WWE and UFC Lock up to become TKO
After over seven decades and a name change, World Wrestling Entertainment (WWE) is no longer owned by the McMahon family.
As of the 3rd of April 2023, Endeavor Group Holdings has taken control of the WWE at the price of $9.3 billion (£7.5 billion).
Endeavor is also the owner of the UFC, having purchased them back in the July of 2016.
Vince McMahon bought the company from his father in 1982 for $1 million and ran the company until 2022 when he retired.
Even after the controversy surrounding Vince McMahon and the use of company funds for hush money led to his retirement, he returned to broker this deal.
“We are confident that Endeavor can deliver significant additional value for shareholders by bringing UFC and WWE together.” Said Vince.
Ariel Emanuel the CEO of Endeavour also spoke about bringing UFC and WWE together.
This cements the theories that this sale will lead to a merger between the UFC and WWE, this will increase the legitimacy of the WWE in the eyes of mainstream sports fans.
This will also lead to chances for crossovers between the sports. Some UFC/MMA alumni have had great careers in the WWE.
Examples of this are Ronda Rousey, Matt Riddle, Ken Shamrock, and Dan Severn.
The crossover has also gone the other way with WWE stars making the jump to UFC.
Examples of this (in sucess order) are Brock Lesnar, Bobby Lashley, Batista and CM Punk.
This merger will be split into its own company, with separate ideals to that of Endeavor.
Nick Khan and Dana White will continue as the Presidents of the WWE and the UFC respectively and a new board of directors being created.
The new board of directors will consist of 11 people, six coming from Endeavor and five coming from the WWE.
This sale was confirmed just one day after Wrestlemania 39.
Other potential buyers were Disney, Comcast, the Saudi Investment Fund and even the Peoples Champion Dwayne ‘The Rock’ Johnson.
Let us know down below on your thoughts on this sale and what you think it means for the industry.
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