The world of professional wrestling is on the cusp of a significant shift as WWE Raw is seeking a new television partner for its flagship show. Despite SmackDown securing a new home on USA and NXT moving to the CW Network, WWE Raw is still without a network deal for October 2024. While WWE sources confirm that several parties are in the running to secure the rights, the rumor mill is buzzing around Warner Bros. Discovery (WBD) as a potential new home for Raw.
Recent reports indicate that WWE executives Paul Levesque and Nick Khan met with WBD’s Chief Revenue and Strategy Officer, Bruce Campbell, at the company’s headquarters in New York City. Accompanying them was TKO’s Marc Shapiro, further fueling speculation around a potential deal. If WWE and WBD were to come to an agreement, it would have far-reaching implications for professional wrestling.
Currently, WBD’s TNT and TBS networks have housed All Elite Wrestling (AEW) programming since 2019, with the understanding that AEW’s existing agreement with WBD extends until the end of the 2024 television season. Tony Khan, AEW’s president, has publicly acknowledged meetings with WBD officials, including one as recently as December 12th.
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However, WBD has been focused on securing NBA rights, with CEO David Zaslav stating that the company “doesn’t need” the NBA. The specifics of a potential deal between WWE and WBD remain unknown, but it is unclear whether WWE would demand exclusive rights to pro wrestling content on the network. The company did not require such exclusivity in its agreement with the CW Network, which is allowed to air other pro wrestling content.
The potential implications of WWE Raw moving to WBD are vast, with the possibility of a real game-changer in the professional wrestling world. WWE, AEW, and other wrestling promotions would need to adapt to a new terrain, and fans would likely see significant changes in the way they consume wrestling content.
As the situation continues to unfold, fans and wrestling enthusiasts alike are left wondering what the future holds for WWE Raw and the world of professional wrestling. Will WBD emerge as the new home for Raw, and what would be the implications for AEW and the wrestling industry as a whole? Only time will tell, but one thing is certain – the future of professional wrestling is about to take a dramatic turn.
