World Wrestling Entertainment (WWE) is an American professional wrestling promotion.

The largest wrestling promotion in the world, it also branched out into fields outside of
professional wrestling, including film, football, and other business ventures, such
as licensing its intellectual property to other companies to produce video games and action
figures.[10] It is owned and operated by TKO Group Holdings, a majority-
owned subsidiary of The WME Group.[11]

As in other professional wrestling promotions, WWE does not promote a legitimate sporting
contest but rather entertainment-based mock combat performance theater,
featuring storyline-driven, scripted, and partially choreographed matches. However, matches
often include moves that put performers at risk of serious injury or death if not performed
correctly. The pre-determined aspect of professional wrestling was publicly acknowledged
by WWE in 1989 to avoid regulation by athletic commissions. WWE markets its product as
"sports entertainment", acknowledging professional wrestling's roots in competitive sport
and dramatic theater.

The promotion dates back to 1953 with the formation of the Capitol Wrestling
Corporation (CWC), a Northeastern territory of the National Wrestling Alliance (NWA). Due
to booking disputes, CWC left the NWA and rebranded their CWC brand to the World Wide
Wrestling Federation (WWWF) in April 1963. After rejoining the NWA in 1971, the WWWF
was renamed the World Wrestling Federation (WWF) in 1979. The CWC and the WWF
brand would be acquired in 1982 by Titan Sports, which was founded in 1980, with the
WWF leaving the NWA again in 1983. Following a trademark dispute with the World Wildlife
Fund, the WWF was renamed World Wrestling Entertainment (WWE) in 2002. In 2011, the
promotion ceased branding itself as World Wrestling Entertainment and began solely using
the initials WWE, although their legal name remained the same.[12]

WWE's main roster is divided into two touring brands, Raw and SmackDown.
Its developmental brands, NXT and Evolve, are based at the WWE Performance
Center in Orlando, Florida. The promotion's programming is available in more than one
billion homes worldwide in 30 languages and its global headquarters is located in Stamford,
Connecticut,[13] with offices in New York, Los Angeles, Mexico City, Mumbai, Shanghai,
Singapore, Dubai, and Munich.[14]

In January 2023, WWE began to explore a sale of the company, amidst an employee
misconduct scandal involving McMahon that initially prompted him to step down as
chairman and CEO.[15] In September, WWE merged with Zuffa, the parent company of mixed
martial arts promotion Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC), to form TKO Group Holdings,
a new public company majority-owned by Endeavor Group Holdings, with McMahon as
executive chairman:[16] the promotion's legal name was then changed to World Wrestling
Entertainment, LLC.[17] In 2024, McMahon departed TKO amid a sex trafficking scandal and
was replaced as executive chairman by Ari Emanuel.[18]

Company history
Main article: History of WWE

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Capitol Wrestling Corporation (1953–1963)

Main article: Capitol Wrestling Corporation

WWE's origins can be traced back as far as the 1950s when on January 7, 1953, the first
show under the Capitol Wrestling Corporation (CWC) was produced. There is uncertainty as
to who the founder of the CWC was. Some sources state that it was Vincent J. McMahon,[19]
[20][21]
while other sources cite McMahon's father Jess McMahon as founder of CWC.[22][23]
[24]
The CWC later joined the National Wrestling Alliance (NWA) and famous New York
promoter Toots Mondt soon joined the promotion.

Vincent J. McMahon with Verne Gagne and Bruno

Sammartino in 1975

Vincent J. McMahon and Toots Mondt were very successful and soon controlled
approximately 70% of the NWA's booking power, largely due to their dominance in the
heavily populated Northeastern United States. In 1963, McMahon and Mondt had a dispute
with the NWA over "Nature Boy" Buddy Rogers being booked to hold the NWA World
Heavyweight Championship.[25] Mondt and McMahon were not only promoters but also
acted as his manager and were accused by other NWA promoters of withholding Rogers
making defenses in their cities versus only defending in Mondt and McMahon's own cities,
thus maintaining a monopoly on the world title. In a now-infamous situation, the NWA sent
former five-time world champion and legitimate wrestler Lou Thesz to Toronto to face
Rogers on January 24, 1963. Thesz recalls this was not planned and prior to the match
remembered telling Buddy "We can do this the easy way or the hard way." Rogers agreed to
lose the fall and title in a one fall match versus the traditional two out of three fall matchup
that most world title matches were defended. Once word reached back to Mondt and
McMahon, at first they simply ignored the title change. From January until April 1963,
Rogers was promoted as the NWA World Champion, or simply the World Heavyweight
Champion, in their area.

World Wide Wrestling Federation (1963–1979)

However, the CWC, including both Mondt and McMahon, eventually left the NWA in protest
and renamed their CWC brand to the World Wide Wrestling Federation (WWWF) in the
process. They brought along with them Willie Gilzenberg, long time boxing and wrestling
promoter in New Jersey. In April 1963, the WWWF World Heavyweight Championship was
created, with the promotion claiming that inaugural champion Rogers had won a
tournament in Rio de Janeiro on April 25, 1963, defeating long time Capitol
favorite Antonino Rocca in the finals. In reality, Rocca was no longer in the area, as he was
working for Jim Crockett Sr. in the Carolinas. Rogers also had already suffered what would
later be a career ending heart attack on April 18 in Akron, Ohio, and was in an Ohio hospital
during the time the alleged tournament took place.[26] Rogers lost the championship
to Bruno Sammartino a month later on May 17, with the promotion beginning to be built
around Sammartino shortly after.[27]

In June 1963, Gilzenberg was named the first president of the WWWF.[28] Mondt left the
promotion in the late 1960s and although the WWWF had previously withdrawn from the
NWA, McMahon quietly re-joined in 1971.

World Wrestling Federation and Titan Sports (1979–2002)

Purchase of WWF by Titan Sports (1979–1984)

The WWWF was renamed the World Wrestling Federation (WWF) in 1979.[29] In 1980,
Vincent J. McMahon's son, Vincent K. McMahon, and his wife Linda established Titan Sports,
Inc. in South Yarmouth, Massachusetts, and applied trademarks for the initials "WWF".[30]
[31]
The company was incorporated on February 21, 1980, in the Cape Cod Coliseum offices,
then moved to the building on Holly Hill Lane in Greenwich, Connecticut.

Vincent K. McMahon, former majority owner and executive

chairman of WWE, in 1986.

The younger McMahon bought CWC from his father in 1982, effectively seizing control of the
company. The actual date of sale is still unknown but the generally accepted date is June 6,
1982; however, this was likely only the date the deal was struck but not finalized. On WWF
television, CWC maintained copyrights and ownership past the June 1982 date. The World
Wrestling Federation was not solely owned by Vincent J. McMahon but also by Gorilla
Monsoon, Arnold Skaaland and Phil Zacko. The deal between the two McMahons was a
monthly payment basis, in which if a single payment was missed, ownership would revert to
the elder McMahon and his business partners. Looking to seal the deal quickly, McMahon
took several loans and deals with other promoters and the business partners (including the
promise of a job for life) in order to take full ownership by May or June 1983 for an
estimated total of roughly $1 million with the three business partners receiving roughly
$815,000 among them and Vincent J. McMahon receiving roughly $185,000.[32] Seeking to
make the WWF the premier wrestling promotion in the country, and eventually, the world,
he began an expansion process that fundamentally changed the wrestling business.[33]

At the annual meeting of the NWA in 1983, the McMahons and former Capitol employee Jim
Barnett all withdrew from the organization.[25] McMahon also worked to get WWF
programming on syndicated television all across the United States. This angered other
promoters and disrupted the well-established boundaries of the different wrestling
promotions, eventually ending the territory system, which was in use since the founding of
the NWA in the 1940s. In addition, the company used income generated by advertising,
television deals, and tape sales to secure talent from rival promoters. In an interview
with Sports Illustrated, McMahon was quoted as saying: "In the old days, there were
wrestling fiefdoms all over the country, each with its own little lord in charge. Each little lord
respected the rights of his neighboring little lord. No takeovers or raids were allowed. There
were maybe 30 of these tiny kingdoms in the U.S. and if I hadn't bought out my dad, there
would still be 30 of them, fragmented and struggling. I, of course, had no allegiance to those
little lords."[33]

Golden Era (1984–1993)

Main article: 1980s professional wrestling boom

Hulk Hogan, pictured in 1989, was the WWF's top star

during the 1980s professional wrestling boom.

McMahon gained significant traction when he hired American Wrestling Association (AWA)
talent Hulk Hogan, who had achieved popularity outside of wrestling, notably for his
appearance in the film Rocky III.[34] McMahon signed Roddy Piper as Hogan's rival, and then
shortly afterward Jesse Ventura as an announcer. Other wrestlers joined the roster, such
as The Iron Sheik, Nikolai Volkoff, Junkyard Dog, Paul Orndorff, Greg Valentine, and Ricky
Steamboat, joining existing stars such as Jimmy Snuka, Don Muraco, Sgt.
Slaughter and André the Giant. Many of the wrestlers who would later join the WWF were
former AWA or NWA talent.
The WWF would tour nationally in a venture that would require a huge capital investment,
one that placed the WWF on the verge of financial collapse. The future of McMahon's
experiment came down to the success or failure of McMahon's groundbreaking
concept, WrestleMania. WrestleMania was a major success and was (and still is) marketed as
the Super Bowl of professional wrestling. The concept of a wrestling supercard was nothing
new in North America; the NWA had begun running Starrcade a few years prior. In
McMahon's eyes, however, what separated WrestleMania from other supercards was that it
was intended to be accessible to those who did not watch wrestling. He invited celebrities
such as Mr. T, Muhammad Ali, and Cyndi Lauper to participate in the event, as well as
securing a deal with MTV to provide coverage. The event and hype surrounding it led to the
term Rock 'n' Wrestling Connection, due to the cross-promotion of popular culture and
professional wrestling. It has been acknowledged that Lauper and her then boyfriend and
manager Dave Wolff, himself a wrestling fan, were among the most instrumental in helping
the WWF connect with the MTV audience, with Wolff being considered as the person who
engineered the rock 'n' wrestling connection.[35][36]

The WWF business expanded significantly on the shoulders of McMahon and

his babyface hero Hulk Hogan for the next several years after defeating The Iron Sheik at
Madison Square Garden on January 23, 1984.[37] This event is often cited as the start of
WWF's Golden Era, or "Hulkamania".[38] The introduction of Saturday Night's Main
Event on NBC in 1985 marked the first time that professional wrestling had been broadcast
on network television since the 1950s when the now-defunct DuMont Television
Network broadcast matches of Vincent J. McMahon's Capitol Wrestling Corporation. The
1980s "Wrestling Boom" peaked with the WrestleMania III pay-per-view at the Pontiac
Silverdome in 1987, which set an attendance record of 93,173 for the WWF for 29 years
until 2016.[39] A rematch of the WrestleMania III main event between WWF champion Hulk
Hogan and André the Giant took place on The Main Event I in 1988 and was seen by 33
million people, the most-watched wrestling match in North American television history.[40]

In 1983, Titan moved its offices to Stamford, Connecticut. Subsequently, a new Titan Sports,
Inc. (originally WWF, Inc.) was established in Delaware in 1987 and was consolidated with
the Massachusetts entity in February 1988.[41]

New Generation Era and start of the Monday Night War (1993–1997)

Main article: Monday Night War

 Bret Hart was the biggest star of the New Generation Era and
defeated Yokozuna to win back the WWF World Heavyweight Championship in the main
event of WrestleMania 10.

