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{{Short description|American professional wrestling and entertainment company}}
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{{More citations needed|date=November 2025}}
{{better sources needed|date=November 2025}}
{{Use American English|date=May 2024}}
{{Use mdy dates|date=August 2025}}
{{Infobox company
| name = World Wrestling Entertainment, LLC
| logo = WWE official logo.svg
| logo_size = 150
| logo_caption =
| image = WWE HQ Entrance.jpg
| image_size = 280
| image_caption = Headquarters in [[Stamford, Connecticut]] 
| trading_name = WWE
| former_name = Titan Sports, Inc. (1980–1999)<br />World Wrestling Federation Entertainment, Inc. (1999–2002)<br />World Wrestling Entertainment, Inc. (2002–2023)
| type = [[Subsidiary]]
| traded_as =
| ISIN =
| industry = {{hlist|[[Professional wrestling]]|[[sports entertainment]]<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.fightful.com/wrestling/stephanie-mcmahon-explains-sports-entertainment-was-created-advertisers|title=Stephanie McMahon Explains "Sports Entertainment" Was Created For Advertisers &#124; Fightful News|website=www.fightful.com}}</ref>|[[streaming media]]}}
| predecessor = [[Capitol Wrestling Corporation]]
| foundation = {{Plainlist|
* {{start date and age|1953|01|7}}<br />(as Capitol Wrestling Corporation Ltd.)
* {{start date and age|1963|04}}<br />(rebranding as the World Wide Wrestling Federation)
* {{start date and age|1980|02}}<br />(founding of Titan Sports, Inc.)
* {{start date and age|1982|06}}<br />(purchase of Capitol Wrestling Corporation Ltd. by Titan Sports)
}}
| founder = [[Jess McMahon]] or [[Vincent J. McMahon]]{{Efn|The founder of Capitol Wrestling Corporation (CWC) is uncertain. While some sources claim that CWC was founded by Vincent J. McMahon, others claim that Jess McMahon founded the company.{{Sfn|Krugman|2009|p=11}}}}<br />(as Capitol Wrestling Corporation Ltd.)<br />[[Vince McMahon]] and [[Linda McMahon]]<br />(as Titan Sports, Inc.)
| location_city = 707 Washington Blvd<br />[[Stamford, Connecticut]]
| location_country = United States
| area_served = Worldwide
| key_people = {{ubl|[[Ari Emanuel]]<br />{{small|([[Chief executive officer|CEO]], [[TKO Group Holdings|TKO]])}}|[[Nick Khan]]<br />{{small|([[President (corporate title)|president]])}}|[[Triple H|Paul "Triple H" Levesque]]<br />{{small|([[Chief content officer|Chief Content Officer]])}}}}
| products = {{hlist|[[Film]]s|[[Home video]]|[[House show|Live events]]|[[Merchandise]]|[[Music]]|[[Pay-per-view]]|[[Publishing]]|[[Television in the United States|TV]]|[[Video on demand]]}}
| services = Licensing
| revenue = {{increase}} {{US$|1.398 billion|link=yes}} (2024)<ref name="2024Report">{{cite web|url=https://s202.q4cdn.com/437702206/files/doc_financials/2024/q4/TKO_4Q24-Earnings-Release_2-26-25_Final.pdf|title=TKO Reports Fourth Quarter and Full Year 2024 Results|access-date=February 26, 2025|website=TKO Group Holdings, Inc.|date=February 26, 2025}}</ref>
| operating_income = {{increase}} {{US$|681.1 million}} (2024)<ref name="2024Report"/>
| net_income =
| assets =
| equity =
| num_employees = ~890<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.financecharts.com/stocks/WWE/summary/employees |title=How Many Employees Does World Wrestling Entertainment (WWE) Have? }}</ref>
| num_employees_year = 2024
| parent = [[TKO Group Holdings]]<ref>{{cite web |url=https://otp.tools.investis.com/clients/us/wwe/SEC/sec-show.aspx?Type=html&FilingId=16853747&Cik=0001091907 |publisher=[[U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission]] |access-date=September 12, 2023 |title=AMENDMENT NO. 2 TO FORM S-4 REGISTRATION STATEMENT |page=1 |date=August 10, 2023 |quote=...with WWE surviving the merger as a direct, wholly owned subsidiary of [TKO Group Holdings] |archive-date=June 23, 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240623233818/https://otp.tools.investis.com/clients/us/wwe/SEC/sec-show.aspx?Type=html&FilingId=16853747&Cik=0001091907 |url-status=dead }}</ref>{{efn|Vince McMahon is the largest individual shareholder, with a 3.25% stake in TKO Group Holdings.<ref name="SCHEDULE 14C INFORMATION">{{cite web |title=SCHEDULE 14C INFORMATION |url=https://app.quotemedia.com/data/downloadFiling?webmasterId=90423&ref=317703901&type=HTML&symbol=WWE&cdn=a772878cb281b5da37d4daaffaf6d35e&companyName=World+Wrestling+Entertainment+Inc.+Class+A&formType=DEFM14C&formDescription=Definitive+information+statement+relating+to+merger+or+acquisition&dateFiled=2023-08-22 |publisher=[[NASDAQ]] |access-date=August 25, 2023 |page=248 |date=August 22, 2023}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |title=TKO Group Holdings, Inc.: Shareholders Board Members Managers and Company Profile {{!}} US87256C1018 {{!}} MarketScreener |url=https://www.marketscreener.com/quote/stock/TKO-GROUP-HOLDINGS-INC-159194874/company/ |access-date=July 25, 2024 |website=www.marketscreener.com |language=en}}</ref>}}
| divisions = [[WWE Books]]<br /> [[WWE Libraries]]<br />[[WWE Music Group]]<br />[[WWE Network]]<br />[[WWE Performance Center]]<br />[[WWE Studios]]<ref>{{cite web|url=http://corporate.wwe.com/company/overview|title=Company Overview|work=WWE Corporate|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141117105134/http://corporate.wwe.com/company/overview|archive-date=November 17, 2014}}</ref>
| subsid = [[Lucha Libre AAA Worldwide]] (51%)<ref>{{cite magazine|last=Baiamonte|first=Joe|url=https://www.si.com/fannation/wrestling/wwe/how-much-wwe-owns-of-lucha-libre-aaa-worldwide-revealed|title=How Much WWE Owns Of Lucha Libre AAA Worldwide Revealed|magazine=[[Sports Illustrated]]|date=May 8, 2025|access-date=June 14, 2025}}</ref><br />[[Tapout (clothing brand)|Tapout]] (50%)<ref>{{cite news|last=Silverman|first=Alex|date=March 25, 2015|url=https://www.sportsbusinessdaily.com/Daily/Issues/2015/03/25/Marketing-and-Sponsorship/WWE-Tapout.aspx|title=WWE, ABG to Reposition Tapout Brand as Part of 50/50 Joint Venture|work=Sports Business Journal|access-date=September 7, 2021}}</ref><br />[[World Championship Wrestling|WCW Inc.]]<br />[[#Subsidiaries|Others]]
| homepage = {{URL|https://www.wwe.com/|wwe.com}}
}}
'''World Wrestling Entertainment''' ('''WWE''') is an American [[professional wrestling promotion]]. It is owned and operated by [[TKO Group Holdings]], a majority-owned [[subsidiary]] of [[Endeavor (company)|Endeavor Group Holdings.]]<ref>{{cite web|url=https://deadline.com/2023/09/endeavor-ufc-wwe-merger-vince-mcmahon-1235539000/|title=UFC And WWE To Close Merger Next Week, Make NYSE Debut As TKO Group|access-date=September 7, 2023|date=September 7, 2023|publisher=[[Deadline Hollywood|Deadline]]}}</ref> A global integrated media and entertainment company, WWE has also branched out into fields outside of wrestling, including [[WWE Studios|film]], [[XFL (2001)|football]], and [[#Expansion beyond wrestling|other business ventures]], such as [[licensing]] its [[intellectual property]] to other companies to produce [[List of WWE video games|video games]] and [[WWE action figures|action figures]].<ref>{{Cite web |title=WWE {{!}} Wrestling (Brand) {{!}} hobbyDB |url=https://www.hobbydb.com/marketplaces/hobbydb/subjects/wwe-brand |access-date=June 30, 2025 |website=www.hobbydb.com |language=en}}</ref>

As in other professional wrestling promotions, WWE does not promote a legitimate sporting contest but rather entertainment-based performance [[theatre|theater]], featuring [[Angle (professional wrestling)|storyline]]-driven, [[Glossary of professional wrestling terms#Work (noun)|scripted]], and partially choreographed matches. However, matches often include moves that put performers at risk of serious injury or death if not performed correctly. The pre-determined aspect of professional wrestling (an industry [[open secret]]) was publicly acknowledged by WWE in 1989 to avoid regulation by athletic commissions. WWE markets its product as "[[sports entertainment]]", acknowledging professional wrestling's roots in competitive sport and [[drama|dramatic theater]].

The promotion was founded in 1953 as the [[Capitol Wrestling Corporation]] (CWC), a Northeastern territory of the [[National Wrestling Alliance]] (NWA). Due to [[Booker (professional wrestling)|booking]] disputes, CWC left the NWA and became the '''World Wide Wrestling Federation''' ('''WWWF''') in April 1963. After rejoining the NWA in 1971, the WWWF was renamed the '''World Wrestling Federation''' ('''WWF''') in 1979, and left the NWA again in 1983. Following a [[WWF trademark dispute|trademark dispute with the World Wildlife Fund]], the WWF was renamed '''World Wrestling Entertainment''' ('''WWE''') in 2002. In 2011, the promotion ceased branding itself as World Wrestling Entertainment and began solely using the initials WWE, although their legal name remained the same.<ref name="2011name">{{cite press release |last1=Sacco |first1=Justine |last2=Weitz |first2=Michael |date=April 7, 2011 |title=The New WWE |url=https://corporate.wwe.com/news/company-news/2011/04-07-2011 |location=[[Connecticut]] |publisher=WWE |access-date=November 25, 2021 }}</ref>

WWE is the largest wrestling promotion in the world. Its main roster is divided into two [[WWE brand extension|touring brands]], [[Raw (WWE brand)|Raw]] and [[SmackDown (WWE brand)|SmackDown]]. Its [[Farm team|developmental brands]], [[NXT (WWE brand)|NXT]] and [[Evolve (WWE brand)|Evolve]], are based at the [[WWE Performance Center]] in [[Orlando, Florida]]. The promotion's programming is available in more than one billion homes worldwide in 30 languages and its global headquarters is located in [[Stamford, Connecticut]],<ref>{{cite web|url=http://corporate.wwe.com/company/contacts.jsp|title=General WWE Contacts|work=WWE Corporate|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090204105301/http://corporate.wwe.com/company/contacts.jsp|archive-date=February 4, 2009}}</ref> with offices in New York, Los Angeles, Mexico City, Mumbai, Shanghai, Singapore, Dubai, and Munich.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://corporate.wwe.com/news/company-information|title=Company information|work=WWE Corporate|date=October 18, 2021|access-date=October 18, 2021|archive-date=March 6, 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220306143453/https://corporate.wwe.com/news/company-information|url-status=dead}}</ref>

WWE's corporate entity, '''Titan Sports, Inc.''', was incorporated on February 21, 1980, by [[Vince McMahon]]: Titan acquired Capitol Wrestling Corporation Ltd., the holding company for the wrestling promotion, in 1982. Titan was renamed '''World Wrestling Federation Entertainment, Inc.''' in 1999, and '''World Wrestling Entertainment, Inc.''' in 2002. In January 2023, WWE began to explore a sale of the company, amidst an employee misconduct scandal involving McMahon that initially prompted him to step down as chairman and CEO.<ref name="cnbc-saleprocess">{{cite news|url=https://www.cnbc.com/2023/01/07/who-would-buy-wwe-as-mcmahon-returns-to-board-to-pursue-sale.html|title=Vince McMahon is back at WWE to ensure a smooth sale process. Here's who might want to buy it|last=Sherman|first=Alex|work=CNBC|date=January 7, 2023|access-date=January 10, 2023|language=en}}</ref> In September, WWE merged with [[Zuffa]], the parent company of [[mixed martial arts]] promotion [[Ultimate Fighting Championship]] (UFC), to form TKO Group Holdings, a new [[public company]] majority-owned by Endeavor Group Holdings, with McMahon as executive chairman:<ref>{{Cite web |title=SEC-Show |url=https://otp.tools.investis.com/clients/us/wwe/SEC/sec-show.aspx?Type=html&FilingId=16618811&Cik=0001091907 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240609160444/https://otp.tools.investis.com/clients/us/wwe/SEC/sec-show.aspx?Type=html&FilingId=16618811&Cik=0001091907 |url-status=dead |archive-date=June 9, 2024 |access-date=June 12, 2023 |website=otp.tools.investis.com }}</ref> the promotion's legal name was then changed to '''World Wrestling Entertainment, LLC'''.<ref>{{cite web |title=Notification of Removal From Listing and/or Registration Under Section 12(B) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934. |url=https://otp.tools.investis.com/clients/us/wwe/SEC/sec-show.aspx?FilingId=16925127&Cik=0001091907&Type=PDF&hasPdf=1 |publisher=[[U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission]] |access-date=September 12, 2023 |date=September 12, 2023 |archive-date=June 23, 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240623192646/https://otp.tools.investis.com/clients/us/wwe/SEC/sec-show.aspx?FilingId=16925127&Cik=0001091907&Type=PDF&hasPdf=1 |url-status=dead }}</ref> In 2024, McMahon departed TKO amid a [[Vince McMahon sex trafficking scandal|sex trafficking scandal]] and was replaced as executive chairman by [[Ari Emanuel]].<ref name=byebyevince>{{cite news|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2024/01/26/business/vince-mcmahon-resigns-wwe.html|title=Wrestling icon Vince McMahon resigns from WWE parent company after sex abuse suit|first=Kevin|last=Draper|work=[[The New York Times]]|date=January 26, 2024|accessdate=January 27, 2024}}</ref>

==Company history==
{{Main|History of WWE}}
{{Professional wrestling sidebar}}

===Capitol Wrestling Corporation (1953–1963)===
{{Main|Capitol Wrestling Corporation}}
WWE's origins can be traced back as far as the 1950s when on January 7, 1953, the first show under the Capitol Wrestling Corporation (CWC) was produced. There is uncertainty as to who the founder of the CWC was. Some sources state that it was [[Vincent J. McMahon]],<ref>{{Cite book|title=Capitol Revolution: The Rise of the McMahon Wrestling Empire|last=Hornbaker|first=Tim|date=2015|page=117|id={{ASIN|1770411240|country=de}}|quote=He Inaugurated his promotion on January 7, 1953, ... .}}</ref><ref>{{Cite book|title=WWE Legends|last=Solomon|first=Brian|date=2006|page=6|id={{ASIN|0743490339|country=de}}|quote=McMahon formed a company he called the Capitol Wrestling Corporation, and presented his first regular wrestling show under the Capitol banner on January 7, 1953}}</ref><ref>{{Cite book|title=WWE Encyclopedia of Sports Entertainment|last=Sullivan, Greenberg & Pantaleo|date=2016|page=372|publisher=DK/Prima Games, a division of Penguin Random House LLC |isbn = 978-1465453136|quote=On January 7, 1953, he put on the first-ever Capitol Wrestling Corporation event}}</ref> while other sources cite McMahon's father [[Jess McMahon]] as founder of CWC.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.wwe.com/superstars/vincemcmahon|title=Vincent J. McMahon official bio on wwe.com|quote=From the time Vince, Sr. took over Capitol Wrestling Corporation from his father, the company continued to flourish in the northeastern United States.}}</ref><ref>{{cite book |last1=Krugman |first1=Michael |title=Andre the Giant: A Legendary Life |date=2009 |publisher=[[Simon & Schuster]] |page=11 |isbn=978-1439188132}}</ref><ref>{{cite book |last1=Cohen |first1=Daniel |title=Wrestling Renegades: An in Depth Look at Today's Superstars of Pro Wrestling |date=1999 |publisher=Pocket Books |isbn=0671036742|page=16}}</ref> The CWC later joined the [[National Wrestling Alliance]] (NWA) and famous New York promoter [[Toots Mondt]] soon joined the promotion.

[[File:Vincent James McMahon, Verne Gagne and Bruno Sammartino - Wrestling News - Aug-sept 1975.jpg|thumb|left|250px|Vincent J. McMahon with [[Verne Gagne]] and [[Bruno Sammartino]] in 1975]]
Vincent J. McMahon and Toots Mondt were very successful and soon controlled approximately 70% of the NWA's booking power, largely due to their dominance in the heavily populated [[Northeastern United States]]. In 1963, McMahon and Mondt had a dispute with the NWA over [[Buddy Rogers (wrestler)|"Nature Boy" Buddy Rogers]] being booked to hold the [[NWA Worlds Heavyweight Championship|NWA World Heavyweight Championship]].<ref name="won2011">{{cite journal|journal=Wrestling Observer Newsletter|date=July 20, 2011|title=NWA World Heavyweight Championship}}</ref> Mondt and McMahon were not only promoters but also acted as his manager and were accused by other NWA promoters of withholding Rogers making defenses in their cities versus only defending in Mondt and McMahon's own cities, thus maintaining a monopoly on the world title. In a now-infamous situation, the NWA sent former five-time world champion and legitimate wrestler [[Lou Thesz]] to Toronto to face Rogers on January 24, 1963. Thesz recalls this was not planned and prior to the match remembered telling Buddy "we can do this the easy way or the hard way." Rogers agreed to lose the fall and title in a one fall match versus the traditional two out of three fall matchup that most world title matches were defended. Once word reached back to Mondt and McMahon, at first they simply ignored the title change. From January until April 1963, Rogers was promoted as the NWA World Champion, or simply the World Heavyweight Champion, in their area.

===World Wide Wrestling Federation (1963–1979)===
However, Mondt and McMahon both eventually left the NWA in protest and formed the World Wide Wrestling Federation (WWWF) in the process. They brought along with them [[Willie Gilzenberg]], long time boxing and wrestling promoter in New Jersey. In April 1963, the [[WWE Championship|WWWF World Heavyweight Championship]] was created, with the promotion claiming that inaugural champion Rogers had won a tournament in Rio de Janeiro on April 25, 1963, defeating long time Capitol favorite [[Antonino Rocca]] in the finals. In reality, Rocca was no longer in the area, as he was working for [[Jim Crockett|Jim Crockett Sr.]] in the Carolinas. Rogers also had already suffered what would later be a career ending heart attack on April 18 in Akron, Ohio, and was in an Ohio hospital during the time the alleged tournament took place.<ref>{{cite web|title=WrestlingClassics.com Message Board: 1963 WWWF World Title Tournament in Rio|url=http://wrestlingclassics.com/cgi-bin/.ubbcgi/ultimatebb.cgi?ubb=get_topic;f=10;t=005277;p=3|access-date=February 19, 2021|website=wrestlingclassics.com}}</ref> Rogers lost the championship to [[Bruno Sammartino]] a month later on May 17, with the promotion beginning to be built around Sammartino shortly after.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://whatculture.com/wwe/10-most-notorious-wwe-squash-matches|title=10 Most Notorious WWE Squash Matches|last=Binks|first=Elliott|date=May 23, 2015|website=WhatCulture.com|language=en|access-date=December 20, 2018}}</ref>

In June 1963, Gilzenberg was named the first president of the WWWF.<ref>{{cite book|url=https://smile.amazon.de/WWE-50-Kevin-Sullivan/dp/1465419233/ref=sr_1_fkmr1_1?__mk_de_DE=%C3%85M%C3%85%C5%BD%C3%95%C3%91&keywords=50+years+wwe+book&qid=1580427614&sr=8-1-fkmr1|title=WWE 50: Celebrating 50 years of Sports Entertainment|last=Sullivan|first=Kevin|date=2014|publisher=BradyGames |isbn=978-1-4654-1923-1 }}</ref> Mondt left the promotion in the late 1960s and although the WWWF had previously withdrawn from the NWA, McMahon quietly re-joined in 1971.

