The latest WWE and AEW News and Results
Wrestling Observer Live with Bryan Alvarez and Mike Sempervive is back with tons to talk about including WWE FOR SALE WITH TONS OF BIDDERS~!~!~!, a recap of WWE Raw from Monday night with all the go-home moments for WrestleMania 39, Jon Moxley talks CM Punk, AEW has three matches set up for next week, and tons more.
A fun show as always so check it out~!
A new report out Tuesday has several parties kicking the tires on a potential purchase of WWE that “is expected to conclude in the not too distant future.”
WWE was a focus for CNBC analyst David Faber on Tuesday as he delved into the talks about the sale of the company. In the clip seen below, Faber said that the sales process isn’t just live, but is “going quite well.”
“I am hearing from people close to the situation that it’s a pretty good sales process with some saying it’s hot and heavy,” he said, adding those he had spoken with that were doubtful a deal would get done are less so now.
Part of that doubt was due to Vince McMahon’s reluctance to step aside if a sale is made, something WWE CEO Nick Khan said on CNBC and a recent investors call that he would indeed be open to.
Faber said that “we can all take our educated guess” on who the potential buyers would be, mentioning Endeavor (they would do a reverse Morris trust, spin off UFC into a new company and merge that with WWE); a private equity interest “perhaps in partnership with a well-known name in the sport,” Saudi Arabia’s Public Investment Fund, and perhaps Colorado investment firm Liberty Media.
Faber reiterated his previous reporting that NBCUniversal (owners of USA Network, Peacock, etc.) are not part of the sale process.
The news comes as WWE is in the media spotlight ahead of this weekend’s WrestleMania 39 in Los Angeles.
It’s a battle royal! @davidfaber reports multiple parties are in the ring for a potential sale of $WWE pic.twitter.com/LuoqfLIHpH
— Squawk on the Street (@SquawkStreet) March 28, 2023
WWE is meeting with potential buyers next month.
CNBC is reporting that WWE is set to meet with potential buyers in April in preparation for first-round bids. The article also stated that there is no guarantee that a transaction will take place.
Talks of a potential sale have ramped up since Vince McMahon returned to power in January, installing himself and two others onto the Board of Directors, which ultimately voted him back in as Chairman of the Board. At the time, McMahon said that he had made his return to the company with the intention of selling the promotion. McMahon had been ousted last July after it was revealed he used company funds to pay for hush money allegations.
Recently, it was reported that McMahon was looking to sell the company for $9 billion.
In a February interview, WWE CEO Nick Khan told CNBC that he had hoped the sale would be done within the next three months. Khan also said in the interview that there would be “no issue” with McMahon not being involved at all with WWE following a sale if it was right for the company.
Wrestling Observer Radio with Bryan Alvarez and Dave Meltzer is back with tons to talk about including the latest on the WWE sale talks with another bidder dropping out, MLW and Peacock, why Brock Lesnar is facing Omos, FTR, FantasticaMania, ratings, full reviews of AEW and NXT plus the line-up for Revolution and more. A fun show as always so check it out~!
Timestamps:
Start: It is a very busy weekend, anniversary of final Kobashi/Misawa match
2:20: Endeavor not interested in buying WWE
13:16: MLW/Reelz situation
17:16: Brock Lesnar’s changing WrestleMania opponent
19:40: Dax Harwood says Observer Awards issue isn’t an angle
26:48: NJPW/CMLL Fantasticamania recap
34:42: Ratings
39:16: AEW Dynamite recap & AEW Revolution lineup
1:06:16: NXT recap
The CEO of Endeavor has commented on the possibility of the company purchasing WWE.
When asked about purchasing WWE during Endeavor’s fourth quarter earnings call Tuesday afternoon, CEO Ari Emanuel said they were not going to do anything that would change their leverage position.
“As it relates to WWE, it’s an unbelievable product,” Emanuel said. “Vince, you know, created a great business. We’ve had a longstanding relationship with them over two decades. We’re doing on location business with them, streaming business with them, his business is really valuable. But we’re not going to do anything as it relates to changing our leverage position right now.”
The parent company of the UFC has been reported as a potential buyer of the promotion. Vince McMahon forced himself back as Chairman of the company in January, saying that he was back in order to facilitate a sale of the company. Bloomberg reported earlier this month that McMahon was looking for $9 billion for the company.
Dave Meltzer and Garrett Gonzales discussed the latest in a potential WWE sale on Wrestling Observer Radio.
On Friday’s show, Meltzer and Gonzales talked about a Bloomberg article reporting that Vince McMahon is asking $9 billion for WWE. You can watch the clip below.
Meltzer said that it made sense that McMahon would ask for that much, as a report throwing out that number might cause the bidding to go up.
“If you think you can get 8, go public and say 9 to get the bidding up. Maybe that will work,” he said.
A deal for WWE is not in place currently, and the top contenders for a sale aren’t currently known, though Bloomberg reported that Endeavor (the parent company of the UFC) and Saudi Arabia are both interested.
