw and SmackDown, which will expire in 2024 with USA Network and FOX.

The company has ended its exclusive negotiations period with USA and FOX, allowing to remain in talks with them and also talk with other networks.

During Monday’s Wrestling Observer Radio, Dave Meltzer noted that Amazon and Disney are the two primary contenders in bidding for the television rights to SmackDown, as FOX is not interested in bidding to pay WWE $300 million per year for the show.

WWE is seeking a substantial increase in price for both Raw and NXT, with the expectation that these two shows will continue to air on the USA Network.

Source: eWn

WWE-UFC Merger Officially Closes, Endeavor Announces Launch Of TKO Group Holdings

The WWE-UFC merger has officially closed, with Endeavor today announcing the creation of TKO Group Holdings. The new premium sports and entertainment company has now begun trading on the New York Stock Exchange under the “TKO” ticker symbol.

In the official press release, Endeavor and TKO CEO Ari Emanuel described the creation of TKO Group Holdings as an “exciting new chapter for UFC and WWE as leaders in global sports and entertainment,” while TKO’s Executive Chairman Vince McMahon said that “WWE is optimally positioned for future growth and success as part of TKO.” As per the previously agreed terms, Endeavor will hold 51 percent of the controlling interest in TKO, and existing WWE shareholders will hold 49 percent.

Moving forward, Dana White will become Chief Executive Officer of UFC, with Lawrence Epstein retaining his roles as Senior Executive Vice President and Chief Operating Officer of UFC. On the WWE side, Nick Khan will switch positions from WWE CEO to President of WWE.

McMahon, who retired amid several sexual misconduct allegations last summer, returned to WWE in January as Executive Chairman to seek a potential sale of the Stamford, Connecticut-based organization. Following weeks of speculation about possible buyers, it was announced on April 3 that WWE and UFC would be merging under the Endeavor umbrella to form a new sports and entertainment company.

Source: Wrestling Inc.

Matt Riddle Accuses A Police Officer Of Sexually assaulting Him At The Airport On Saturday

WWE has taken the decision to remove Matt Riddle from his scheduled appearances following allegations of sexual harassment made against a police officer at JFK airport in New York City on Sunday.

The accusations were initially made on Instagram, but the post has since been deleted.

According to law enforcement sources, Port Authority officers were alerted to a disorderly person who was disembarking from a plane, later identified as Riddle. Witnesses report that Riddle appeared apologetic during his interaction with the police, and no police report was filed.

Per the report, law enforcement sources told TMZ how Riddle got into contact with the officers. The report states, “Port Authority officers got a call for a disorderly person,” which happened to be Riddle, whom they met in the terminal after he had left the plane. They spoke with Riddle and other witnesses. There was no police report filed and Riddle was able to go without any trouble. Riddle was even said to be “apologetic” for the disorderly situation.

The sources also reportedly told TMZ that “the Port Authority was shocked” by Riddle’s now-deleted claim on Instagram, but the department will still be “taking his claim seriously.” They have started an internal probe.

Matt Riddle was not in attendance at this week’s RAW TV tapings. Additionally, he’s been pulled from all of WWE’s upcoming live events this weekend.

According to a report from Pwinsider, the word making the rounds backstage at RAW is that Riddle was pulled from the shows due to a “medical illness.”

Sources: eWn and Wrestling Inc.

Nia Jax Returns To WWE Last Night On RAW

Nia Jax is back with WWE after making her return to programming during last night’s episode of Monday Night RAW.

This week’s edition of RAW saw WWE Women’s World Champion Rhea Ripley put her title on the line against Raquel Rodriguez, who was pulled off of the ring apron by the returning Jax.

This allowed Ripley to get the win, but the Women’s World Champion was attacked by Jax after the match, with the Irresistible Force standing over Ripley to end the show.

Jax was released from WWE in 2021 and made a one-off appearance for WWE during this year’s Women’s Royal Rumble match.

Fightful Select is reporting that Jax signed with WWE over a month ago after the company’s hiring freeze concluded in the summer.

Jax is WWE’s first main roster signing since Vince McMahon’s return to the company earlier in January.

Endeavor’s acquisition of WWE is unrelated to Nia’s return, and several people in the company expected to see her sooner.

https://twitter.com/WWE/status/1701430957935387108

WWE RAW Preview 9/11/2023

WWE Raw will air live tonight on the USA Network from the Scope Arena in Norfolk, Virginia.

  • Celebration for Gunther, who is now the longest-reigning WWE International Champion
  • WWE Women’s World Championship Match: Rhea Ripley defends against Raquel Rodriguez
  • Cody Rhodes

WWE SmackDown Preview 9/8/2023

WWE SmackDown will air live tonight on FOX from TD Garden in Boston, MA.