===World Wrestling Federation (1979–2002)===
====Purchase by Titan Sports (1979–1984)====
The WWWF was renamed the World Wrestling Federation (WWF) in 1979.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.onlineworldofwrestling.com/promotions/wwwf/|title=World Wide Wrestling Federation Alumni (1963–1979)|website=Online World of Wrestling|language=en-US|access-date=December 20, 2018|archive-date=January 5, 2011|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110105145732/http://www.onlineworldofwrestling.com/promotions/wwwf/|url-status=live}}</ref> In 1980, Vincent J. McMahon's son, [[Vincent K. McMahon]], and his wife [[Linda McMahon|Linda]] established Titan Sports, Inc. in [[South Yarmouth, Massachusetts]], and applied trademarks for the initials "WWF".<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.leagle.com/decision/19882005690FSupp1315_11786.xml/TITAN%20SPORTS,%20INC.%20v.%20COMICS%20WORLD%20CORP|title=Titan Sports, Inc. V. Comics World Corp.|publisher=Leagle.Com|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140502062454/http://www.leagle.com/decision/19882005690FSupp1315_11786.xml/TITAN%20SPORTS,%20INC.%20v.%20COMICS%20WORLD%20CORP|archive-date=May 2, 2014|access-date=June 24, 2014}}</ref><ref>{{cite book|last=Hornbaker|first=Tim|title=National Wrestling Alliance: The Untold Story of the Monopoly That Strangled Pro Wrestling|publisher=[[ECW Press]]|year=2007|isbn=978-1-55022-741-3|page=353}}</ref> The company was incorporated on February 21, 1980, in the [[Cape Cod Coliseum]] offices, then moved to the building on Holly Hill Lane in [[Greenwich, Connecticut]].

[[File:Vince McMahon, 1986.png|thumb|right|upright|[[Vince McMahon|Vincent K. McMahon]], former majority owner and executive chairman of WWE, in 1986.]]
The younger McMahon bought Capitol from his father in 1982, effectively seizing control of the company. The actual date of sale is still unknown but the generally accepted date is June 6, 1982; however, this was likely only the date the deal was struck but not finalized. On WWF television, Capitol Wrestling Corporation maintained copyrights and ownership past the June 1982 date. The World Wrestling Federation was not solely owned by Vincent J. McMahon but also by [[Gorilla Monsoon]], [[Arnold Skaaland]] and Phil Zacko. The deal between the two McMahons was a monthly payment basis, in which if a single payment was missed, ownership would revert to the elder McMahon and his business partners. Looking to seal the deal quickly, McMahon took several loans and deals with other promoters and the business partners (including the promise of a job for life) in order to take full ownership by May or June 1983 for an estimated total of roughly $1 million with the three business partners receiving roughly $815,000 among them and Vincent J. McMahon receiving roughly $185,000.<ref>Death of the Territories: Expansion, Betrayal and the War that Changed Pro Wrestling Forever by Tim Hornbaker. September 2018.</ref> Seeking to make the WWF the premier wrestling promotion in the country, and eventually, the world, he began an expansion process that fundamentally changed the wrestling business.<ref name=si>{{cite magazine|first=William|last=Johnson|title=Wrestling With Success|magazine=[[Sports Illustrated]]|date=March 25, 1991|access-date=April 20, 2014|url=http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/vault/article/magazine/MAG1119010/2/index.htm|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130918090310/http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/vault/article/magazine/MAG1119010/2/index.htm|archive-date=September 18, 2013}}</ref>

At the annual meeting of the NWA in 1983, the McMahons and former Capitol employee [[Jim Barnett (wrestling)|Jim Barnett]] all withdrew from the organization.<ref name=won2011/> McMahon also worked to get WWF programming on syndicated television all across the United States. This angered other promoters and disrupted the well-established boundaries of the different wrestling promotions, eventually ending the territory system, which was in use since the founding of the NWA in the 1940s. In addition, the company used income generated by advertising, television deals, and tape sales to secure talent from rival promoters. In an interview with ''[[Sports Illustrated]]'', McMahon was quoted as saying: "In the old days, there were wrestling fiefdoms all over the country, each with its own little lord in charge. Each little lord respected the rights of his neighboring little lord. No takeovers or raids were allowed. There were maybe 30 of these tiny kingdoms in the U.S. and if I hadn't bought out my dad, there would still be 30 of them, fragmented and struggling. I, of course, had no allegiance to those little lords."<ref name=si/>

====Golden Era (1984–1993)====
{{Main|1980s professional wrestling boom}}
[[File:Hulk Hogan Pointing.jpg|thumb|250px|left|[[Hulk Hogan]], pictured in 1989, was the WWF's top star during the [[1980s professional wrestling boom]].]]
McMahon gained significant traction when he hired [[American Wrestling Association]] (AWA) talent [[Hulk Hogan]], who had achieved popularity outside of wrestling, notably for his appearance in the film ''[[Rocky III]]''.<ref>{{IMDb title|qid=Q241504|id=tt0084602}}</ref> McMahon signed [[Roddy Piper]] as Hogan's rival, and then shortly afterward [[Jesse Ventura]] as an announcer. Other wrestlers joined the roster, such as [[The Iron Sheik]], [[Nikolai Volkoff]], [[Junkyard Dog]], [[Paul Orndorff]], [[Greg Valentine]], and [[Ricky Steamboat]], joining existing stars such as [[Jimmy Snuka]], [[Don Muraco]], [[Sgt Slaughter|Sgt. Slaughter]] and [[André the Giant]]. Many of the wrestlers who would later join the WWF were former AWA or NWA talent.

The WWF would tour nationally in a venture that would require a huge capital investment, one that placed the WWF on the verge of financial collapse. The future of McMahon's experiment came down to the success or failure of McMahon's groundbreaking concept, [[WrestleMania]]. WrestleMania was a major success and was (and still is) marketed as the [[Super Bowl]] of professional wrestling. The concept of a wrestling [[Card (sports)|supercard]] was nothing new in North America; the NWA had begun running [[Starrcade]] a few years prior. In McMahon's eyes, however, what separated WrestleMania from other supercards was that it was intended to be accessible to those who did not watch wrestling. He invited celebrities such as [[Mr. T]], [[Muhammad Ali]], and [[Cyndi Lauper]] to participate in the event, as well as securing a deal with [[MTV]] to provide coverage. The event and hype surrounding it led to the term ''[[Rock 'n' Wrestling Connection]]'', due to the cross-promotion of [[popular culture]] and professional wrestling. It has been acknowledged that Lauper and her then boyfriend and manager Dave Wolff, himself a wrestling fan, were among the most instrumental in helping the WWF connect with the MTV audience, with Wolff being considered as the person who engineered the rock 'n' wrestling connection.<ref>{{cite web|url = http://www.australiansportsentertainment.com/lauper.html|title = Cindi Lauper interview Rock N Roll Wrestling |website =Australiansportsentertainment.com|access-date = February 28, 2016}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://u92slc.com/life/how-cyndi-lauper-kicked-pop-into-the-wwf/|title=How Cyndi Lauper Kicked Pop into the WWF|first=Talmage|last=Garn|publisher=92.5 The Beat|date=March 11, 2025|accessdate=September 11, 2025}}</ref>

The WWF business expanded significantly on the shoulders of McMahon and his [[face (professional wrestling)|babyface]] hero Hulk Hogan for the next several years after defeating [[The Iron Sheik]] at Madison Square Garden on January 23, 1984.<ref>{{cite web | url=https://www.history.com/this-day-in-history/hulk-hogan-beats-iron-sheik-to-win-first-wwf-title | title=Hulk Hogan beats Iron Sheik to win first WWF title | date=November 16, 2009 }}</ref> This event is often cited as the start of WWF's Golden Era, or "Hulkamania".<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.history.com/this-day-in-history/hulk-hogan-beats-iron-sheik-to-win-first-wwf-title|title=Hulk Hogan beats Iron Sheik to win first WWF title|website=History|language=en|access-date=December 20, 2018|archive-date=May 13, 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190513182643/http://www.history.com/this-day-in-history/hulk-hogan-beats-iron-sheik-to-win-first-wwf-title?|quote=The victory began what became known as 'Hulkamania,' as Hogan's phenomenal popularity led to a golden age for professional wrestling.|url-status=live}}</ref> The introduction of ''[[Saturday Night's Main Event]]'' on [[NBC]] in 1985 marked the first time that professional wrestling had been broadcast on network television since the 1950s when the now-defunct [[DuMont Television Network]] broadcast matches of Vincent J. McMahon's Capitol Wrestling Corporation. The 1980s "Wrestling Boom" peaked with the [[WrestleMania III]] pay-per-view at the Pontiac Silverdome in 1987, which set an attendance record of 93,173 for the WWF for 29 years until [[WrestleMania 32|2016]].<ref>{{cite web|url=https://uk.sports.yahoo.com/news/wrestlemania-32--record-and-reputations-tumble-075620564.html|title=Wrestlemania 32: Record and reputations tumble|date=April 4, 2016 |access-date=March 15, 2017|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161007061259/https://uk.sports.yahoo.com/news/wrestlemania-32--record-and-reputations-tumble-075620564.html|archive-date=October 7, 2016}}</ref> A rematch of the WrestleMania III main event between WWF champion Hulk Hogan and [[André the Giant]] took place on ''[[The Main Event I]]'' in 1988 and was seen by 33 million people, the most-watched wrestling match in North American television history.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://slam.canoe.ca/Slam/Wrestling/Wrestlemania20/WrestleMania3.html|title=Steamboat&nbsp;– Savage rule WrestleMania 3|last=Powell|first=John|publisher=SLAM! Wrestling|access-date=October 14, 2007|url-status=usurped|archive-url=https://archive.today/20120629102306/http://slam.canoe.ca/Slam/Wrestling/Wrestlemania20/WrestleMania3.html|archive-date=June 29, 2012}}</ref>

In 1983, Titan moved its offices to [[Stamford, Connecticut]]. Subsequently, a new Titan Sports, Inc. (originally WWF, Inc.) was established in [[Delaware]] in 1987 and was consolidated with the Massachusetts entity in February 1988.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.sec.gov/Archives/edgar/data/1091907/000095013099005812/0000950130-99-005812.txt |title=Archived copy |access-date=September 17, 2017 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170710093918/https://www.sec.gov/Archives/edgar/data/1091907/000095013099005812/0000950130-99-005812.txt |archive-date=July 10, 2017}} {{Title missing|date=November 2025}}</ref>

====New Generation Era and start of the Monday Night War (1993–1997)====
{{Main|Monday Night War}}
[[File:WWF Champion Bret Hart in jacket.jpg|thumb|right|upright=0.8|[[Bret Hart]] was the biggest star of the New Generation Era and defeated [[Yokozuna (wrestler)|Yokozuna]] to win back the [[WWE Championship|WWF World Heavyweight Championship]] in the main event of [[WrestleMania 10]].]]
The WWF was hit with allegations of [[Anabolic steroid|steroid]] abuse and distribution in 1992. This was followed by allegations of [[sexual harassment]] by WWF employees the following year.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.huffpost.com/entry/linda-mcmahon-wwe-sexual-harassment_n_585c1bc0e4b0d9a594577de6|title=Trump's Small Business Pick Defended Wrestling Empire Against Teen Sex Abuse Allegations|last1=Liebelson|first1=Dana|last2=Waldron|first2=Travis|date=December 22, 2016|website=HuffPost|language=en|access-date=November 26, 2019}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://bleacherreport.com/articles/809312-wwe-wellness-fallout-a-brief-history-of-drug-testing-in-professional-wrestling|title=WWE Wellness Fallout: A Brief History of Drug Testing in Professional Wrestling|last=Bixenspan|first=David|website=Bleacher Report|language=en|access-date=November 26, 2019}}</ref> McMahon was eventually exonerated, but the allegations brought bad [[public relations]] for the WWF, and an overall bad reputation. The steroid trial cost the company an estimated $5 million at a time of record low revenues. This helped drive many WWF wrestlers over to rival promotion [[World Championship Wrestling]] (WCW), including 1980s babyface hero Hulk Hogan. During this period, the WWF promoted wrestlers of a younger age comprising "The New Generation", featuring [[Bret Hart]], [[Shawn Michaels]], [[Kevin Nash|Diesel]], [[Scott Hall|Razor Ramon]] and [[The Undertaker]] among others in an effort to promote new talent into the spotlight.

[[File:Shawn Michaels - Birmingham 200997 (28).jpg|thumb|left|upright=0.7|[[Shawn Michaels]] became one of the biggest stars in WWF during this time, since an iconic [[ladder match]] at [[WrestleMania X]] in 1994.<ref>{{cite web | url=https://411mania.com/wrestling/shawn-michaels-razor-ramon-wrestlemania-x-match-sheamus-keg-walk/ | title=411Mania }}</ref>]]
In January 1993, the WWF debuted its flagship cable program ''[[WWE Raw|Monday Night Raw]]''. WCW countered in September 1995 with its own Monday night program, ''[[WCW Monday Nitro|Monday Nitro]]'', which aired in the same time slot as ''Raw''.<ref>{{cite book|last1=Shields|first1=Brian|last2=Sullivan|first2=Kevin|title=WWE: History of WrestleMania|year=2009|page=53}}</ref> The two programs would trade wins in the ensuing [[Nielsen ratings|ratings]] competition (known as the "[[Monday Night Wars|Monday Night War]]") until mid-1996. At that point, ''Nitro'' began a nearly two-year ratings domination that was largely fueled by the introduction of the [[New World Order (professional wrestling)|New World Order]] (nWo), a stable led by former WWF performers Hulk Hogan, Scott Hall (the former Razor Ramon), and Kevin Nash (the former Diesel).<ref>{{cite web|last=Scaia|first=Rick|title=RAW vs. Nitro: Year One|url=http://www.oowrestling.com/features/mnw-y1.shtml|publisher=Online Onslaught Wrestling|access-date=April 10, 2013|url-status=usurped|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080516125131/http://www.oowrestling.com/features/mnw-y1.shtml|archive-date=May 16, 2008}}</ref>

Towards the end of the New Generation Era, former WCW talent were being hired by the WWF, including [[Stone Cold Steve Austin|Steve Austin]] (initially under The Ringmaster persona),<ref name="Cagematch">{{cite web |url=https://www.cagematch.net/?id=2&nr=635&name=Steve+Austin |title=Steve Austin |website=Cagematch |access-date=October 18, 2023}}</ref> [[Mick Foley|Mankind]], and [[Big Van Vader|Vader]]. Adopting the Stone Cold persona, Austin slowly increased in popularity despite being initially promoted as a [[heel (professional wrestling)|heel]]. This started with his "[[Austin 3:16]]" speech, shortly after defeating [[Jake Roberts]] in the tournament finals at the 1996 [[King of the Ring (1996)|King of the Ring]] pay-per-view.<ref>{{cite book|last=Foley|first=Mick|title=Have a Nice Day: A Tale of Blood and Sweatsocks|publisher=HarperCollins|year=2000|page=229|isbn=0-06-103101-1|title-link=Have a Nice Day: A Tale of Blood and Sweatsocks}}</ref> This era also saw the debut of [[Dwayne Johnson#Intercontinental Champion (1996–1997)|Rocky Maivia]], who later adopted the more famous persona of [[Dwayne Johnson|The Rock]].<ref name="yahoo">{{cite web |url=https://movies.yahoo.com/feature/through-the-years-the-rock.html |title=Through The Years – Dwayne 'Not Just The Rock' Johnson |date=March 12, 2008 |last=Crow |first=Jonathan |access-date=March 13, 2009 |publisher=Yahoo Movies |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090316064529/http://movies.yahoo.com/feature/through-the-years-the-rock.html |archive-date=March 16, 2009}}</ref><ref>{{cite book |author=The Rock |first2=Joe |last2=Layden |title=The Rock Says... |publisher=Harper Entertainment |year=2000 |location=Chapter 10, "Rocky Maivia" |page=[https://archive.org/details/rocksaysmostelec00john/page/146 146] |isbn=0-06-039298-3 |url=https://archive.org/details/rocksaysmostelec00john/page/146 }}</ref>

====Attitude Era, purchase of WCW, and end of the War (1997–2002)====
{{Main|Attitude Era|Monday Night War}}
{{See also|Montreal Screwjob|The Invasion (professional wrestling)}}
[[File:Austin with WWF title.jpg|thumb|175px|right|[[Stone Cold Steve Austin]]'s rivalry with Vince McMahon is often cited as having turned the tides for WWF in the [[Monday Night Wars|Monday Night War]] against rival promotion WCW.<ref>{{cite web | url=https://411mania.com/wrestling/the-monday-night-war-review-episode-eight-the-austin-era-has-begun/ | title=411Mania }}</ref>]]
As the Monday Night War continued between ''Raw Is War'' and WCW's ''Nitro'', the WWF would transform itself from a family-friendly product into a more adult-oriented product, known as the [[Attitude Era]]. The era was spearheaded by WWF VP [[Shane McMahon]] (son of owner Vince McMahon) and head writer [[Vince Russo]].

1997 ended with McMahon facing real-life controversy following [[Bret Hart]]'s controversial departure from the company. This was the result of the [[Montreal Screwjob]], which took place at the [[Survivor Series (1997)|1997 Survivor Series]].<ref>{{cite book|author=Mick Foley|title=Have a Nice Day: A Tale of Blood and Sweatsocks|publisher=HarperCollins|year=2000|page=648|isbn=0-06-103101-1|title-link=Have a Nice Day: A Tale of Blood and Sweatsocks}}</ref> This proved to be one of several factors in the launch of the Attitude Era as well as the creation of McMahon's on-screen character, "[[Vince McMahon#Creation of the Mr. McMahon character (1996–1997)|Mr. McMahon]]". Following Hart and Shawn Michaels's departures, Austin became the new face of the company.<ref name=slam>{{cite web |url=http://slam.canoe.com/Slam/Wrestling/Bios/austin.html |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://archive.today/20160113124330/http://slam.canoe.com/Slam/Wrestling/Bios/austin.html |archive-date=January 13, 2016 |title="Stone Cold" Steve Austin bio|work=Slam! Sports|publisher=[[Canadian Online Explorer]]|access-date=June 6, 2008}}</ref>

In 1998 and 1999, The Rock began to increase in popularity as a rival to Stone Cold Steve Austin, being dubbed as the "People's Champion".<ref>[https://25yearslatersite.com/2021/01/03/the-success-of-dwayne-the-rock-johnson/ The Success Story of Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson], ''25YL''</ref> On April 29, 1999, the WWF made its return to [[terrestrial television]], airing a special program known as ''[[WWE SmackDown|SmackDown!]]'' on the fledgling [[UPN]] network, named after one of The Rock's [[catchphrase]]s, "Layeth the smack down".<ref name="wwe56">{{cite book|last1=Shields|first1=Brian|last2=Sullivan|first2=Kevin|title=WWE: History of WrestleMania|year=2009|page=56}}</ref> The Thursday night show became a weekly series on August 26, 1999{{snd}}competing directly with WCW's Thursday night program titled ''[[WCW Thunder|Thunder]]'' on [[TBS (U.S. TV channel)|TBS]].

