Wrestlenomics Radio

What would a merger between Warner Bros. Discovery and NBCUniversal, major TV partners for AEW and WWE, mean for the wrestling business? Plus, the state of wrestling popularity, WWE board changes, and more.

Early reports for All Out PPV buys are measuring well under the record number for last year’s event. We estimate revenue related to the event. CM Punk, the Young Bucks, and Kenny Omega have been suspended. Plus, an estimate of WWE’s financial outlook and price target.

All Out ends a run of three events just outside Chicago for AEW with explosive comments from CM Punk. Brandon reports on his live experience at All Out.

TV ratings for WWE Raw are doing well since Triple H took over creative after Vince McMahon’s exit. Critical reception of WWE has improved too. AEW’s ratings are stable amid multiple reports of conflicts between talent as the All Out pay-per-view draws near.

WWE’s Board’s investigation into wrongdoing by Vince McMahon, John Laurinaitis, and the company culture is “substantially complete”. The NXT UK brand is being discontinued as WWE announces it will launch NXT Europe in 2023.

WWE stated Tuesday it found an additional $5 million in unrecorded company expenses related to two payments Vince McMahon made in 2007 and 2009. WWE gave a total of $5 million to the Trump Foundation in the two same years, according to IRS filings.

Brandon Thurston and Jesse Collings (in for Chris Gullo) talk about Warner Bros. Discovery’s earnings call and what it suggests about AEW’s media rights outlook & more.

“Triple H” Paul Levesque is the new head of creative for WWE. Vince McMahon is under investigation, not just by WWE’s Board of Directors, but by the SEC and federal prosecutors.

More on the fallout of Vince McMahon’s retirement following a sexual misconduct investigation by WWE’s board of directors. Plus, Jesse Collings was in-person at ROH Death Before Dishonor.

How power is distributed in WWE. What’s next for the Vince McMahon scandal and how will it affect the company’s business outlook? Plus, an analysis of how women are presented and perform in AEW. And Brandon Thurston and Chris Gullo discuss the possibility of Raw being rated TV-14.

Brandon Thurston and Chris Gullo are joined by Jesse Collings to talk about the latest on the Vince McMahon scandal as well as New Japan’s business strategy presentation.

Rita Chatterton, who says Vince McMahon raped her in 1986, is interviewed by New York Magazine. Brandon Thurston and Chris Gullo talk about the business of Forbidden Door, Logan Paul signing with WWE, and more.

Brandon Thurston and Chris Gullo discuss how WWE’s stock and TV ratings have been affected since the Wall Street Journal report on the scandal surrounding Vince McMahon. Plus, Tony Khan’s comments ahead of an injury-afflicted Forbidden Door pay-per-view.

Brandon Thurston is joined by Chris Gullo and Jesse Collings to discuss the WWE Board of Directors’ investigation into Vince McMahon.

Brandon Thurston is joined by Chris Gullo to discuss the possibility of WWE being acquired by Comcast. Plus, news on AEW pay-per-view sales for Double or Nothing and more.

Brandon Thurston is joined by Jesse Collings to talk about business analytics related to the MJF’s promo on AEW Dynamite this week.

Brandon Thurston and Chris Gullo talk about this weekend’s AEW Double or Nothing PPV, media leading up to it, Tony Khan’s comments, reports about MJF. Plus, Money the Bank is moving to a smaller venue while WWE shares continue to climb toward $70.

Stephanie McMahon announced on Thursday she’s taking a leave of absence from WWE. AEW was barely represented at the network upfronts, in contrast to WWE’s representation. And Sasha Banks and Naomi walked out of Monday’s WWE Raw taping.

Brandon Thurston is joined by Jesse Collings this week to talk about Roman Reigns reportedly taking fewer dates with WWE and what effect that might have on business. NXT is returning to running house shows for the first time since early 2020. And more.

WWE’s Q1 earnings call indicates WrestleMania had its biggest audience this year. Premium live events moving to a higher reach platform, Peacock, are coinciding with some measures of fan interest for WWE stabilizing after multiple years of decline.