The WWF was hit with allegations of steroid abuse and distribution in 1992. This was
followed by allegations of sexual harassment by WWF employees the following year.[42]
[43]
McMahon was eventually exonerated, but the allegations brought bad public relations for
the WWF, and an overall bad reputation. The steroid trial cost the company an estimated $5
million at a time of record low revenues. This helped drive many WWF wrestlers over to rival
promotion World Championship Wrestling (WCW), including 1980s babyface hero Hulk
Hogan. During this period, the WWF promoted wrestlers of a younger age comprising "The
New Generation", featuring Bret Hart, Shawn Michaels, Diesel, Razor Ramon and The
Undertaker among others in an effort to promote new talent into the spotlight.

The election of Bill Clinton as U.S. President in 1992 would also mark the spread of dramatic
changes in the American culture as well.[44][45]
 Shawn Michaels became one of the biggest stars in WWF during
this time, since an iconic ladder match at WrestleMania X in 1994.[46]

In January 1993, the WWF debuted its flagship cable program Monday Night Raw. WCW
countered in September 1995 with its own Monday night program, Monday Nitro, which
aired in the same time slot as Raw.[47] The two programs would trade wins in the
ensuing ratings competition (known as the "Monday Night War") until mid-1996. At that
point, Nitro began a nearly two-year ratings domination that was largely fueled by the
introduction of the New World Order (nWo), a stable led by former WWF performers Hulk
Hogan, Scott Hall (the former Razor Ramon), and Kevin Nash (the former Diesel).[48]

Towards the end of the New Generation Era, former WCW and ECW talent were being hired
by the WWF, including Steve Austin (initially under The Ringmaster persona),[49] Mankind,
and Vader. Adopting the Stone Cold persona, Austin slowly increased in popularity despite
being initially promoted as a heel. This started with his "Austin 3:16" speech, shortly after
defeating Jake Roberts in the tournament finals at the 1996 King of the Ring pay-per-view.
[50]
This era also saw the debut of Rocky Maivia, who later adopted the more famous persona
of The Rock.[51][52]

Attitude Era, purchase of WCW and ECW, and end of the War (1997–2002)

Main articles: Attitude Era and Monday Night War

See also: Montreal Screwjob and The Invasion (professional wrestling)

 Stone Cold Steve Austin's rivalry with Vince McMahon is often
cited as having turned the tides for WWF in the Monday Night War against rival promotion
WCW.[53]

As the Monday Night War continued between Raw Is War and WCW's Nitro, the WWF would
transform itself from a family-friendly product into a more adult-oriented product, known as
the Attitude Era. The era was spearheaded by WWF VP Shane McMahon (son of owner
Vince McMahon) and head writer Vince Russo.

1997 ended with McMahon facing real-life controversy following Bret Hart's controversial
departure from the company. This was the result of the Montreal Screwjob, which took
place at the 1997 Survivor Series.[54] This proved to be one of several factors in the launch of
the Attitude Era as well as the creation of McMahon's on-screen character, "Mr. McMahon".
Following Hart and Shawn Michaels's departures, Austin became the new face of the
company.[55]

In 2022, Vince Russo, who was the lead booker during the early years of the Attitude Era,
stated that the USA Network "directly oversaw the WWE product" during he and Ed
Ferrera's time with the WWF, with Ferrera actually serving as a USA Network consultant and
working with USA Network executive Bonnie Hammer.[56] Shortly before the WWF's
television ratings turnaround in early 1998, the USA Network would be acquired by Home
Shopping Network head Barry Diller, which, according to Shaun Assael and Mike
Mooneyham's book Sex, Lies, and Headlocks: The Real Story of Vince McMahon and World
Wrestling Entertainment, resulted in "the terrain" shifting "completely under everyone's
feet" and also expanded Hammer's influence at the USA Network.[57][58] Diller's purchase
would also result in efforts to cancel WWF programming on the USA Network in May 1998
being thwarted, with Hammer being among the network executives who was most
supportive of the WWF.[57]

In 1998 and 1999, The Rock began to increase in popularity as a rival to Stone Cold Steve
Austin, being dubbed as the "People's Champion".[59] On April 29, 1999, the WWF made its
return to terrestrial television, airing a special program known as SmackDown! on the
fledgling UPN network, named after one of The Rock's catchphrases, "Layeth the smack
down".[60] The Thursday night show became a weekly series on August 26, 1999 – competing
directly with WCW's Thursday night program titled Thunder on TBS.

In the summer of 1999, Titan Sports, Inc. was renamed World Wrestling Federation
Entertainment, Inc. On October 19, 1999, World Wrestling Federation Entertainment, Inc.
launched an initial public offering as a publicly traded company, trading on the New York
Stock Exchange (NYSE) with the issuance of stock then valued at $172.5 million.[61] The
company was traded on the NYSE under ticker symbol WWF, later changed to WWE.[62][63]

The Rock's popularity in the Attitude Era was fueled by his

charisma and speaking abilities, which led to many catchphrases and merchandising
opportunities.[64]

By the fall of 1999, the Attitude Era had turned the tide of the Monday Night War into
WWF's favor. After Time Warner merged with America Online (AOL), Ted Turner's control
over WCW was considerably reduced. The newly merged company lacked interest in
professional wrestling as a whole and decided to sell WCW in its entirety. Although Eric
Bischoff, whom Time Warner fired as WCW president in October 1999, was nearing a deal to
purchase the company, in March 2001 McMahon acquired the rights to WCW's trademarks,
tape library, contracts, and other properties from AOL Time Warner for a number reported
to be around $7 million.[65] Shortly after WrestleMania X-Seven, the WWF launched the
Invasion storyline, integrating the incoming talent roster from WCW and Extreme
Championship Wrestling (ECW). With this purchase, WWF now became by far the sole
largest wrestling promotion in North America and in the world. The assets of ECW, which
had folded after filing for bankruptcy protection in April 2001, were purchased by WWE in
2003.[66]

In 2000, the WWF, in collaboration with television network NBC, launched the XFL, a new
professional football league that debuted in 2001.[67] The league had high ratings for the first
few weeks, but initial interest waned and its ratings plunged to dismally low levels (one of its
games was the lowest-rated prime-time show in the history of American television). NBC
walked out on the venture after only one season, but McMahon intended to continue alone.
However, after being unable to reach a deal with UPN, McMahon shut down the XFL.
[68]
WWE maintained control of the XFL trademark[69][70] before McMahon reclaimed the XFL
brand, this time under a separate shell company from WWE, in 2017[71] with intent
to relaunch the XFL in 2020.[72]

World Wrestling Entertainment (2002–present)

Ruthless Aggression Era and first brand split (2002–2008)

Further information: WWF trademark dispute

Main articles: WWE brand extension and WWE Draft

Brock Lesnar became one of the biggest stars of the Ruthless

Aggression Era

On May 6, 2002, the World Wrestling Federation (WWF) changed both its company name
and the name of its wrestling promotion to World Wrestling Entertainment (WWE) after the
company lost a lawsuit initiated by the World Wildlife Fund over the WWF trademark.[73]
[74]
Although mainly caused by an unfavorable ruling in its dispute with the World Wildlife
Fund regarding the "WWF" initialism, the company noted it provided an opportunity to
emphasize its focus on entertainment.[75] On a June 24, 2002 episode of Raw, Vince
McMahon officially dubbed this era as the "Ruthless Aggression" era.[76][77]
In March 2002, the WWF had decided to create two separate rosters, with each group of
wrestlers appearing on one of their main programs, Raw and SmackDown!, due to the
overabundance of talent leftover from the Invasion storyline and the ensuing absorption of
WCW and ECW contracts. This was dubbed as the "brand extension". During this time many
new and young wrestlers would join the company, many of whom would become household
names for the next years to come such as John Cena, Randy Orton, Brock Lesnar,
and Batista.

Also beginning in 2002, a draft lottery was held nearly every year to set the rosters, with the
first draft to determine the inaugural split rosters, and subsequent drafts designed to refresh
the rosters of each show. WWE expanded the brand split by relaunching ECW as a third
brand on May 26, 2006.[78]

PG Era and brand reunification (2008–2014)

Main article: PG Era

Having gradually risen in the Ruthless Aggression Era, John

Cena was the face of WWE during the PG Era. Since 2005, he went on to win a record
17 world championships in the promotion.

On July 22, 2008, WWE adapted a more family-friendly format and their programming
received a TV-PG rating, starting the PG Era.[79] The final ECW program aired on February 16,
2010, after which it was replaced with NXT.[80]

On April 7, 2011, WWE, via the WWE Corporate website, the company ceased using the full
name World Wrestling Entertainment and henceforth referred to itself solely as WWE,
making the latter an orphan initialism. This was said to reflect WWE's global entertainment
expansion away from the ring with the ultimate goal of acquiring entertainment companies
and putting a focus on television, live events, and film production. WWE noted that their
new company model was put into effect with the relaunch of Tough Enough, being a non-
scripted program (contrary to the scripted nature of professional wrestling) and with the
launch of the WWE Network (at the time scheduled to launch in 2012; later pushed back to
2014). However, the legal name of the company remained as World Wrestling
Entertainment, Inc.[12]

Beginning with the August 29, 2011 episode, Raw – referred to as Raw Supershow – featured
talent from both Raw and SmackDown (the "Supershow" epithet would be dropped on July
23, 2012).[81] Championships previously exclusive to one show or the other were available for
wrestlers from any show to compete for; the "Supershow" format would mark the end of
the brand split, as all programming and live events (until July 2016) featured the full WWE
roster.[82]

In 2013, the company built the sports medicine and training facility WWE Performance
Center in the east Orange County, Florida in partnership with Full Sail University from Winter
Park, Florida. The training facility is targeted at career and athletic development for the
company's wrestlers.[83] Full Sail is also home base to WWE's NXT brand,[84] which served as a
developmental territory for WWE.[85]

Reality Era, New Era, and second brand split (2014–2020)

See also: WWE Network

Roman Reigns has been a top star in the WWE since 2015, and
at WrestleMania 38 in 2022 he defeated Brock Lesnar to jointly hold the WWE
Championship and the WWE Universal Championship as the Undisputed WWE Universal
Championship.[86]

On February 24, 2014, WWE launched WWE Network, an over-the-top streaming

service that would feature archive content from WWE and its predecessors, all pay-per-views
(which would continue to be sold through television providers as well), and original
programming.[87][88][89] On the March 24 episode of Raw, Triple H would dub that point in time
the beginning of the "Reality Era".[90]

Beginning in 2015, WWE started to push Roman Reigns as the face of the company since
having him win the 2015 Royal rumble match, amidst mixed reception. By 2017 Roman
Reigns became their highest merchandise seller.[91]
Raw and SmackDown have been WWE's two main brands since the brand split was first
initiated in 2002 and reinitiated in 2016.

On May 25, 2016, WWE relaunched the brand split, billed as the "New Era".
Subsequently, Raw and SmackDown have each featured their unique rosters, announcers,
championships and ring sets/ropes. A draft took place to determine which wrestlers would
appear on what show. SmackDown also moved from Thursdays to Tuesday nights, which
began on July 19 (the night of the aforementioned draft), and airs live instead of the
previous pre-recorded format.[92]

Due to the return of the brand split, a new World Championship, called the WWE Universal
Championship was introduced at the August 21, 2016 SummerSlam event with Finn
Bálor defeating Seth Rollins to become the inaugural WWE Universal Champion.[93]

On November 29, 2016, WWE introduced a new program specifically for their cruiserweight
division (wrestlers 205 lbs. and under) called WWE 205 Live.[94] The program focuses
exclusively on those wrestlers who qualify for the division.[95][96] The cruiserweights – who
first became a fixture in WWE with the Cruiserweight Classic tournament – were originally
exclusive to the Raw brand before landing their own brand.[97]

On December 15, 2016, WWE established a new WWE United Kingdom Championship, with
the inaugural champion being decided by a 16-man tournament to air on WWE Network
featuring wrestlers from the UK and Ireland during January 2017. WWE executive Paul
"Triple H" Levesque said the eventual plan with the new title and tournament was to
establish a UK-based brand with its own weekly television show.[98][99] WWE subsequently
launched its UK-based brand as an offshoot of NXT, NXT UK, in June 2018, with Johnny
Saint serving as inaugural general manager.[100]

Starting in September 2019, NXT had a weekly, live, two-hour show Wednesday nights on
the USA Network and WWE began promoting NXT as their "third brand".[101][102] However, in
2021 NXT was moved to Tuesday nights, having conceded the Wednesday Night Wars to rival
promotion All Elite Wrestling (AEW), and in September of that year was reinstated to its
original function as the developmental brand for the main roster (Raw and SmackDown),
under the name "NXT 2.0".