In the summer of 1999, Titan Sports, Inc. was renamed World Wrestling Federation Entertainment, Inc. On October 19, 1999, World Wrestling Federation Entertainment, Inc. launched an [[initial public offering]] as a publicly traded company, trading on the [[New York Stock Exchange]] (NYSE) with the issuance of stock then valued at $172.5 million.<ref name="money.cnn.com">[https://money.cnn.com/1999/08/03/companies/wrestling/ "WWF pins IPO," CNN Money, August 3, 1999] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140606230532/http://money.cnn.com/1999/08/03/companies/wrestling/ |date=June 6, 2014 }}, Retrieved June 5, 2014.</ref> The company was traded on the NYSE under ticker symbol WWE.<ref name="nyse.com">[https://www.nyse.com/about/listed/lcddata.html?ticker=wwe "World Wrestling Entertainment, Inc., NYSE.com] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130509111600/http://www.nyse.com/about/listed/lcddata.html?ticker=wwe |date=May 9, 2013 }}, accessed June 5, 2014.</ref>

[[File:WWE - London 6+70500 (22) b.jpg|thumb|left|175px|[[Dwayne Johnson|The Rock]]'s popularity in the [[Attitude Era]] was fueled by his charisma and speaking abilities, which led to many catchphrases and merchandising opportunities.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Saalbach |first=Axel |title=WWF SmackDown! #0 - Pilot (1999-04-29) - Results @ Wrestlingdata.com |url=https://www.wrestlingdata.com/index.php?befehl=shows&show=19303 |access-date=2025-10-31 |website=wrestlingdata.com |language=English}}</ref>]]
By the fall of 1999, the Attitude Era had turned the tide of the [[Monday Night Wars|Monday Night War]] into WWF's favor. After [[WarnerMedia|Time Warner]] merged with [[AOL|America Online]] (AOL), [[Ted Turner]]'s control over WCW was considerably reduced. The newly merged company lacked interest in professional wrestling as a whole and decided to sell WCW in its entirety. Although [[Eric Bischoff]], whom Time Warner fired as WCW president in October 1999, was nearing a deal to purchase the company, in March 2001 McMahon acquired the rights to WCW's trademarks, tape library, contracts, and other properties from AOL Time Warner for a number reported to be around $7 million.<ref name=wcw>{{cite web|url=http://corporate.wwe.com/news/2001/2001_03_23.jsp|title=WWE Entertainment, Inc. Acquires WCW from Turner Broadcasting|access-date=May 5, 2007|date=March 23, 2001|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140313012636/http://corporate.wwe.com/news/2001/2001_03_23.jsp|archive-date=March 13, 2014}}</ref> Shortly after [[WrestleMania X-Seven]], the WWF launched the Invasion storyline, integrating the incoming talent roster from WCW and [[Extreme Championship Wrestling]] (ECW). With this purchase, WWF now became by far the sole largest wrestling promotion in North America and in the world. The assets of ECW, which had folded after filing for [[bankruptcy]] protection in April 2001, were purchased by WWE in 2003.<ref>{{cite book|last1=Shields|first1=Brian|last2=Sullivan|first2=Kevin|title=WWE: History of WrestleMania|year=2009|page=58}}</ref>

In 2000, the WWF, in collaboration with television network [[NBC]], launched the [[XFL (2001)|XFL]], a new professional [[American football|football]] league that debuted in 2001.<ref name=xfl>{{cite web|url=http://corporate.wwe.com/news/2000/2000_02_03.jsp|title=WWE Entertainment, Inc. announces the formation of the XFL – a new professional football league|access-date=May 5, 2007|date=February 3, 2000|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070406072307/http://corporate.wwe.com/news/2000/2000_02_03.jsp|archive-date=April 6, 2007}}</ref> The league had high ratings for the first few weeks, but initial interest waned and its ratings plunged to dismally low levels (one of its games was the lowest-rated prime-time show in the history of American television). NBC walked out on the venture after only one season, but McMahon intended to continue alone. However, after being unable to reach a deal with UPN, McMahon shut down the XFL.<ref name=xflfolds>{{cite news|url=http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/football/news/2001/05/10/xfl_folds_ap/|title=XFL folds after disappointing first season|access-date=May 5, 2007|date=May 10, 2001|work=CNN|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070311011021/http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/football/news/2001/05/10/xfl_folds_ap/|archive-date=March 11, 2007}}</ref> WWE maintained control of the XFL trademark<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.411mania.com/wrestling/video_reviews/254196/Various-News:--XFL-Back-in-the-News,-Chris-Jericho,-and-More.htm |title=Various News: XFL Back in the News, Chris Jericho, and More |publisher=411MANIA |date=September 9, 2012 |access-date=December 17, 2015}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.trademarkia.com/xfl-85720169.html |title=XFL&nbsp;– Reviews & Brand Information&nbsp;– World Wrestling Entertainment, Inc. Stamford, Connecticut&nbsp;– Serial Number: 85720169 |publisher=Trademarkia.com |access-date=December 17, 2015}}</ref> before McMahon reclaimed the XFL brand, this time under a separate [[shell company]] from WWE, in 2017<ref name="revival">{{Cite news|url=https://www.cbssports.com/wwe/news/will-the-xfl-actually-be-making-a-return-wwe-is-not-exactly-denying-the-rumors|title=Will the XFL actually be making a return? WWE is not exactly denying the rumors|work=CBS Sports|access-date=January 25, 2018|language=en}}</ref> with intent to [[XFL (2020)|relaunch the XFL in 2020]].<ref name="espn-newannounce">{{Cite news|url=http://www.espn.com/nfl/story/_/id/22213241/vince-mcmahon-gimmick-free-xfl-return-2020|title=McMahon: Gimmick-free XFL to return in 2020|work=ESPN.com|access-date=January 25, 2018}}</ref>

===World Wrestling Entertainment (2002–present)===
====Ruthless Aggression Era and first brand split (2002–2008)====
{{Further|WWF trademark dispute}}
{{Main|WWE brand extension|WWE Draft}}
[[File:Brock Lesnar - WWE Champion.jpg|thumb|right|upright=0.7|[[Brock Lesnar]] became one of the biggest stars of the Ruthless Aggression Era]]
On May 6, 2002, the World Wrestling Federation (WWF) changed both its company name and the name of its wrestling promotion to World Wrestling Entertainment (WWE) after the company lost a lawsuit initiated by the [[World Wide Fund for Nature|World Wildlife Fund]] over the WWF trademark.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://corporate.wwe.com/news/company-news/2002/05-06-2002|title=World Wrestling Federation Entertainment drops the 'F'!|date=May 6, 2002|publisher=WWE}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://contracts.onecle.com/wwe/wwf.settle.1994.01.20.shtml|title=World Wildlife Fund and Titan Sports, Inc. legal settlement|publisher=Contracts.onecle.com|date=January 20, 1994|access-date=June 2, 2012}}</ref> Although mainly caused by an unfavorable ruling in its [[WWF trademark dispute|dispute]] with the World Wildlife Fund regarding the "WWF" initialism, the company noted it provided an opportunity to emphasize its focus on entertainment.<ref name=GetFOut /> On June 24, 2002 episode of ''Raw'', Vince McMahon officially dubbed this era as the "Ruthless Aggression" era.<ref>{{cite video|url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7hIP3CKaAF8|title=WWE: Vince McMahon "Ruthless Aggression" Segment|publisher=WHDYTv1 [Ruthless Aggression Classics]|work=YouTube}}{{cbignore}}{{Dead YouTube link|date=February 2022}}</ref><ref>{{cite web | url=https://411mania.com/wrestling/411s-wwe-raw-report-6-24-02/ | title=411Mania | access-date=October 21, 2022 | archive-date=October 21, 2022 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221021163425/https://411mania.com/wrestling/411s-wwe-raw-report-6-24-02/ | url-status=dead }}</ref>

In March 2002, the WWF had decided to create two separate rosters, with each group of wrestlers appearing on one of their main programs, ''Raw'' and ''SmackDown!'', due to the overabundance of talent leftover from the [[The Invasion (professional wrestling)|Invasion storyline]] and the ensuing absorption of WCW and ECW contracts. This was dubbed as the "[[WWE brand extension|brand extension]]". During this time many new and young wrestlers would join the company, many of whom would become household names for the next years to come such as [[John Cena]], [[Randy Orton]], [[Brock Lesnar]], and [[Dave Batista|Batista]].

Also beginning in 2002, a [[WWE draft|draft lottery]] was held nearly every year to set the rosters, with the first draft to determine the inaugural split rosters, and subsequent drafts designed to refresh the rosters of each show. WWE expanded the brand split by relaunching [[ECW (WWE brand)|ECW as a third brand]] on May 26, 2006.<ref name=SciFi>{{cite web|title=WWE brings ECW to Sci Fi Channel|publisher=WWE.com|url=http://www.wwe.com/shows/ecw/scifi|access-date=August 28, 2006|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20060813175344/http://www.wwe.com/shows/ecw/scifi|archive-date=August 13, 2006}}</ref>

====PG Era and brand reunification (2008–2014)====
[[File:John Cena 2010.jpeg|thumb|left|upright=0.75|Having gradually risen in the Ruthless Aggression Era, [[John Cena]] was the face of WWE during the PG Era. Since 2005, he went on to win a record 17 [[World championships in WWE|world championships]] in the promotion.]]
Two years later, WWE adapted a more [[family-friendly]] format and their programming [[PG Era|received a TV-PG rating]].<ref>{{cite web|title=10 Years into the 'PG Era,' Did WWE Make the Right Call?|work=[[Bleacher Report]]|url=https://bleacherreport.com/articles/2786951-10-years-into-the-pg-era-did-wwe-make-the-right-call|last=Mueller|first=Chris|date=July 20, 2018|access-date=December 31, 2020}}</ref> The final ''[[ECW (WWE)|ECW]]'' program aired on February 16, 2010, after which it was replaced with ''[[WWE NXT (seasons 1–5)|NXT]]''.<ref>{{cite web|title=Goodbye ECW, hello NXT|work=[[The Baltimore Sun]]|url=https://www.baltimoresun.com/bs-mtblog-2010-02-goodbye_ecw_hello_nxt-story.html|last=Eck|first=Kevin|date=February 17, 2010|access-date=January 18, 2021|archive-date=February 6, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210206193323/https://www.baltimoresun.com/bs-mtblog-2010-02-goodbye_ecw_hello_nxt-story.html|url-status=dead}}</ref>

On April 7, 2011, WWE, via the WWE Corporate website, the company ceased using the full name World Wrestling Entertainment and henceforth referred to itself solely as WWE, making the latter an [[Pseudo-acronym|orphan initialism]]. This was said to reflect WWE's global entertainment expansion away from the ring with the ultimate goal of acquiring entertainment companies and putting a focus on television, live events, and film production. WWE noted that their new company model was put into effect with the relaunch of ''[[WWE Tough Enough|Tough Enough]]'', being a non-scripted program (contrary to the scripted nature of professional wrestling) and with the launch of the [[WWE Network]] (at the time scheduled to launch in 2012; later pushed back to 2014). However, the legal name of the company remained as World Wrestling Entertainment, Inc.<ref name="2011name"/>

Beginning with the August 29, 2011 episode, ''Raw'' – referred to as ''Raw Supershow'' – featured talent from both ''Raw'' and ''SmackDown'' (the "Supershow" epithet would be dropped on July 23, 2012).<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.wwe.com/shows/raw/2011/08/29|title=Shows|access-date=December 30, 2016|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161220183600/http://www.wwe.com/shows/raw/2011/08/29|archive-date=December 20, 2016}}</ref> Championships previously exclusive to one show or the other were available for wrestlers from any show to compete for; the "Supershow" format would mark the end of the brand split, as all programming and live events (until July 2016) featured the full WWE roster.<ref>{{cite web|author=Tom Herrera|url=http://www.wwe.com/shows/raw/the-most-important-moments-in-raw-history/page-11|title=The 10 most important moments in Raw history|publisher=WWE.com|date=January 11, 2014|access-date=February 2, 2014|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140207043137/http://www.wwe.com/shows/raw/the-most-important-moments-in-raw-history/page-11|archive-date=February 7, 2014}}</ref>

In 2013, the company built the sports medicine and training facility [[WWE Performance Center]] in the east [[Orange County, Florida]] in partnership with [[Full Sail University]] from [[Winter Park, Florida]]. The training facility is targeted at career and athletic development for the company's wrestlers.<ref>[Orange County] Business Briefs July 2013 Florida Trend</ref> Full Sail is also home base to WWE's [[NXT (WWE brand)|NXT]] brand,<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.fullsail.edu/press-releases/2012/wwe-and-full-sail-university-launch-partnership|title=Full Sail University|access-date=December 30, 2016|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161220044058/https://www.fullsail.edu/press-releases/2012/wwe-and-full-sail-university-launch-partnership|archive-date=December 20, 2016}}</ref> which served as a developmental territory for WWE.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.espn.com/wwe/story/_/id/18337386/triple-h-future-nxt-standing-wwe-universe|title=Triple H on NXT's ever-shifting role in the WWE universe|date=December 23, 2016|access-date=December 30, 2016|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161229184302/http://www.espn.com/wwe/story/_/id/18337386/triple-h-future-nxt-standing-wwe-universe|archive-date=December 29, 2016}}</ref>

====Reality Era, New Era, and second brand split (2014–2020)====
[[File:Roman Reigns RR25 (1) (headshot).jpg|thumb|upright=0.76|[[Roman Reigns]] has been a top star in the WWE since 2015, and at [[WrestleMania 38]] in 2022 he defeated [[Brock Lesnar]] to jointly hold the [[WWE Championship]] and the [[WWE Universal Championship]] as the [[Undisputed WWE Universal Championship]].<ref>{{cite web | url=https://411mania.com/wrestling/wwe-still-planning-make-roman-reigns-companys-top-face/ | title=411Mania }}</ref>]]
On February 24, 2014, WWE launched [[WWE Network]], an [[Over-the-top media service|over-the-top]] [[List of streaming media services|streaming service]] that would feature archive content from WWE and its predecessors, all pay-per-views, (which would continue to be sold through television providers as well), and original programming.<ref name=":3">{{cite web |last=Flint |first=Joe |date=January 8, 2014 |title=WWE launching over-the-top network |url=https://www.latimes.com/entertainment/envelope/la-xpm-2014-jan-08-la-et-ct-wwe-network-20140108-story.html |access-date=January 8, 2014 |work=[[Los Angeles Times]]}}</ref><ref name=":4">{{cite web |last=Graser |first=Marc |date=January 8, 2014 |title=CES: WWE Network to Launch in February as Streaming Service |url=https://variety.com/2014/digital/news/wwe-network-to-launch-in-february-as-streaming-service-1201036864/ |access-date=January 8, 2014 |work=Variety}}</ref><ref name=":9">{{cite news |last=Vincent |first=James |date=January 9, 2014 |title=WWE unveils new digital media model and non-stop wrestling with 24/7 streaming service |work=The Independent |url=https://www.independent.co.uk/life-style/gadgets-and-tech/wwe-unveils-new-digital-media-model-and-nonstop-wrestling-with-247-streaming-service-9049262.html |access-date=August 14, 2014}}</ref> On the March 24 episode of ''Raw'', Triple H would dub that point in time the beginning of the "Reality Era".<ref name="Yesmovement">[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hemBUIEc1uo Triple H vows to end the "Yes!" Movement at WrestleMania: Raw, March 24, 2014 - YouTube]</ref> 

Beginning in 2015, WWE started to push [[Roman Reigns]] as the face of the company since having him win the [[Royal Rumble (2015)|2015 Royal rumble match]], amidst [[Persona and reception of Roman Reigns|mixed reception]]. By 2017 Roman Reigns became their highest merchandise seller.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://411mania.com/wrestling/roman-reigns-is-now-the-top-merchandise-seller-in-wwe/|title=411MANIA|website=Roman Reigns is Now The Top Merchandise Seller in WWE}}</ref>

{{multiple image
| align             = left
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| image1            = WWE RAW Logo 2025.svg
| image2            = WWE SmackDown (2024) Logo.svg
| footer            = [[Raw (WWE brand)|Raw]] and [[SmackDown (WWE brand)|SmackDown]] have been WWE's two main brands since the brand split was first initiated in 2002 and reinitiated in 2016.
}}
On May 25, 2016, WWE relaunched the brand split, billed as the "New Era". Subsequently, ''Raw'' and ''SmackDown'' have each featured their unique rosters, announcers, championships and ring sets/ropes. A [[2016 WWE draft|draft]] took place to determine which wrestlers would appear on what show. ''SmackDown'' also moved from Thursdays to Tuesday nights, which began on July 19 (the night of the aforementioned draft), and airs live instead of the previous pre-recorded format.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://variety.com/2016/tv/news/wwe-smackdown-live-usa-1201782569/|title=WWE's 'Smackdown' Will Move To Live Broadcast On USA (Exclusive)|last=Steinberg|first=Brian|date=May 25, 2016|website=Variety|language=en-US|access-date=May 25, 2016|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160526113045/http://variety.com/2016/tv/news/wwe-smackdown-live-usa-1201782569/|archive-date=May 26, 2016}}</ref>

Due to the return of the brand split, a new [[World Championship]], called the [[WWE Universal Championship]] was introduced at the August 21, 2016 [[SummerSlam (2016)|SummerSlam]] event with [[Finn Bálor]] defeating [[Seth Rollins]] to become the inaugural WWE Universal Champion.<ref>{{cite web|last=Laboon|first=Jeff|title=Finn Bálor def. Seth Rollins|url=https://www.wwe.com/shows/summerslam/2016/wwe-universal-championship-finn-balor-seth-rollins-result|date=August 21, 2016|work=WWE|access-date=August 21, 2016}}</ref>

On November 29, 2016, WWE introduced a new program specifically for their [[cruiserweight (professional wrestling)|cruiserweight division]] (wrestlers 205 lbs. and under) called ''[[WWE 205 Live]]''.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://twitter.com/VinceMcMahon/status/804111713738125316|title=Vince McMahon on Twitter|access-date=December 30, 2016|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170121173052/https://twitter.com/VinceMcMahon/status/804111713738125316|archive-date=January 21, 2017}}</ref> The program focuses exclusively on those wrestlers who qualify for the division.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.wwe.com/shows/wwe-205-live/2016-11-29|title=WWE 205 Live results: Rich Swann captures Cruiserweight Title on WWE 205 Live debut|access-date=December 30, 2016|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161202124946/http://www.wwe.com/shows/wwe-205-live/2016-11-29/|archive-date=December 2, 2016}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.411mania.com/wrestling/triple-h-conference-call-report-discusses-205-live-nxt-takeover-toronto-says-hbk-working-at-the-performance-center-and-more |date=November 11, 2016 |first1=Larry |last1=Csonka |website=411Mania |title= Triple H Conference Call Report: Discusses 205 Live, NXT Takeover: Toronto, Says HBK Working at the Performance Center and More|access-date=December 30, 2016|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161220235355/http://411mania.com/wrestling/triple-h-conference-call-report-discusses-205-live-nxt-takeover-toronto-says-hbk-working-at-the-performance-center-and-more/|archive-date=December 20, 2016}}</ref> The cruiserweights – who first became a fixture in WWE with the [[Cruiserweight Classic]] tournament – were originally exclusive to the Raw brand before landing their [[205 Live (WWE brand)|own brand]].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.411mania.com/wrestling/wwe-nxt-house-show-results-12-2-16-perkins-teams-with-alexander-rich-swann-defends-cw-title-more |date=December 3, 2016 |first1=Jeremy |last1=Thomas |website=411Mania |title= WWE NXT House Show Results 12.2.16: Perkins Teams With Alexander, Rich Swann Defends CW Title, More|access-date=December 30, 2016|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161220204853/http://411mania.com/wrestling/wwe-nxt-house-show-results-12-2-16-perkins-teams-with-alexander-rich-swann-defends-cw-title-more/|archive-date=December 20, 2016}}</ref>

On December 15, 2016, WWE established a new [[WWE United Kingdom Championship]], with the inaugural champion being decided by a 16-man tournament to air on WWE Network featuring wrestlers from the UK and Ireland during January 2017. WWE executive [[Triple H|Paul "Triple H" Levesque]] said the eventual plan with the new title and tournament was to establish a UK-based brand with its own weekly television show.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.411mania.com/wrestling/full-transcript-of-triple-hs-comments-at-uk-championship-announcement/ |date=December 15, 2016 |first1=Jeremy |last1=Thomas |first2=Chris |last2=Featherstone |website=411Mania |title= Full Transcript of Triple H's Comments at UK Championship Announcement|access-date=December 30, 2016|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161221183302/http://411mania.com/wrestling/full-transcript-of-triple-hs-comments-at-uk-championship-announcement/|archive-date=December 21, 2016}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.411mania.com/wrestling/wwe-to-crown-u-k-champion|website=411Mania |title= WWE To Crown U.K. Champion |date=December 15, 2016 |first1=Larry |last1=Csonka |access-date=December 30, 2016|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161221183304/http://411mania.com/wrestling/wwe-to-crown-u-k-champion/|archive-date=December 21, 2016}}</ref> WWE subsequently launched its UK-based brand as an offshoot of NXT, [[NXT UK]], in June 2018, with [[Johnny Saint]] serving as inaugural general manager.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.f4wonline.com/wwe-news/wwe-announces-johnny-saint-uk-brand-general-manager-259221 |first1=Joseph |last1=Currier |title=WWE announces Johnny Saint as UK brand general manager|date=June 7, 2018|website=WON/F4W|language=en|access-date=April 15, 2020}}</ref>

Starting in September 2019, NXT had a weekly, live, two-hour show Wednesday nights on the [[USA Network]] and WWE began promoting NXT as their "third brand".<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.wwe.com/shows/wwenxt/article/nxt-moves-to-usa-network|title=NXT moves to USA Network|website=WWE |date=August 20, 2019 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230923040707/https://www.wwe.com/shows/wwenxt/article/nxt-moves-to-usa-network |archive-date= September 23, 2023 }}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |date=July 14, 2020 |title=Editors' Choice: Who is the most influential figure in the Women's Evolution? |url=http://www.wwe.com/article/most-influential-figure-womens-evolution |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230528061129/https://www.wwe.com/article/most-influential-figure-womens-evolution |archive-date=May 28, 2023 |website=WWE}}</ref> However, in 2021 NXT was moved to Tuesday nights, having conceded the [[Wednesday Night Wars]] to rival promotion [[All Elite Wrestling]] (AEW), and in September of that year was reinstated to its original function as the developmental brand for the main roster (Raw and SmackDown), under the name "NXT 2.0".

