WWE and G4 are collaborating on a revival of the Arena series, and Xavier Woods is set to co-host the show.
WWE and G4 announced in a press release on Thursday that the new monthly gaming series will premiere on Wednesday, June 29 at 7 p.m. Eastern time on G4’s Twitch channel, as well as UpUpDownDown’s YouTube channel, with Woods and G4’s Gina Darling revealed as the show’s co-hosts.
A trailer for the new series can be seen below.
Arena will feature WWE talent, as well as Twitch streamers facing off in multiplayer games. WWE’s Becky Lynch and Seth Rollins were mentioned in the press release as appearing on future episodes.
“All of our work on UpUpDownDown over the past seven years has brought us to this moment where we will see the wrestling and gaming universes collide,” Woods said in a press release. The full press release can be found here.
The original Arena series aired on G4 from 2002-2005.
WWE and G4 are teaming together for a series that will be hosted by Xavier Woods.
WWE and G4 announced on Monday that they’re partnering together for a video game competition series that will premiere on G4 this fall. The series is being hosted by Woods and “pit some of the biggest content creators in gaming against each other, playing some of the most popular video games to settle scores… with scores.”
“Getting a shot to be a G4 cast member is incredible and humbling in itself, and I couldn’t be more excited for the chance to have my own show,” said Woods. “Not only will I host, but I’ll also have a pivotal role to play as the top personalities in gaming try to settle their beef.”
In November of last year, Woods was announced as the first host for the relaunched G4. The video game-focused channel originally existed from 2002-2014.
“This partnership combines WWE’s sports-entertainment and G4’s competitive entertainment to bring a truly unique offering only these brands can offer,” said Brian Terwilliger, VP of Programming and Creative Strategy for G4. “The format of the show, along with WWE Superstar Xavier Woods AKA Austin Creed’s electric presence on-screen, will make it appealing for gamers, WWE fans, and those new to both as well.”
“Xavier Woods has become a household name for WWE fans and gamers alike, and he is the perfect fit to headline our new series with G4,” said Jayar Donlan, WWE Executive Vice President, Advanced Media. “From console and mobile games to WWE’s successful UpUpDownDown YouTube channel, WWE’s influence on gaming is stronger than ever, and having our own gaming series on G4 is the next step in the evolution of the company’s gaming strategy.”
It was noted that WWE will serve as an executive producer for the series and G4 and WWE will take the program to market together.
As part of G4’s Epic April celebration, another major G4 announcement will take place during WWE’s UUDD WrestleMania Gaming Event at 11 a.m. Eastern time this Saturday on the UpUpDownDown YouTube channel.
The New Day’s Woods & Kofi Kingston are the current Raw Tag Team Champions. At WrestleMania 37 night one this Saturday, Woods & Kingston will defend their titles against AJ Styles & Omos. Woods vs. Styles will take place on tonight’s WrestleMania 37 go-home edition of Raw.
The former cable television channel announced that Xavier Woods would be part of the network going forward. During G4’s Holiday Reunion special tonight on YouTube Live, a video was shown showing highlights of his YouTube gaming channel Up Up Down Down. WWE posted an article on their website highlighting the announcement.
G4, which at one point focused on video games, went off the air in 2014. However, it was announced earlier this year that the brand would relaunch in 2021, though under what format has not been confirmed. Woods had campaigned for a hosting spot since the announcement, with the hashtag #Creed4G4 trending at one point on Twitter.
The reunion special also launched the Gravython, a multi-day charity drive stream. Woods took part, playing the video game Among Us.
It was also recently announced that Woods, along with other New Day members Big E and Kofi Kingston, would be coming to Gears of War 5 as DLC characters. The trio appeared at Survivor Series on Sunday wearing costumes similar to the ones in the game.