COVID-19 pandemic and return to touring (2020–2022)

Further information: Impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on sports

In March 2020, WWE began to be impacted by the American onset of the COVID-19
pandemic. In mid-March, three of the four major sports leagues closed locker rooms to the
media as a precautionary measure. As other sports cancellations and postponements were
being introduced, WWE began to film its weekly programs at the Performance
Center without spectators and with only essential staff present, beginning with the March 13
episode of SmackDown – the March 11 episode of NXT had been recorded at the
Performance Center with paying fans, thus being WWE's last event to have ticketed fans in
attendance before the pandemic took full effect.[103][104] WrestleMania 36 was scheduled to
take place on April 5 at Raymond James Stadium in Tampa but on March 16, was moved to
Orlando to be held behind closed doors.[105][106] WrestleMania, as well
as Raw and SmackDown for a period before and after WrestleMania, shifted from live
broadcasts to a pre-recorded format.[107] NXT continued to air from Full Sail University, but
under similar restrictions.[108][109]

Live broadcasts returned on April 13, with the existing arrangements continuing; WWE
stated to [Link] that "we believe it is now more important than ever to provide people
with a diversion from these hard times", and that the company's programming "bring[s]
families together and deliver a sense of hope, determination and perseverance".[109][108] It
was subsequently reported that Florida Governor Ron DeSantis had deemed WWE a
business critical to the state's economy, and had added an exception under the state's stay-
at-home order for employees of a "professional sports and media production" that is closed
to the public and has a national audience.[110][111] The decision was met with criticism from
media outlets, with several media outlets pointing out that DeSantis' actions happened on
the same day a pro-Donald Trump political action committee led by Linda McMahon, who
was previously a part of Trump's cabinet, pledged to spend $18.5 million in advertising in
Florida, and that, also on the same day, Vince McMahon was named part of an advisory
group created by Trump to devise a strategy in re-launching the US economy.[112][113][114][115]

On April 15, WWE started a series of cuts and layoffs in response to the pandemic, including
releasing a number of performers (Karl Anderson, Kurt Angle, Aiden English, EC3, Epico, Luke
Gallows, Curt Hawkins, No Way Jose, Sarah Logan, Mike Kanellis, Maria Kanellis, Primo, Erick
Rowan, Rusev, Lio Rush, Zack Ryder, Heath Slater, and Eric Young), three producers (Dave
Finlay, Shane Helms and Lance Storm), referee Mike Chioda, and multiple NXT/Performance
Center trainees and staff. WWE executives also took a pay cut, and the company also
suspended construction on its new headquarters for at least six months.[116] The firings
caused significant backlash by fans; with Business Insider calling them "livid". Both fans and
several media outlets pointed out that while WWE claimed that these actions were
"necessary due to the economic impact of the coronavirus pandemic", the WWE also
claimed to have "substantial financial resources. Available cash and debt capacity currently
total approximately $0.5 billion". DeSantis' claimed WWE was "essential", which meant that
the company's revenues loss would be limited.[112][117]
In August 2020, WWE relocated from the Performance Center to Orlando's Amway
Center for a long-term residency, broadcasting episodes of Raw, SmackDown, and pay-per-
views through a virtual fan viewing experience called WWE ThunderDome. Inside the
ThunderDome, drones, lasers, pyro, smoke, and projections were utilized to enhance the
wrestlers' entrances on a level similar to that of pay-per-view productions pre-pandemic.
Nearly 1,000 LED boards were installed to allow for rows and rows of virtual fans. It was free
of charge for fans to virtually attend the events, though they had to reserve their virtual seat
ahead of time.[118][119][120] During this time, Roman Reigns began his historic world title reign
with the WWE Universal Championship, which would eventually surpass 1,000 days; being
the longest world title reign in the WWE since Hulk Hogan from 1984 to 1988. WWE
remained at the Amway Center up through early December before relocating the
ThunderDome to Tropicana Field in St. Petersburg, Florida.[121][122] The ThunderDome
relocated to Yuengling Center, located on the campus of the University of South Florida in
Tampa, beginning with the April 12, 2021, episode of Raw.[123][124] In October 2020, NXT
events were relocated from Full Sail University to the Performance Center in a similar setup
dubbed the Capitol Wrestling Center. It had many of the same features as the
ThunderDome, but with a small crowd of select live fans included, in addition to the virtual
fans. The name is also an homage to WWE's predecessor, the Capitol Wrestling Corporation.
[125][126]
On May 21 WWE brought back fans full time, beginning with a 25-city tour, thus
ending the ThunderDome residency. The July 16 episode of SmackDown started WWE's
return to the road, taking place at the Toyota Center in Houston, Texas.

In January 2021, WWE moved WrestleMania 37, which was originally to be held
in Inglewood, California on March 28, to Raymond James Stadium in Tampa,
Florida – WrestleMania 36's original location – as a two-night event on April 10 and 11, with
fans in attendance, though to a limited capacity.[127] This marked WWE's first event during
the pandemic to have ticketed fans in attendance with a maximum of 25,000 spectators for
each night with COVID-19 protocols in place.[128] Also around this time, the WWE Network in
the United States became exclusively distributed by Peacock on March 18, 2021 (ahead
of Fastlane and WrestleMania 37). The merger of the WWE Network and Peacock did not
affect the service outside of the United States.[129] The move to Peacock received some
criticisms from fans particularly due to Peacock's heavy censorship policy, the company
began the removal of some of the contents that were considered iconic moments of
the Attitude Era that were deemed inappropriate by Peacock, these archived contents would
no longer be available under any of WWE's authorized platforms.[130][131] Amdist the
criticisms, in April 2021 WWE executive Triple H defended WWE's move to Peacock.[132]

NXT was moved to a Tuesday night timeslot in 2021 and was rebooted as NXT 2.0 later that
year, reinstituting its original function as a developmental brand. The Performance Center
became NXT's permanent home base, replacing Full Sail. Maximum capacity crowds
resumed and the Capitol Wrestling Center name was phased out.[133] In February 2022, the
205 Live brand was dissolved and the 205 Live show was replaced by a new NXT show
called Level Up.[134]

On February 24, 2022, WWE launched a partnership with On Location, a company known for
providing premium hospitality experiences for marquee events. Through the partnership,
spectators will have access to hospitality packages for WWE's five biggest events, including
WrestleMania, SummerSlam, Royal Rumble, Survivor Series, and Money in the Bank.
The 2022 Money in the Bank was WWE's first event to offer the premium hospitality
packages. These ticket and travel packages include premier seating, premium hospitality
offerings, and meet-and-greets with current WWE wrestlers and legends.[135]

Changes in leadership (2022–2023)

Former WWE Chairwoman and CEO Stephanie McMahon (right)

with her husband WWE CCO and Head of Creative Triple H (left)

On June 17, 2022, amidst an investigation by WWE's Board of Directors into reported "hush
money" paid to a former employee by Vince McMahon following an affair, Mr. McMahon
stepped down as chairman and CEO of WWE and was replaced by his daughter, Stephanie
McMahon, as the interim chairwoman of WWE.[136][137] Despite the change Vince McMahon
came out on WWE SmackDown, that night opening the show with a brief speech, the
highlights of which "then, now, forever and most importantly together" was quoted by
various news media as Vince letting people know that he was still in creative control from
behind the scenes.[138][139] On July 22, 2022, Vince McMahon officially retired, stating on
Twitter, "At 77, time for me to retire. Thank you, WWE Universe. Then. Now. Forever.
Together."[140] Following Vince's retirement, Stephanie McMahon was officially named
chairwoman while she and Nick Khan were named co-CEOs of WWE.[141] Triple H would take
over as head of creative, while resuming his position as Executive Vice President of Talent
Relations and later being promoted to Chief Content Officer.[142][143] Commentators have
highlighted the significance of McMahon's retirement, saying that it marked the historic
start of a new period in WWE's history.[144][145][146][147][148][149][150] The 2022 SummerSlam event
held on July 30, 2022, was the first WWE pay-per-view event to be held under the leadership
of Stephanie McMahon and Triple H.[151][152]

On August 18, 2022; WWE Hall of Famer Shawn Michaels was promoted to WWE Vice
President of Talent Development Creative.[153] On September 6, 2022, WWE announced Paul
'Triple H' Levesque's promotion to Chief Content Officer.[154] On January 6, 2023, Vince
McMahon announced intentions to return to the company ahead of media rights
negotiations. WWE's media rights with Fox and USA Network were set to expire in 2024.
[155]
That same month, JP Morgan were hired to handle a possible sale of the company, with
companies such as Comcast (owners of NBCUniversal and long-time partners of WWE), Fox
Corp (broadcaster of SmackDown), Disney (owners of ESPN), Warner Bros.
Discovery (broadcasters of rival promotion AEW), Netflix, Amazon, Endeavor Group
Holdings (owners of UFC), and Liberty Media being in the speculation for buying the
company[156] with CAA and Saudi Arabia's Public Investment Fund also on the list.[157] On
January 10, 2023, Stephanie McMahon resigned as chairwoman and co-CEO.[158] On the
same day Vince McMahon assumed the role of executive Chairman of the WWE while Nick
Khan became the sole CEO of the WWE.[159]

Acquisition of WWE by Endeavor (2023)

Further information: Acquisition of WWE by Endeavor

On April 3, 2023; WWE and Endeavor reached a deal under which WWE would merge
with UFC's parent company Endeavor to form a new company, which would go public on
the New York Stock Exchange (NYSE) under the symbol "TKO". Endeavor would hold a 51%
stake in "TKO", with WWE's shareholders having a 49% stake,[160] valuing WWE at $9.1 billion.
[161][162]
This marked the first time that WWE has not been majority-controlled by
the McMahon family.[163] Vince McMahon was appointed to serve as executive chairman of
the new entity, Endeavor CEO Ari Emanuel would become CEO, with Mark Shapiro becoming
president and chief operating officer. Emanuel would not take on any creative roles with
WWE's head of creative Paul Levesque appointed to remain in his role,[164] and with Nick
Khan becoming president of WWE post-merger (not unlike Dana White's role as president of
UFC).[162][161][165][164] The deal additionally granted McMahon life tenure as executive chairman,
the right to nominate five WWE representatives on the 11 member board, as well as veto
rights over certain actions by the new company.[166] In addition, McMahon would own 34%
of the new company, with a 16% voting interest.[167]

Emanuel stated that this merger would "bring together two leading pureplay sports and
entertainment companies" and provide "significant operating synergies".[162] Vince
McMahon stated that "family businesses have to evolve for all the right reasons", and that
"given the incredible work that Ari and Endeavor have done to grow the UFC brand—nearly
doubling its revenue over the past seven years—and the immense success we've already
had in partnering with their team on a number of ventures, I believe that this is without a
doubt the best outcome for our shareholders and other stakeholders."[161]