====COVID-19 pandemic and return to touring (2020–2022)====
{{further|Impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on sports}}
In March 2020, WWE began to be impacted by the [[COVID-19 pandemic in the United States|American onset]] of the [[COVID-19 pandemic]]. In mid-March, three of the four major sports leagues closed locker rooms to the media as a precautionary measure. As other sports cancellations and postponements were being introduced, WWE began to film its weekly programs at the Performance Center [[Behind closed doors (sport)|without spectators]] and with only essential staff present, beginning with the March 13 episode of ''SmackDown''{{snd}} the March 11 episode of ''NXT'' had been recorded at the Performance Center with paying fans, thus being WWE's last event to have ticketed fans in attendance before the pandemic took full effect.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://variety.com/2020/tv/news/coronavirus-wwe-smackdown-live-1203532469/ |title=WWE Moves 'SmackDown Live' to Orlando Performance Center With No Live Audience Due to Coronavirus |last=Otterson |first=Joe |date=March 12, 2020 |website=Variety|access-date=March 12, 2020 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200312221445/https://variety.com/2020/tv/news/coronavirus-wwe-smackdown-live-1203532469/ |archive-date= March 12, 2020 }}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.cbssports.com/wwe/news/wwe-smackdown-results-recap-grades-john-cena-caps-surreal-empty-arena-showy-you-have-to-see/live/ |title=WWE SmackDown results, recap, grades: John Cena caps surreal empty arena show you have to see |website=CBS Sports|date=March 14, 2020 |access-date=March 14, 2020}}</ref> [[WrestleMania 36]] was scheduled to take place on April 5 at [[Raymond James Stadium]] in [[Tampa, Florida|Tampa]] but on March 16, was moved to Orlando to be held behind closed doors.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://deadline.com/2020/03/wrestlemania-canceled-coronavirus-wwe-tampa-1202881422/ |title=WrestleMania To Stream As Two-Night Event With Host Rob Gronkowski In Wake Of Coronavirus Outbreak – Update |last=Ramos |first=Dino-Ray |date=March 16, 2020 |website=Deadline |language=en|access-date=March 17, 2020}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.thewrap.com/wwe-splits-audience-less-wrestlemania-36-into-two-nights/ |title=WWE Splits Audience-Free WrestleMania 36 Into Two Nights, Multiple Locations |last=Maglio |first=Tony |date=March 18, 2020 |website=TheWrap |language=en-US|access-date=March 18, 2020}}</ref> WrestleMania, as well as ''Raw'' and ''SmackDown'' for a period before and after WrestleMania, shifted from live broadcasts to a pre-recorded format.<ref>{{cite web|last=Johnson|first=Mike|title=WWE TAPING UPDATES|url=https://www.pwinsider.com/article/134914/wwe-taping-updates.html?p=1|publisher=PWInsider|date=March 21, 2020|access-date=March 22, 2020}}</ref> ''NXT'' continued to air from Full Sail University, but under similar restrictions.<ref name="cbs-wwelive" /><ref name=espnresume>{{cite web|url=https://www.espn.com/wwe/story/_/id/29024319/wwe-resume-live-tv-matches-starting-monday|title=WWE to resume live TV matches starting Monday|date=April 11, 2020|website=ESPN.com|language=en|access-date=April 13, 2020}}</ref>

Live broadcasts returned on April 13, with the existing arrangements continuing; WWE stated to [[ESPN.com]] that "we believe it is now more important than ever to provide people with a diversion from these hard times", and that the company's programming "bring[s] families together and deliver a sense of hope, determination and perseverance".<ref name=espnresume/><ref name="cbs-wwelive">{{cite web|url=https://www.cbssports.com/wwe/news/wwe-to-resume-live-matches-on-tv-starting-with-the-next-monday-night-raw/|title=WWE to resume live matches on TV starting with the next 'Monday Night Raw'|website=CBS Sports|date=April 13, 2020 |language=en|access-date=April 13, 2020}}</ref> It was subsequently reported that Florida Governor [[Ron DeSantis]] had deemed WWE a business critical to the state's economy, and had added an exception under the state's [[stay-at-home order]] for employees of a "professional sports and media production" that is closed to the public and has a national audience.<ref name="nyt-wweessentual">{{Cite news|last=Zaveri|first=Mihir|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2020/04/14/us/wwe-essential-business-florida-coronavirus.html |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200414200012/https://www.nytimes.com/2020/04/14/us/wwe-essential-business-florida-coronavirus.html |archive-date=April 14, 2020 |url-access=subscription |url-status=live|title=The WWE Is Now Considered an 'Essential Service' in Florida|date=April 14, 2020|work=The New York Times|access-date=April 15, 2020|language=en-US|issn=0362-4331}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.cbssports.com/wwe/news/wwe-to-resume-live-tv-tapings-after-being-deemed-essential-business-by-florida-governors-office/|title=WWE to resume live TV tapings after being deemed 'essential business' by Florida governor's office|website=CBS Sports|date=April 13, 2020 |language=en|access-date=April 15, 2020}}</ref> The decision was met with criticism from media outlets, with several media outlets pointing out that DeSantis' actions happened on the same day a pro-[[Donald Trump]] [[political action committee]] led by [[Linda McMahon]], who was previously a part of Trump's cabinet, pledged to spend $18.5 million in advertising in Florida, and that, also on the same day, Vince McMahon was named part of an advisory group created by Trump to devise a strategy in re-launching the US economy.<ref name="BusinessInsiderDozensLivid">{{Cite news|last=Lauletta |first=Tyler |url=https://www.insider.com/wwe-fires-wrestlers-essential-business-vince-mcmahon-rusev-zack-ryder-2020-4 |title=WWE fired dozens of wrestlers and other talent just days after a controversial decision deemed them an essential business in Florida and fans are livid with Vince McMahon |date=April 16, 2020|work=[[Business Insider]] |access-date= April 16, 2020}}</ref><ref name="PCMLindaScrutinyEssential">{{Cite news|last=Newby |first=John |url=https://popculture.com/sports/2020/04/14/linda-mcmahon-major-scrutiny-after-wwe-deemed-essential/ |title=Linda McMahon Under Major Scrutiny After WWE Is Deemed 'Essential' by Florida Officials |date=April 14, 2020|work=[[CBS Interactive]] |access-date= April 16, 2020|language=en-US}}</ref><ref name="GMS-DonationSameDay">{{Cite news|last=Browning |first=Oliver |url=https://www.givemesport.com/1562668-wwe-news-linda-mcmahon-made-political-donation-of-20m-same-day-wwe-declared-essential |title=WWE news: Linda McMahon made political donation of $20m same day WWE declared 'essential' |date=April 15, 2020|work=GiveMeSport|access-date= April 16, 2020|language=en-US}}</ref><ref name="FreePressPanelFiringSpree">{{Cite news|url=https://www.freepressjournal.in/sports/wwes-vince-mcmahon-appointed-on-panel-to-fix-us-economy-same-day-pro-wrestling-company-goes-on-firing-spree |title=WWE's Vince McMahon appointed on panel to fix US economy same day pro-wrestling company goes on firing spree |date=April 16, 2020|work=[[The Free Press Journal]] |access-date= April 16, 2020|language=en}}</ref>

On April 15, WWE started a series of cuts and layoffs in response to the pandemic, including releasing a number of performers ([[Karl Anderson]], [[Kurt Angle]], [[Aiden English]], [[Ethan Carter III|EC3]], [[Epico (wrestler)|Epico]], [[Luke Gallows]], [[Curt Hawkins]], [[No Way Jose (wrestler)|No Way Jose]], [[Sarah Logan]], [[Mike Kanellis]], [[Maria Kanellis]], [[Primo (wrestler)|Primo]], [[Erick Rowan]], [[Rusev (wrestler)|Rusev]], [[Lio Rush]], [[Zack Ryder]], [[Heath Slater]], and [[Eric Young (wrestler)|Eric Young]]), three producers ([[Dave Finlay]], [[Shane Helms]] and [[Lance Storm]]), referee [[Mike Chioda]], and multiple NXT/Performance Center trainees and staff. WWE executives also took a pay cut, and the company has also suspended construction on its new headquarters for at least six months.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.latimes.com/sports/story/2020-04-15/wwe-layoffs-wrestlers-coronavirus-covid-19-luke-gallows-karl-anderson|title=Here's who was laid off by WWE and how they responded on social media|date=April 15, 2020|website=Los Angeles Times|language=en-US|access-date=April 15, 2020}}</ref> The firings caused significant backlash by fans; with ''[[Business Insider]]'' calling them "livid". Both fans and several media outlets pointed out that while WWE claimed that these actions were "necessary due to the economic impact of the coronavirus pandemic", the WWE also claimed to have "substantial financial resources. Available cash and debt capacity currently total approximately $0.5 billion". DeSantis' claimed WWE was "essential", which meant that the company's revenues loss would be limited.<ref name="BusinessInsiderDozensLivid"/><ref name="newsweekFurloughedImpact">{{Cite news|last=McDonald |first=Scott |url=https://www.newsweek.com/kurt-angle-other-wwe-stars-furloughed-coronavirus-impact-wwe-fans-sound-off-1498187 |title=KURT ANGLE, OTHER WWE STARS FURLOUGHED FROM CORONAVIRUS IMPACT, WWE FANS SOUND OFF |date=April 15, 2020|work=[[Newsweek]] |access-date= April 16, 2020|language=en-US}}</ref>

In August 2020, WWE relocated from the Performance Center to Orlando's [[Amway Center]] for a long-term residency, broadcasting episodes of ''Raw'', ''SmackDown'', and pay-per-views through a virtual fan viewing experience called [[WWE ThunderDome]]. Inside the ThunderDome, drones, lasers, pyro, smoke, and projections were utilized to enhance the wrestlers' entrances on a level similar to that of pay-per-view productions pre-pandemic. Nearly 1,000 LED boards were installed to allow for rows and rows of virtual fans. It was free of charge for fans to virtually attend the events, though they had to reserve their virtual seat ahead of time.<ref>{{cite web|last=Heel|first=N.|date=August 17, 2020|title=WWE Launching 'ThunderDome' At Amway Center This Friday|url=https://heelbynature.com/wrestling-news/wwe-news/wwe-launching-thunderdome-at-amway-center-this-friday/|access-date=August 17, 2020|website=Heel By Nature|language=en-US}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|title=WWE introducing new state-of-the-art viewing experience with WWE ThunderDome|url=https://www.wwe.com/article/wwe-virtual-fan-experience-thunder-zone-summerslam-amway-center|work=WWE|date=August 17, 2020|access-date=August 17, 2020}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|last=Lambert|first=Jeremy|title=WWE Announces ThunderDome Arena; Enhanced Fan Experience, Residency At Amway Center; First Look Video Shown|url=https://www.fightful.com/wrestling/wwe-announces-thunderdome-arena-enhanced-fan-experience|work=Fightful|date=August 17, 2020|access-date=August 17, 2020}}</ref> During this time, [[Roman Reigns]] began his historic world title reign with the [[WWE Universal Championship]], which would eventually surpass 1,000 days; being the longest world title reign in the WWE since [[Hulk Hogan]] from 1984 to 1988. WWE remained at the Amway Center up through early December before relocating the ThunderDome to [[Tropicana Field]] in [[St. Petersburg, Florida]].<ref>{{cite web |title=WWE ThunderDome will head to Tampa Bay's Tropicana Field beginning Friday, Dec. 11|url=https://www.wwe.com/shows/raw/article/wwe-thunderdome-will-head-to-tampa-bays-tropicana-field-beginning-friday-dec-11|website=WWE |access-date=November 19, 2020|language=en}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|last=Lambert|first=Jeremy|title=WWE ThunderDome Moving To Tropicana Field On December 11|url=https://www.fightful.com/wrestling/wwe-thunderdome-moving-tropicana-field-december-11|work=Fightful|date=November 19, 2020|access-date=November 19, 2020}}</ref> The ThunderDome relocated to [[Yuengling Center]], located on the campus of the [[University of South Florida]] in Tampa, beginning with the April 12, 2021, episode of ''Raw''.<ref>{{cite web|last=Williams|first=Randall|date=March 24, 2021|title=WWE Moves ThunderDome to USF's Yuengling Center|url=https://www.sportico.com/leagues/other-sports/2021/wwe-moves-thunderdome-yuengling-center-1234625524/|access-date=March 24, 2021|website=Sportico.com|language=en-US}}</ref><ref name=wweyeungling>{{cite web|url=https://www.wwe.com/article/wwe-thunderdome-yuengling-center-university-south-florida|title=WWE ThunderDome takes over Yuengling Center|date=March 24, 2021|work=WWE|access-date=March 24, 2021}}</ref> In October 2020, NXT events were relocated from Full Sail University to the Performance Center in a similar setup dubbed the Capitol Wrestling Center. It had many of the same features as the ThunderDome, but with a small crowd of select live fans included, in addition to the virtual fans. The name is also an homage to WWE's predecessor, the Capitol Wrestling Corporation.<ref>{{cite web|title=Capitol Wrestling Center to be unveiled tonight at NXT TakeOver 31|url=https://www.wwe.com/shows/wwenxt/article/capitol-wrestling-center-nxt|author=WWE.com Staff|work=WWE|date=October 4, 2020|access-date=October 4, 2020}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|last=Defelice|first=Robert|title=NXT TakeOver 31 To Feature The Debut Of The Capitol Wrestling Center|url=https://www.fightful.com/wrestling/nxt-takeover-31-feature-debut-capitol-wrestling-center|work=Fightful|date=October 4, 2020|access-date=October 4, 2020}}</ref> On May 21 WWE brought back fans full time, beginning with a 25-city tour, thus ending the ThunderDome residency. The July 16 episode of ''[[WWE SmackDown|SmackDown]]'' started WWE's return to the road, taking place at the [[Toyota Center]] in Houston, Texas.

In January 2021, WWE moved [[WrestleMania 37]], which was originally to be held in [[Inglewood, California]] on March 28, to Raymond James Stadium in Tampa, Florida{{snd}}WrestleMania 36's original location{{snd}}as a two-night event on April 10 and 11, with fans in attendance, though to a limited capacity.<ref>{{cite web|last=Guzzo|first=Gisberto|title=WWE Announces The Locations And Dates Of WrestleMania 37, 38, And 39|url=https://www.fightful.com/wrestling/wwe-announces-locations-and-dates-wrestlemania-37-38-and-39|work=Fightful|date=January 16, 2021|access-date=January 16, 2021}}</ref> This marked WWE's first event during the pandemic to have ticketed fans in attendance with a maximum of 25,000 spectators for each night with COVID-19 protocols in place.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.cbssports.com/wwe/news/2021-wwe-wrestlemania-37-tickets-capacity-set-at-25000-fans-for-each-night-of-show-at-raymond-james-stadium/|title=2021 WWE WrestleMania 37 tickets: Capacity set at 25,000 fans for each night of show at Raymond James Stadium|date=March 17, 2021|last=Brookhouse|first=Brent|work=[[CBS Sports]]|access-date=March 18, 2021}}</ref> Also around this time, the WWE Network in the United States became exclusively distributed by [[Peacock (streaming service)|Peacock]] on March 18, 2021 (ahead of [[Fastlane (2021)|Fastlane]] and WrestleMania 37). The merger of the WWE Network and Peacock did not affect the service outside of the United States.<ref name=CCK>{{cite web|last=Spangler|first=Todd|date=January 25, 2021|title=NBCU's Peacock Pins WWE Network Exclusive U.S. Streaming Rights|url=https://variety.com/2021/digital/news/wwe-network-peacock-exclusively-streaming-1234890954/|access-date=January 25, 2021|website=Variety|language=en-US}}</ref> The move to Peacock received some criticisms from fans particularly due to Peacock's heavy censorship policy, the company began the removal of some of the contents that were considered iconic moments of the [[Attitude Era]] that were deemed inappropriate by Peacock, these archived contents would no longer be available under any of WWE's authorized platforms.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://popculture.com/streaming/news/wwe-fans-fuming-peacock-editing-wwe-network-content/|title=WWE Fans Are Fuming at Peacock For Editing WWE Network Content|website=Streaming|date=March 27, 2021 |accessdate=March 7, 2023}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.sportskeeda.com/wwe/news-wwe-comments-past-content-removed-peacock-wwe-network|title=WWE comments on past content being removed from Peacock and the WWE Network|first=Matt|last=Black|website=sportskeeda.com|date=March 29, 2021 |accessdate=March 7, 2023}}</ref> Amdist the criticisms, in April 2021 WWE executive [[Triple H]] defended WWE's move to Peacock.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://comicbook.com/wwe/news/wwe-peacock-triple-h-address-early-criticisms-censoring-tape-library-no-rewind-stream-delay/|title=Triple H Addresses Early Criticisms of WWE on Peacock|date=April 6, 2021 |publisher=WWE|accessdate=March 7, 2023}}</ref>

NXT was moved to a Tuesday night timeslot in 2021 and was rebooted as NXT 2.0 later that year, reinstituting its original function as a developmental brand. The Performance Center became NXT's permanent home base, replacing Full Sail. Maximum capacity crowds resumed and the Capitol Wrestling Center name was phased out.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://411mania.com/wrestling/beth-phoenix-on-how-the-wwe-nxt-2-0-changes-affected-the-announce-team/|title=411MANIA|website=Beth Phoenix on How the WWE NXT 2.0 Changes Affected the Announce Team}}</ref> In February 2022, the 205 Live brand was dissolved and the ''205 Live'' show was replaced by a new NXT show called ''[[WWE NXT Level Up|Level Up]]''.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.pwinsider.com/ViewArticle.php?id=155853|title=SAY GOODBYE TO 205 LIVE, NEW NXT SERIES TO BEGIN TAPING TONIGHT|author=Johnson, Mike|date=February 15, 2022|access-date=February 15, 2022|work=PWInsider}}</ref>

On February 24, 2022, WWE launched a partnership with On Location, a company known for providing premium hospitality experiences for marquee events. Through the partnership, spectators will have access to hospitality packages for WWE's five biggest events, including WrestleMania, SummerSlam, Royal Rumble, Survivor Series, and Money in the Bank. The [[Money in the Bank (2022)|2022 Money in the Bank]] was WWE's first event to offer the premium hospitality packages. These ticket and travel packages include premier seating, premium hospitality offerings, and meet-and-greets with current WWE wrestlers and legends.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.wwe.com/article/wwe-and-on-location-announce-exclusive-hospitality-partnership-for-premium-live-events|title=WWE and On Location announce exclusive Hospitality Partnership for Premium Live Events; Packages for WWE Money in the Bank available now|date=February 24, 2022|work=WWE.com|access-date=February 24, 2022}}</ref>

