Tag: Fanatics

Daily Update: New WWE casino game, Cam Skattebo, Shinjuku FACE

Posted on by Joseph Currier

Daily Update

Latest News

Latest Audio

Latest YouTube Video

This Week’s Wrestling Observer Newsletter

Among the topics covered:

  • More on the Paramount purchase of WBD and details of when it goes through, if it goes through and details on how it helps or hurts UFC, AEW and Zuffa Boxing as well as a cost efficiency look at the three properties for 2027 if plans go through as stated.
  • The road to WrestleMania and why Paul Levesque is in a position where it’s impossible for him to do the job people want and impossible for him to fail, business notes on the show, and a look at the Elimination Chamber show, how it did on Netflix, the good and the bad.
  • Preview and updates on AEW Revolution and interest level
  • Odds on upcoming wrestling matches
  • Coverage of the New Japan New Beginning USA show in Trenton with two title changes
  • A look at the Demolition tag team as they go into the WWE Hall of Fame
  • The most detailed look at the ratings of all the pro wrestling TV shows, including demos, competition and comparisons with last year.
  • Johnny TV in the most heated match so far this year with Angel de Oro
  • Why AAA television is so entertaining
  • Stardom Cinderella tournament notes
  • Brothers face off in NOAH jr. tag tournament final
  • New Japan Cup first two days
  • Final night of Fantastica Mania notes
  • Jeff Jarrett documentary
  • Wrestler out of prison starts working on indices this week
  • Real American Freestyle angle
  • Update of the robbery of the Canadian promotion and the Davey Boy Smith Jr. Hall of Fame ring
  • John Laurinaitis wants back in to wrestling
  • 16 Carat Gold weekend in Germany
  • Pro Wrestling Eve has biggest show of its history this week
  • Brodie Lee Jr. first singles match date
  • Steph De Lander talks why she and Mance Warner quit TNA
  • Notes on David Finlay signing with AEW
  • ROH first TV tapings in a studio
  • UFC heavyweight and light heavyweight title updates
  • Lots of new UFC fights
  • Updates on WWE front office news and changes
  • The story behind leaking fast nationals
  • WWE accused of deleting key information in a lawsuit
  • More notes on the WWE deal with Endeavor and how it went down
  • Janel Grant speaks in favor of changing Connecticut law on NDAs
  • Bianca Belair update
  • WWE sends out unchecked email to network subscribers causing a panic
  • Next WWE media deal to be made
  • WWE injury updates
  • Nick Khan sells millions in TKO stock