Merger with UFC and the formation of TKO Group Holdings (2023–present)

Main article: TKO Group Holdings

See also: Acquisition of WWE by Endeavor

The logo of TKO Group Holdings

The merger between WWE and UFC into TKO Group Holdings (TKO) was completed on
September 12, 2023.[168] Although the company's legal name remained World Wrestling
Entertainment, LLC, it remained united with UFC as part of the new entity "TKO". As part of
the deal WWE and UFC remained separate divisions of the new entity featuring Professional
Wrestling and Mixed martial arts respectively.[169][170] The first WWE show under
the Endeavor regime was the September 12, 2023, episode of NXT which opened with Ilja
Dragunov defeating Wes Lee in a singles match, and in the main event Becky Lynch defeated
Tiffany Stratton to win the NXT Women's Championship.[171] The first WWE pay per view
under TKO was NXT No Mercy on September 30, 2023.[172] Popular wrestler CM
Punk returned to WWE in late 2023 and in his first match upon return he defeated Dominik
Mysterio at WWE MSG Show on December 26, 2023.[173]

On January 23, 2024 Dwayne Johnson, also known as "The Rock" joined the TKO Group
Holdings board of directors.[174][175][176] Three days later on January 26 Vince McMahon once
again resigned due to further sexual misconduct allegations, with Ari Emanuel obtaining
greater control as the new Chairman of TKO.[177]

On April 1, 2024, Triple H stated that WWE had entered "another era".[178] The next day,
before WrestleMania XL, TKO's parent company, Endeavor was taken private by its largest
investor, Silver Lake, a year after Endeavor's three-year run as a public company where
Endeavor purchased WWE a year prior.[179][180] On April 3, WWE wrestler Cody Rhodes coined
the term "Renaissance Era" for the period.[181] At WrestleMania XL, the WWE would officially
debut a new signature intro ahead of the event's first match. Paul "Triple H" Levesque would
introduce the fans in attendance, "Welcome to a new time, welcome to a new era,"[182] and
at the WrestleMania's second night Stephanie McMahon would reiterate this, referring to it
as the "Paul Levesque era".[183] On April 7, in the main event of the second and final night of
the event, Cody Rhodes defeated Roman Reigns to win the Undisputed WWE Universal
Championship.[184]

On January 23, 2024, WWE announced an agreement with Netflix, which would
include Raw moving from USA Network to the platform worldwide, and Netflix acquire the
rights to all of WWE's weekly programs, live events, and library content outside of the
United States.[185][186] On May 4, 2024, WWE held Backlash France, their first ever pay-per-
view event in France.[187] On October 29, WWE announced WWE ID, a new talent
development system incorporating partnerships with independent promotions and wrestling
schools.[188]

In 2024, WWE began a wider talent exchange between Total Nonstop Action Wrestling (TNA)
and its NXT brand. A multi-year partnership was officially announced on January 16, 2025.
[189][190]
WWE also formed partnerships with Pro Wrestling Noah and Dream Star Fighting
Marigold.[191][192] On April 19, 2025, during the WrestleMania 41 pre-show, WWE announced
its intent to acquire the Mexican promotion Lucha Libre AAA Worldwide in conjunction with
Fillip, a Mexican sports and entertainment company.[193] The sale closed in the third quarter
of 2025.[194]

In July 2026, WWE announced a partnership with SiriusXM to rebrand its wrestling-
oriented sports talk station Pro Wrestling Nation 24/7 as WWE Radio. As part of the
agreement, the channel will carry radio play-by-play broadcasts of WWE's major events
beginning at SummerSlam (with Vic Joseph and Booker T on commentary), WWE's official
podcasts, and aniclarry coverage of WWE events. The channel will continue to carry most of
its existing programming (including Busted Open and Cheap Heat Live).[195]

Championships and accomplishments

Main article: List of current champions in WWE

Note: Tables with a "Days rec." column means that WWE officially recognizes a different
number of days that a wrestler has held a title, generally due to an event airing on tape
delay.

The colors and symbols indicate the home brand of the champions.

Evolv I
† Raw ‡ SmackDown § NXT + * ∞ Unaffiliated
e D

Main roster

Raw

Raw

Dat Da
R
Champio Rei e ys Locatio
Current champion(s) Notes ef
nship gn wo he n
.
n ld
World Apri
Heavywei l Paradis Defeated CM [19
Roman 10
ght 1 19, e, Punk at WrestleMania 6]
Reigns 7
Champio 202 Nevada 42 Night 2.
nship 6

Apri
Women's
l Paradis Defeated Stephanie [19
World 10
Liv Morgan 3 18, e, Vaquer at WrestleMan 7]
Champio 8
202 Nevada ia 42 Night 1.
nship
6

WWE Aug
Minnea
Interconti ust [19
polis, Defeated Penta at Su
nental Chad Gable 1 2, 2 8]
Minnes mmerSlam Night 2.
Champio 202
ota
nship 6

WWE
Women's July Inglew
[19
Interconti Raquel 27, ood, Defeated Sol
1 8 9]
nental Rodriguez 202 Californ Ruca on Raw.
Champio 6 ia
nship
 The Vision
World July Defeated The Street
(Bron Rosem [20
Tag Team 6, Profits (Montez
Breakker an 2 29 ont, 0]
Champio 202 Ford and Angelo
d Austin Illinois
nship 6 Dawkins) on Raw.
Theory)

SmackDown

SmackDown

Da
Dat
Champio Rei ys Re
Current champion(s) e Location Notes
nship gn hel f.
won
d

Undisput July
Rosemo [201
ed WWE CM 6, Defeated Sami
3 29 nt, ]
Champio Punk 202 Zayn on Raw.
Illinois
nship 6

WWE April
Defeated Jade [202
Women's Rhea 19, 10 Paradise
2 Cargill at WrestleMan ]
Champio Ripley 202 7 , Nevada
ia 42 Night 2.
nship 6

[203
Interim Chelsea — Aug 2 Minnea Due to lineal
]
WWE Green ust polis, champion Rhea
Women's 2, Minneso Ripley suffering an
Champio 202 ta injury, an interim
nship 6 champion was
crowned. Green
defeated Charlotte
 Flair, Jade
Cargill, Lash Legend,
and Tiffany
Stratton in a five-
way ladder
match at SummerSla
m Night 2 to become
the interim
champion.

WWE Aug
Minnea
United ust Defeated Trick [204
Baron polis,
States 2 2, 2 Williams at SummerSl ]
Corbin Minneso
Champio 202 am Night 2.
ta
nship 6

WWE
Women's April
Fort [205
United Tiffany 24, 10 Defeated Giulia on S
1 Worth, ]
States Stratton 202 2 mackDown.
Texas
Champio 6
nship

Defeated The
Mar MFTs (Tama
WWE Tag Damian
1 ch Raleigh, Tonga and JC Mateo) [206
Team Priest a 13
(3, 20, North on SmackDown; ]
Champio nd R- 7
1) 202 Carolina Mateo defended the
nship Truth
6 title on behalf of Solo
Sikoa.

Open
Open

Dat Da
Champion Rei e ys Locati Re
Current champion(s) Notes
ship gn wo hel on f.
n d

WWE Fatal Jul New

Defeated Brie
Women's Influence y York [207
Bella and Paige at S
Tag Team (Fallon 1 18, 17 City, ]
aturday Night's
Champion Henley and L 20 New
Main Event XLV.
ship ainey Reid) 26 York

Developmental

NXT

NXT

Da
Champions Rei Date ys Locatio R
Current champion(s) Notes
hip gn won hel n ef.
d

[20
NXT Tony 1 April 12 Chester Defeated
8]
Champions D'Angelo 4, 2 field, previous
hip 2026 Missour champion Joe
i Hendry, Ethan
Page, and Ricky
Saints in a fatal
four-way
match at Stand &
 Deliver.

NXT
June Defeated Lola [20
Women's Kendal Orlando
1 28, 37 Vice at The Great 9]
Champions Grey , Florida
2026 American Bash.
hip

NXT North Febru

[21
American Myles ary 16 Orlando Defeated Ethan
1 0]
Champions Borne 24, 1 , Florida Page on NXT.
hip 2026

NXT
Women's
June [21
North Orlando Defeated Tatum
Zaria 1 9, 56 1]
American , Florida Paxley on NXT.
2026
Champions
hip

The Vanity
NXT Tag Project Febru Defeated DarkSta
[21
Team (Brad ary 16 Orlando te (Osiris Griffin
1 2]
Champions Baylor and 24, 1 , Florida and Saquon
hip Ricky 2026 Shugars) on NXT.
Smokes)

[21
WWE Lexis King 1 April 10 Orlando Defeated EK
3]
Speed 21, 5 , Florida Prosper in a
Champions 2026 tournament final
hip[note 1] to win the vacant
title at NXT:
Revenge – Week
2; previous
champion Elio
 LeFleur relinquis
hed the title due
to a shoulder
injury.

WWE
Women's Marc [21
Wren 14 Housto Defeated Fallon
Speed 1 h 17, 4]
Sinclair 0 n, Texas Henley on NXT.
Champions 2026
hip[note 2]

1. Although an NXT title, the WWE Speed Championship is open to male wrestlers from
Raw, SmackDown, NXT, Evolve, WWE ID, TNA, and AAA.

2. Although an NXT title, the WWE Women's Speed Championship is open to female
wrestlers from Raw, SmackDown, NXT, Evolve, WWE ID, TNA, and AAA.

Evolve

Evolve

Dat Day
Day
Champions Current Reig e s Locati Re
s Notes
hip champion(s) n Wo hel on f.
rec.
n d

Defeated Aaro
n
Rourke on Evo
WWE Jun lve. WWE
Evolve Harle e Orland recognizes [215]
Men's m 1 19, 46 20 o, Lewis' reign as [216]
Champions Lewis 202 Florida beginning on
hip 6 July 15, 2026,
when the
episode aired
on tape delay.
 Defeated Wen
dy
Choo at Evolv
e: Succession
WWE Ma III. WWE
Evolve Nikkit y Orland recognizes [217]
Women's a 1 29, 67 41 o, Lyons's reign [218]
Champions Lyons 202 Florida as beginning
hip 6 on June 24,
2026, when
the episode
aired on tape
delay.

WWE ID

WWE ID

Current Day
Championshi Reig Ref
champion(s Date won s Location Notes
p n .
) held

Defeated Chazz
"Starboy" Hall at
WWE ID
Max June 26, Atlanta, The Nightmare [219]
Championshi 1 39
Abrams 2026 Georgia Factory's event,
p
The ID
Showcase.

[220]
WWE Laynie Luck 1 Novembe 260 Cranston Defeated Brittnie
Women's ID r 17, , Rhode Brooks, Notoriou
Championshi 2025 Island s Mimi, Shannon
p Levangie, Tiara
James,
and Airica
Demia in a six-
woman
elimination
match to win the
vacant title
at Beyond
Wrestling's
 event, Wrestling
Open RI 33, also
earning a WWE
ID contract;
previous and
inaugural
champion Kylie
Rae relinquished
the title due to
maternity leave.