====Changes in leadership (2022–2023)====
[[File:Triple H and Stephanie McMahon 2014.jpg|thumb|right|upright=0.7|Former WWE Chairwoman and CEO [[Stephanie McMahon]] (right) with her husband WWE CCO and Head of Creative [[Triple H]] (left)]]
On June 17, 2022, amidst an investigation by WWE's Board of Directors into reported "hush money" paid to a former employee by Vince McMahon following an affair, Mr. McMahon stepped down as chairman and CEO of WWE and was replaced by his daughter, Stephanie McMahon, as the interim chairwoman of WWE.<ref>{{cite web | url=https://www.wrestleview.com/top-story/237150-vince-mcmahon-steps-down-stephanie-mcmahon-named-ceo-and-chairwoman-of-wwe/ | title=Vince McMahon steps down, Stephanie McMahon named interim CEO and Chairwoman of WWE | date=June 17, 2022 }}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.pwinsider.com/article/160037/vince-mcmahon-steps-back-as-wwe-ceo-chairman-of-the-board-stephanie-mcmahon-returns-to-company.html?p=1 |title=Vince Mcmahon Steps Back As Wwe Ceo & Chairman Of The Board, Stephanie Mcmahon Returns To Company |publisher=PWInsider.com |date=June 17, 2022 |access-date=June 24, 2022}}</ref> Despite the change Vince McMahon came out on ''WWE SmackDown'', that night opening the show with a brief speech, the highlights of which "then, now, forever and most importantly together" was quoted by various news media as Vince letting people know that he was still in creative control from behind the scenes.<ref>{{cite web | url=https://411mania.com/wrestling/vince-mcmahon-opens-wwe-smackdown-then-now-together-forever/ | title=411Mania }}</ref><ref>{{cite web | url=https://www.pwtorch.com/site/2022/06/17/vince-mcmahon-appears-on-smackdown-talks-about-wwe-signature/ | title=Vince McMahon appears on Smackdown, talks about WWE signature | date=June 18, 2022 }}</ref> On July 22, 2022, Vince McMahon officially retired, stating on Twitter, "At 77, time for me to retire. Thank you, WWE Universe. Then. Now. Forever. Together."<ref>{{cite web|last=Defelice|first=Robert|title=Vince McMahon Retires As WWE CEO At Age 77|url=https://www.fightful.com/wrestling/vince-mcmahon-retires-wwe-ceo-age-77|work=Fightful|date=July 22, 2022|access-date=July 22, 2022}}</ref> Following Vince's retirement, Stephanie McMahon was officially named chairwoman while she and Nick Khan were named co-CEOs of WWE.<ref name="Vince McMahon Retires">{{cite web|url=https://corporate.wwe.com/news/company-news/2022/07-22-2022a|title=Vince McMahon Retires|work=WWE|date=July 22, 2022|accessdate=July 22, 2022}}</ref> Triple H would take over as head of creative, while resuming his position as Executive Vice President of Talent Relations and later being promoted to Chief Content Officer.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://corporate.wwe.com/news/company-news/2022/07-25-2022|title=WWE & Board of Directors announce new Co-CEOs Stephanie McMahon and Nick Khan|work=WWE|date=July 25, 2022|access-date=October 11, 2022}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://corporate.wwe.com/news/company-news/2022/09-06-2022|title=WWE elevates Paul "Triple H" Levesque to Chief Content Officer|work=WWE|date=September 6, 2022|access-date=October 11, 2022}}</ref> Commentators have highlighted the significance of McMahon's retirement, saying that it marked the historic start of a new period in WWE's history.<ref>{{cite web | url=https://www.f4wonline.com/news/wwe/results/wwe-smackdown-live-results-the-first-show-of-the-post-vince-mcmahon-era | title=WWE SmackDown live results: The first show of the post-Vince McMahon era | date=July 22, 2022 }}</ref><ref>{{cite web | url=https://deadline.com/2022/08/wwe-vince-mcmahon-stephanie-mcmahon-second-quarter-1235093181/ | title=WWE Starts Post-Vince McMahon Era with Strong Q2 Numbers; Co-CEO Stephanie McMahon Lauds Father as "True Founder and Entrepreneur" | date=August 16, 2022 }}</ref><ref>{{cite news | url=https://bleacherreport.com/articles/10043443-predicting-how-wwe-will-change-in-the-post-vince-mcmahon-era | title=Predicting How WWE Will Change in the Post-Vince McMahon Era | website=[[Bleacher Report]] | last1=Beaston | first1=Erik }}</ref><ref>{{cite web | url=https://www.insider.com/wwe-changes-post-vince-mcmahon-benefit-aew-tony-khan-says-2022-8 | title=WWE changes in a post-Vince McMahon era will benefit AEW: Promotional rival Tony Khan | website=[[Insider.com]] }}</ref><ref>{{cite web | url=https://sportsbusinessjournal.com/Daily/Issues/2022/08/16/Finance/WWE.aspx | title=WWE starts post-Vince McMahon era with strong Q2 | date=August 16, 2022 }}</ref><ref>{{cite web | url=https://www.espn.com/wwe/story/_/id/34341529/it-dawning-new-era-how-wwe-moves-forward-vince-mcmahonhttps://www.espn.com/wwe/story/_/id/34341529/it-dawning-new-era-how-wwe-moves-forward-vince-mcmahon | title='It is the dawning of a new era': How WWE moves forward without Vince McMahon | date=August 4, 2022 }}</ref><ref>{{cite web | url=https://www.f4wonline.com/news/wwe/becky-lynch-its-the-dawning-of-a-new-era-in-wwe-without-vince-mcmahon | title=Becky Lynch: It's 'the dawning of a new era' in WWE without Vince McMahon | date=August 4, 2022 }}</ref> The 2022 [[SummerSlam (2022)|SummerSlam]] event held on July 30, 2022, was the first WWE pay-per-view event to be held under the leadership of Stephanie McMahon and Triple H.<ref>{{cite web | url=https://www.si.com/wrestling/2022/08/01/wwe-summerslam-recap-paul-levesque-triple-h | title='SummerSlam' Was Just the Start of WWE's Fascinating Next Era | date=August 2022 }}</ref><ref>{{cite web | url=https://www.f4wonline.com/news/wwe/wwe-summerslam-2022-review-the-start-of-a-new-era | title=WWE SummerSlam 2022 review: The start of a new era | date=July 31, 2022 }}</ref>

On August 18, 2022; WWE Hall of Famer [[Shawn Michaels]] was promoted to WWE Vice President of Talent Development Creative.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.wrestleview.com/featured-top-story/242341-wwe-ending-nxt-uk-being-rebranded-in-2023-shawn-michaels-promoted/ |title=WWE ending NXT UK, being rebranded in 2023; Shawn Michaels promoted |date=August 19, 2022 |access-date=August 21, 2022 |archive-date=August 19, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220819113518/https://www.wrestleview.com/featured-top-story/242341-wwe-ending-nxt-uk-being-rebranded-in-2023-shawn-michaels-promoted/ |url-status=live }}</ref> On September 6, 2022, WWE announced Paul 'Triple H' Levesque's promotion to [[Chief Content Officer]].<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.f4wonline.com/news/wwe/wwe-announces-paul-triple-h-levesques-promotion-to-chief-content-officer |title=WWE announces Paul 'Triple H' Levesque's promotion to chief content officer |date=September 6, 2022 |access-date=September 14, 2022 |archive-date=January 23, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230123112744/https://www.f4wonline.com/news/wwe/wwe-announces-paul-triple-h-levesques-promotion-to-chief-content-officer |url-status=live }}</ref> On January 6, 2023, Vince McMahon announced intentions to return to the company ahead of media rights negotiations. WWE's media rights with Fox and USA Network are set to expire in 2024.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.espn.com/wwe/story/_/id/35388281/vince-mcmahon-back-wwe-ahead-media-rights-negotiations|title=Vince McMahon back at WWE ahead of media rights negotiations|last=Coppinger|first=Mike|publisher=ESPN|date=January 6, 2023|access-date=January 6, 2023|language=en|archive-date=February 2, 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230202225917/https://www.espn.com/wwe/story/_/id/35388281/vince-mcmahon-back-wwe-ahead-media-rights-negotiations|url-status=live}}</ref> That same month, JP Morgan were hired to handle a possible sale of the company, with companies such as [[Comcast]] (owners of NBCUniversal and long-time partners of WWE), [[Fox Corporation|Fox Corp]] (broadcaster of ''SmackDown''), [[The Walt Disney Company|Disney]] (owners of [[ESPN]]), [[Warner Bros. Discovery]] (broadcasters of rival promotion AEW), [[Netflix]], [[Amazon (company)|Amazon]], [[Endeavor (company)|Endeavor Group Holdings]] (owners of [[UFC]]), and [[Liberty Media]] being in the speculation for buying the company<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.cnbc.com/2023/01/07/who-would-buy-wwe-as-mcmahon-returns-to-board-to-pursue-sale.html|title=Vince McMahon is back at WWE to ensure a smooth sale process. Here's who might want to buy it|last=Sherman|first=Alex|website=CNBC|date=January 7, 2023|access-date=January 10, 2023|language=en|archive-date=January 9, 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230109222343/https://www.cnbc.com/2023/01/07/who-would-buy-wwe-as-mcmahon-returns-to-board-to-pursue-sale.html|url-status=live}}</ref> with [[Creative Artists Agency|CAA]] and Saudi Arabia's [[Public Investment Fund]] also on the list.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://frontofficesports.com/public-investment-fund-saudi-arabia-wwe-sale-liv-golf-vince-mcmahon/|title=Saudi Public Investment Fund Could Bid On WWE|last1=Mcharthy|first1=Michael|last2=Perez|first2=A.J|website=Front Office Sports|date=January 6, 2023|access-date=January 10, 2023|language=en|archive-date=January 9, 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230109175621/https://frontofficesports.com/public-investment-fund-saudi-arabia-wwe-sale-liv-golf-vince-mcmahon/|url-status=live}}</ref> On January 10, 2023, Stephanie McMahon resigned as chairwoman and co-CEO.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://variety.com/2023/tv/news/stephanie-mcmahon-resigns-wwe-1235484593/|title=Stephanie McMahon Resigns as Co-CEO of WWE|website=[[Variety (magazine)|Variety]]|date=January 10, 2023|access-date=January 10, 2023|archive-date=January 10, 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230110234938/https://variety.com/2023/tv/news/stephanie-mcmahon-resigns-wwe-1235484593/|url-status=live}}</ref> On the same day Vince McMahon assumed the role of executive Chairman of the WWE while Nick Khan became the sole CEO of the WWE.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.wsj.com/articles/wwe-board-elects-vince-mcmahon-executive-chairman-11673401713/|title=WWE Board Elects Vince McMahon Executive Chairman, Daughter Stephanie McMahon Departs|website=[[The Wall Street Journal]]|date=January 10, 2023|access-date=January 10, 2023|archive-date=January 11, 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230111020123/https://www.wsj.com/articles/wwe-board-elects-vince-mcmahon-executive-chairman-11673401713|url-status=live}}</ref>

====Acquisition of WWE by Endeavor (2023)====
{{Further|Acquisition of WWE by Endeavor}}
On April 3, 2023; WWE and Endeavor reached a deal under which WWE would merge with [[UFC]]'s parent company [[Endeavor (company)|Endeavor]] to form a new company, which would go public on the [[New York Stock Exchange]] (NYSE) under the [[Ticker symbol|symbol]] "[[TKO Group Holdings|TKO]]". Endeavor would hold a 51% stake in "TKO", with WWE's shareholders having a 49% stake,<ref>{{cite web |title=SCHEDULE 14C INFORMATION |url=https://app.quotemedia.com/data/downloadFiling?webmasterId=90423&ref=317703901&type=HTML&symbol=WWE&cdn=a772878cb281b5da37d4daaffaf6d35e&companyName=World+Wrestling+Entertainment+Inc.+Class+A&formType=DEFM14C&formDescription=Definitive+information+statement+relating+to+merger+or+acquisition&dateFiled=2023-08-22 |publisher=[[NASDAQ]] |access-date=August 25, 2023 |page=248 |date=August 22, 2023 |archive-date=August 25, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230825201435/https://app.quotemedia.com/data/downloadFiling?webmasterId=90423&ref=317703901&type=HTML&symbol=WWE&cdn=a772878cb281b5da37d4daaffaf6d35e&companyName=World+Wrestling+Entertainment+Inc.+Class+A&formType=DEFM14C&formDescription=Definitive+information+statement+relating+to+merger+or+acquisition&dateFiled=2023-08-22 |url-status=live }}</ref> valuing WWE at $9.1 billion.<ref name=":2">{{Cite web |last=Sherman |first=Alex |date=April 3, 2023 |title=WWE agrees to merge with UFC to create a new company run by Ari Emanuel and Vince McMahon |url=https://www.cnbc.com/2023/04/03/wwe-ufc-merger-endeavor.html |access-date=April 3, 2023 |website=CNBC |archive-date=April 3, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230403111247/https://www.cnbc.com/2023/04/03/wwe-ufc-merger-endeavor.html |url-status=live }}</ref><ref name=":02">{{Cite web |last1=Szalai |first1=Georg |last2=Vlessing |first2=Etan |date=April 3, 2023 |title=Endeavor's UFC, WWE to Merge; Ari Emanuel to Serve as CEO, Vince McMahon as Executive Chair |url=https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/business/business-news/wwe-ufc-merger-endeavor-vince-mcmahon-1235365885-1235365885/ |access-date=April 3, 2023 |website=The Hollywood Reporter |language=en-US |archive-date=April 3, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230403155104/https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/business/business-news/wwe-ufc-merger-endeavor-vince-mcmahon-1235365885-1235365885/ |url-status=live }}</ref> This marked the first time that WWE has not been majority-controlled by the [[McMahon family]].<ref>{{Cite web |last=Sherman |first=Alex |date=April 2, 2023 |title=WWE near deal to be sold to UFC parent Endeavor, sources say |url=https://www.cnbc.com/2023/04/02/wwe-ufc-endeavor-deal.html |access-date=April 2, 2023 |website=CNBC |archive-date=April 2, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230402205348/https://www.cnbc.com/2023/04/02/wwe-ufc-endeavor-deal.html |url-status=live }}</ref> Vince McMahon was appointed to serve as executive chairman of the new entity, Endeavor CEO [[Ari Emanuel]] would become CEO, with [[Mark Shapiro (media executive)|Mark Shapiro]] becoming president and chief operating officer. Emanuel would not take on any creative roles with WWE's head of creative [[Triple H|Paul Levesque]] appointed to remain in his role,<ref name=":10" /> and with Nick Khan becoming president of WWE post-merger (not unlike [[Dana White]]'s role as president of UFC).<ref name=":02" /><ref name=":2" /><ref>{{cite news |last=Mullin |first=Benjamin |date=March 25, 2015 |title=Endeavor and W.W.E. Join Forces to Create Live-Combat Tag Team |work=[[The New York Times]] |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2023/04/03/business/endeavor-tko-wwe-ufc.html |access-date=April 3, 2023 |archive-date=April 3, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230403110151/https://www.nytimes.com/2023/04/03/business/endeavor-tko-wwe-ufc.html |url-status=live }}</ref><ref name=":10">{{Cite web |date=April 3, 2023 |title=Vince McMahon: I will remain involved in WWE creative at a 'higher level' |url=https://www.f4wonline.com/news/wwe/vince-mcmahon-i-will-remain-involved-in-wwe-creative-at-a-higher-level |access-date=April 3, 2023 |website=Wrestling Observer/Figure Four Online |archive-date=April 4, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230404163805/https://www.f4wonline.com/news/wwe/vince-mcmahon-i-will-remain-involved-in-wwe-creative-at-a-higher-level |url-status=live }}</ref> The deal additionally granted McMahon life tenure as executive chairman, the right to nominate five WWE representatives on the 11 member board, as well as veto rights over certain actions by the new company.<ref>{{cite web |title=AMENDMENT NO. 1 TO FORM S-4 |url=https://app.quotemedia.com/data/downloadFiling?webmasterId=90423&ref=317582225&type=HTML&symbol=WWE&cdn=39118c9928c5a3f49eefff97f2832496&companyName=World+Wrestling+Entertainment+Inc.+Class+A&formType=S-4%2FA&formDescription=%5BAmend%5D+Registration+of+securities%2C+business+combinations&dateFiled=2023-06-23 |publisher=[[U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission]] |access-date=July 4, 2023 |page=91 |date=June 23, 2023 |archive-date=August 13, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230813171053/https://app.quotemedia.com/data/downloadFiling?webmasterId=90423&ref=317582225&type=HTML&symbol=WWE&cdn=39118c9928c5a3f49eefff97f2832496&companyName=World+Wrestling+Entertainment+Inc.+Class+A&formType=S-4%2FA&formDescription=%5BAmend%5D+Registration+of+securities%2C+business+combinations&dateFiled=2023-06-23 |url-status=live }}</ref> In addition, McMahon would own 34% of the new company, with a 16% voting interest.<ref>{{cite web |title=AMENDMENT NO. 1 TO FORM S-4 |url=https://app.quotemedia.com/data/downloadFiling?webmasterId=90423&ref=317582225&type=HTML&symbol=WWE&cdn=39118c9928c5a3f49eefff97f2832496&companyName=World+Wrestling+Entertainment+Inc.+Class+A&formType=S-4%2FA&formDescription=%5BAmend%5D+Registration+of+securities%2C+business+combinations&dateFiled=2023-06-23 |publisher=[[U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission]] |access-date=July 4, 2023 |page=3 |date=June 23, 2023 |archive-date=August 13, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230813171053/https://app.quotemedia.com/data/downloadFiling?webmasterId=90423&ref=317582225&type=HTML&symbol=WWE&cdn=39118c9928c5a3f49eefff97f2832496&companyName=World+Wrestling+Entertainment+Inc.+Class+A&formType=S-4%2FA&formDescription=%5BAmend%5D+Registration+of+securities%2C+business+combinations&dateFiled=2023-06-23 |url-status=live }}</ref>

Emanuel stated that this merger would "bring together two leading pureplay sports and entertainment companies" and provide "significant operating synergies".<ref name=":02" /> Vince McMahon stated that "family businesses have to evolve for all the right reasons", and that "given the incredible work that Ari and Endeavor have done to grow the UFC brand — nearly doubling its revenue over the past seven years — and the immense success we've already had in partnering with their team on a number of ventures, I believe that this is without a doubt the best outcome for our shareholders and other stakeholders."<ref name=":2" />

====Merger with UFC and the formation of TKO Group Holdings (2023–present)====
{{Main|TKO Group Holdings}}
[[File:TKO Group Holdings Logo 2025.svg|thumb|200px|left|The logo of [[TKO Group Holdings]]]]
The merger between WWE and UFC into [[TKO Group Holdings]] (TKO) was completed on September 12, 2023.<ref>{{Cite web |last= |date=September 12, 2023 |title=WWE and UFC officially merge in $21.4-billion deal |url=https://www.latimes.com/entertainment-arts/business/story/2023-09-12/wwe-ufc-endeavor-merges-ari-emanuel-vince-mcmahon-tko |access-date=November 24, 2023 |website=Los Angeles Times |language=en-US |archive-date=October 6, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231006025940/https://www.latimes.com/entertainment-arts/business/story/2023-09-12/wwe-ufc-endeavor-merges-ari-emanuel-vince-mcmahon-tko |url-status=live }}</ref> Although the company's legal name remained World Wrestling Entertainment, LLC, it remained united with UFC as part of the new entity "TKO". As part of the deal WWE and UFC remained separate divisions of the new entity featuring Professional Wrestling and Mixed martial arts respectively.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://corporate.wwe.com/news/company-news/2023/09-07-2023|title=Endeavor and WWE® deal to create TKO Group Holdings expected to close in September 12|work=WWE|date=September 7, 2023|access-date=September 7, 2023|archive-date=February 9, 2024|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240209105417/https://corporate.wwe.com/news/company-news/2023/09-07-2023|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |date=May 3, 2023 |title=Nick Khan And Triple H Discuss WWE – Endeavor |url=https://www.pwmania.com/nick-khan-and-triple-h-discuss-wwe-endeavor-why-raw-and-smackdown-ratings-rising-more |access-date=May 3, 2023 |work=PWMania |archive-date=May 3, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230503210345/https://www.pwmania.com/nick-khan-and-triple-h-discuss-wwe-endeavor-why-raw-and-smackdown-ratings-rising-more |url-status=live }}</ref> The first WWE show under the [[Endeavor (company)|Endeavor]] regime was the September 12, 2023, episode of [[NXT (WWE brand)|NXT]] which opened with [[Ilja Dragunov]] defeating Wes Lee in a singles match, and in the main event Becky Lynch defeated Tiffany Stratton to win the NXT Women's Championship.<ref>{{Cite web |title=WWE NXT results, Sept. 12, 2023: Becky Lynch dethrones Tiffany Stratton to become the new NXT Women's Champion |url=https://www.wwe.com/shows/wwenxt/2023-09-12 |access-date=November 24, 2023 |website=WWE |date=September 6, 2023 |language=en |archive-date=October 4, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231004101004/https://www.wwe.com/shows/wwenxt/2023-09-12 |url-status=live }}</ref> The first WWE pay per view under TKO was [[NXT No Mercy]] on September 30, 2023.<ref>{{cite web | url=https://411mania.com/wrestling/winfrees-wwe-nxt-no-mercy-review-9-30-23/ | title=411Mania | access-date=December 4, 2023 | archive-date=January 5, 2024 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240105105613/https://411mania.com/wrestling/winfrees-wwe-nxt-no-mercy-review-9-30-23/ | url-status=live }}</ref> Popular wrestler [[CM Punk]] returned to WWE in late 2023 and in his first match upon return he defeated [[Dominik Mysterio]] at WWE MSG Show on December 26, 2023.<ref>{{cite web | url=https://www.wrestleview.com/featured-top-story/299330-cm-punk-wrestles-his-first-match-in-wwe-since-2014/ | title=CM Punk wrestles his first match in WWE since 2014 | date=December 27, 2023 | access-date=January 22, 2024 | archive-date=December 28, 2023 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231228063301/https://www.wrestleview.com/featured-top-story/299330-cm-punk-wrestles-his-first-match-in-wwe-since-2014/ | url-status=live }}</ref>