“What I know for sure is that there is no deal done. And I don’t know how many people are out there wanting it. If McMahon wants 9, he may get it from Saudi Arabia because if they really wanted it, it’s not too much for them,” he said.
Meltzer emphasizes towards the end of the clip that whoever WWE ends up getting sold to, things will be completely different for the company with new management in charge, comparing the situation to when UFC was sold to Endeavor in 2016.
“If WWE sells in six months, it’s going to be a very different company,” he said. “I know what happened in 2016, and Endeavor changed so much [in the UFC]. You still have Dana promoting on the outside. But on the inside, completely, completely different. And no loyalty to the brand. People who were in WWE, if Endeavor gets it, I mean so many of those people who thought they were lifers are going to end up not being lifers. Nobody’s safe, pretty much.”
Dave Meltzer and Garrett Gonzales discussed the latest in a potential WWE sale on Wrestling Observer Radio.
On Friday’s show, Meltzer and Gonzales talked about a Bloomberg article reporting that Vince McMahon is asking $9 billion for WWE. You can watch the clip below.
Meltzer said that it made sense that McMahon would ask for that much, as a report throwing out that number might cause the bidding to go up.
“If you think you can get 8, go public and say 9 to get the bidding up. Maybe that will work,” he said.
A deal for WWE is not in place currently, and the top contenders for a sale aren’t currently known, though Bloomberg reported that Endeavor (the parent company of the UFC) and Saudi Arabia are both interested.
“What I know for sure is that there is no deal done. And I don’t know how many people are out there wanting it. If McMahon wants 9, he may get it from Saudi Arabia because if they really wanted it, it’s not too much for them,” he said.
Meltzer emphasizes towards the end of the clip that whoever WWE ends up getting sold to, things will be completely different for the company with new management in charge, comparing the situation to when UFC was sold to Endeavor in 2016.
“If WWE sells in six months, it’s going to be a very different company,” he said. “I know what happened in 2016, and Endeavor changed so much [in the UFC]. You still have Dana promoting on the outside. But on the inside, completely, completely different. And no loyalty to the brand. People who were in WWE, if Endeavor gets it, I mean so many of those people who thought they were lifers are going to end up not being lifers. Nobody’s safe, pretty much.”
Jerry Lawler, one of the all-time legends of pro wrestling, suffered what was reported as a serious stroke, one that in its early hours was feared the worst, but over the next few days, his recovery seems positive.
Longtime broadcasting partner Jim Ross noted on Twitter, “I spoke very briefly with Jerry Lawler tonight” (Tuesday). He’s obviously weak, but I could understand his affected speech. Jerry’s prognosis is positive, but he needs all our thoughts and prayers.”
Lawler was out to lunch with friends when he seemed ill and was found in the parking lot of his condo in Fort Myers, FL, and rushed to the hospital.
There are conflicting versions from those close to him as to what happened but he was rushed into emergency surgery from what was reported as a major stroke that at first left him with no movement on the right side and unable to talk. There was fear among those close to him that the massive stroke could have had terrible repercussions, with fear of being unable to move on his right side.
Wrestling Observer Live with Mike Sempervive is back, and as always there’s a lot to get into, including the release of WWE’s 2022 quarterly and year-ending financial reports, Nick Khan’s appearance this morning on CNBC’s Squawk On The Street, and the continuing specter of a sale.
Plus, a look at tonight’s WWE Smackdown and AEW Rampage, JCW announces full J-Cup card, ratings news, and more. A fun show as always, so check it out~!
WWE CEO Nick Khan said on Friday that he feels a sale of the company will happen “quick” and speculated a deal may be done within three months.
Khan appeared on CNBC’s Squawk Box to talk about Thursday’s earnings call and gave the above timeframe when asked about it. Dave Meltzer had previously reported the company had been hoping to sell by mid-summer.
As far as potential buyers, co-host David Faber told Khan that he has heard “probably not at this point” in regard to NBCUniversal buying WWE. The corporation has had a longtime partnership with WWE and currently pays them both for WWE Raw and WWE Network content on Peacock for domestic viewers.
Another co-host mentioned Netflix and Amazon while Faber also brought up Endeavor who owns the UFC. Khan said that “we’re still bullish on Comcast (aka NBCUniversal) being possible.”
“We certainly got a warm reception in the marketplace for those who are interested,” he said. He also explained they didn’t want to wait to sell the company until after the next TV rights negotiations as that would take prospective buyers off the table.
He again reiterated that there would be “no issue” with Vince McMahon not being involved with WWE post-sale if it’s the right deal for the company.
“I really believe he’s looking for the best value for shareholders,” Khan said, also reiterating that McMahon is not involved “at all” in creative.
In a CNBC article posted after the interview, it was posited that “McMahon’s potential future involvement in WWE has become an early sticking point in preliminary talks with various buyers, according to people familiar with the matter, who asked not to be named because the discussions are private.”
The question was first asked publicly of Khan during the Q&A portion of Thursday’s investors call to which Khan replied that McMahon would be willing to depart post-sale if that meant the best value for shareholders.