Retired championships

Main article: List of former championships in WWE

Contracts

Main article: List of WWE personnel

WWE signs most of its talent to exclusive contracts, meaning talent can appear or perform
only on WWE programming and events. They are not permitted to appear or perform for
another promotion unless special arrangements are made beforehand. WWE keeps all
wrestlers' salary, employment length, benefits, and all other contract details strictly private.
[221]

WWE classifies its professional wrestlers as independent contractors and not as employees.
A study by the University of Louisville Law Review found that after applying the Internal
Revenue Service (IRS) 20-factor test, 16 factors "clearly indicate that wrestlers are
employees". However, as a result of WWE terming them as independent contractors, "the
wrestlers are denied countless benefits to which they would otherwise be entitled".[222]

In December 2021, WWE revealed a new recruitment contract for athletes who are currently
attending college. The NCAA-approved name, image, and likeness contracts are referred to
by WWE as "next in line agreements".[223]

Stock and corporate governance

On October 19, 1999, WWF, which had been owned previously by parent company Titan
Sports, launched an initial public offering as a publicly traded company, trading on the New
York Stock Exchange (NYSE) with the issuance of stock then valued at $172.5 million.[61] The
company traded on the NYSE under ticker symbol WWE.[63]

The company has actively marketed itself as a publicly traded company through
presentations at investor conferences and other investor relations initiatives.[224] In June
2003, the company began paying a dividend on its shares of $0.04 per share.[225] In June
2011, the company cut its dividend from $0.36 to $0.12.[226] In 2014, concerns about the
company's viability caused wide fluctuations in its share price.[227]

In September 2023, Endeavor Group Holdings, UFC and WWE formed a new publicly traded
company, TKO Group Holdings, Inc. The new entity went public on September 12, 2023, and
is listed on the New York Stock Exchange (NYSE) under the symbol "TKO".[228][229]

At the close of the deal, Endeavor held a 51% stake in TKO Group Holdings, with WWE's
shareholders having a 49% stake, valuing WWE at $9.1 billion. This marked the first time that
WWE had not been majority-controlled by members of the McMahon family.[230] Endeavor
CEO Ari Emanuel became CEO of TKO and Mark Shapiro became president and chief
operating officer, with each maintaining their respective roles at Endeavor. UFC and WWE
continued to operate as separate divisions under TKO, with Dana White as CEO of the UFC
and Nick Khan serving as president of WWE post-merger.[231] WWE's head of creative Paul
Levesque remained in his role.[232]

WWE Network and distribution deals

Main article: WWE Network

On February 24, 2014, WWE launched WWE Network, an over-the-top subscription

streaming service[87][88][89] The service, which was initially proposed as a linear pay
television service,[233][234] carried all WWE pay-per-view events, original programming
(including in-ring programs, as well as documentary and reality programming highlighting
the promotion and its history), and access to WWE library content such as classic pay-per-
views and television episodes from WWE and other promotions that it had acquired.[235] The
service reached 1,000,000 subscribers on January 27, 2015, in less than one year of its
launch, with WWE claiming that it was thus "the fastest-growing digital subscription service
ever".[236]

In May 2014, WWE and NBCUniversal agreed to a new contract that would see
both Raw and SmackDown continue on NBC owned networks the USA Network and Syfy.
[237]
In January 2016, SmackDown would change networks to the USA Network. The contract
with NBCUniversal expires in 2019.[238] On November 17, 2016, WWE and Sky
Deutschland signed a multi-year agreement to distribute WWE's premier pay-per-view
events and broadcast Raw and SmackDown Live on SKY Sports starting in April 2017.[239] On
April 10, 2017, WWE and DAZN, made Raw and SmackDown available live in Japan with
Japanese commentary.[240] On April 27, WWE and TV5, reached a new agreement to
broadcast one-hour editions of SmackDown.[241] On May 12, WWE and Saran Media, reached
a new multi-year agreement to televise Raw and SmackDown.[242] On July 10, WWE and AB 1,
extended their partnership into its 18th year with a new, multi-year agreement to broadcast
WWE programming.[243] On July 20, WWE and SuperSport, reached a new, multi-year
agreement to broadcast WWE programming live for the first time in more than 50 countries.
[244]
On August 1, WWE and Foxtel extended their partnership into its 18th year with a new
agreement to broadcast WWE programming.[245] On August 8, WWE and Canal 1 reached an
agreement to broadcast one-hour editions of Raw and SmackDown.[246] On August 16, WWE
and Nine Network reached a broadcast agreement to air weekly one-hour versions of Raw
and SmackDown.[247] On August 24, WWE and Flow reached a multi-year agreement to
televise WWE's flagship programmes Raw and SmackDown.[248] On September 7, WWE
and TVA Sports reached a multi-year agreement to air a weekly, one-hour only edition of
Raw, in French in Canada.[249] On October 24, WWE and Sport TV reached a multi-year
agreement to air Raw and SmackDown.[250] On December 15, WWE and IB SPORTS, they will
extend their partnership with a new agreement to broadcast WWE programming live for the
first time in South Korea.[251] On December 18, WWE and SPS HD, reached an agreement to
broadcast Raw and SmackDown on SPS Sports for the first time in Mongolia.[252]

On December 13, 2017, WWE announced a live in-ring event series for Facebook Watch—
the Mixed Match Challenge—which featured a single-elimination tournament involving
mixed tag teams formed from the Raw and SmackDown rosters.[253]

In January 2021, WWE announced an agreement with NBCUniversal to move its streaming
library and live events to its recently launched streaming service Peacock in the United
States beginning on March 18, 2021 (ahead of Fastlane and WrestleMania 37), resulting in
the phase-out of WWE Network in the region.[129] On September 9, 2022, WWE renewed its
agreement with Foxtel, with WWE Network similarly being folded into its Binge streaming
service beginning in January 2023, and WWE programming continuing to air on
both Fox8 and a new WWE linear channel on the platform.[254][255]

On January 23, 2024, WWE announced an agreement with Netflix, under which WWE
Raw would move to the platform globally in January 2025, and Netflix would acquire the
international rights to WWE's weekly programs, live events, and library content outside of
the United States—replacing WWE Network and its individual agreements with other
streaming services as they expire.[185][186]

On August 6, 2025, WWE announced an agreement with ESPN Inc., under which it will hold
the rights to its live events in the United States beginning in September 2025, succeeding
Peacock. The events air on the "ESPN Unlimited" OTT service, with selected events also
slated to air on ESPN's cable channels. ESPN had an existing media rights relationship with
fellow TKO Group subsidiary UFC, which expired in favor of one with Paramount in 2026;
[256]
the agreement did not include U.S. rights to WWE's library content,[257][258][259] which were
later acquired by Netflix in January 2026.[260] In April 2026, ESPN announced a sublicensing
agreement with The CW under which ESPN Unlimited will carry all CW Sports programming;
this also includes WWE NXT and NXT live events.[261][262][263]

Broadcasts

See also: List of WWE television programming

 Original
In-ring program Network(s) Notes
release

January 11,
One of WWE's two flagship programs
WWE Raw 1993– Netflix
Airs on Mondays on Netflix in the U.S.
present

April 29, One of WWE's two flagship programs

WWE USA
1999– Airs on Fridays on the USA Network in the
SmackDown Network
present U.S.

February 23, One of WWE's two developmental

WWE NXT 2010– The CW wrestling programs
present Airs on Tuesdays on The CW in the U.S.

March 5, One of WWE's two developmental

WWE Evolve 2025– Tubi wrestling programs
present Airs on Wednesdays on Tubi in the U.S.

January 17, Flagship program of WWE's Mexican

Lucha Libre AAA 2026– YouTube subsidiary Lucha Libre AAA Worldwide
present Airs on Saturdays on YouTube in the U.S.

October 3, A supplementary program for WWE

WWE Main
2012– YouTube Raw and WWE SmackDown
Event
present Airs on Thursdays on YouTube in the U.S.

February 16,
WWE's reality competition program
WWE LFG 2025– A&E
Airs seasonally on A&E in the U.S.
present

Saturday May 11, Quarterly streaming television

Night's Main 1985– Peacock specials that air on select Saturdays on
Event present Peacock in the U.S.

Major standalone events that air on ESPN

March 31, (main roster) and The CW (NXT) once per
Premium Live ESPN
1985– month in the U.S.
Events The CW
present Formerly referred to by WWE as Pay-Per-
View Events and WWE Network Events

Terminology
WWE uses a variety of special terms in promoting their product, such as describing the
wrestling industry as sports entertainment. The fan base is referred to as the "WWE
Universe" for the main roster shows, while for NXT shows, they are also referred to as the
"NXT Universe". Main roster wrestlers are designated "WWE Superstars", while those in NXT
are also referred to as "NXT Superstars". Retired wrestlers are described as "WWE Legends",
while those who have been inducted into the WWE Hall of Fame are called "Hall of Famers".
[264]

Expansion beyond wrestling

Subsidiaries

Active

 TSI Realty Co. (1997–present): In 1997, WWE established a real estate brokerage and
investment firm called TSI Realty Company.[265]

 WWE Books (2002–present): A book series that often publishes biographies of WWE
personalities, behind-the-scenes guides to WWE, illustrated books, calendars, young
adult books, and other nonfiction books.

 WCW Inc. (2001–present): A subsidiary that was originally created as W. Acquisition

Company in 2000. It was renamed WCW Inc. in 2001 following the WWF's purchase
of the rights to the video library and intellectual property for World Championship
Wrestling.

 WWE Legacy Department (2001–present): A collection of professional wrestling

videos and copyrights.

 WWE Studios (2002–present): Formerly known as WWE Films, a subsidiary that

creates and develops feature film properties, including scripted, non-scripted, family
and animated television and digital content.

 WWE Music Group (2006–present): A music group that specializes in compilation

albums of WWE wrestlers' entrance themes. The group also releases titles that have
been performed by WWE wrestlers.

 WWE Jet Services, Inc. (2013–present): A subsidiary formed to manage the financing
and operations of the company's fleet of private jets.

 WWE Performance Center (2013–present): A subsidiary that serves as the usual

training center for future WWE wrestlers.

 WWE Podcast Network (2019–present): A podcast network that features several

WWE wrestlers hosting their own podcasts. WWE partnered with Endeavor Audio to
launch the network.[266]

 Lucha Libre AAA Worldwide (2025–present): A Mexican Lucha Libre promotion.

  WWE Radio (2026-present) : A radio station on Sirius XM airing WWE theme radio
shows,podcasts, and WWE PLEs.

Defunct

 Alpha Entertainment (2018): A limited liability company that was established in 2018
by Vince McMahon for the purpose of being the parent company of the new XFL.
While McMahon stated that the XFL would remain as a separate company from
WWE, it was revealed through WWE's 2018 10-K that the company hold a minority
stake in Alpha Entertainment.[267]

 World Bodybuilding Federation (1990–1992): A subsidiary of Titan Sports which

promoted professional bodybuilding through a television show, magazine, and
annual pay-per-view events.

 Radio WWF (1993) A syndicated radio station hosted by Jim Ross and Johnny Polo.
The station featured shows that would cover ongoing WWF storylines and behind the
scenes incidents. Radio WWF hosts also provided commentary for two pay-per-
views.

 Wrestle Vessel (1996–1999): A series of WWF-themed cruise ship experiences.

 WWE Home Video (1997–2023): A home video subsidiary that specialized in

distributing VHS, DVD, and Blu-ray Disc copies of WWE pay-per-view events,
compilations of WWE wrestlers' performances and entrances, and biographies of
WWE performers. WWE Home Video releases were discontinued worldwide on
December 26, 2023.

 WWF Racing (2000): WWF sponsored an NHRA Funny Car team. The partnership was
branded WWF Racing. WWF Racing branding was featured at WWE's Wall Street
event.

 XFL (2000–2001): A partially owned subsidiary of the WWF which comprised eight
league-owned professional football teams. The league included television broadcasts
on NBC (the other co-owners of the league), UPN, and TNN.

 The World Entertainment (1999–2003): A subsidiary of World Wrestling

Federation/Entertainment that operated a restaurant, nightclub, and memorabilia
shop in New York City. World originally opened as "WWF New York", and was
renamed "The World". Hard Rock Cafe took over the location in 2005.