On January 23, 2024 [[Dwayne Johnson]], also known as "The Rock" joined the [[TKO Group Holdings]] board of directors.<ref name="espntko">{{cite web | last=Raimondi | first=Marc | title='The Rock' joins UFC, WWE's TKO Group board | website=ESPN | date=January 23, 2024 | url=https://www.espn.com/mma/story/_/id/39368338/the-rock-appointed-ufc-wwe-tko-group-board-directors | access-date=January 23, 2024 | archive-date=January 23, 2024 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240123121106/https://www.espn.com/mma/story/_/id/39368338/the-rock-appointed-ufc-wwe-tko-group-board-directors | url-status=live }}</ref><ref name="boardappoint">{{cite news|url=https://investor.tkogrp.com/news/news-details/2024/TKO-Appoints-Dwayne-Johnson-to-Board-of-Directors/default.aspx|title=TKO Appoints Dwayne Johnson to Board of Directors|publisher=TKO|date=January 23, 2024|access-date=January 23, 2024|archive-date=January 23, 2024|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240123122020/https://investor.tkogrp.com/news/news-details/2024/TKO-Appoints-Dwayne-Johnson-to-Board-of-Directors/default.aspx|url-status=live}}</ref><ref name="boardappointment">{{cite news|url=https://deadline.com/2024/01/dwayne-the-rock-johnson-joins-tko-board-ownership-trademarked-name-1235801443/|title=Dwayne 'The Rock' Johnson Joins Board Of TKO, Secures Full Ownership Of Trademarked Name|first=Jill|last=Goldsmith|publisher=Deadline Hollywood|date=January 23, 2024|access-date=January 23, 2024|archive-date=January 23, 2024|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240123153633/https://deadline.com/2024/01/dwayne-the-rock-johnson-joins-tko-board-ownership-trademarked-name-1235801443/|url-status=live}}</ref> Three days later on January 26 Vince McMahon once again resigned due to further sexual misconduct allegations, with [[Ari Emanuel]] obtaining greater control as the new Chairman of TKO.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Patten |first=Dominic |date=January 27, 2024 |title=Vince McMahon Resigns From Endeavor-Owned Sports Group After Horrific Rape & Sex Trafficking Claims |url=https://deadline.com/2024/01/vince-mcmahon-resigns-rape-lawsuit-tko-group-holding-sex-trafficking-1235805961/ |access-date=January 27, 2024 |website=Deadline |archive-date=January 27, 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240127013826/https://deadline.com/2024/01/vince-mcmahon-resigns-rape-lawsuit-tko-group-holding-sex-trafficking-1235805961/ |url-status=live }}</ref>

On April 1, 2024, Triple H stated that WWE had entered "another era".<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.wrestleview.com/wwe-news/311317-wwe-is-in-another-era-like-the-attitude-era-according-to-triple-h/|title=WWE is in 'another era' like the Attitude Era, according to Triple H|first=Alex|last=Kahrs|date=April 2, 2024|access-date=April 2, 2024|archive-date=April 2, 2024|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240402094718/https://www.wrestleview.com/wwe-news/311317-wwe-is-in-another-era-like-the-attitude-era-according-to-triple-h/|url-status=live}}</ref> The next day, before [[WrestleMania XL]], TKO's parent company, Endeavor was taken private by its largest investor, Silver Lake, a year after Endeavor's three-year run as a public company where Endeavor purchased WWE a year prior.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Martin |first=Damon |date=April 2, 2024 |title=UFC owners at Endeavor sold to private equity firm, TKO remains publicly traded |url=https://www.mmafighting.com/2024/4/2/24119131/ufc-owners-endeavor-selling-to-silver-lake-as-company-goes-private-again-tko-remains-publicly-traded |access-date=April 2, 2024 |website=MMA Fighting |language=en}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |date=April 2, 2024 |title=WME owner Endeavor to go private again after three-year run as a public company |url=https://www.latimes.com/entertainment-arts/business/story/2024-04-02/private-equity-firm-silver-lake-to-take-endeavor-private-for-13-billion |access-date=April 2, 2024 |website=Los Angeles Times }}</ref> On April 3, WWE wrestler [[Cody Rhodes]] coined the term "Renaissance Era" for the period.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.f4wonline.com/news/wwe/wwe-star-cody-rhodes-files-trademark-for-the-renaissance-era|title=WWE star Cody Rhodes files trademark for 'The Renaissance Era'|first=Joseph|last=Currier|date=April 5, 2024|website=WON/F4W - WWE news, Pro Wrestling News, WWE Results, AEW News, AEW results}}</ref> At WrestleMania XL, the WWE would officially debut a new signature intro ahead of the event's first match. Paul "Triple H" Levesque would introduce the fans in attendance, "Welcome to a new time, welcome to a new era,"<ref>{{cite web |last1=McGeorge |first1=Alistair |title=WWE enters brand new era as Triple H kicks off renaissance at WrestleMania 40 |url=https://metro.co.uk/2024/04/07/wwe-enters-brand-era-triple-h-launches-renaissance-wrestlemania-20600216/ |website=Metro |date=April 7, 2024 |access-date=April 8, 2024 |archive-date=April 8, 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240408041600/https://metro.co.uk/2024/04/07/wwe-enters-brand-era-triple-h-launches-renaissance-wrestlemania-20600216/ |url-status=live }}</ref> and at the WrestleMania's second night Stephanie McMahon would reiterate this, referring to it as the "Paul Levesque era".<ref>{{cite web|url=https://variety.com/2024/tv/news/stephanie-mcmahon-opens-wwe-wrestlemania-40-night-two-1235963471/|title=Stephanie McMahon Opens WWE WrestleMania 40 During Night Two Surprise Appearance|date=April 7, 2024|access-date=April 21, 2024|archive-date=April 21, 2024|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240421212224/https://variety.com/2024/tv/news/stephanie-mcmahon-opens-wwe-wrestlemania-40-night-two-1235963471/|url-status=live}}</ref> On April 7, in the main event of the second and final night of the event, Cody Rhodes defeated Roman Reigns to win the [[Undisputed WWE Universal Championship]].<ref>{{cite web|first=Colin|last=Tessier|title=Cody Rhodes Finishes The Story, Beats Roman Reigns To Win Undisputed WWE Universal Title At WrestleMania XL Night Two|url=https://www.fightful.com/wrestling/cody-rhodes-finishes-story-beats-roman-reigns-win-undisputed-wwe-universal-title-wrestlemania-xl|work=Fightful|date=April 7, 2024|access-date=April 8, 2024|archive-date=April 8, 2024|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240408105359/https://www.fightful.com/wrestling/cody-rhodes-finishes-story-beats-roman-reigns-win-undisputed-wwe-universal-title-wrestlemania-xl|url-status=live}}</ref>

On January 23, 2024, WWE announced an agreement with [[Netflix]], which would include ''Raw'' moving from USA Network to the platform worldwide, and Netflix acquire the rights to all of WWE's weekly programs, live events, and library content outside of the United States.<ref name=":8">{{cite web |last=Otterson |first=Joe |date=January 23, 2024 |title=Netflix, WWE Strike Deal to Move 'Monday Night Raw' to Streamer Beginning in 2025 for $500 Million per Year |url=https://variety.com/2024/tv/news/netflix-wwe-monday-night-raw-deal-january-2025-1235882820/ |access-date=October 29, 2024 |work=[[Variety (magazine)|Variety]]}}</ref><ref name="pwinsider-wwen-phi">{{cite web |last=Johnson |first=Mike |date=November 23, 2024 |title=WWE Network update, NXT in Jacksonville and more |url=https://www.pwinsider.com/article/190255/wwe-network-update-nxt-in-jacksonville-and-more.html |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20241123192117/https://www.pwinsider.com/article/190255/wwe-network-update-nxt-in-jacksonville-and-more.html |archive-date=November 23, 2024 |access-date=November 23, 2024 |work=PWInsider}}</ref> On May 4, 2024, WWE held [[Backlash France]], their first ever [[pay-per-view]] event in [[France]].<ref name="Raw04152024">{{cite web|last=Powell|first=Jason|title=WWE Raw results (4/15): Powell's live review of Sami Zayn vs. Chad Gable for the Intercontinental Title, Rhea Ripley appearance, Andrade vs. Dominik Mysterio, Sheamus returns, Jey Uso vs. Finn Balor|url=https://prowrestling.net/site/2024/04/15/wwe-raw-results-4-15-powells-live-review-of-sami-zayn-vs-chad-gable-for-the-intercontinental-title-rhea-ripley-appearance-andrade-vs-dominik-mysterio-sheamus-returns-jey-uso-vs-finn-balor/|work=Pro Wrestling Dot Net|access-date=April 16, 2024|date=April 15, 2024}}</ref> On October 29, WWE announced [[WWE ID and WWE NIL|WWE ID]], a new talent development system incorporating partnerships with [[Independent circuit|independent]] promotions and wrestling schools.<ref name="WWEID">{{cite magazine|url=https://www.si.com/fannation/wrestling/wwe/wwe-announces-wwe-id-developmental-designation|title=WWE Announces "WWE ID" Developmental Designation|magazine=[[Sports Illustrated]]|first=Adam|last=Barnard|date=October 29, 2024|access-date=October 29, 2024}}</ref>

In 2024, WWE began a wider talent exchange between [[Total Nonstop Action Wrestling]] (TNA) and its NXT brand. A multi-year partnership was officially announced on January 16, 2025.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.wwe.com/article/wwe-tna-wrestling-announce-multi-year-partnership|title=WWE & TNA Wrestling announce multi-year partnership|website=WWE|date=January 16, 2025}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://tnawrestling.com/2025/01/16/wwe-tna-wrestling-announce-multi-year-partnership/|title=WWE & TNA Wrestling announce multi-year partnership|website=TNA|date=January 16, 2025|access-date=January 16, 2025|archive-date=January 16, 2025|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250116190803/https://tnawrestling.com/2025/01/16/wwe-tna-wrestling-announce-multi-year-partnership/|url-status=dead}}</ref> WWE also formed partnerships with [[Pro Wrestling Noah]] and [[Dream Star Fighting Marigold]].<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.postwrestling.com/2024/06/16/aj-styles-to-face-noahs-naomichi-marufuji-at-destination-2024-in-july/|title=AJ Styles to face NOAH's Naomichi Marufuji at Destination 2024 in July|website=[[POSTWrestling]]|first=Neal|last=Flanagan|date=June 16, 2024|access-date=June 17, 2024|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240616212729/https://www.postwrestling.com/2024/06/16/aj-styles-to-face-noahs-naomichi-marufuji-at-destination-2024-in-july/|archive-date=June 16, 2024|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.wrestlinginc.com/1600201/rossy-ogawa-marigold-promotion-announces-wwe-star-match-summer-destiny-event/|title=Rossy Ogawa's Marigold Promotion Announces WWE Star For Match At Summer Destiny Event|website=[[Wrestling Inc.]]|first=Sam|last=Palmer|date=June 11, 2024|access-date=June 11, 2024|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240705025950/https://www.wrestlinginc.com/1600201/rossy-ogawa-marigold-promotion-announces-wwe-star-match-summer-destiny-event/|archive-date=July 5, 2024|url-status=live}}</ref> On April 19, 2025, during the [[WrestleMania 41]] pre-show, WWE announced its intent to acquire the Mexican promotion [[Lucha Libre AAA Worldwide]] in conjunction with Fillip, a Mexican sports and entertainment company.<ref>{{cite magazine |title=WWE Officially Announces AAA Acquisition, Reveals When It Is Expected To Close|url=https://www.si.com/fannation/wrestling/wwe/wwe-officially-announces-aaa-acquisition-reveals-when-it-is-expected-to-close|date=April 20, 2025|access-date=April 20, 2025|magazine=[[Sports Illustrated]]}}</ref> The sale is expected to close in the third quarter of 2025.<ref>{{cite web | url=https://corporate.wwe.com/about/news/2025/04-21-2025 | title=WWE® ANNOUNCES ACQUISITION OF LEADING MEXICAN LUCHA LIBRE PROMOTION AAA|website=WWE Corporate|date=April 20, 2025|access-date=April 20, 2025}}</ref>

==Championships and accomplishments==
{{Main|List of current champions in WWE}}

{{#section-h:List of current champions in WWE|Current champions}}

===Retired championships===
{{Main|List of former championships in WWE}}

==Contracts==
{{Main|List of WWE personnel}}
WWE signs most of its talent to exclusive contracts, meaning talent can appear or perform only on WWE programming and events. They are not permitted to appear or perform for another promotion unless special arrangements are made beforehand. WWE keeps all wrestlers' salary, employment length, benefits, and all other contract details strictly private.<ref>{{cite magazine|date=March 28, 2015|title=Breaking down how WWE contracts work|url=https://www.forbes.com/sites/chrissmith/2015/03/28/breaking-down-how-wwe-contracts-work/|url-status=live|magazine=[[Forbes]].com|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151002163718/http://www.forbes.com/sites/chrissmith/2015/03/28/breaking-down-how-wwe-contracts-work/|archive-date=October 2, 2015|access-date=October 4, 2015}}</ref>

WWE classifies its professional wrestlers as [[independent contractor]]s and not as employees. A study by the [[University of Louisville School of Law|''University of Louisville Law Review'']] found that after applying the [[Internal Revenue Service]] (IRS) 20-factor test, 16 factors "clearly indicate that wrestlers are employees". However, as a result of WWE terming them as independent contractors, "the wrestlers are denied countless benefits to which they would otherwise be entitled".<ref>{{cite web|last1=Cowley|first1=David|title=Employees vs. independent contractors and professional wrestling|url=http://louisvillelawreview.org/sites/louisvillelawreview.org/files/pdfs/printcontent/53/1/10-Cowley.pdf|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150703063128/http://louisvillelawreview.org/sites/louisvillelawreview.org/files/pdfs/printcontent/53/1/10-Cowley.pdf|archive-date=July 3, 2015|access-date=July 3, 2015|publisher=[[University of Louisville School of Law|University of Louisville Law Review]]}}</ref>

In December 2021, WWE revealed a new recruitment contract for athletes who are currently attending college. The [[National Collegiate Athletic Association|NCAA]]-approved [[Student athlete compensation|name, image, and likeness]] contracts are referred to by WWE as "next in line agreements".<ref>{{cite web|last1=|first1=|date=March 1, 2022 |title=WWE® UNVEILS INAUGURAL NIL CLASS|url=https://corporate.wwe.com/news/company-news/2021/12-08-2021|publisher=WWE Corporate}}</ref>

==Stock and corporate governance==
On October 19, 1999, WWF, which had been owned previously by parent company Titan Sports, launched an [[initial public offering]] as a publicly traded company, trading on the [[New York Stock Exchange]] (NYSE) with the issuance of stock then valued at $172.5 million.<ref name="money.cnn.com" /> The company traded on the NYSE under ticker symbol WWE.<ref name="nyse.com" />

The company has actively marketed itself as a publicly traded company through presentations at investor conferences and other investor relations initiatives.<ref>[http://ir.corporate.wwe.com/calendar.aspx?iid=4121687 "WWE: Investor Relations: Events," World Wrestling Entertainment, Inc. official website] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140607000940/http://ir.corporate.wwe.com/calendar.aspx?iid=4121687 |date=June 7, 2014 }}, Retrieved June 5, 2014.</ref> In June 2003, the company began paying a dividend on its shares of $0.04 per share.<ref>[http://corporate.wwe.com/news/2003/2003_06_12.2.jsp "World Wrestling Entertainment, Inc. Declares Quarterly Dividend," June 12, 2003] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140313010846/http://corporate.wwe.com/news/2003/2003_06_12.2.jsp |date=March 13, 2014 }}, Retrieved June 5, 2014.</ref> In June 2011, the company cut its dividend from $0.36 to $0.12.<ref>[http://www.dailyfinance.com/2012/03/07/world-wrestling-entertainment-dividend-dynamo-or-/ "World Wrestling Entertainment: Dividend Dynamo or the Next Blowup," by Ilan Moscovitz, Daily Finance, March 7, 2012] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140606204753/http://www.dailyfinance.com/2012/03/07/world-wrestling-entertainment-dividend-dynamo-or-/ |date=June 6, 2014 }}, Retrieved June 5, 2014.</ref> In 2014, concerns about the company's viability caused wide fluctuations in its share price.<ref>[http://www.snl.com/InteractiveX/Article.aspx?cdid=A-28155081-12082 "WWE/NBC rights deal: The red wedding," by Sarah Barry James, SNL Financial, May 19, 2014] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181116010038/https://www.snl.com/InteractiveX/Article.aspx?cdid=A-28155081-12082 |date=November 16, 2018 }}, Retrieved June 9, 2014.</ref>

In September 2023, Endeavor Group Holdings, UFC and WWE formed a new publicly traded company, [[TKO Group Holdings|TKO Group Holdings, Inc.]] The new entity went public on September 12, 2023, and is listed on the [[New York Stock Exchange]] (NYSE) under the [[Ticker symbol|symbol]] "[[Technical knockout|TKO]]".<ref>{{Cite web |last1=Sherman |first1=Alex |last2=Calia |first2=Mike |date=April 3, 2023 |title=WWE agrees to merge with UFC to create a new company run by Ari Emanuel and Vince McMahon |url=https://www.cnbc.com/2023/04/03/wwe-ufc-merger-endeavor.html |access-date=December 29, 2024 |website=CNBC |language=en}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last1=Szalai |first1=Georg |last2=Vlessing |first2=Etan |date=April 3, 2023 |title=Endeavor's UFC, WWE to Merge; Ari Emanuel to Serve as CEO, Vince McMahon as Executive Chair |url=https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/business/business-news/wwe-ufc-merger-endeavor-vince-mcmahon-1235365885-1235365885/ |access-date=December 29, 2024 |website=The Hollywood Reporter |language=en-US}}</ref>

At the close of the deal, Endeavor held a 51% stake in TKO Group Holdings, with WWE's shareholders having a 49% stake, valuing WWE at $9.1 billion. This marked the first time that WWE had not been majority-controlled by members of the [[McMahon family]].<ref>{{Cite web |last=Sherman |first=Alex |date=April 2, 2023 |title=WWE near deal to be sold to UFC parent Endeavor, sources say |url=https://www.cnbc.com/2023/04/02/wwe-ufc-endeavor-deal.html |access-date=December 29, 2024 |website=CNBC |language=en}}</ref> Endeavor CEO [[Ari Emanuel]] became CEO of TKO and [[Mark Shapiro (media executive)|Mark Shapiro]] became president and chief operating officer, with each maintaining their respective roles at Endeavor. UFC and WWE continued to operate as separate divisions under TKO, with [[Dana White]] as CEO of the UFC and Nick Khan serving as president of WWE post-merger.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Burack |first=Bobby |date=April 3, 2023 |title=WWE CEO Nick Khan Talks WWE/UFC Merger |url=https://www.outkick.com/culture/wwe-ceo-nick-khan-talks-wwe-ufc-merger |access-date=December 29, 2024 |website=OutKick |language=en-US}}</ref> WWE's head of creative [[Triple H|Paul Levesque]] remained in his role.<ref>{{Cite web |date=April 3, 2023 |title=Vince McMahon: I will remain involved in WWE creative at a 'higher level' |url=https://www.f4wonline.com/news/wwe/vince-mcmahon-i-will-remain-involved-in-wwe-creative-at-a-higher-level/ |access-date=December 29, 2024 |website=F4W/WON |language=en-GB}}</ref>

==WWE Network and distribution deals==
{{Main|WWE Network}}
On February 24, 2014, WWE launched [[WWE Network]], an [[Over-the-top media service|over-the-top]] subscription streaming service<ref name=":3" /><ref name=":4" /><ref name=":9" /> The service, which was initially proposed as a linear [[pay television]] service,<ref>{{cite news |last=Goldman |first=Eric |date=September 6, 2011 |title=WWE Network Coming in 2012 |publisher=IGN |url=https://uk.ign.com/articles/2011/09/06/wwe-network-coming-in-2012 |access-date=August 14, 2014}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |last=Graser |first=Marc |date=April 9, 2013 |title=WWE Models TV Network Plan After NFL's Approach |work=[[Variety (magazine)|Variety]] |url=https://variety.com/2013/biz/news/wwe-models-tv-network-plan-after-nfls-approach-1200343397/ |access-date=August 14, 2014}}</ref> carries all WWE pay-per-view events, original programming (including in-ring programs, as well as documentary and reality programming highlighting the promotion and its history), and access to [[WWE Libraries|WWE library]] content such as classic pay-per-views and television episodes from WWE and other promotions that it had acquired.<ref>{{cite web |title= Initiatives - WWE Network launches February 24 |url=http://corporate.wwe.com/company/initiatives/wwenetwork.jsp |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141001140241/http://corporate.wwe.com/company/initiatives/wwenetwork.jsp |archive-date=October 1, 2014 |access-date=June 24, 2014 |publisher=WWE Corporate }}</ref> The service reached 1,000,000 subscribers on January 27, 2015, in less than one year of its launch, with WWE claiming that it was thus "the fastest-growing digital subscription service ever".<ref>{{cite web|title=WWE Network hits 1 Million subscribers – Thank you WWE Universe!|url=http://www.wwe.com/inside/wwe-network-one-million-subscribers-27047223 |date=January 27, 2015 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150130013548/http://www.wwe.com/inside/wwe-network-one-million-subscribers-27047223|archive-date=January 30, 2015|work=WWE}}</ref>

