WWE Breaks All-Time Gate & Viewership Records at Elimination Chamber

WWE today announced that the 2023 Elimination Chamber, which emanated from the Bell Centre in Montreal, became WWE’s highest-grossing and most-viewed Elimination Chamber in company history.

Viewership of the 2023 Elimination Chamber saw a 54 percent increase versus the previous record set in 2022. It also marked the largest gate ever for any WWE event held in Montreal and the largest gate in the history of Elimination Chamber.

In addition, 2023 Elimination Chamber broke the all-time event merchandise record and generated the highest-grossing Priority Pass fan experience packages for any non-”Big Five” premium live event through WWE’s partnership with On Location. Elimination Chamber sponsorship revenue was up nearly 300 percent versus 2022.

On social, content featuring WWE Superstars Roman Reigns and Sami Zayn generated nearly 20 million views across WWE’s social platforms. 

Eric Bischoff Says Triple H Taking Over WWE Creative Has Paid 'Huge Dividends'

While on "83 Weeks," WWE Hall of Famer Eric Bischoff weighed in on Triple H taking over as Chief Content Officer, and what he heard in Triple H's voice at the post-Elimination Chamber press conference. "If anything came through in that press conference from Triple H, at least, one word to define it and that would be passion," Bischoff said. "If anybody's got any doubt about how and why WWE has turned things around so quickly over the last six or nine months, creatively speaking, I would say Paul Levesque and team ... are probably now being able to do what they're capable of doing without the kind of duress of tearing up scripts the day of the show and, you know, panicking over grammar and rough drafts and things like that. It's like, all of their focus is on the story itself and the quality of that story and it just paid huge dividends."

Triple H Comments On Potential Sale Of WWE

Triple H says he’s focused on doing his job to the best of his ability.

During his Elimination Chamber post-show press conference, Triple H was asked by Brandon Thurston of Wrestlenomics if he was in favor of a WWE sale prior to Vince McMahon’s return, or if he was still in favor. Triple H said that there are plenty of variables to consider, but he is OK with whatever situation allows him to keep doing his job.

“Depends on who’s buying, I suppose, what the offer is, what the outcome is. I stay out of it. That’s not a cop-out answer. I have the greatest gig in the world. I helped, in some small way, create the magic we did here tonight. And to me, it’s the best gig on the planet,” he said.

“As long as we get to do this, as long as we get to create it the way we get to create it, as long as we get to do our jobs and we get to go out there and put our passion on display,” Triple H explained, “as long as our talent is allowed to put their passion on display and do what we do, I’m good. I’m good. It is what it is.”

McMahon seeking up to $9B for World Wrestling Entertainment

World Wrestling Entertainment has already fielded offers for a sale - and Executive Chairman Vince McMahon is reportedly pushing to get up to $9B for it.

That would mark up to a 37% premium to current market value of $6.5B - and a high multiple for an entertainment name.

The list of potential buyers includes Endeavor Group Holdings (EDR), already the owner of Ultimate Fighting Championship, Bloomberg reported, though Endeavor (valued at $10.4B) would need help from a third party.

WWE stock (WWE) jumped 2.5% following the report.

The shortlist also includes investors from the Middle East, though after that region has increased its investments in sports including golf and soccer. Saudi Arabia in particular has funded the LIV Golf circuit and has expressed interest in buying Formula One (FWONA).

Bigger strategic buyers, like Netflix (NFLX) or Walt Disney (DIS), might be uneasy taking on McMahon as a partner in a business that is sometimes messy and personal, Bloomberg noted.

source: seeking alpha

MLW's Antitrust Lawsuit Against WWE Dismissed By Judge For Now

Major League Wrestling suffered a major setback in its antitrust lawsuit against WWE on Tuesday, albeit with a small amount of room left for some hope. That's because United States District Court Judge Edward J. Davila dismissed the suit while also giving MLW 21 days to submit an amended complaint in the process. (News of the dismissal was first reported by Brandon Thurston of Wrestlenomics.) It is in that amended complaint that MLW can attempt to address the deficiencies that WWE cited.

The heart of the suit was the claim that WWE interfered in MLW's dealings with both VICE TV (which is partially owned by A&E) and Tubi (owned by Fox), costing MLW vital rights fees and television exposure. WWE argued that MLW's claims of antitrust violations were not sufficient violations of the Sherman Act, the relevant piece of federal law, asserting that MLW did not plausibly claim "(1) a relevant market; (2) monopoly power; or (3) antitrust injury." Citing a ruling in the ongoing UFC fighter antitrust lawsuit, Judge Davila noted that MLW had not provided an adequate explanation of the specifics of the market for pro wrestling and other sports entertainment content. This is the kind of thing that could be remedied in an amended complaint, though, which is why MLW has three weeks to put one together. Because of the dismissal, Davila denied WWE's two pending motions regarding the discovery (deposition, document production, etc.) process, which pertained to setting a discovery schedule and barring discovery until the motion to dismiss was decided.

MLW debuted on REELZ last week. Its premiere episode averaged 79,000 viewers overall in the Nielsen ratings, with a 0.03 rating in the key demographic for adults aged 18 to 49. Among cable originals, it placed 132nd for the day in the key demo.

WWE Board Members George Barrios And Michelle Wilson Announce New Venture

Following their departure from WWE in 2020, wrestling fans probably thought they had heard the last of George Barrios and Michelle Wilson. Now it seems they can't stop hearing about them. Barrios and Wilson made their sudden return to WWE's Board of Directors in January, following VInce McMahon's re-ascension to Chairman, and now they're making more moves, this time with NBA great Carmelo Anthony. In a press release on Friday, Barrios, Wilson, and Anthony launched Isos7 Sports Investment, a new venture looking to "provide growth capital, targeting $50 million to $100 million per investment, to a diversified portfolio of sports leagues, teams, emerging properties, and ancillary businesses in North America, Europe, and pan-Asia." It was also noted that the venture is looking to have access to over $750 million in capital.