This Week’s Back Issue

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Thursday Update

WWE

  • WWE and White Hat Studios have partnered together to launch the casino game “WrestleMania: Road to Gold” that is now available through the Fanatics Casino app:
    • WWE, part of TKO Group Holdings, and White Hat Studios announced the official branded slot, WrestleMania: Road to Gold, will launch exclusively with Fanatics Casino beginning today. 
    • Available only in the United States, the new online casino game for real money wagering in regulated markets will harness the star power of 20 marquee names from the WWE, including fan-favorites Cody Rhodes and Rhea Ripley just in time for WrestleMania 42, which will return to Las Vegas, on April 18-19, 2026.
    • The Unlock Trail gameplay takes players on a journey through WWE Premium Live Events, with progressive bonus mechanics inspired by SummerSlam, Survivor Series, Royal Rumble, Elimination Chamber, and Money in the Bank. Each milestone intensifies excitement and win potential before culminating in the legendary WrestleMania showdown. The action in WrestleMania: Road to Gold, is further elevated by the unmistakable voice of Michael Cole, transporting players ringside and ensuring the entire storytelling experience is underpinned by authenticity. 
    • The breadth of personalities and events integrated makes WrestleMania: Road to Gold one of the most comprehensive and immersive IP games brought to market. Drawing on more than 70 years of entertainment heritage, WrestleMania: Road to Gold is designed to capture the spirit of WWE’s iconic brand, providing WWE fans across regulated US iCasino markets with a new way to interact with the global brand.
  • On the Rich Eisen Show, New York Giants star Cam Skattebo addressed the WWE Raw appearance he made at Madison Square Garden last November, which drew some criticism from the New York media due to Skattebo getting physically involved shortly after undergoing season-ending surgery:
    • I got some plates and screws in there. I mean, at that point, it’s already screwed in and put plates on. So I felt like I was okay to do whatever I wanted to. You know, it’s not like it was going to break or anything. I was behind a wall, having a good time with my boys, teammates were out there backing me up. If something really broke down, I know I had my boys behind me that were going to start going with me.
    • It was pretty sweet. Yeah, I used to watch WWE with some family members, [with] my grandpa growing up. I actually haven’t watched it in a really long time up until this point. It was pretty cool to be a part of it.
    • Obviously John Cena was one of them [Skattebo’s favorite wrestlers]. It was actually pretty cool to work with Dom Mysterio because his dad was somebody that I kind of watched all the [time]. You know, the 619 was something we did in the house off the couches and stuff. So it was something fun for us.
  • Charlotte Flair spoke with Sports Business Journal about becoming an angel investor in Self-Care Is For Everyone, a clothing and lifestyle brand that promotes mental wellness:
    • As a female that’s approaching 40, I started thinking about what’s next for me and what feels organic and real. A lot of my career, I felt like I had to hide whether I had anxiety or mental health issues that are taboo to talk about. Whether I make money or don’t, for me right now, I’m investing in something that’s going to help other people. I hope that investing and spreading awareness really does help.
  • While doing media to promote May’s Clash in Italy PLE, Chelsea Green was asked what she would do if she were named WWE general manager for one night:
    • My first official move as general manager would be to have as many women on the card as I possibly can. And I want to mix it up. I want you to see, you know, a girl you might call a top girl wrestle someone lower on the card.
    • I want to switch things up. And I want to make sure that U.S. title has a spotlight. We’ve actually seen Giulia do amazing work with the U.S. title, but you know me, as your first, fourth, and almost final United States Women’s Champion, I want even more. I want to see more of that U.S. title. So I think that’s what I would do. You know, who cares about the boys? I care about the girlies.
  • Jade Cargill made an appearance on the Hawks AF podcast from the Atlanta Hawks.
  • The WCW YouTube channel has uploaded a three and a half hour video of Ric Flair vs. Ricky Steamboat footage.

Other Wrestling

  • This week’s AEW Unrestricted episode is a Revolution preview featuring an interview with Konosuke Takeshita.
  • MJF had (mostly) kind words for indie wrestler “Fancy” Ryan Clancy in an interview with Undisputed:
    • I’ve had my eye on [Clancy] for quite some time now. He’s very special. A traditionalist and a minimalist bell to bell, much like myself. He’s strategic and athletic, also much like myself. Unfortunately, he’s quite ugly. But if he gets signed to a major wrestling promotion, that’s what money is for–he’ll find himself a good plastic surgeon and he could be a top guy.
  • Brian “Road Dogg” James has been announced for appearances at the Big Event Entertainment & Sports Expo in New York on March 21 and WrestleCon in Las Vegas this April.
  • Though the Shinjuku FACE wrestling venue in Tokyo will be closing at the end of September, there is hope that a new venue will be opened after the aging building it’s relocated in is rebuilt.
  • El Desperado has been announced for MLW, NJPW & CMLL’s Fantastica Mania USA event that’s being held in Charleston, South Carolina on April 12.
  • Desperado will also be competing at GCW’s The Wrld on Lucha in Las Vegas on April 17.
  • Fabian Aichner, who has not wrestled anywhere since his release from WWE in February 2025, has returned to social media after a long absence. He captioned a new Instagram post with “New chapter.”
  • Barrett Media published a feature story on the success of Busted Open Radio.

Tom Brady & WWE reportedly have discussed WrestleMania appearance, merchandise

Posted on by Josh Nason

The recent conflict between Tom Brady, Logan Paul and other WWE wrestlers may be part of something bigger between WWE and the greatest football player of all time.

On Thursday’s WrestleVotes Radio, the outlet reported that “logos, speciality merchandise and branding” using the terms “T-Bone” and “The Untouchable Tom Brady” have been worked on within some WWE departments.