In May 2014, WWE and [[NBCUniversal]] agreed to a new contract that would see both ''Raw'' and ''SmackDown'' continue on NBC owned networks the [[USA Network]] and [[Syfy]].<ref>{{cite web|title=WWE Reaches Multi-Year Deal with NBC Universal for Rights to Raw and SmackDown|url=http://bleacherreport.com/articles/2065331-wwe-reaches-multi-year-deal-with-nbc-universal-for-rights-to-raw-and-smackdown |first1=Joseph |last1=Zucker |date=May 15, 2014 |url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170514055710/http://bleacherreport.com/articles/2065331-wwe-reaches-multi-year-deal-with-nbc-universal-for-rights-to-raw-and-smackdown|archive-date=May 14, 2017|work=[[Bleacher Report]]}}</ref> In January 2016, ''SmackDown'' would change networks to the USA Network. The contract with ''NBCUniversal'' expires in 2019.<ref>{{cite web|last=Middleton|first=Marc|date=June 21, 2016|title=When WWE TV Deals Expire, John Cena Hosting Awards Show (Video), Big E – Jey Uso Swerved Video|url=http://www.wrestlinginc.com/wi/news/2016/0621/612886/john-cena-hosting-awards-show-video/|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170221013626/http://www.wrestlinginc.com/wi/news/2016/0621/612886/john-cena-hosting-awards-show-video/|archive-date=February 21, 2017|access-date=May 20, 2017}}</ref> On November 17, 2016, WWE and [[Sky Deutschland]] signed a multi-year agreement to distribute WWE's premier pay-per-view events and broadcast ''Raw'' and ''SmackDown Live'' on SKY Sports starting in April 2017.<ref>{{cite web|last=Middleton|first=Marc|date=November 17, 2017|title=WWE and SKY Deutschland sign deal to distribute WWE's premier pay-per-view events and broadcast Raw and SmackDown live on SKY Sports starting in April 2017|url=http://www.wrestlinginc.com/wi/news/2016/1117/619436/wwe-announces-new-international-tv-deal/|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161118100627/http://www.wrestlinginc.com/wi/news/2016/1117/619436/wwe-announces-new-international-tv-deal/|archive-date=November 18, 2016|access-date=November 17, 2016}}</ref> On April 10, 2017, WWE and [[DAZN]], made Raw and SmackDown available live in Japan with Japanese commentary.<ref>{{cite web|title=WWE® and DAZN Announce Exclusive Multi-Year Agreement in Japan|url=http://corporate.wwe.com/news/company-news/2017/10-04-2017|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170508120809/http://corporate.wwe.com/news/company-news/2017/10-04-2017|archive-date=May 8, 2017}}</ref> On April 27, WWE and [[TV5 (Philippines)|TV5]], reached a new agreement to broadcast one-hour editions of SmackDown.<ref>{{cite web|title=WWE and TV5 Announce Agreement to Televise Smackdown in the Philippines|url=http://corporate.wwe.com/news/company-news/2017/04-27-2017|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170630073755/http://corporate.wwe.com/news/company-news/2017/04-27-2017|archive-date=June 30, 2017}}</ref> On May 12, WWE and Saran Media, reached a new multi-year agreement to televise Raw and SmackDown.<ref>{{cite web|title=WWE and S-Sport Announce Multi-Year Agreement to Televise Raw and Smackdown in Turkey|url=http://corporate.wwe.com/news/company-news/2017/05-12-2017|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170815135058/http://corporate.wwe.com/news/company-news/2017/05-12-2017|archive-date=August 15, 2017}}</ref> On July 10, WWE and [[AB1|AB 1]], extended their partnership into its 18th year with a new, multi-year agreement to broadcast WWE programming.<ref>{{cite web|title=Groupe AB and WWE Extend Long-Standing Partnership|url=https://finance.yahoo.com/news/world-wrestling-extends-partnership-deal-133301991.html?guccounter=1&guce_referrer=aHR0cHM6Ly93d3cuYmluZy5jb20v&guce_referrer_sig=AQAAAHFrvJKTg1_kfP1VpN2KhMDRwt1pp1BvEeZXDHCMDEKj3kCjw-7NvxffyxKch50WNobeS7Q-S-mOJ8qsl9uEKv4b81cCdxSpLI4h9ueSrBJqvOPD1WsVfJ6xu1PhNoU7VRM9LFuDEAqswtRT7-JwlUM36Lr_h4LAdhtI8lstN33I}}</ref> On July 20, WWE and [[SuperSport (South African TV channel)|SuperSport]], reached a new, multi-year agreement to broadcast WWE programming live for the first time in more than 50 countries.<ref>{{cite web|title=WWE and Supersport Announce Multi-Year Agreement to Televise Raw and Smackdown|url=http://corporate.wwe.com/news/company-news/2017/07-20-2017a|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170913113719/http://corporate.wwe.com/news/company-news/2017/07-20-2017a|archive-date=September 13, 2017}}</ref> On August 1, WWE and [[Foxtel]] extended their partnership into its 18th year with a new agreement to broadcast WWE programming.<ref>{{cite web|title=WWE and Foxtel Extend Long-Standing Partnership|url=http://corporate.wwe.com/news/company-news/2017/08-01-2017|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170813175911/http://corporate.wwe.com/news/company-news/2017/08-01-2017|archive-date=August 13, 2017}}</ref> On August 8, WWE and [[Canal 1 (Colombia)|Canal 1]] reached an agreement to broadcast one-hour editions of Raw and SmackDown.<ref>{{cite web|title=WWE® and Canal 1 Announce Agreement to Televise Raw® and Smackdown® in Colombia|url=http://corporate.wwe.com/news/company-news/2017/08-08-2017|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170813180229/http://corporate.wwe.com/news/company-news/2017/08-08-2017|archive-date=August 13, 2017}}</ref> On August 16, WWE and [[Nine Network]] reached a broadcast agreement to air weekly one-hour versions of Raw and SmackDown.<ref>{{cite web|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200417170720/https://corporate.wwe.com/news/company-news/2017/16-08-2017|url=https://corporate.wwe.com/news/company-news/2017/16-08-2017|title=WWE® REACHES BROADCAST AGREEMENT WITH NINE NETWORK|website=Company News|publisher=World Wrestling Entertainment, Inc.|date=August 16, 2017|archive-date=April 17, 2020|url-status=dead}}</ref> On August 24, WWE and Flow reached a multi-year agreement to televise WWE's flagship programmes Raw and SmackDown.<ref>{{cite web|title=Flow and WWE® Announce Multi-Year Agreement to Televise ''Raw''® and ''Smackdown''® Across the Caribbean |date=August 24, 2017 |website=World Wrestling Entertainment Inc. |url=http://corporate.wwe.com/news/company-news/2017/24-08-2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170829083930/http://corporate.wwe.com/news/company-news/2017/24-08-2017|archive-date=August 29, 2017|url-status=dead}}</ref> On September 7, WWE and [[TVA Sports]] reached a multi-year agreement to air a weekly, one-hour only edition of Raw, in French in Canada.<ref name="auto">{{cite web|title=TVA Sports and WWE Announce Broadcast Agreement|url=http://corporate.wwe.com/news/company-news/2017/07-09-2017 |date=September 7, 2017 |website=World Wrestling Entertainment Inc. |url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170914012428/http://corporate.wwe.com/news/company-news/2017/07-09-2017|archive-date=September 14, 2017}}</ref> On October 24, WWE and [[Sport TV]] reached a multi-year agreement to air Raw and SmackDown.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://corporate.wwe.com/news/company-news/2017/24-10-2017|title=WWE® and SPORT TV announce multi-year agreement to televise Raw® and Smackdown® in Portugal |date=October 24, 2017 |website=World Wrestling Entertainment Inc. |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200415203534/https://corporate.wwe.com/news/company-news/2017/24-10-2017 |archive-date= April 15, 2020 }}</ref> On December 15, WWE and [[IB Sports|IB SPORTS]], they will extend their partnership with a new agreement to broadcast WWE programming live for the first time in South Korea.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://corporate.wwe.com/news/company-news/2017/12-15-2017|title=IB SPORTS to broadcast WWE® programming live for the first time in South Korea |date=December 15, 2017 |website=World Wrestling Entertainment Inc. |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230314174713/https://corporate.wwe.com/news/company-news/2017/12-15-2017 |archive-date= March 14, 2023 }}</ref> On December 18, WWE and [[SPS HD]], reached an agreement to broadcast Raw and SmackDown on SPS Sports for the first time in Mongolia.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://corporate.wwe.com/news/company-news/2017/12-18-2017|title=SPS HD to air WWE® programming for the first time in Mongolia |date=December 18, 2017 |website=World Wrestling Entertainment Inc. |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230108202252/https://corporate.wwe.com/news/company-news/2017/12-18-2017 |archive-date= January 8, 2023 }}</ref>

On December 13, 2017, WWE announced a live in-ring event series for [[Facebook Watch]]—the [[WWE Mixed Match Challenge|''Mixed Match Challenge'']]—which featured a single-elimination tournament involving mixed tag teams formed from the Raw and SmackDown rosters.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Spangler |first=Todd |date=December 13, 2017 |title=Facebook Nabs WWE Live Show Featuring Face-Offs Between Raw, SmackDown Talent Rosters |url=https://variety.com/2017/digital/news/wwe-facebook-show-raw-smackdown-live-1202638949/ |access-date=August 12, 2025 |website=Variety |language=en-US}}</ref>

In January 2021, WWE announced an agreement with NBCUniversal to move its streaming library and live events to its recently launched streaming service [[Peacock (streaming service)|Peacock]] in the United States beginning on March 18, 2021 (ahead of [[Fastlane (2021)|Fastlane]] and [[WrestleMania 37]]), resulting in the phase-out of WWE Network in the region.<ref name=CCK/> On September 9, 2022, WWE renewed its agreement with [[Foxtel]], with WWE Network similarly being folded into its [[Binge (streaming service)|Binge]] streaming service beginning in January 2023, and WWE programming continuing to air on both [[Fox8]] and a new WWE linear channel on the platform.<ref>{{cite web |last=Szalai |first=Georg |date=September 27, 2022 |title=WWE Expands Exclusive Deal With Foxtel in Australia |url=https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/business/business-news/wwe-australia-foxtel-deal-exclusive-1235227445/ |access-date=September 29, 2022 |website=[[The Hollywood Reporter]]}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |last=Sim |first=Josh |date=September 28, 2022 |title=WWE Network lands on exclusively Foxtel's Binge streaming service in Australia |url=https://www.sportspromedia.com/news/wwe-network-streaming-binge-foxtel-tv-rights-australia-kayo/ |access-date=September 29, 2022 |website=[[SportsPro]]}}</ref>

On January 23, 2024, WWE announced an agreement with [[Netflix]], under which ''WWE Raw'' would move to the platform globally in January 2025, and Netflix would acquire the international rights to WWE's weekly programs, live events, and library content outside of the United States—replacing WWE Network and its individual agreements with other streaming services as they expire.<ref name=":8" /><ref name="pwinsider-wwen-phi" />

On August 6, 2025, WWE announced an agreement with [[ESPN Inc.]], under which it will hold the rights to its live events in the United States beginning in 2026, succeeding Peacock. The events are slated to air on [[ESPN (streaming service)|ESPN's new OTT service]], with selected events also slated to air on ESPN's cable channels. ESPN has an existing media rights relationship with fellow TKO Group subsidiary UFC, which will expire in favor of one with [[Paramount Skydance|Paramount]] in 2026;<ref>{{Cite web |last=Sherman |first=Alex |date=August 11, 2025 |title=Paramount buys UFC rights in $7.7 billion, 7-year deal in first major move post-Skydance merger |url=https://www.cnbc.com/2025/08/11/paramount-buys-ufc-rights-skydance-merger.html |access-date=August 11, 2025 |website=CNBC |language=en}}</ref> the agreement does not include rights to WWE's library content,<ref>{{Cite web |last=Hayes |first=Dade |date=August 6, 2025 |title=ESPN Sets Launch Date And Price For Stand-Alone Streaming Service, Adding WWE And Locking Up More NFL |url=https://deadline.com/2025/08/espn-sets-launch-date-price-streaming-wwe-nfl-1236479810/ |access-date=August 6, 2025 |website=Deadline |language=en-US}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=Sherman |first=Alex |date=August 6, 2025 |title=ESPN inks five-year deal for WWE's live premium events including WrestleMania, Royal Rumble |url=https://www.cnbc.com/2025/08/06/espn-wwe-five-year-deal-live-events.html |access-date=August 6, 2025 |website=CNBC |language=en}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=Nason |first=Josh |date=August 6, 2025 |title=WWE News: WWE PLEs heading to ESPN in 2026 |url=https://www.f4wonline.com/news/wwe/wwe-premium-live-events-espn-streaming-2026/ |access-date=August 6, 2025 |website=F4W/WON |language=en-GB}}</ref> although ESPN's president [[James Pitaro]] has publicly expressed interest in acquiring them in the future.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Axelrod |first=Ben |date=August 13, 2025 |title=ESPN expresses interest in acquiring WWE archival library |url=https://awfulannouncing.com/espn/interest-wwe-archives-library.html |access-date=August 13, 2025 |website=Awful Announcing |language=en-US}}</ref>

===Broadcasts===
{{See also| List of WWE television programming}}
{| class="wikitable plainrowheaders"
|-
! scope="col" | Program
! scope="col" | Original release
! scope="col" | Network(s)
! scope="col" | Notes
|-
! scope="row" | ''[[WWE Raw]]''
| January 11, 1993–present || [[Netflix]]|| One of WWE's two flagship programs that airs on Mondays.
|-
! scope="row" | ''[[WWE SmackDown]]''
| April 29, 1999–present || [[USA Network|USA]] || One of WWE's two flagship programs that airs on Fridays.
|-
! scope="row" | ''[[WWE NXT]]''
| February 23, 2010–present || [[The CW]] || Developmental wrestling program that airs on Tuesdays.
|-
! scope="row" | ''[[Saturday Night's Main Event]]''
| December 14, 2024–present || [[NBC]]<br />[[Peacock (streaming service)|Peacock]] || Quarterly [[television special]]s that air on select Saturdays.
|-
! scope="row" | ''[[List of WWE pay-per-view and livestreaming supercards|Premium Live Events]]''
| March 31, 1985–present || [[Peacock (streaming service)|Peacock & ESPN]] || Major standalone events that air primarily on Peacock and WWE Network once per month. Formerly known as [[Pay-per-view]]
|-
|}

==Terminology==
WWE uses a variety of special terms in promoting their product, such as describing the wrestling industry as [[sports entertainment]]. The fan base is referred to as the "WWE Universe" for the main roster shows, while for NXT shows, they are also referred to as the "NXT Universe". Main roster wrestlers are designated "WWE Superstars", while those in NXT are also referred to as "NXT Superstars". Retired wrestlers are described as "WWE Legends", while those who have been inducted into the [[WWE Hall of Fame]] are called "Hall of Famers".<ref>{{cite web|last1=Spotswood|first1=Beth|title=WrestleMania expected to attract 120,00 fans to Bay Area|url=http://www.sfgate.com/entertainment/article/WrestleMania-expected-to-attract-120-00-fans-to-6145870.php|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150331102905/http://www.sfgate.com/entertainment/article/WrestleMania-expected-to-attract-120-00-fans-to-6145870.php|archive-date=March 31, 2015|access-date=March 21, 2015|work=[[San Francisco Chronicle]]|date=March 19, 2015}}</ref>

==Expansion beyond wrestling==
===Subsidiaries===
====Active====
* TSI Realty Co. (1997–present): In 1997, WWE established a real estate brokerage and investment firm called TSI Realty Company.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://listings.findthecompany.com/l/32424142/TSI-Realty-Company|title=TSI Realty Co. - Find the Company.com}}</ref>
* [[WWE Books]] (2002–present): A book series that often publishes biographies of WWE personalities, behind-the-scenes guides to WWE, illustrated books, calendars, young adult books, and other nonfiction books.
* [[WCW (WWE subsidiary)|WCW Inc.]] (2001–present): A subsidiary that was originally created as W. Acquisition Company in 2000. It was renamed WCW Inc. in 2001 following the WWF's purchase of the rights to the video library and intellectual property for [[World Championship Wrestling]].
* [[WWE Libraries|WWE Legacy Department]] (2001–present): A collection of professional wrestling videos and copyrights.
* [[WWE Studios]] (2002–present): Formerly known as WWE Films, a subsidiary that creates and develops feature film properties, including scripted, non-scripted, family and animated television and digital content.
* [[WWE Music Group]] (2006–present): A music group that specializes in compilation albums of WWE wrestlers' entrance themes. The group also releases titles that have been performed by WWE wrestlers.
* WWE Jet Services, Inc. (2013–present): A subsidiary formed to manage the financing and operations of the company's fleet of private jets.
* [[WWE Performance Center]] (2013–present): A subsidiary that serves as the usual training center for future WWE wrestlers.
* [[WWE Podcast Network]] (2019–present): A podcast network that features several WWE wrestlers hosting their own podcasts. WWE partnered with Endeavor Audio to launch the network.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/business/digital/wwe-create-podcast-network-endeavor-audio-1233720 |title=WWE to Create Podcast Network With Endeavor Audio (Exclusive)|date=August 22, 2019|publisher=The Hollywood Reporter}}</ref>
* [[Lucha Libre AAA Worldwide]] (2025–present): A Mexican [[Lucha Libre]] [[professional wrestling promotion|promotion]].

====Defunct====
* Alpha Entertainment (2018): A [[limited liability company]] that was established in 2018 by Vince McMahon for the purpose of being the parent company of the new [[XFL (2020)|XFL]]. While McMahon stated that the XFL would remain as a separate company from WWE, it was revealed through WWE's 2018 10-K that the company hold a minority stake in Alpha Entertainment.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.mlive.com/news/us-world/2018/05/wwe_listed_as_minority_owner_o.html|title=WWE listed as minority owner of revived XFL despite claims of separate entities|date=May 4, 2018|publisher=mlive}}</ref>
* [[World Bodybuilding Federation]] (1990–1992): A subsidiary of Titan Sports which promoted professional [[bodybuilding]] through a television show, magazine, and annual pay-per-view events.
* Radio WWF (1993) A syndicated radio station hosted by [[Jim Ross]] and [[Johnny Polo]]. The station featured shows that would cover ongoing WWF storylines and behind the scenes incidents. Radio WWF hosts also provided commentary for two pay-per-views.
* Wrestle Vessel (1996–1999): A series of WWF-themed cruise ship experiences.
* [[WWE Home Video]] (1997–2023): A home video subsidiary that specialized in distributing VHS, DVD, and Blu-ray Disc copies of WWE pay-per-view events, compilations of WWE wrestlers' performances and entrances, and biographies of WWE performers. WWE Home Video releases were discontinued worldwide on December 26, 2023.
* WWF Racing (2000): WWF sponsored an NHRA Funny Car team. The partnership was branded WWF Racing. WWF Racing branding was featured at WWE's Wall Street event.
* [[XFL (2001)|XFL]] (2000–2001): A partially owned subsidiary of the WWF which comprised eight league-owned [[professional football (gridiron)|professional football]] teams. The league included television broadcasts on [[NBC]] (the other co-owners of the league), [[UPN]], and [[Spike (TV network)|TNN]].
* [[WWF New York|The World Entertainment]] (1999–2003): A subsidiary of World Wrestling Federation/Entertainment that operated a restaurant, nightclub, and memorabilia shop in New York City. World originally opened as "WWF New York", and was renamed "The World". [[Hard Rock Cafe]] took over the location in 2005.
* [[WWE Niagara Falls]] (2002–2011): a partnership with Canadian Niagara Hotels for a retail store and amusement complex located in [[Niagara Falls, Ontario]], Canada. The store featured occasional autograph signings and appearances by WWE wrestlers, alumni, and Hall of Famers.
* [[WWE Classics on Demand]] (2004–2014): A subscription video-on-demand service which featured archived programming, including from subsidiaries [[World Championship Wrestling]], [[Extreme Championship Wrestling]], and others. Classics offered around 40 hours of rotating programming per month, arranged into four programming buckets, and often centered on a specific theme.
* WWE Kids (2008–2014): A website and comic set aimed at children. WWE Kids' comics were produced bi-monthly.
* WWE Universe (2008–2011): A social media website which was managed and operated by WWE. Its original name was "WWE Fan Nation" and was renamed "WWE Universe".
* [[WWE Magazine]] (1983–2014): WWE's magazine – originally released bi-monthly, it later switching to a monthly schedule, before being discontinued in 2014.
* WWE Shop (2015–2024): An online store for licensed WWE-related apparel, gear, and other merchandise and products. In 2024, this was outsourced to [[Fanatics, Inc.|Fanatics, Inc]].