  • AJ Styles vs. Jimmy Uso
  • Shotzi and Charlotte Flair vs. Damage CTRL’s Bayley and IYO SKY

WWE Removes Gable Steveson From NXT Roster

There’s a lot of uncertainty around Gable Steveson, who beat Baron Corbin in his in-ring debut at the WWE NXT Great American Bash pay-per-view event.

As previously reported on eWn, Gable withdrew from this month’s Senior World Championships that will take place from September 16 to September 24.

Dave Meltzer reported in the Wrestling Observer Newsletter that Gable is no longer on the NXT roster. 

“Gable Steveson has been officially removed from the NXT roster & there are no plans for him in NXT at this moment,” Meltzer wrote.

Source: eWn

The Dudley Boyz (Team 3D) Have Reportedly Signed WWE Legends Contracts

Fans attending the taping of Impact Wrestling’s 1000th episode this weekend will witness the special reunion of Bully Ray and D-Von, collectively known as Team 3D in Impact (and the Dudley Boyz in WWE). Before they lace up their boots again, a new report shared an interesting tidbit about the team’s relationship with that other company.

Amidst a write-up penned by Sports Illustrated’s Justin Barrasso, it is noted that Bully Ray and D-Von recently inked legends contracts with WWE. The specific terms of those agreements are unknown, but with both men set to reunite at Impact 1000, and Bully still appearing as an active performer in the company, it seems there is at least a little freedom for them to seek work in promotions outside of WWE.

The Dudley Boyz’s last WWE match took place on the SummerSlam 2016 kick-off show as they faced the team of Sami Zayn and Neville. The duo were inducted into the WWE Hall of Fame as a part of the class of 2018.

In the years following their induction, D-Von took a major step back from wrestling as he dealt with some health issues, which included a back surgery, and a stroke that he suffered in 2020. Luckily, D-Von has since bounced back, and is now preparing for his in-ring return as he and Bully take on a pair of mystery opponents at Impact 1000.

Source: Wrestling Inc.

WWE Alumnus General Adnan Passes Away

General Adnan (Abdul Kareem Ahmed Alkaissie El Farthie), best known for his time in WWE, has passed away at the age of 84.

Former announcer Ken Resnick shared the sad news on social media, writing,

“So deeply saddened to learn that my friend of 40 years, the legendary Sheik Adnan Al-Kaissey/Gen. Adnan passed away this morning. May you rest in peace ‘my brother’.”

The details of Adnan’s passing remain unknown at this time.

WWE issued the following statement on Adnan’s passing:

Adnan Al-Kaissie “General Adnan” passes away
WWE is saddened to learn that Adnan Al-Kaissie, known to sports-entertainment fans as Billy White Wolf, Sheik Adnan Al-Kaissy and General Adnan, passed away on Sept. 6 at 84.

Debuting in 1959, Al-Kaissie wrote in his biography that he was born in Baghdad. He had an amateur wrestling career in Iraq and attended Oklahoma State University.

Beginning his career as Adnan Kaissy, he competed for a number of promotions under many names. He was Billy White Wolf in WWE, where he won the WWE World Tag Team Championship in 1976. He later joined WWE again as General Adnan. He was Sheik of Sheiks of Baghdad in New Japan Pro-Wrestling. He was also an in-ring competitor and manager Sheik Adnan El Kaissy in the American Wrestling Association and World Class Championship Wrestling.

He headlined SummerSlam 1991 with Col. Mustafa (The Iron Sheik) and Iraqi sympathizer Sgt. Slaughter against Hulk Hogan and Ultimate Warrior.

Most recently, his General Adnan character appeared in WWE 2K15 and WWE 2K16.

WWE extends its condolences to Adnan Al-Kaissie’s family, friends and fans.

Sgt. Slaughter commented on Adnan’s passing:

WWE-UFC Merger Sets Expected Date To Close Deal, Create TKO Group Holdings

It was revealed last month that the WWE-UFC merger was expected to be finalized by “mid-to-late” September. Endeavor Group Holdings, Inc., UFC’s parent company, and WWE have said today that they expect their previously agreed deal to form a new sports and entertainment company, TKO Group Holdings, Inc., to close on September 12. TKO will begin trading on the New York Stock Exchange once the transaction is complete.

It was announced on April 3 — the day after WrestleMania 39 had concluded at SoFi Stadium in Los Angeles, California — that WWE and UFC would be merging under the Endeavor umbrella to create a company. 

Ari Emanuel, Endeavor’s CEO, and Vince McMahon, WWE’s Executive Chairman, discussed the deal with CNBC after it had been announced. McMahon said that the newly formed organization would become “a $21+ billion live sports and entertainment powerhouse.”

According to the agreement, McMahon is set to become the Executive Chairman of the new organization, while Nick Khan and Dana White will retain their respective roles as CEO of WWE and President of UFC. Emanuel will become CEO of TKO.

It was recently reported that there was a sense of “doom and gloom” among WWE employees regarding the impending WWE-UFC merger. It’s said that many are worried about potential cuts once the deal closes.

Source: Wrestling Inc.