More on WWE’s Sale to Endeavor – Backstage Reaction, Reason for Sale Decision, More News

Apr 4, 2023

Backstage Reaction & Reason for Sale to Endeavor

As noted before, WWE announced on Monday that they have entered an agreement to sell their company to Endeavor, who is the parent company of UFC. As part of the terms of the deal, WWE and UFC will be merging into a new company valued at over $21 billion.

Fightful Select reported that their sources stated that WWE’s looming deal with Endeavor did not play any role in WWE officials’ decision for Roman Reigns to retain his Undisputed WWE Universal Championship over Cody Rhodes at WrestleMania 39.

It was reported that the speculation within WWE was that Vince McMahon had found a buyer who would keep him involved or re-integrate him into the company had he chosen to do so. This reportedly would have gone against McMahon’s past comments about him being willing to step away from WWE if needed in order to facilitate a sale deal. Those spoken to from several rumored interested buyers reportedly stated that Vince’s continued involvement in WWE was seen as a hurdle to a potential sale.

Sources spoken to within WWE stated that a major part of the deal with Endeavor was due to the company’s current desire to expand internationally. WWE’s desire to increase their international television rights, site fees, and other similar stuff reportedly was also a major factor in this decision. In regards to domestic rights deals, it was reported that WWE is currently seeking to increase their rate card since they feel they should be earning even more money from their television deals.

In regards to Nick Khan’s recent comments about WWE being interested in potentially returning to their old pay-per-view events model, those spoken to reportedly stated that this is something that WWE is currently not planning to do for at least the time being. Those spoken to reportedly also stated that while anything is possible, it would have to be a deal so huge that they could not turn down in order to be on board with the plan.

Those spoken to within WWE reportedly also stated that it was not an accident that the company had slowed down their new hirings in recent months to an almost complete halt. In regards to potential layoffs and roster cuts looming, it was reported that those spoken to did not provide a definitive answer over it happening or not.

WWE Sale to Endeavor News & Notes

In a recent interview with the Sports Business Journal, Endeavor CEO Ari Emanuel stated that he is currently planning to run the “UFC playbook” when it comes to Endeavor’s acquisition of WWE. Emanuel stated “We’re going to run the UFC playbook. The opportunity to put Vince McMahon’s creative head with Dana and Ari is going to create a significant amount of value for shareholders.”

PWInsider’s Mike Johnson reported that his sources stated that WWE will continue to run their company from their headquarters in Stamford as part of the purchase by Endeavor and upcoming new merged company with UFC. Johnson also reported that WWE is currently expected to run their operations with autonomy similar to Endeavor’s handling of UFC since their purchase of the company 2016.

Monday’s WWE RAW show in Los Angeles, California featured a show opening promo segment by WWE CCO Paul “Triple H” Levesque. One of the topics mentioned by Levesque was WWE’s recent purchase to Endeavor and him promising to fans that “the WWE that you love is going nowhere.”

In a recent filing to the SEC, WWE announced that WWE CCO Paul “Triple H” Levesque is currently set to receive a $5 million bonus pay and WWE CEO Nick Khan is currently set to receive a $15 million bonus pay as part of their recent sale agreement with Endeavor.

In regards to the stock market’s reaction to WWE’s sale to Endeavor, WWE’s stock had opened the day’s trading at $85.60 per share, increased to $91.26 per share at the close of normal trading hours, and fell to $89.30 for the close of after hours trading. Endeavor’s stock had opened the day’s trading at $24.94 per share, fell to $23.93 per share at the close of normal trading hours, and fell again to $22.52 at the close of after hours trading.