This kind of came out of left field, and the news that it was a possibility came only days before it was a reality.
Here’s a link to a short Reuters article disclosing the merger.
This will likely have a huge impact on Mixed Martial Arts (MMA), since the UFC is the central promotion in the sport. The merger will involve the WWE and Endeavor owned UFC merging into a separate new company, with Endeavor holding 51%.
Another key detail is that the streaming rights for both the WWE and the UFC are up for renewal soon. The WWE has a billion dollar deal with Peacock that ends in 2026, and the UFC’s partnership with ESPN+ will turnover in 2025. This means that Endeavor will be in a position to negotiate the streaming rights for both the WWE and UFC simultaneously. By combining the two, they are positioned to make a mega deal.
More information on the potential streaming agreement can be found at this article.
It will be interesting to see how this deal goes forward, and if there will be any competition law issues with the merger. This merger will almost certainly shape the future of both Pro Wrestling and MMA.