They also reported that as recently as last year, there were conversations between WWE and Brady’s people about him appearing at WrestleMania as it returns to Las Vegas for a second straight year. Brady is a minority owner in the Las Vegas Raiders who play at Allegiant Stadium which will host WrestleMania. He also has a merchandising deal with Fanatics who are also partners with WWE.

WrestleVotes noted that any WrestleMania appearance doesn’t appear to be in-ring related, but just of the personal appearance variety.

Brady appeared on Paul’s podcast to hype up a new Saudi Arabian-backed flag football league they are both involved in. During his appearance, he said he loved WWE and that it was “cute” which got CM Punk, Paul Heyman and others like Liv Morgan to respond on social media to defend WWE.

WWE part of new Fanatics Studios initiative, Usos culinary series in development

Posted on by Joseph Currier

WWE is set to be an important part of a new initiative that Fanatics is launching.

It was announced today that Fanatics and production company OBB Media have linked up to launch Fanatics Studios, which will see Fanatics produce its own feature films and documentaries, unscripted and scripted original programming, live event specials, premium digital series, and more. WWE is listed among the partners — with a “multi-project commitment across unscripted and digital content.”

That includes the shows that are already part of the WWE & Fanatics podcast network: What Do You Wanna Talk About? with Cody Rhodes, What’s Your Story? with Stephanie McMahon, and the Raw Recap podcast with Sam Roberts & Megan Morant. Along with those projects, a new digital series is being created featuring The Usos.

Titled “YEE(A)T with The Usos,” the series will air on WWE’s YouTube channel and social platforms. Here is the description for the show:

YEE(A)T with The Usos: Fanatics Studios will debut an unscripted culinary series with WWE Superstars Jimmy and Jey Uso, who will take their tag team efforts on the road with a BBQ travel show featuring fellow WWE superstars and celebrity friends distributed across WWE’s social and YouTube channels.

Fanatics, one of the leading companies in the sports merchandise industry, has become one of WWE’s closest partners since taking over WWE Shop in 2022. The two sides are set to present their WWE World convention in Las Vegas again during WrestleMania 42 week this April.

ESPN, MLB, football legend Tom Brady, and the Los Angeles Olympics organizing committee are among the other partners who have projects in development at Fanatics Studios.

WWE Shop lists top merch sellers of 2025

Posted on by Joseph Currier

WWE Shop has put out a list naming the company’s top merchandise sellers of 2025.

The 10-person list is ranked in alphabetical order and does not disclose how each competitor ranked inside of the top 10. It includes seven male wrestlers and three female wrestlers:

  • Alexa Bliss
  • AJ Lee
  • CM Punk
  • Cody Rhodes
  • Jacob Fatu
  • Jey Uso
  • John Cena
  • Penta
  • Rhea Ripley
  • Roman Reigns

AJ Lee ranks on the list despite only having returned to WWE in September. She was also a highly ranked merchandise seller during her first run with the company, which ended with her retiring from the ring in 2015. She made her long-awaited return by teaming with her husband Punk to defeat Becky Lynch & Seth Rollins at WWE Wrestlepalooza.

In a graphic posted by WWE on social media promoting the top-sellers list, Cena, Reigns, Rhodes, Punk, and Ripley were the five wrestlers featured. Cena — who has been on his retirement tour all year with city-specific merchandise released for some of the stops — is front and center.

WWE Shop is run by sports merchandise company Fanatics. WWE and Fanatics have been partners since 2022, and the relationship has expanded into several different areas including podcasts and online casino games.

WWE partnering with Fanatics for online casino games

Posted on by Joseph Currier

WWE and Fanatics are growing their partnership with the two sides now working together to produce a slate of online casino games.

It was announced today that WWE and Fanatics Betting and Gaming have reached a licensing deal to produce WWE-themed online casino games that will launch at the end of this month. There are five games that will be available. They are being produced in partnership with casino game developers Boom Entertainment and Games Global.