 WWE Niagara Falls (2002–2011): a partnership with Canadian Niagara Hotels for a
retail store and amusement complex located in Niagara Falls, Ontario, Canada. The
store featured occasional autograph signings and appearances by WWE wrestlers,
alumni, and Hall of Famers.
  WWE Classics on Demand (2004–2014): A subscription video-on-demand service
which featured archived programming, including from subsidiaries World
Championship Wrestling, Extreme Championship Wrestling, and others. Classics
offered around 40 hours of rotating programming per month, arranged into four
programming buckets, and often centered on a specific theme.

 WWE Kids (2008–2014): A website and comic set aimed at children. WWE Kids'
comics were produced bi-monthly.

 WWE Universe (2008–2011): A social media website which was managed and
operated by WWE. Its original name was "WWE Fan Nation" and was renamed
"WWE Universe".

 WWE Magazine (1983–2014): WWE's magazine – originally released bi-monthly, it

later switching to a monthly schedule, before being discontinued in 2014.

 WWE Shop (2015–2024): An online store for licensed WWE-related apparel, gear,
and other merchandise and products. In 2024, this was outsourced to Fanatics, Inc.

Investments

 Tout: A social media 15-second video service. In 2012, WWE invested $5,000,000 and
entered into a two-year partnership. Stephanie McMahon was named a part of the
Tout Board of Directors. The agreement between the two companies ended in 2014.
[268]

 Marvel Experience: Marvel Experience is an interactive live event

with Marvel characters appearing. WWE invested in the experience in 2013.[269]

 Phunware: A business that creates mobile apps. WWE invested in Phunware in 2014
and[270] uses the company for their app.

 FloSports: An over-the-top sport streaming service that WWE originally invested into
in 2016. In 2019, WWE once again invested into FloSports. The sports that are
available in FloSports include amateur wrestling, professional
wrestling, track, grappling, mixed martial
arts, boxing, softball, gymnastics, basketball, tennis, volleyball, cheerleading,
and eSports.[271]

 Avid Technology: A technology and multimedia company. Avid specializes in audio

and video; specifically digital non-linear editing systems, management and
distribution services. WWE invested in Avid in 2016.[272]

 Drone Racing League: A league that contains remote-controlled lightweight aircraft

races and appears as a spectator sport. WWE invested in Drone in 2017.[273]
  Cloud9: An esports organization, which has teams compete in many different video
games including a WWE sponsor, Rocket League. WWE invested in Cloud9 in 2017.[274]

 DraftKings: WWE's fantasy sports partner.[275]

 Rad: A company that has a streaming platform focusing on non-fungible

token technology for film, TV, and celebrities. WWE invested in Rad in 2021.[276]

 Jomboy Media: A multimedia company that produces a baseball show. WWE

invested in Jomboy Media in 2022.[277]

 Premier Lacrosse League: A professional lacrosse league in the United States and
Canada. WWE invested in the Premier Lacrosse League in 2022.[278]

Charities

 WWE has had a partnership with the Make-A-Wish Foundation that spans four
decades.[279] Multi-time WWE champion John Cena has granted more wishes than
any other celebrity in history, having completed his 500th wish in August 2015.[280]

 WWE has had a partnership with the United Service Organizations since the early
2000s.[281] The partnership allows WWE to host WWE Tribute to the Troops around
the world and provide tickets to WWE events to service members.[282]

 In 2011, WWE launched its anti-bullying campaign, Be A S.T.A.R (Show Tolerance and
Respect). The campaign, targeted towards children, consists of an interactive
ceremony with WWE wrestlers visiting children at their schools and lecture the
children on bullying.[283]

 Since 2012, WWE has partnered with Susan G. Komen for the Cure to raise
awareness of breast cancer during the month of October. Their partnership includes
offering special charity-related wrestler merchandise, as well as adding a pink color
scheme to the sets and ring ropes; 20% of all October purchases of WWE
merchandise go to the organization.[284]

 Since 2012, WWE has partnered with Hire Heroes USA to donate and implement a
veterans hiring initiatives through WWE's partners.[285] Multiple times a year, WWE
hosts a panel for companies and veterans to come together and discuss career
opportunities.[286]

 In June 2014, Connor's Cure[287] – a non-profit charitable organization – was

established by Triple H and Stephanie McMahon, who have personally funded it
through the Children's Hospital of Pittsburgh Foundation. It is named in honor
of Pittsburgh native Connor Michalek (October 17, 2005 – April 25, 2014) who had
died two months earlier from medulloblastoma, a rare tumor that affects the brain
and spinal cord. Beginning in 2015, WWE began recognizing September as Pediatric
 Cancer Awareness Month, adding a gold color scheme to the sets and ring ropes, and
offering special Connor's Cure merchandise, with the proceeds going to charity.[288][289]

 Since 2014, WWE has partnered with the Special Olympics.[290]

 Since 2016, WWE has partnered with Boys & Girls Clubs of America.[291]

 In October 2018, a week before the Evolution pay-per-view, the WWE and the United
Nations Foundation's Girl Up created Sports for a Purpose program aiming to create a
culture of sports participation for girls around the world. The program launched in
fall 2019. Stephanie McMahon stated, "WWE is proud to partner with Girl Up to
create Sports for a Purpose, a new program designed to help our youth achieve
gender equality in sports. Playing sports has a positive impact on girls' leadership
skills, confidence and self-esteem, and we are excited to work with Girl Up to create
this meaningful program."[292]

 Since 2019, WWE has partnered with Leukemia & Lymphoma Society to drive
awareness and support for the research of leukemia.[293]

 Since November 2021, WWE has partnered with National Medal of Honor Museum
Foundation, honoring Medal of Honor recipients. Funds are raised through ticket
sales.[294]

Relationship with Tapout

Main article: Tapout (clothing brand)

In March 2015, WWE joined forces with Authentic Brands Group to relaunch Tapout,
formerly a major MMA-related clothing line, as a more general "lifestyle fitness" brand. The
apparel, for men and women, was first released in spring of 2016. WWE markets the brand
through various products, including beverages, supplements, and gyms.[295] WWE will hold a
50% stake in the brand, and so will advertise it regularly across all its platforms, hoping to
give it one billion impressions a month, and take some of the fitness market from Under
Armour. WWE wrestlers and staff have been shown wearing various Tapout gear since the
venture began.[296]

Partnerships

See also: List of WWE developmental territories and brands

Though an infrequent occurrence, during its history WWE has worked with other wrestling
promotions in collaborative efforts.

During the 1970s to early 1990s, WWF had working relationships with the Japanese New
Japan Pro-Wrestling (NJPW), Universal Wrestling Federation (UWF), Universal Lucha
Libre (FULL), and the Mexican Universal Wrestling Association (UWA). These working
relationships led to the creations of the WWF World Martial Arts, Light
Heavyweight and Intercontinental Tag Team championships.[297][298][299][300]

During the period of 1992–1996, WWF had talent exchange agreements with the United
States and Japanese independent companies Smokey Mountain Wrestling (SMW),[301]
[302]
Super World of Sports (SWS),[303] WAR,[304] and the United States Wrestling
Association (USWA).[305]

In 1997, the company did business with Mexico's AAA promotion, bringing in a number of
AAA wrestlers for the Royal Rumble event and namesake match.[306][307]

In 1997, WWF would also do business with Japan's Michinoku Pro Wrestling (MPW),
bringing in MPW talent to compete in the company's light heavyweight division and in
their 1997 Light Heavyweight Championship tournament.[308]

From 1997 to 1998, WWF partnered with the National Wrestling Alliance (NWA), with WWF
hosting NWA matches on its programming. These matches were presented as part of "an
invasion" of WWF by NWA wrestlers.

In 2015, WWE entered a partnership with Evolve – a U.S. independent promotion that WWE
used as a scouting group for potential signees for the NXT brand.[309] In 2020, WWE would
purchase Evolve for an undisclosed amount.[310]

In 2016, WWE partnered with England's Progress Wrestling with Progress hosting qualifying
matches for WWE's Cruiserweight Classic.[311] In 2017, Progress talent would participate in
the WWE United Kingdom Championship Tournament[312] and at WWE's WrestleMania
Axxess events.[313] Three years later in 2020, Progress programming began airing on the WWE
Network. Their partnership ended in January 2023 as both companies pursued different
digital media strategies.[314][315]

In 2017, WWE partnered with Scotland's Insane Championship Wrestling (ICW) with some
ICW talent appearing in the WWE United Kingdom Championship Tournament and at WWE's
WrestleMania Axxess events.[313] In 2017, WWE explored a deal to bring ICW programming
onto the WWE Network[316] – ICW programming began airing on the WWE Network in 2020.
This partnership ended in January 2023 as both companies pursued different digital media
strategies.[317]

In 2018, WWE partnered with Germany's Westside Xtreme Wrestling (wXw).[318] In October
2018, WWE hosted German tryouts at the wXw Wrestling Academy.[319] In 2020, wXw
programming began airing on the WWE Network. Their partnership ended in May 2024
when wXw's deal with WWE expired.[320]

In February 2023, WWE (specifically their NXT brand) launched a partnership with the Texas-
based independent promotion Reality of Wrestling (ROW), which is owned by WWE Hall of
Famer and NXT commentator Booker T.[321]
In December 2023, WWE launched a partnership with All Japan Pro Wrestling (AJPW).[322]
[323]
In early 2024, WWE expanded their partnership with AJPW, with NXT wrestler Charlie
Dempsey going to Japan to challenge for AJPW's Triple Crown Heavyweight
Championship which marked the first match under the new collaboration.[324] The
partnership ended in late 2024 due to an exclusive deal between CyberAgent (the parent
company of Pro Wrestling Noah) and WWE, which affected AJPW's ability to work with
WWE.[325]

Throughout 2024, WWE launched partnerships with Dream Star Fighting

Marigold (Marigold),[326] Pro Wrestling Noah (NOAH), and Game Changer Wrestling (GCW).

In October 2024, WWE launched the WWE ID system to develop and support the training of
independent wrestlers,[327] with the first WWE ID partner wrestling schools and promotions
being Black and Brave Academy, Nightmare Factory, Elite Pro Wrestling Training Center, and
KnokX Pro Academy, among others.[328][329]

In January 2025, WWE announced a multi-year partnership with Total Nonstop Action
Wrestling (TNA) that allows TNA wrestlers and NXT wrestlers to appear on NXT events, TNA
Impact!, and select WWE and TNA Premium Live Events.[330][331]

Throughout the company's history, WWE has had past arrangements with independent
companies from the contiguous United States (such as Ohio Valley Wrestling) and Puerto
Rico (such as the International Wrestling Association) with the companies serving
as developmental territories.[332]

Drug testing and wellness program

The World Wrestling Federation had a drug-testing policy in place as early as 1987, initially
run by an in-house administrator. In 1991, wrestlers were subjected to independent testing
for anabolic steroids for the first time.[333] The independent testing ceased in 1996, being
deemed too expensive as the company was going through financial duress at the time as a
result of their competitors, World Championship Wrestling, being so overwhelmingly more
popular and hurting the federation's business.[334]

The Talent Wellness Program is a comprehensive drug, alcohol, and cardiac screening
program initiated in February 2006, three months after the sudden death of one of their
highest-profile and most popular talents, Eddie Guerrero, who died at 38-years-old.[335] The
policy tests for recreational drug use and abuse of prescription medication, including
anabolic steroids.[335] Under the guidelines of the policy, talent is also tested annually for pre-
existing or developing cardiac issues. The drug testing is handled by Aegis Sciences
Corporation; the cardiac evaluations are handled by New York Cardiology Associates P.C.
[335]
The Wellness Policy requires that all talent "under contract to WWE who regularly
perform in-ring services as a professional sports entertainer" undergo testing; however, part-
time competitors are exempt from testing.[336]
After the double-murder and suicide committed by one of its performers, Chris Benoit, with
a possible link to steroid abuse encouraged by WWE, the United States House Committee on
Oversight and Government Reform requested that WWE turn over any material regarding its
talent wellness policy.[337]