"We believe sports assets will continue to benefit from global macro tailwinds and secular industry trends driving significant, predictable, and stable growth," Barrios and Wilson explained. "We are thrilled to partner with Carmelo, a trailblazer for athletes in investing, business development, and philanthropy. We have a shared vision for how a new wave of diverse investors will identify global growth opportunities and impact the marketplace."

In addition to Barrios, Wilson, and Anthony, the venture will also see Brian Flinn serve as a partner for Isos7, with Flinn overseeing investment and operation teams. Flinn is connected to both Anthony and Barrios/Wilson; he previously worked with Anthony's former team, the New York Knicks, served as the former SVP & Global Head of Marketing for the NBA, and was also Chief Marketing Officer at WWE. As of this writing, it's unclear what effect, if any, this new venture will have on Barrios or Wilson's duties as part of WWE's Board.

Booker T's Wrestling Promotion Announces WWE NXT Partnership

WWE Hall of Famer Booker T's wrestling promotion, Reality of Wrestling (ROW) announced on Saturday evening that it's going to be working with "WWE NXT." Their working relationship will start next Saturday, February 11 in Texas City, Texas with WWE "NXT" star and Diamond Mine member Ivy Nile set to be in action.

The "NXT" color commentator started his training school/promotion in 2005. He commented about Saturday's news on social media, noting how excited he was to merge his "NXT" favorites with the roster of his students. 

"Excited to merge my @WWENXT favorites with the roster of my students at @TheOfficialROW! Don't miss a HUGE show next Saturday! Can't wait to see @ivynile_wwe in the World Gym Arena," tweeted Booker T. 

Nile also reacted to her upcoming match, tweeting, "Let's goooooo. See you guys next Saturday!!"

One of ROW's most notable members is current "NXT" Women's Champion Roxanne Perez. Perez was just a teenager when she joined the promotion and during her time there, she held the ROW Diamonds Division Championship. After ROW and before WWE, she went to Ring of Honor and became the inaugural ROH Women's World Champion.

Batista Believes Triple H Being In Charge Is The Best Thing For WWE

Batista recently spoke with Comicbook.com about the new direction of WWE under Triple H. The former WWE Champion believes Triple H is the best man for the job.

On Triple H leading the company:

"I think this is the best thing for the company. It really is. It’s a personal thing with me because I know Triple H. I know how well he knows this business. I know how much he loves this business. As far as this business goes, he’s the smartest guy I’ve ever met in my life."

On how Triple H helped him:

"He made me who I was. He was responsible for my career. I’ve never been ashamed to say that. I think that he is so dedicated to this product and just wants the best for it. I think he’s absolutely the right person. I’ve never met anyone else who thinks the way he does, as far as wrestling goes."

WWE To Celebrate 20th Anniversary of Evolution This Week

WWE issued the following:

Twenty years ago this month, one of the most dominant factions in WWE history stormed onto the scene with the emergence of Evolution.

Led by Triple H, Evolution represented the best of the past, present and future of sports-entertainment in 2003, combining The Game and 16-time World Champion Ric Flair with two potent newcomers who’d go on to become legends in their own right, Batista and Randy Orton.

The group steamrolled competition on Raw during The Ruthless Aggression Era — at one point, all four members held championship gold simultaneously — all while flaunting their enviable lifestyle, whether it was designer clothing, luxury cars or a custom entrance song performed by Motörhead. After disbanding in 2005, Evolution reunited a handful of times throughout the years, most recently at SmackDown 1000 in 2018.

In celebration of the 20-year anniversary of Evolution’s formation, WWE social channels will be paying tribute to the groundbreaking faction all week long. Be on the lookout for classic full-length matches, a special Evolution-themed episode of WWE Playlist, rare photos and be sure to join the festivities by sharing your favorite memories of the group using hashtag #EvolutionWeek.

WWE's Royal Rumble smashes its records for gate, viewing

WWE today announced that the 2023 Royal Rumble, which emanated from the Alamodome in San Antonio, Texas, became WWE’s highest-grossing and most-viewed Royal Rumble in company history.

The event set a new all-time gate record at more than $7.7 million, far surpassing the previous Royal Rumble high in 2017 by more than 50 percent. Viewership of the event saw a 52 percent increase versus the previous record set in 2022.

In addition, the 2023 Royal Rumble broke all-time venue merchandise and sponsorship records. Merchandise sales were up 135 percent versus the record set in 2022. Royal Rumble sponsorship revenue was up nearly 200 percent versus 2022 and featured the first-ever sponsored match (MTN DEW PITCH BLACK) and sponsored countdown clock (Applebee’s).

On social, the Roman Reigns-Sami Zayn videos generated 20 million-plus views across all WWE platforms and became the most-viewed WWE clip of 2023. Additional highlights include Logan Paul and Ricochet’s high-flying collision which amassed 26.5 million views across WWE and Paul’s platforms, and the launch of Reigns’ TikTok account which netted 100K followers in the first 24 hours.

Paul ‘Triple H’ Levesque Has Big Plans in Store for the WWE. What Happens Now That Vince McMahon Is Back?

Raw XXX delivers highest domestic gate in history of Monday Night Raw

Raw XXX was a defining night for the red brand and delivered the highest domestic gate in the history of Monday Night Raw.

A sell-out crowd at the Wells Fargo Center in Philadelphia witnessed Sami Zayn's Tribal Court, an iconic moment shared between Bray Wyatt and The Undertaker, a joining of DX and Kurt Angle, the return of The Beast Brock Lesnar and much more.