Those games are:

  • WWE Blackjack (Boom Entertainment)
  • Raw Multiplier Melee (Boom Entertainment)
  • SmackDown Big Money Entrance! (Boom Entertainment)
  • WWE Bonus Rumble Gold Blitz (Games Global)
  • WWE Clash of the Wilds (Games Global)

WWE and Fanatics began their relationship in 2022 with Fanatics taking over WWE’s merchandise operation. Their partnership has continued to expand since then, including WWE and Fanatics launching a podcast network together this year.

The WWE betting games are being produced for Fanatics Casino, which is currently only legally available in four states.

“Under the terms of this agreement, Fanatics Betting and Gaming will have a license to produce WWE-themed online casino games exclusively for Fanatics Casino, which is available on iOS, Android and web in Michigan, New Jersey, Pennsylvania and West Virginia,” a press release said. “The officially licensed WWE online casino games will launch at the end of July in time for SummerSlam, which takes place across two nights on Saturday, August 2 and Sunday, August 3 at MetLife Stadium in New Jersey.”

“We are excited to expand our relationship with WWE to now include an exclusive portfolio of WWE-themed online casino games,” said Ari Borod, Chief Business Officer of Fanatics Betting and Gaming. “This is a natural extension of the WWE-Fanatics partnership which already includes global e-commerce, licensed merchandise, memorabilia, as well as producing and distributing a growing lineup of digital shows.”

Logan Paul’s ‘Impaulsive’ joins WWE & Fanatics podcast network

Posted on by Joseph Currier

Logan Paul’s relationship with WWE continues to grow with his podcast now part of the company’s podcast network.

After mentioning the deal during his promo on SmackDown last Friday, it was officially announced today that Paul’s “Impaulsive” podcast has joined the growing list of shows in the WWE & Fanatics podcast network. The podcast venture began in March and includes shows hosted by Cody Rhodes, Stephanie McMahon, and The Undertaker & Michelle McCool, along with the weekly Raw Recap podcast from Sam Roberts & Megan Morant.

Impaulsive is hosted by Paul and his friend Mike Majlak — a fellow YouTube personality. They interview a variety of guests from all realms of celebrity including influencers, athletes, and musicians. WWE talent have frequently appeared on the show.

“The world’s greatest, most thought-provoking, mentally stimulating podcast in the history of mankind… hosted by a bunch of idiots,” is the official description for the podcast. New episodes are released on Tuesdays.

WWE notes that Impaulsive “will continue to be available through the Impaulsive YouTube channel and all audio platforms, now with added promotional support from WWE and Fanatics.”

Paul debuted for WWE in 2022 and is now in his third year as an active competitor. At SummerSlam next month, he’ll team up with Drew McIntyre for a tag match against Randy Orton and country music star Jelly Roll. The match will be Jelly Roll’s in-ring debut.

Stephanie McMahon hosting new ‘What’s Your Story?’ WWE podcast

Posted on by Joseph Currier

A new podcast hosted by Stephanie McMahon is set to premiere this week.

In February, it was reported that a new official WWE podcast hosted by Stephanie would debut in the coming months. WWE confirmed today that the show is named “What’s Your Story?” and will launch tomorrow (April 17) with UFC boss Dana White appearing as the first guest. New episodes will be released every other week after that.

Stephanie is co-hosting the podcast with her best friend Elyse, and they’ll be joined by guests from the sports, business, and entertainment worlds.

“On ‘What’s Your Story?,’ Steph, alongside her co-host and best friend Elyse, will sit down with some of the most influential figures in sports, business and entertainment to uncover their personal stories of hardship and success,” a press release said. “Along the way, Steph will share never-before-heard stories about her own journey, professional career, growing up in the WWE and more. New episodes will be available across all audio platforms and WWE’s YouTube channel, which has amassed more than 108 million subscribers.”

The show is part of a new podcast venture from WWE & Fanatics, which began with the recently launched Raw Recap podcast hosted by Sam Roberts & Megan Morant. A Cody Rhodes-hosted podcast titled “What Do You Wanna Talk About?” is premiering later this month.

Stephanie said that her ESPN+ series “Stephanie’s Places,” where she speaks with WWE talent and legends, helped inspire her to start this podcast.