In August 2007, WWE and its contracted performers defended the program in the wake of
several busts of illegal pharmacy that linked WWE performers to steroid purchases even
after the policy was put into place. Ten professional wrestlers were suspended for violating
the Wellness Policy after reports emerged they were all customers of Signature Pharmacy
in Orlando, Florida. According to a statement attributed to WWE attorney Jerry McDevitt, an
eleventh wrestler was later added to the suspension list.[338][339][340]

On September 13, 2010, WWE updated their list of banned substances to include muscle
relaxers.[341]

Legal disputes and controversies

1990s drug scandal

Main article: United States v. McMahon

During the 1980s and 1990s, George Zahorian was thought to have routinely distributed
steroids and other drugs to WWF wrestlers, supposedly with the approval of WWF owner
Vince McMahon.[342][unreliable source?] In 1993, McMahon was indicted in federal court after the
steroid controversy engulfed the promotion, forcing him to temporarily cede control of the
WWF to his wife Linda.[343] The case went to trial in 1994, where McMahon himself was
accused of distributing steroids to his wrestlers.[344] One notable prosecution witness
was Nailz (real name: Kevin Wacholz), a former WWF performer who had been fired after a
violent confrontation with McMahon. Nailz testified that McMahon had ordered him to use
steroids, but his credibility was called into question during his testimony as he repeatedly
stated that he "hated" McMahon.[345][346] The jury would later acquit McMahon of the
charges and he resumed his role in the day-to day operations of the WWF.[347]

1990s ring boy scandal

Main article: Ring boy scandal

During the early 1990s, Mel Phillips, WWF's ring announcer and ring crew head, was accused
of molesting multiple "ring boys", under-aged children that worked as part of the WWF ring
crew.[348] In 1992, Phillips was fired from the WWF.[348] Phillips had previously been
temporarily dismissed from the WWF in 1988 for sexual misconduct, but was brought back
that same year.[348]

On October 29, 2020, it was reported by Business Insider that Vince McMahon and his
wife Linda were aware of the allegations against Phillips but willfully turned a blind eye to
them. According to Freedom of Information Act requests for court records regarding the ring
boy scandal, Vince, under oath, stated that he was aware that Phillips had taken a "peculiar
and unnatural interest in children" but refused to take action against him.[348] Further
testimony revealed that Vince, after bringing Phillips back to the WWF in 1988, had made
Phillips promise to "stop chasing after kids".[348] It was also reported by Business Insider that,
under Vince and Linda McMahon's directive, the WWF began a campaign to discredit Tom
Cole, one of the children who had accused Phillips of sexual misconduct, and Cole's family.
[348]
In response to the Business Insider report, Jerry McDevitt, WWE's attorney, stated that
the accusations against Phillips were related to his unusual "foot fetish" but did not include
"anything approximating conventional forms of sexual abuse such as rape, sodomy,
etc."[348] He additionally described the claims that the McMahons knew about the
accusations against Phillips but refused to take action and continued to employ him under
the condition that he "stop chasing after kids" as "outlandish" and "classic libel".[348]

Tom Cole died in February 2021.[349]

Disputes with rival companies

In 1996, Titan Sports, the parent company of the World Wrestling Federation, sued World
Championship Wrestling (WCW) over WCW implying that Scott Hall and Kevin Nash (Razor
Ramon and Diesel) were invading WCW on the WWF's behalf. This led to a series of lawsuits
filed by both companies as the Monday Night War heated up. The lawsuit went on for years,
ending with a settlement in 2000. One of the terms gave then WWF the right to bid on
WCW's assets if the company were liquidated. AOL Time Warner, the then-parent company
of WCW, canceled WCW's television shows in March 2001 and sold the company assets to
the WWF.[350][unreliable source?]

On May 23, 2012, Total Nonstop Action Wrestling (TNA) sued former employee Brian
Wittenstein and WWE. The suit alleged that Wittenstein violated a non-disclosure
agreement and shared confidential information with the WWE which represented a
comparative advantage in negotiating with wrestling talent under contract with TNA. He was
subsequently hired by WWE, after which TNA asserted that Wittenstein violated the
agreement by downloading confidential TNA trade secrets and providing that information to
WWE. Although WWE fired Wittenstein and alerted TNA officials as to the disclosure of the
information, TNA claimed that WWE had access to the information for three weeks prior to
disclosure and in this time, the WWE used secret contract information and attempted to
poach their talent in violation of Tennessee's Uniform Trade Secrets Act.[351] The lawsuit was
formally withdrawn without prejudice, by the plaintiff, TNA, on January 15, 2013, under a
"Notice of Voluntary Nonsuit" which offers no ruling on the merits of the suit and allows TNA
to potentially refile at a later date.[352]

On January 11, 2022, Major League Wrestling (MLW) filed an anti-trust lawsuit against WWE,
accusing them of interfering in television and streaming deals and poaching talent. Through
the lawsuit, it was disclosed that a streaming deal with Fox Corporation-owned Tubi was
terminated due to WWE allegedly threatening to pull their programming from the
sibling Fox broadcast network. The suit also alleges that WWE pressured Vice TV to
withdraw from negotiations with MLW.[353][354]

Owen Hart's death

On May 23, 1999, Owen Hart fell to his death in Kansas City, Missouri, during the Over the
Edge pay-per-view event in a stunt that went wrong. WWF broke kayfabe by having
television commentator Jim Ross repeatedly tell those watching live on pay-per-view that
what had just transpired was not a wrestling angle or storyline and that Hart was hurt badly,
emphasizing the seriousness of the situation.[355] While several attempts to revive him were
made, he died from his injuries. The cause of death was later revealed to be internal
bleeding from blunt force trauma. The WWF management controversially chose to continue
the event.[356] Later, Jim Ross revealed Hart's death to the home viewers during the pay-per-
view, but not to the crowd in the arena.[357] While the show did go on, it has never been
released commercially by WWF Home Video. In 2014, fifteen years after his death, the WWE
Network aired the event for the first time. A small photo tribute is shown before the start
informing fans that Hart died during the original broadcast. All footage of Hart was edited
out of the event. The statement reads: "In Memory of Owen Hart May 7, 1965 – May 23,
1999 who accidentally passed away during this broadcast."[358] Four weeks after the event,
the Hart family sued the WWF over how dangerous and poorly planned the stunt was, and
over the harness system being defective.[359] After over a year and a half into the case, a
settlement was reached on November 2, 2000, which saw the WWF give the Hart family
US$18 million.[360][361][362]

Dispute with USA Network

In April 2000, USA Networks, Inc., the parent company of USA Network, had filed a lawsuit
against World Wrestling Federation Entertainment Inc. in a bid to keep Raw is War and all
WWF programming after the WWF opened up a bidding war a month prior.[363] Viacom's
proposed bid included a $30-million to $50-million equity investment in the company and
carriage on broadcast, billboards and radio of both wrestling matches along with the then-
launched XFL.

On June 27, 2000, the Delaware Supreme Court ruled in favor of the WWF.[364] The next day,
Viacom won the rights to all WWF programming for $12.6 million including Raw is
War on TNN/Spike TV, a revamped Sunday Night Heat on MTV and
retained SmackDown! on UPN after the merger with CBS in 1999. The lawsuit centered on
USA's contention that it did not have to match every aspect of a Viacom offer to satisfy
a right of first refusal clause in its contract that allowed its deal with the WWF to continue.
[365][366][367]
In 2005, WWE's programming (excluding SmackDown!) moved back to USA
Network (now owned by NBCUniversal) and maintains its relationship to this day.[368]

WWF name dispute

Further information: WWF trademark dispute

In 1994, Titan Sports had entered into an agreement with the World Wide Fund for
Nature (also trademarked WWF), an environmental organization, regarding Titan's use of the
"WWF" acronym, which both organizations had been using since at least March 1979. Under
the agreement, Titan had agreed to cease using the written acronym "WWF" in connection
with its wrestling promotion, and to minimize (though not eliminate) spoken uses of "WWF"
on its broadcasts, particularly in scripted comments. In exchange, the environmental group
(and its national affiliates) agreed to drop any pending litigation against Titan, and agreed
not to challenge Titan's use of the full "World Wrestling Federation" name or the
promotion's then-current logo.[369]

In 2000, the World Wide Fund for Nature sued World Wrestling Federation Entertainment
Inc. in the United Kingdom, alleging various violations of the 1994 agreement.[370] The Court
of Appeal agreed that the promotion company had violated the 1994 agreement,
particularly in regards to merchandising. The last televised event to market the WWF logo
was the UK-based pay-per-view Insurrextion 2002. On May 5, 2002, the company launched
its "Get The F Out" marketing campaign and changed all references on its website from
"WWF" to "WWE", while switching the URL from [Link] to [Link].[75] The next day,
the official name change from World Wrestling Federation Entertainment, Inc. to World
Wrestling Entertainment, Inc., was publicized in a press release and during a broadcast
of Raw, from the Hartford Civic Center.

Following the name change, the use of the WWF "scratch" logo became prohibited on all
WWE properties. Additionally, past references to the WWF trademark and initials in
'specified circumstances' became censored.[371] Despite the litigation, WWE was still
permitted use of the original WWF logo, which was used from 1979 through 1994 and had
been explicitly exempted under the 1994 agreement, as well as the similar "New WWF
Generation" logo, which was used from 1994 through 1998. Furthermore, the company
could still make use of the full "World Wrestling Federation" and "World Wrestling
Federation Entertainment" names without consequence. In 2003, WWE won a limited
decision to continue marketing certain classic video games from THQ and Jakks Pacific that
contained the WWF "scratch" logo.[372] However, the packaging on those games had all WWF
references replaced with WWE.

Starting with the 1,000th episode of Raw in July 2012, the WWF "scratch" logo is no longer
censored in archival footage due to WWE reaching a new settlement with the World Wide
Fund for Nature.[373] In addition, the F in WWF initials are no longer censored when spoken
or when written in plain text in archival footage. Since then, full-length matches and other
segments featuring the WWF initials and "scratch" logo have been added to the WWE
website and the WWE Classics on Demand and eventually the WWE Network service. This
also includes WWE Home Video releases since October 2012, starting with the re-release
of Brock Lesnar: Here Comes The Pain.[374] Although the WWF initials and logo are no longer
censored in archival footage, WWE cannot use the WWF initials or logo in any new, original
footage, packaging, or advertising.[375]
Harry Slash and the Slashtones lawsuit

Harry "Slash" Grivas and Roderick Kohn filed a lawsuit against WWE in June 2003 due to the
music being used for its programming and DVDs without consent or payment. It also
asserted a violation of the rights to original music used by ECW that WWE had been using
during the Invasion storyline of 2001. The case was resolved on both sides with a settlement
that saw WWE purchase the catalog outright in January 2005.[376]

Ultimate Warrior-related disputes

In 1993, Jim Hellwig, known in the WWF as "Ultimate Warrior", legally changed his name to
the mononym Warrior.[377][378] This one-word name appears on all legal documents pertaining
to Warrior, and his children carry the Warrior name as their legal surname.[379] Warrior and
the WWF engaged in a series of lawsuits and legal actions in 1996 and 1998,[380] where both
parties sought a declaration that they owned the characters, Warrior and Ultimate Warrior,
under both contract and copyright law. The court ruled that Warrior was legally entitled to
use the gimmick, costuming, face paint designs, and mannerisms of the "Warrior" character.
[381]

On September 27, 2005, WWE released a DVD documentary focusing on Warrior's

retrospective wrestling career, titled The Self-Destruction of the Ultimate Warrior. The DVD
featured clips of his more notable feuds and matches along with commentary from WWE
stars past and present (most of which are unflattering). The DVD has provoked some
controversy due to Warrior's allegations of libel by WWE against him. Originally, Warrior was
asked to help with the production of the DVD, but as he refused to work with WWE, there
had been some resulting animosity between Warrior and WWE over the Warrior claiming
bias on the part of WWE.[382] In January 2006, Warrior filed another lawsuit against WWE in
an Arizona court over the depiction of his wrestling career in The Self-Destruction of the
Ultimate Warrior DVD.[383] On September 18, 2009, Warrior's lawsuit in Arizona was
dismissed.

