The WWE and Endeavor merger is a titanic deal that was announced on 3 April, 2023. It involves Endeavor, the parent mob of UFC, buying WWE, the world’s biggest pro wrestling show, for US$9.3 billion or AU$13.9 billion. The deal will create a new public company that will chuck together the two sports and entertainment brands, with Endeavor owning a 51% stake and WWE shareholders owning 49%. The new company will be worth over US$21 billion or AU$31.4 billion.
The merger is expected to bring some good stuff and growth chances for both WWE and UFC, as Endeavor plans to use its smarts in media rights, sponsorships, licensing, and distribution to spread their global reach and fan base. The deal also joins two of the most powerful blokes in sports and entertainment: Vince McMahon, the co-founder and big boss of WWE, and Ari Emanuel, the CEO of Endeavor and the new company. Both McMahon and Emanuel will keep their roles in the new company, while Dana White will continue to run UFC as a separate division.
The merger is subject to some rules and usual closing stuff, and is expected to be done by the second half of 2023.
The fans of WWE and UFC have mixed feelings about the merger. Some are stoked about the potential crossover chances, such as seeing their favourite fighters and wrestlers have a go at each other, or having more access to both products through Endeavor’s media platforms. Others are worried about the impact of the merger on the quality and guts of both sports, such as losing their different identities, cultures, and fan bases, or having more corporate meddling and influence on the creative and business decisions. Some are also skeptical about the motives and visions of the leaders of the new company, such as Vince McMahon and Ari Emanuel, who have been slammed for being out of touch, greedy, or ruthless.
The fighters and wrestlers themselves have also had a say on the merger. Some have cracked the shits and whinged about the new deal, like Cody Rhodes, who lost his WrestleMania main event match to Roman Reigns and hinted at bailing from WWE after the merger, or Jorge Masvidal, who went off his face over Colby Covington getting a title shot against Kamaru Usman at UFC 287. Others have been fair dinkum and embraced the change and welcomed the new opportunities, like Alexander Volkanovski and Robert Whittaker, who cosplayed as Stone Cold Steve Austin and Hulk Hogan respectively at a press conference.
One might say that the merger could be good for the wrestling world in terms of creating more exposure, innovation, and diversity for both sports and entertainment, as well as generating more revenue and value for the new company and its shareholders. However, the merger could also be bad for the industry in terms of reducing competition, creativity, and autonomy for both sports and entertainment, as well as alienating or exploiting the fans, fighters, and wrestlers who make up the core of both brands. Ultimately, the outcome of the merger will depend on how well the new company manages to balance the interests and expectations of all its stakeholders.
We wish WWE well on their future Endeavor.