“‘Stephanie’s Places’ on ESPN+ inspired me to help tell the stories that shape who we are as people,” Stephanie said. “This podcast is the perfect medium to do just that, in a very informal environment, where we can all just be ourselves.” 

WWE producing legacy title belts for thirteen major European football clubs

Posted on by Josh Nason

WWE is continuing to expand their reach into professional sports, announcing a new line of WWE Legacy title belts that will feature the official branding and colors of 13 different top European football/soccer clubs.

The full list and images of several belts are featured below:

  • Paris Saint-Germain
  • Juventus
  • Inter Milan
  • AC Milan (seen above)
  • Celtic FC
  • Rangers FC
  • BVB Dortmund
  • Chelsea FC
  • Tottenham Hotspur
  • Aston Villa
  • West Ham United
  • Manchester United
  • Manchester City

The belts are available to pre-purchase through several WWE online retailers and will eventually be available for purchase through select club shops and at WWE live events. The belts are currently listed for $549 USD.

The news comes as WWE is embarking on a multi-week tour of Europe that kicks off in Barcelona, Spain, for Friday’s WWE SmackDown.

In August 2024, WWE announced a similar deal with select U.S. colleges from the Southeastern Conference, Big Ten Conference, Big 12 Conference, and Atlantic Coast Conference in addition to both NBA and NHL teams. Those were in addition to existing partnerships with the NFL and MLB.

WWE teaming with Fanatics to launch new podcasts

Posted on by Bryan Rose

WWE is teaming with Fanatics to launch a new series of podcasts.

Fox News reported that the first podcast between WWE and Fanatics will launch immediately after Raw on Monday. “The Raw Recap Show” will be hosted by Megan Morant and Sam Roberts as they recap everything that goes down during the show. Additionally, Morant & Roberts will host a instant-reaction podcast following all of WWE’s premium live events. The report teases that “some superstars and legends of the sport” will be hosting future podcasts.

The shows will launch on most podcast platforms such as Spotify, Apple Podcasts, and iHeartRadio. In addition, they will also appear on WWE’s YouTube channel.

Fanatics and WWE announced an ‘expanded merchandising partnership’ back in 2022 that has seen both companies work together on a number of projects. In addition to the podcasts, Fanatics has also worked with the company for the WWE World at WrestleMania events that took place for the first time last year and will continue this year during WrestleMania weekend. These events feature autograph sessions and meet and greets with WWE stars.

WWE and Topps reunite for long-term trading card partnership

Posted on by Ian Carey

WWE and Topps have reunited. 

The two companies announced today that Topps will once again produce officially licensed trading cards featuring WWE Superstars. Topps was also the official WWE trading card partner from 2005 until 2021. 

“𝗜𝗧’𝗦 𝗢𝗙𝗙𝗜𝗖𝗜𝗔𝗟: Topps and WWE have reunited for a long-term trading card partnership.”

WWE announced a deal for Panini to become its new trading card partner in October 2021. The deal was supposed to extend to 2026, but WWE attempted to terminate the agreement in August 2023, alleging that Panini had breached the contract by failing to produce the agreed-upon physical and digital trading cards. Panini disputed WWE’s claims, and a settlement was reached between the two parties in November 2023. Details regarding the settlement are not publicly available, but WWE products remain available on Panini’s website. 

Fanatics purchased Topps in January 2022. Two months later, WWE and Fanatics announced a partnership that would see Fanatics “create a new, enhanced experience for WWE fans globally across several businesses, including e-commerce and licensed merchandise, as well as physical, digital, and non-fungible token (NFT) trading cards.”

WWE & Fanatics file to dismiss Cody Rhodes ‘American Nightmare’ trademark lawsuit

Posted on by Josh Nason

Image: WWE

In new documents filed Friday, both WWE and Fanatics are attempting to have a court dismiss a trademark lawsuit regarding Cody Rhodes’ use of the “American Nightmare” phrase.