Warrior returned to WWE to be inducted into the Hall of Fame. During his induction, he
mentioned that WWE should create an award to honor those behind the scenes called the
Jimmy Miranda Award, named after a long time WWE employee who died. Warrior died
three days after being inducted into the WWE Hall of Fame. WWE decided to create the
Warrior Award, an award for people "who embodied the spirit of the Ultimate Warrior." The
award was later given to Connor Michalek (a child who died from cancer), Joan Lunden (a
journalist who was diagnosed with cancer), and Eric LeGrand (a former college football
player who became a quadriplegic after an in-game injury). In October 2017, WWE used the
tagline "Unleash Your Warrior" when promoting Breast Cancer Awareness Month. Since
Warrior's death, WWE has been accused of whitewashing and ignoring Warrior's bigoted
and controversial past comments.[384] Pro Wrestling Torch described Warrior in real-life
having made public "vile, bigoted, hateful, judgmental comments", citing as an example that
regarding Bobby Heenan's cancer diagnosis, Warrior said, "Karma is just a beautiful thing to
behold."[385] Vice wrote that "completely whitewashing his past and elevating his likeness to
a bland symbol of corporate altruism is shockingly tone-deaf, especially for a company that's
at least outwardly trying to appear progressive, inclusive and diverse."[384]

Morals clause violations

Under Section 9.13(a) of WWE's booking contract, commonly known as the "morals clause",
the company has a zero-tolerance policy involving domestic violence, child abuse and sexual
assault. Upon arrest and conviction for such crimes, a WWE talent shall be immediately
suspended and their contract terminated.[386]

 On May 10, 1983, Nancy Argentino, the girlfriend of Jimmy Snuka, then 39 years old,
died in their hotel room, hours after Snuka defeated José Estrada at a WWF TV taping
at the Lehigh County Agricultural Hall in Allentown, Pennsylvania. Snuka was arrested
32 years later on September 1, 2015, and charged with third-degree
murder and involuntary manslaughter for Argentino's death.[387][388] This eventually
led WWE to suspend his Legends contract (a long-term deal to make infrequent, non-
wrestling appearances) and removed his Hall of Fame page from its website.
[389]
However, Snuka never stood trial due to his poor health, and he died on January
15, 2017.[390][unreliable source?]

 In June 2003, Eddie Fatu (then known as "Jamal" and later "Umaga") was released
after his involvement in a bar fight.[391]

 In the aftermath of Chris Benoit's murder of his wife and son, along with his
suicide in June 2007, the WWE removed mentions of Benoit in its broadcasts and its
merchandise.[392][393]

 On November 30, 2012, Thom Latimer, then known as Kenneth Cameron, was
charged with battery of a law enforcement officer and disorderly intoxication in St.
Petersburg, Florida which led him being released from his NXT contract by the WWE.
Latimer had previously been arrested in January 2011 for driving under the influence.
[394]

 On December 10, 2017, Rich Swann was arrested in Gainesville, Florida on charges of
battery and kidnapping/false imprisonment.[395][396] The victim was identified as his
wife, Vannarah Riggs. According to the arrest report, Swann and Riggs had gotten
into an argument over Swann critiquing Riggs' performance at a show that night.
When Riggs tried to get away from Swann, witnesses state that he grabbed her in
a headlock and dragged her back into his car.[397][398] WWE suspended Swann
indefinitely and was released on February 15, 2018.[399] He was originally scheduled
to face Drew Gulak in a match to determine the number one contender to the
Cruiserweight Championship, Enzo Amore, the following night on Raw, but the
match was canceled in light of his domestic violence arrest.[398]
  On January 22, 2018, the Phoenix Police Department confirmed that Eric Arndt (Enzo
Amore) was under investigation for an alleged sexual assault that was reported to
authorities in October 2017.[400][401] Later that day, Arndt was suspended by WWE due
to violating their zero tolerance policy for matters involving sexual harassment and
sexual assault. WWE released a statement indicating that he would remain
suspended until the matter was resolved.[402] In an interview on January 23, a woman
accused Arndt of raping her in a Phoenix, Arizona, hotel room on October 19, 2017.
[403]
As a result, his scheduled title defense against Cedric Alexander at the Royal
Rumble was canceled.[404] Arndt was fired from WWE the next day and the title was
vacated.[405][406] On Twitter, Arndt "fully and unequivocally" denied the allegations
against him.[407] On May 16, 2018, the Phoenix Police Department ceased their
investigation due to insufficient evidence.[408]

Concussion lawsuit

Starting in 2014, numerous former WWE talent filed multiple lawsuits against WWE alleging
that WWE did not protect and hid information from their talent about concussions and CTE.
The former talent claimed physical and mental health issues as a result of physical trauma
they experience in WWE. The lawsuits were filed by attorney Konstantine Kyros. US District
Judge Vanessa Lynne Bryant dismissed many of the lawsuits in September 2018.[409] In
September 2020, the lawsuits were dismissed by the United States Court of Appeals for the
Second Circuit.[410] The Supreme Court of the United States subsequently declined to hear
the case in April 2021.[411]

Relationship with Saudi Arabia

Main article: WWE in Saudi Arabia

The events promoted in Saudi Arabia by WWE have been subjected to criticism due to
allegations of sportswashing. WWE has been accused of contributing to Saudi
Arabia's discrimination of LGBT people and women by holding events in the country.[412][413]

WWE's relation with Saudi Arabia has been condemned by activist groups such as Code
Pink and several politicians.[414][415][416][417]

Ashley Massaro affidavit

Prior to her death on May 15, 2019, former WWE wrestler Ashley Massaro alleged that she
was sexually assaulted at a US military base during a 2006 WWE tour of Kuwait by a man
posing as a doctor, and that WWE officials persuaded her to not report it to the appropriate
authorities as they did not want it to affect the company's relationship with the military.
[418]
WWE officials would later claim they had no knowledge of Massaro's alleged sexual
assault.

After her death, an affidavit by Massaro describing the sexual assault allegations in detail
was subsequently released by the law firm that represented her.[419] In response, WWE said
that their executives had not been previously informed of the allegations described in the
affidavit.[420] Despite previous denials from WWE about having knowledge of her allegation,
in February 2024 an attorney representing former WWE Head of Talent Relations John
Laurinaitis stated that: "most upper level management at sometime became aware of the
[Massaro] allegations and ensured all proper WWE protocols were followed, including
privacy for the alleged victim."[421] That month, Vice News reported that the Naval Criminal
Investigative Service had investigated Massaro's allegations from June 2019 to January 2020,
although no further information about the investigation other than its existence is known.
[422]
A further report by Vice News revealed that Massaro had accused Vince McMahon of
"preying on female WWE wrestlers" and that she believed he had tried to sabotage her
wrestling career after she rejected an advance from him.[423]

Misconduct allegations involving Vince McMahon

See also: Vince McMahon sex trafficking scandal

One of the first allegations against Vince McMahon was made on April 3, 1992, when Rita
Chatterton, a former referee noted for her stint as Rita Marie in the WWF in the 1980s and
for being the first female referee in the WWF (possibly in professional wrestling history),
[424]
made an appearance on Geraldo Rivera's show Now It Can Be Told. She claimed that on
July 16, 1986, McMahon tried to force her to perform oral sex on him in his limousine; when
she refused, he raped her.[425] Former wrestler Leonard Inzitari has corroborated Chatterton's
allegation.[426] Several years later, on February 1, 2006, McMahon was accused of sexual
harassment by a worker at a tanning bar in Boca Raton, Florida.[427] At first, the charge
appeared to be discredited because McMahon was in Miami for the 2006 Royal Rumble at
the time. It was soon clarified that the alleged incident was reported to police on the day of
the Rumble, but actually took place the day before.[428] On March 25, it was reported that no
charges would be filed against McMahon as a result of the investigation.[429] Both Chatterton
and a separate tanning spa worker who alleged that McMahon sexually assaulted her in
California in 2011 filed civil sex abuse lawsuits against him in late 2022.[430] McMahon would
agree to pay Chatterton an undisclosed multimillion-dollar legal settlement.[431]

In 2014, activist investor Emmanuel Lemelson stated that he believed the company had
made material misrepresentations in its financial reporting[432][433] and called for new
leadership or a sale of the company.[434] Lemelson's analysis was credited with an $800
million drop in the market capitalization of the stock.[435][436]

In April 2022, the WWE board began investigating a $3 million hush-money settlement that
McMahon paid over an alleged affair with a former employee of the company. The
investigation also revealed other nondisclosure agreements related to misconduct claims by
other women in the company against McMahon and executive John Laurinaitis, totaling $12
million.[437][438][439] This eventually led to McMahon retiring from all of his positions on July 22,
2022, and a change in leadership of the WWE for the first time since 1982;[440][441][442] he
would later return to the company in January 2023 as executive chairman.[431]
The company would eventually report $19.6 million in unrecorded payments made by Vince
McMahon between 2006 and 2022.[443]

In January 2024, McMahon's history of having a role with the WWE ended amid new
allegation by ex-WWE employee Janel Grant.[444] Grant accused McMahon and John
Laurinaitis of not only sexually assaulting her, but also sex trafficking.[18][444] The allegation
also led to Slim Jim pausing its sponsorship of WWE events.[18]

See also

 United States portal

 Connecticut portal

 Companies portal

 Professional wrestling in the United States

 List of most-subscribed YouTube channels

 List of most-viewed YouTube channels

Notes

a. The founder of Capitol Wrestling Corporation (CWC) is uncertain. While some

sources claim that CWC was founded by Vincent J. McMahon, others claim that Jess
McMahon founded the company.[2]

b. Vince McMahon is the largest individual shareholder, with a 3.4% stake in TKO Group
Holdings.[5][6]

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the help page).

Further reading

 Fargiorgo, Joseph (2014). WWE: Wrestling, Wellness & Entertainment – An Analysis

of Work and Health in Professional Wrestling (MA). Department of Sociology and
Anthropology, University of Guelph. Retrieved September 7, 2021 – via The Atrium
at University of Guelph.

 Olson, Cristopher; Reinhard, Carrie Lynn D. (2021). "Wrestling with Eating Disorders:
Transmedia Depictions of Body Issues in WWE's Women's Professional Wrestling". In
Johnson, Malynnda; Olson, Cristopher (eds.). Normalizing Mental Illness and
Neurodiversity in Entertainment Media (1st E-book ed.). London:
Routledge. doi:10.4324/9781003011668-15. ISBN 9781003011668. S2CID 23359877
3.

 Verma, D. S. (2020). Wresting Fans as Players, Performers as Characters:

Conceptualizing WWE Storytelling and Production in Terms of Games and
Play (Master). Faculty of Humanities Theses, Utrecht University. hdl:1874/399263.
Archived from the original on September 7, 2021. Retrieved September 7, 2021 – via
Utrecht University Repository.