WWE Merges With UFC

On September 12, 2023 on ESPN, UFC’s parent company Endeavor and WWE’s shareholders officially merged both companies, forming a $21.4 billion dollar company called TKO. 

So far the merger has had both the WWE and UFC  laying off over 100 employees, executives and superstars. WWE released superstars Dolph Ziggler, Shelton Benjamin, Mustafa Ali, Elias, Dana Brooke, Emma Riddick Moss, Aliyah, Rick Boogs, Top Dolla, Mace and Mansoor, Shanky and several other superstars. UFC has not let go of anyone yet, Endeavor mentioned that they are not planning on laying anyone off however, Endeavor has expressed an interest in some superstar crossovers, this has happened before with former UFC champions like Brock Lesnar and Ronda Rousey. Lesnar and Rousey have both won several titles in WWE since switching companies. Lesnar has had the WWE Universal Championship twice, the WWE World Heavyweight Championship four times along with multiple other championships over the years. Rousey has won the Raw Women’s Championship, Smackdown Women’s Championship twice and the Women’s Tag Team Championship with another former UFC superstar Shayna Baszler.

UFC fan and sophomore Will Andersen said, “I like the idea of it [the merger], but I don’t think it will change much about the fights. It will definitely change the advertisement and sponsorships for both companies, but the fights will probably stay the same way.”

In a recent ESPN article, ESPN mentioned that they do not believe that either company has an intent to change any of the content and that most of the change will happen behind the scenes, but something the new company has shared is that TKO has a value of $21.4 billion and they want to reach viewers in 180 different countries, producing 350+ live events. Due to the merger UFC shareholders now own fifty-one percent of TKO while WWE owns forty-nine percent. TKO is choosing to use Endeavors media rights, ticket sales, event operations, global partnership and licensing. 

WWE enjoyer Alexander Bell expressed, “I personally dislike UFC having controlling interest due to the possible creative differences leading to to lesser quality content. WWE having a larger fan base just makes me question what other terms were outlined in the detail to allow controlling interest to be in the hands of UFC.” 

On the other hand sophomore Mayar Alabayechi said, “I think it’s good business wise and both of the businesses will profit from the merge positively.” 

With many unanswered questions, nobody can know for sure what the future holds for TKO.