The initial lawsuit was filed in September by Wesley Eisold, the lead singer and co-founder of the band American Nightmare who has held a trademark for the term since 2016 for use in “music, clothing and entertainment services.” Filed in California, the lawsuit alleges trademark infringement, breach of contract, and intentional interference with contractual relations.

First reported by Brandon Thurston, WWE and Fanatics are seeking to dismiss based on the premise that any “American Nightmare” text appears alongside the well-known skull logo Rhodes has tattooed on his neck that is also a registered trademark. By doing so, they feel they are meeting the conditions of Rhodes and Eisold’s previous settlement.

That settlement came after a March 2019 dispute for $30,000 when Rhodes applied for the trademark for wrestling-related activities. The terms were that Rhodes could use the term on merchandise “under the condition that such items prominently used Rhodes’ name, likeness, or wrestling-related imagery in a size at least 75% larger than the ‘American Nightmare’ text.”

One item Eisold claimed was evidence of any confusion between his band and WWE was a “Crown” t-shirt that doesn’t feature imagery of Rhodes or wrestling but uses the term instead. Eisold’s legal team reached out to Rhodes’ legal team in 2022 about the shirt, but claimed they never were responded to. Eisold’s team then sent cease and desist letters to both Rhodes and Fanatics in April and May 2024 with Fanatics referring them to WWE.

Rhodes was also named in the lawsuit, but has separate legal representation from WWE and Fanatics. However, Thurston reported that his legal team filed a joinder to the motion “which indicates Rhodes supports the WWE and Fanatics legal arguments and is asking the judge to apply the same reasoning to Eisold’s claims against him.”

Cody Rhodes, WWE & Fanatics sued over ‘American Nightmare’ trademark

Posted on by Josh Nason

Image: WWE

A musician is suing Cody Rhodes, WWE & Fanatics over the “American Nightmare” trademark, claiming Rhodes isn’t following the terms first agreed to in a March 2019 settlement.

First reported by Post Wrestling, the lead singer & co-founder of the band American Nightmare has held a trademark for the term since 2016 for use in “music, clothing and entertainment services.”

Wesley Eisold’s lawsuit filed in California alleges trademark infringement, breach of contract and intentional interference with contractual relations. Eisold’s band, founded in 1998, has toured as recently as 2023.

He is suing for damages of at least $150,000 in addition to treble damages of up to $300,000 related to federal trademark infringement. He is also looking to recover legal fees.

Rhodes has used the term as his nickname for years, a take on his father Dusty Rhodes’ American Dream nickname.

This isn’t the first time Eisold and Rhodes have done legal battle as they settled in the aforementioned March 2019 dispute for $30,000 when Rhodes applied for the trademark for wrestling-related activities.

The terms were that Rhodes could use the term on merchandise “under the condition that such items prominently used Rhodes’ name, likeness, or wrestling-related imagery in a size at least 75% larger than the ‘American Nightmare’ text,” according to the Post report.

One item Eisold claims is confusing both fans of his band and WWE is Rhodes’ “Crown” t-shirt which doesn’t feature imagery of Rhodes or wrestling but uses the term instead. Eisold’s legal team reached out to Rhodes’ legal team in 2022 about the shirt, but claims they never were responded to. Eisold’s team then sent cease and desist letters to both Rhodes and Fanatics in April and May 2024 with Fanatics referring them to WWE.

Eisold responded on X to some of the criticism he is getting from fans for this lawsuit:

WWE producing new collegiate, NBA, NHL legacy title belts

Posted on by Joseph Currier

WWE is producing a new slate of legacy title belts.

Ahead of the college football season kicking off, WWE is now selling legacy title belts spotlighting some of the top programs in the country. They are priced at $549.99 each and are available to purchase through WWE Shop and Fanatics.

The belts include the “official branding and colors of select schools from the Southeastern Conference, Big Ten Conference, Big 12 Conference, and Atlantic Coast Conference.”

Georgia, Alabama, Texas, Michigan, Ohio State, Notre Dame, Colorado, Oklahoma, West Virginia, Penn State, North Carolina, Michigan State, Nebraska, Florida State, Florida, LSU, Tennessee, Miami, Oregon, and Kentucky are the schools featured.

