At a time when WWE is working hard to secure a new media rights contract for RAW, an intriguing network has emerged as a potential bidder for the show.
As PWMania.com previously reported, on Wrestling Observer Radio, Dave Meltzer discussed the latest on the future of RAW, saying that WWE shopped RAW around to networks such as Amazon Prime, Warner Bros. Discovery, and Disney’s FX a month ago in order to garner close to $400 million in licensing fees per year.
While talks with WBD appeared to be dead following a meeting with them, they aren’t, especially now that CM Punk has returned to the company. WWE’s Triple H and Nick Khan traveled to Los Angeles a month ago to speak with WBD.
The RAW deal is expected to be concluded soon. It’s also possible that Punk opened a previously closed door. WWE booked Punk to work the December 30th WWE house event in Los Angeles versus Dominik Mysterio because they knew it would generate a strong live reaction and let WWE to impress network executives.
The major factor, according to Meltzer, is that talks with WWE and WBD are not as dead as they were before, but the lingering NBA TV rights agreement, which has yet to be concluded, is influencing TV negotiations for both AEW and WWE. WBD is attempting to extend its contract with the NBA.
According to PWInsider, TKO’s Marc Shapiro, Khan, and Triple H traveled to New York City on Monday morning and met for several hours with WBD executive Bruce Campbell, who holds the position of Chief Revenue and Strategy Officer, about RAW’s rights.
It was also stated that RAW has other suitors.
Obviously, a transaction between WWE and WBD would have a significant influence on AEW, which has a TV deal with WBD that goes through the end of 2024. On Tuesday, Tony Khan met with WBD.
