WrestleMania 39 will go down as one of the best WrestleMania’s of all time. Rhea Ripley became the Smackdown Women’s Champion, Gunther vs. Drew McIntyre vs. Sheamus was a classic, and the main event between champion Roman Reigns and Cody Rhodes did not disappoint. The few hours after the WWE’s biggest event would play a pivotal part in the future of the company, as the sale of the company was formally announced.
WWE Sale to Endeavor Group Holdings Announced, Will Combine With UFC
Just hours after WrestleMania 39 in Inglewood, California, news broke the company sold to Endeavor Group Holdings. As if it was not newsworthy enough, Endeavor Group Holdings is pairing them with UFC. Whom they also bought, to combine into one big company. This whole deal came together for a price of $21 billion.
That is a lot to take in emotionally within 24 hours of WrestleMania ending and the new week beginning. With many questions surrounding the sale, and Vince McMahon’s new look, we may not get answers right away as much still needs to be done even after the sale is complete. Why make the sale official after one of the more successful WrestleMania pay-per-views in recent history? Why Endeavor Group Holdings? What is the role of UFC and Dana White in this deal?
The WWE had its best money-making event before the sale. Viewership was the largest audience in WrestleMania history. The two-day event generated $21.6 million, and 161,802 people were in attendance to view the biggest yearly event. WrestleMania was one of the most talked about topics on social media with over 500 million views. Merchandise sales were up 20% from the previous record in 2020, thus setting a new record for sales. Sponsorship revenue also set a new record with $20 million plus, doubling the 2022 record.
What a perfect way to go out. One of the more solid cards in WrestleMania history gave us emotional moments and the in-ring debut of Snoop Dogg, as he won a contest with the Miz. Now that WrestleMania 39 is over, we focus on the next pay-per-view Backlash on May 6, 2023.
How will the sale affect the WWE roster? Will there be layoffs behind the scenes? Will HHH still be in control? What kind of changes will occur? There is a time for nervousness and excitement with the sale. However, before we move to judgment, we should let the dust settle and see where this new opportunity takes us.
Stay tuned to the Last Word on Pro Wrestling for more on WrestleMania 39 and other stories from around the world of wrestling, as they develop. You can always count on LWOPW to be on top of the major news in the wrestling world, as well as to provide you with analysis, previews, videos, interviews, and editorials on the wrestling world. You can check out an almost unlimited array of WWE content on the WWE Network and Peacock.
