WWE has been doing incredible business since merging with UFC to form TKO Group Holding. After the official formation on September 12, 2023, WWE has achieved groundbreaking deals, including their $5 billion deal with Netflix. While their flagship show, Monday Night Raw, will stream exclusively on the streaming service in January 2025, it seems Netflix may have more plans for WWE.
TKO Chief Operating Officer and President Mark Shapiro recently spoke about the future of WWE at the annual J.P Morgan Global Technology, Media, and Communications Conference. In his speech, he touched on WWE's deal with Netflix, and there are discussions of doing documentaries on WWE superstars. He also noted that the popular streaming service may do a behind-the-scenes series with WWE, like Netflix's Formula 1: Drive to Survive.
Postwrestling's Andrew Thompson transcribed the following quotes from Shapiro.
...I think the very first genre you’ll see out of WWE in terms of ancillary programming will be a Drive to Survive show. That’s contemplated for the first season, and we’ll also do some documentaries, probably on a few of our superstars, said Shapiro. He continued, "Our current deal is up at the end of the year for WWE, but I would expect to see a Drive to Survive-type show next year to go along with the first of our live telecasts.
WWE legend The Undertaker recently floated an idea about WWE legends having roasts on Netflix after the success of NFL great Tom Brady's live show. Shapiro shared that the streaming service does seem to have more roasting events planned for the future. However, it's unclear if Netflix wants to do a WWE-style roast when Monday Night Raw joins the service in 2025.
TKO President On WWE's Next Deal With Saudi Arabia
Along with a promising update on the WWE's deal with Netflix, Shapiro also commented on the company's agreement with Saudi Arabia. WWE will host their upcoming King and Queen Of The Ring premium live event on May 25 at the Jeddah Super Dome in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia. The TKO president shared that an expansion of the WWE deal with the country in the next 6 to 12 months.
You’ve seen us monetize site fees with the likes of Saudi Arabia for WWE. You can look for us to expand our current deal in the next 6-12 months. Very happy with M.B.S. (Mohammed bin Salman) and the partnership we have there. We have two events a year, but we’re already in discussions," said Shapiro.
The TKO President also mentioned that WWE President Nick Khan is leading the conversation with Saudi Arabia to host more events in the country. The current deal is expected to end in 2028. It's unclear how long the company wants to extend its contract with Saudi Arabia, but TKO isn't slowing down and is continuing to seek lucrative deals for WWE.