During a Tuesday appearance on CNBC, Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson commented on WWE being up for sale.
It was announced earlier this month that Vince McMahon was returning to WWE to pursue a potential sale of the company. CNBC asked Johnson about WWE’s next chapter and if he thinks a sale is something that makes sense.
“Well, I can tell you this, I can tell you that it’s an exciting brand,” Johnson said. “It’s a brand that I’ve been very fortunate enough to have tremendous success [in] over the decades. And also, for your viewers here in the business world who may not know, the lineage goes way back, multi-generational with the WWE. My grandfather wrestled for Vince McMahon Sr. in the 70s. My dad wrestled for Vince McMahon in the 80s. And then I came along with my bad haircut and fanny pack and I continued to wrestle for Vince too as well. So we’ve seen tremendous success over the years. I think it’s a very attractive company. And I’m excited and I wish Vince and that company all the best.”
One of the hosts then brought up that a sale of WWE might be difficult to imagine unless it’s a buyer who lets Vince McMahon remain in charge.
“I would [agree] and that’s a great note,” Johnson replied. “I think with the world of professional wrestling and the world of WWE, it’s so unique. The fan base is very large and very passionate and there’s nothing like the WWE. So I think with the new owners, if there are new owners, and acquirers who are gonna come in, I think that they have to share that same passion that Vince has for the company and for the world of pro wrestling, which isn’t always easy to do. As you guys know, with a company like this, it’s been so incredibly successful over the years, a sale and acquisition could be very complicated, but there’s that unique added anchor to this I believe that Vince feels where you gotta find the right buyer who still has that passion and the love for this very unique world.”
What’s next for WWE? @TheRock weighs in: “It’s an exciting brand.” https://t.co/Cw1Idr5VL3 pic.twitter.com/3QzxiMO46t
— CNBC (@CNBC) January 17, 2023
Johnson was on CNBC to discuss his ZOA brand of energy drinks.
.@TheRock was an energy drink consumer for years before launching ZOA. Here’s what sets ZOA apart. https://t.co/Cw1Idr5VL3 pic.twitter.com/dQDOhJCRH9
— CNBC (@CNBC) January 17, 2023
Johnson’s daughter Simone made her NXT television debut this past October, going by the name Ava Raine as part of Joe Gacy’s Schism faction. His extended Bloodline family members Roman Reigns (Undisputed WWE Universal Champion) and The Usos (Undisputed WWE Tag Team Champions) are champions on the main roster.
Dave Meltzer and I are back on Wrestling Observer Radio going over all the news in the latest issue of the Wrestling Observer Newsletter.
We discuss the following:
The video version of this show is available for video subscribers at video.f4wonline.com.
Stephanie McMahon and Triple H opposed a potential WWE sale, while AEW’s Tony Khan and Shad Khan are potential buyers for the company, reports say.
Axios reports that former WWE co-CEO Stephanie McMahon and current chief content officer Paul “Triple H” Levesque opposed plans to sell the company, according to its sources.
Stephanie resigned from the company on Tuesday, four days after Vince McMahon returned to the company as executive chairman of the board of directors.
Elsewhere, both Barron’s and CNBC reported Thursday that AEW’s Tony Khan and Shad Khan have been linked to WWE’s “strategic alternatives” process as potential buyers for the company.
Barron’s states that AEW is a potential buyer, but “…the Khans will likely look for a financial partner to acquire the asset.”
CNBC couches a potential AEW and WWE merger as a longshot, but notes that the Khans would be open to discussing a continued role for executive chairman McMahon should AEW and WWE merge:
The Khans are open to discussing a potential role for McMahon, 77, after a sale but haven’t yet had those talks
WWE announced on January 6 that it would explore “strategic alternatives to maximize shareholder value,” widely believed to mean pursuing a sale of the company, while noting “There is no assurance that this process will result in a transaction.”
CNBC reported on January 7 that WWE had hired JPMorgan to advise the company on a potential sale.
On Thursday, WWE announced in a press release that they had retained the services of three outside groups in connection with pursuing strategic alternatives.
In the release, WWE said that The Raine Group would serve as financial advisor, Kirkland & Ellis would serve as legal advisor, and August would serve as communications advisor in the strategic alternatives initiative.
WWE went on to say that they would not provide a strategic initiatives timetable:
There can be no assurances given regarding the outcome or timing of the strategic alternatives review process. WWE does not intend to comment further until the process has concluded or the Company has otherwise determined that further disclosure is appropriate or required.
WOLFMAN BRYAN ALVAREZ is back with Mike Sempervive to spin the latest TOP 40 HITS as well as talk all the news in pro-rasslin’, including Mercedes Mone, the latest on Vince McMahon and the WWE sale, AEW Dynamite from Wednesday night and so much more. A fun show as always so check it out~!
Wrestling Observer Live with Bryan Alvarez is back with tons to talk about including the WWE sale rumors yesterday and the whole timeline of events, what we know and don’t know, whether Bryan thinks Mercedes is coming to AEW tonight, NXT TV report and tons more. A fun show as always so check it out~!