“The collegiate WWE legacy title belts will be on display at Fanatics Fest NYC Aug. 16-18 at Jacob Javits Convention Center in New York City,” WWE wrote in a press release.

Along with the collegiate belts, WWE is now producing legacy titles featuring the branding of NBA and NHL teams. These are in addition to the partnerships that WWE already has with the NFL and MLB.

The NBA and NHL belts are now available to pre-order and will ship “no later than Monday, October 7.” They are priced at $549.99 as well.

WWE terminates partnership with Panini for breach of contract

Posted on by Ian Carey

UPDATE:

Panini has filed a lawsuit against WWE for terminating its contract. In its filing, Panini says that the contract was terminated in late August “with no warning whatsoever”.

WWE has also filed a lawsuit of their own, possibly relating to an injunction WWE is seeking to prevent Panini from selling WWE merchandise.

Original story:

WWE says trading card company Panini has violated the terms of their agreement. 

The company became WWE’s exclusive trading card and collectible sticker partner in 2021 but sports business reporter Darren Rovell is reporting WWE terminated the relationship two weeks ago for breach of contract. The multi-year agreement was said to have more than two years left. 

It is not clear what led to WWE terminating the agreement with Panini. As of this writing, WWE products are still being sold by the company. 

WWE announced a partnership with Fanatics last year that includes e-commerce, licensed merchandise, and trading cards/NFTs in addition to revamping WWEShop.com. As part of the announcement, it was revealed that Fanatics would receive the rights to WWE trading cards once the current agreement with Panini expired. Fanatics is now expected to receive the rights immediately. 

Rovell wrote:

JUST IN: Two weeks ago, the WWE terminated Panini for breach of contract with 2+ years left. The WWE says Panini, which is still selling product, is now in violation and will seek an injunction. Fanatics, which had deal starting in ‘26, is expected to get rights immediately. 

WWE’s press release from March 2022 announcing the Fanatics deal reads:

Fanatics acquired the legendary 70-year-old Topps brand earlier this year, which previously held a long-term relationship with WWE. That deal will commence when WWE’s existing trading cards rights expire over the next few years.

WWE & Fanatics announce expanded merchandising partnership

Posted on by Joseph Currier

WWE and Fanatics are strengthening their merchandising partnership.

In a press release that was issued on Tuesday, it was announced that WWE and Fanatics are expanding their comprehensive partnership. It will now include Fanatics assuming operations of WWE’s on-site merchandise business at all events globally.

“Under the expanded partnership, Fanatics Commerce, the company’s e-commerce, licensed merchandise and physical retail operations division, will manage the on-site event retail experience for WWE’s annual calendar of 300-plus events, including premium live events such as WrestleMania, Royal Rumble and SummerSlam,” the press release said,

“Fanatics will work closely and collaboratively with world-class teams at WWE who previously operated the event retail business in-house for decades to optimize the event shopping experience for its growing global fanbase. This includes curating an enhanced in-venue product offering with more localized merchandise collections, creating innovative event retail stores and experiences, as well as utilizing Fanatics-operated team stores during various live events. Fanatics holds physical retail partnerships with more than 50 professional and college teams across several sports.”

WWE and Fanatics started their relationship in March 2022. It’s included Fanatics operating a relaunched version of the WWE Shop website.

“Fanatics has been an amazing partner and will immediately bolster WWE’s event retail business,” said Alex Varga, WWE Senior Vice President, Head of Corporate Development. “Expanding our partnership will allow WWE to further expand our offering to fans and grow merchandise revenue in 2023 and beyond.”

“The WWE has built one of the most incredible global events portfolios across sports and entertainment, and we’re honored that they’ve tapped Fanatics to build on our overarching partnership together,” said Molly Adams, Fanatics Commerce Chief Strategic Retail Officer. “Through our expansive global footprint and event retail operations expertise, Fanatics is uniquely positioned to provide an unrivaled event retail experience for WWE’s passionate fans at hundreds of events worldwide.”

The NFL, NBA, MLB, and NHL are among the other sports brands that Fanatics has partnerships with.