===Investments===
* [[Tout (company)|Tout]]: A social media 15-second video service. In 2012, WWE invested $5,000,000 and entered into a two-year partnership. Stephanie McMahon was named a part of the Tout Board of Directors. The agreement between the two companies ended in 2014.<ref>{{cite magazine |url=https://variety.com/2012/digital/news/wwe-pacts-with-tout-industries-1118056439/ |title=WWE pacts with Tout Industries |magazine=Variety |date=July 11, 2012 |access-date=October 29, 2017 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170628122756/http://variety.com/2012/digital/news/wwe-pacts-with-tout-industries-1118056439/ |archive-date=June 28, 2017}}</ref>
* [[Marvel Experience]]: Marvel Experience is an interactive live event with [[Marvel Comics|Marvel]] characters appearing. WWE invested in the experience in 2013.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.wrestling-news.net/wwe-invest-marvel-universe-touring/34144/|title='The Marvel Experience' Takes Fans Into Interactive World of Superheroes |date=August 22, 2013|publisher=Wrestling News}}</ref>
* [[Phunware]]: A business that creates mobile apps. WWE invested in Phunware in 2014 and<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.forbes.com/sites/hollieslade/2014/03/18/phunware-gets-30-million-cash-injection-to-dominate-mobile-cloud/ |title=Phunware Gets $30 Million Cash Injection To Dominate Mobile Cloud|author=Slade, Hollie|work=[[Forbes]]}}</ref> uses the company for their app.
* [[FloSports]]: An over-the-top sport streaming service that WWE originally invested into in 2016. In 2019, WWE once again invested into FloSports. The sports that are available in FloSports include [[amateur wrestling]], professional wrestling, [[Track and field|track]], [[grappling]], [[mixed martial arts]], [[boxing]], [[softball]], [[gymnastics]], [[basketball]], [[tennis]], [[volleyball]], [[cheerleading]], and [[eSports]].<ref>{{cite magazine|url=https://www.f4wonline.com/wwe-news/wwe-part-212-million-series-b-funding-flosports-218701|title=WWE PART OF $21.2 MILLION SERIES B FUNDING OF FLOSPORTS|author=Nason, Josh|magazine=Wrestling Observer}}</ref>
* [[Avid Technology]]: A technology and multimedia company. Avid specializes in audio and video; specifically digital non-linear editing systems, management and distribution services. WWE invested in Avid in 2016.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.avid.com/en/press-room/2016/03/world-wrestling-entertainment-tag-teams-with-avid|title=World Wrestling Entertainment tag teams with Avid|publisher=Avid}}</ref>
* [[Drone Racing League]]: A league that contains remote-controlled lightweight aircraft races and appears as a spectator sport. WWE invested in Drone in 2017.<ref>{{cite magazine|url=https://variety.com/2017/digital/news/drone-racing-league-funding-sky-liberty-media-wwe-1202462343/|title=Drone Racing League Raises $20 Million From Sky, Liberty Media, WWE|author=Spangler, Todd|magazine=Variety}}</ref>
* [[Cloud9]]: An [[esports]] organization, which has teams compete in many different video games including a WWE sponsor, [[Rocket League]]. WWE invested in Cloud9 in 2017.<ref>{{cite magazine|url=https://variety.com/2017/digital/news/esports-cloud9-wwe-funding-1202596588/|title=Esports Startup Cloud9 Raises $25 Million From WWE, Others|author=Spangler, Todd|magazine=Variety}}</ref>
* [[DraftKings]]: WWE's fantasy sports partner.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.mcall.com/gambling/sns-actnet-draftkings-stock-price-george-soros-investment-20200513-fgssw2zh4ret7mkb63wzfjrl7y-story.html|title=DraftKings stock price skyrockets on news of George Soros investment|author=Rovell, Darren|work=The Morning Call|date=May 13, 2020|access-date=September 17, 2020|archive-date=November 28, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201128085223/https://www.mcall.com/gambling/sns-actnet-draftkings-stock-price-george-soros-investment-20200513-fgssw2zh4ret7mkb63wzfjrl7y-story.html|url-status=dead}}</ref>
* Rad: A company that has a streaming platform focusing on [[non-fungible token]] technology for film, TV, and celebrities. WWE invested in Rad in 2021.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.pwinsider.com/article/145269/wwe-invests-in-nft-technology-company-focusing-on-entertainment-celebrities.html?p=1|last=Johnson|first=Mike|title=WWE INVESTS IN NYC TECHNOLOGY COMPANY FOCUSING ON ENTERTAINMENT & CELEBRITIES|date=March 28, 2021|publisher=PWInsider}}</ref>
* Jomboy Media: A multimedia company that produces a baseball show. WWE invested in Jomboy Media in 2022.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://awfulannouncing.com/online-outlets/jomboy-media-announces-theyve-raised-another-5-million.html|last=Bucholtz|first=Andrew|title=Jomboy Media announces they've raised another $5 million, with CAA, NEA, WWE, Dwyane Wade, Karl-Anthony Towns, C.C. Sabathia, and more involved|date=August 14, 2022|publisher=Awful Announcing}}</ref>
* [[Premier Lacrosse League]]: A professional [[lacrosse]] league in the United States and Canada. WWE invested in the Premier Lacrosse League in 2022.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2022-07-21/wwe-kevin-durant-back-premier-lacrosse-in-chernin-led-funding-round|last=Kelly|first=Jason|title=Lacrosse League Attracts New Funding From WWE, Kevin Durant|date=August 14, 2022|publisher=Bloomberg}}</ref>

===Charities===
* WWE has had a partnership with the [[Make-A-Wish Foundation]] that spans four decades.<ref>{{cite web| url=http://www.cleveland.com/wwe/index.ssf/2013/04/wwe_releases_full_schedule_of.html| title=WWE releases full schedule of WrestleMania 29 week events in New York and New Jersey| publisher=Cleveland.com| date=April 1, 2013| access-date=February 1, 2015| url-status=live| archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150924134102/http://www.cleveland.com/wwe/index.ssf/2013/04/wwe_releases_full_schedule_of.html| archive-date=September 24, 2015| df=mdy-all}}</ref> Multi-time WWE champion [[John Cena]] has granted more wishes than any other celebrity in history, having completed his 500th wish in August 2015.<ref>{{cite news| title=Wish granted! WWE star John Cena to grant 500th Make-A-Wish request| url=https://www.espn.com/espn/story/_/id/13480710/wwe-star-john-cena-grant-milestone-500th-make-wish-request| website=ESPN| publisher=ESPN| agency=[[Associated Press|AP]]| access-date=June 12, 2016| date=August 23, 2015| url-status=live| archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160617113433/http://espn.go.com/espn/story/_/id/13480710/wwe-star-john-cena-grant-milestone-500th-make-wish-request| archive-date=June 17, 2016| df=mdy-all}}</ref>
* WWE has had a partnership with the [[United Service Organizations]] since the early 2000s.<ref>{{cite news| title=World Wrestling Entertainment to Promote 'Operation USO Care Package̵| url=https://corporate.wwe.com/news/company-news/2002/11-11-2002| website=WWE Corporate| publisher=WWE Corporate| df=mdy-all}}</ref> The partnership allows WWE to host [[WWE Tribute to the Troops]] around the world and provide tickets to WWE events to service members.<ref>{{cite news| title=WWE Impact works to inspire our Superstars, fans and employees through a variety of initiatives and partnerships across the globe. Some of Our Featured and Like-Minded Partners| url=https://corporate.wwe.com/impact| website=WWE Corporate| publisher=WWE Corporate| df=mdy-all}}</ref>
* In 2011, WWE launched its anti-bullying campaign, Be A S.T.A.R (Show Tolerance and Respect). The campaign, targeted towards children, consists of an interactive ceremony with WWE wrestlers visiting children at their schools and lecture the children on bullying.<ref>{{cite news| title=WWE launches anti-bullying alliance| url=https://community.wwe.com/diversity/wwe-launches-anti-bullying-alliance| website=WWE Community| publisher=WWE Community}}</ref>
* Since 2012, WWE has partnered with [[Susan G. Komen for the Cure]] to raise awareness of [[breast cancer]] during the month of October. Their partnership includes offering special charity-related wrestler merchandise, as well as adding a pink color scheme to the sets and ring ropes; 20% of all October purchases of WWE merchandise go to the organization.<ref>{{cite magazine |url=https://variety.com/2014/biz/news/wwe-susan-g-komen-tag-team-for-third-year-to-fight-breast-cancer-1201316337/ |title=WWE, Susan G. Komen Tag Team for Third Year to Fight Breast Cancer |magazine=Variety |date=September 29, 2014 |access-date=November 11, 2014 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141004053013/http://variety.com/2014/biz/news/wwe-susan-g-komen-tag-team-for-third-year-to-fight-breast-cancer-1201316337/ |archive-date=October 4, 2014}}</ref>
* Since 2012, WWE has partnered with Hire Heroes USA to donate and implement a veterans hiring initiatives through WWE's partners.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.hireheroesusa.org/wwe-partners-hire-heroes-usa/|title=Transforming Military Service into Civilian Success|date=December 17, 2012|access-date=October 29, 2017|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171029121146/https://www.hireheroesusa.org/wwe-partners-hire-heroes-usa/|archive-date=October 29, 2017}}</ref> Multiple times a year, WWE hosts a panel for companies and veterans to come together and discuss career opportunities.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://community.wwe.com/military/gallery/wwe-and-hire-heroes-usa-host-veteran-employment-panel-and-networking-event-during|title=WWE and Hire Heroes USA host a Veteran Employment Panel and Networking Event during SummerSlam Week|work=WWE Community |access-date=October 29, 2017|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171029173225/https://community.wwe.com/military/gallery/wwe-and-hire-heroes-usa-host-veteran-employment-panel-and-networking-event-during|archive-date=October 29, 2017}}</ref>
* In June 2014, ''Connor's Cure''<ref>{{cite web| url=https://www.givetochildrens.org/CONNORSCURE| title=Ways to Give – Personal Page – Children's Hospital of Pittsburgh Foundation| work=givetochildrens.org| url-status=live| archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140904142239/https://www.givetochildrens.org/connorscure| archive-date=September 4, 2014| df=mdy-all}}</ref> – a non-profit charitable organization – was established by [[Triple H]] and [[Stephanie McMahon]], who have personally funded it through the [[UPMC Children's Hospital of Pittsburgh|Children's Hospital of Pittsburgh Foundation]]. It is named in honor of [[Pittsburgh]] native [[Connor Michalek]] (October 17, 2005 – April 25, 2014) who had died two months earlier from [[medulloblastoma]], a rare tumor that affects the brain and spinal cord. Beginning in 2015, WWE began recognizing September as Pediatric Cancer Awareness Month, adding a gold color scheme to the sets and ring ropes, and offering special ''Connor's Cure'' merchandise, with the proceeds going to charity.<ref>{{cite web |url= http://www.pittsburghmagazine.com/Best-of-the-Burgh-Blogs/The-412/June-2014/WWEs-Triple-H-and-Stephanie-McMahon-Launch-Connors-Cure-Charity/ |title= WWE's Triple H and Stephanie McMahon Launch 'Connor's Cure' Charity |work= pittsburghmagazine.com |date= June 24, 2014 |url-status=live |archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20140911061651/http://www.pittsburghmagazine.com/Best-of-the-Burgh-Blogs/The-412/June-2014/WWEs-Triple-H-and-Stephanie-McMahon-Launch-Connors-Cure-Charity/ |archive-date= September 11, 2014 |df= mdy-all }}</ref><ref>{{cite web| url=https://community.wwe.com/hope/news/stephanie-mcmahon-triple-h-announce-connors-cure-charity-fund-honor-connor-michalek| title=Stephanie McMahon, Triple H announce 'Connor's Cure' charity fund in honor of Connor Michalek| work=WWE Community| url-status=live| archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150906141701/https://community.wwe.com/hope/news/stephanie-mcmahon-triple-h-announce-connors-cure-charity-fund-honor-connor-michalek| archive-date=September 6, 2015| df=mdy-all}}</ref>
* Since 2014, WWE has partnered with the [[Special Olympics]].<ref>{{cite web|url=https://community.wwe.com/diversity/news/special-olympics-and-wwe-announce-international-partnership|title=Special Olympics and WWE announce international partnership|access-date=March 26, 2017|work=WWE Community|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170327081254/https://community.wwe.com/diversity/news/special-olympics-and-wwe-announce-international-partnership|archive-date=March 27, 2017}}</ref>
* Since 2016, WWE has partnered with [[Boys & Girls Clubs of America]].<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.wwe.com/inside/overtheropes/boys-and-girls-clubs-of-america-wwe-national-partnership|title=Boys & Girls Clubs of America and WWE launch new national partnership|access-date=June 12, 2019|work=WWE Community}}</ref>
* In October 2018, a week before the [[WWE Evolution|Evolution]] pay-per-view, the WWE and the [[United Nations Foundation]]'s Girl Up created ''Sports for a Purpose'' program aiming to create a culture of sports participation for girls around the world. The program launched in fall 2019. Stephanie McMahon stated, "WWE is proud to partner with Girl Up to create Sports for a Purpose, a new program designed to help our youth achieve gender equality in sports. Playing sports has a positive impact on girls' leadership skills, confidence and self-esteem, and we are excited to work with Girl Up to create this meaningful program."<ref>[https://www.wwe.com/shows/wweevolution/2018/article/girl-up-and-wwe-create-sports-for-a-purpose-program-to-promote-girls Girl Up and WWE create Sports for a Purpose program to promote girls' leadership] – WWE.com</ref>
* Since 2019, WWE has partnered with [[Leukemia & Lymphoma Society]] to drive awareness and support for the research of [[leukemia]].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.wwe.com/article/wwe-partners-with-leukemia-lymphoma-society-lls-to-help-cancer-patients-and-families|title=WWE partners with Leukemia & Lymphoma Society (LLS) to help cancer patients and families|access-date=October 3, 2019|work=WWE}}</ref>
* Since November 2021, WWE has partnered with National Medal of Honor Museum Foundation, honoring [[Medal of Honor]] recipients. Funds are raised through ticket sales.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://corporate.wwe.com/news/company-news/2021/11-10-2021|title=National Medal of Honor Museum Foundation Announces Official Partnership with WWE®|access-date=March 1, 2022|work=WWE}}</ref>

===Relationship with Tapout===
{{Main|Tapout (clothing brand)}}

In March 2015, WWE joined forces with [[Authentic Brands Group]] to relaunch [[Tapout (clothing brand)|Tapout]], formerly a major [[Mixed martial arts|MMA]]-related clothing line, as a more general "lifestyle fitness" brand. The apparel, for men and women, was first released in spring of 2016. WWE markets the brand through various products, including beverages, supplements, and gyms.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.sherdog.com/news/news/WWE-Relaunching-Prominent-MMA-Brand-Tapout-as-Lifestyle-Fitness-Brand-83841 |title= WWE Relaunching Prominent MMA Brand Tapout as 'Lifestyle Fitness Brand' |work= Sherdog |url-status=live |archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20150704195517/http://www.sherdog.com/news/news/WWE-Relaunching-Prominent-MMA-Brand-Tapout-as-Lifestyle-Fitness-Brand-83841 |archive-date= July 4, 2015 |df= mdy-all }}</ref> WWE will hold a 50% stake in the brand, and so will advertise it regularly across all its platforms, hoping to give it one billion [[Impression (online media)|impressions]] a month, and take some of the fitness market from [[Under Armour]]. WWE wrestlers and staff have been shown wearing various Tapout gear since the venture began.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://variety.com/2015/biz/news/wwe-to-relaunch-tapout-clothing-brand-in-new-joint-venture-1201455693/ |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180120124430/https://variety.com/2015/biz/news/wwe-to-relaunch-tapout-clothing-brand-in-new-joint-venture-1201455693/ |url-status=dead |title=WWE to Relaunch Tapout Clothing Brand in New Joint Venture |first1=Marc|last1=Graser|date=March 25, 2015 |archive-date=January 20, 2018}}</ref>

==Partnerships==
Though an infrequent occurrence, during its history WWE has worked with other wrestling promotions in collaborative efforts.

During the 1970s to early 1990s, WWF had working relationships with the Japanese [[New Japan Pro-Wrestling]] (NJPW), [[Universal Wrestling Federation (Japan)|Universal Wrestling Federation]] (UWF), [[Universal Lucha Libre]] (FULL), and the Mexican [[Universal Wrestling Association]] (UWA). These working relationships led to the creations of the WWF [[WWF World Martial Arts Heavyweight Championship|World Martial Arts]], [[WWF Light Heavyweight Championship|Light Heavyweight]] and [[WWF Intercontinental Tag Team Championship|Intercontinental Tag Team]] championships.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://solie.org/titlehistories/njfwwf.html|title=WWF World Martial Arts Heavyweight Championship|work=Wrestling Title Histories by Gary Will and Royal Duncan|publisher=Solie.org|access-date=March 8, 2009|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090812105320/http://www.solie.org/titlehistories/njfwwf.html|archive-date=August 12, 2009}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://solie.org/titlehistories/lhwwf.html|title=WWF Light Heavyweight Championship reign history|work=Wrestling Title Histories by Gary Will and Royal Duncan|publisher=Solie.org|access-date=March 8, 2009|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090222201700/http://www.solie.org/titlehistories/lhwwf.html|archive-date=February 22, 2009}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://solie.org/titlehistories/ituwa.html|title=WWF/UWF International Championship reign history|work=Wrestling Title Histories by Gary Will and Royal Duncan|publisher=Solie.org|access-date=March 8, 2009|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090812105215/http://www.solie.org/titlehistories/ituwa.html|archive-date=August 12, 2009}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.wwe.com/classics/classic-lists/10-titles-you-never-knew-existed|title=10 championships you never knew existed in WWE|access-date=March 15, 2017|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170121083011/http://www.wwe.com/classics/classic-lists/10-titles-you-never-knew-existed|archive-date=January 21, 2017}}</ref>

During the period of 1992–1996, WWF had talent exchange agreements with the United States and Japanese independent companies [[Smokey Mountain Wrestling]] (SMW),<ref>{{cite web|title=A Look Back at Smoky Mountain Wrestling|work=Wrestling Observer|url=http://www.wrestlingobserver.com/wo/news/headlines/default.asp?aID=9168|access-date=September 29, 2007|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20071031005053/http://www.wrestlingobserver.com/wo/news/headlines/default.asp?aID=9168|archive-date=October 31, 2007}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.wwe.com/classics/oral-history-of-smoky-mountain-wrestling|title=Fire on the mountain: The oral history of Smoky Mountain Wrestling|access-date=March 15, 2017|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170202024533/http://www.wwe.com/classics/oral-history-of-smoky-mountain-wrestling|archive-date=February 2, 2017}}</ref> [[Super World of Sports]] (SWS),<ref>{{cite book|title=WWE Encyclopedia|last1=Shields|first1=Brian|last2=Sullivan|first2=Kevin|page=296|publisher=[[Dorling Kindersley|DK]]|year=2009|isbn=978-0-7566-4190-0}}</ref> [[WAR (wrestling promotion)|WAR]],<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.cagematch.net/?id=1&nr=8044|title=WAR/WWF « Events Database « Cagematch – The Internet Wrestling Database|first=Philip|last=Kreikenbohm|access-date=March 15, 2017}}</ref> and the [[United States Wrestling Association]] (USWA).<ref>{{cite web|url=http://blogofdoom.com/index.php/2016/05/18/wwfs-uswa-invasion/|title=WWF's USWA Invasion|date=May 18, 2016|access-date=March 15, 2017|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170211080342/http://blogofdoom.com/index.php/2016/05/18/wwfs-uswa-invasion/|archive-date=February 11, 2017}}</ref>

In 1997, the company did business with Mexico's [[Lucha Libre AAA Worldwide|AAA]] promotion, bringing in a number of AAA wrestlers for the [[Royal Rumble (1997)|Royal Rumble]] event and namesake match.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.onlineworldofwrestling.com/results/wweppv/royalrumble97.html|title=Royal Rumble 1997 Results|access-date=February 4, 2008|publisher=Online World of Wrestling|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080217030825/http://www.onlineworldofwrestling.com/results/wweppv/royalrumble97.html|archive-date=February 17, 2008}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.softwolves.pp.se/wrestling/wwf/1997#rr97|title=Royal Rumble 1997|access-date=February 18, 2008|date=January 21, 1997|publisher=AWT|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080215094952/http://www.softwolves.pp.se/wrestling/wwf/1997#rr97|archive-date=February 15, 2008}}</ref>

In 1997, WWF would also do business with Japan's [[Michinoku Pro Wrestling]] (MPW), bringing in MPW talent to compete in the company's light heavyweight division and in their [[WWF Light Heavyweight Championship#1997 tournament|1997 Light Heavyweight Championship tournament]].<ref>{{cite news |author = Taylor C. Mitchell |url = http://www.voicesofwrestling.com/2014/04/16/the-most-incredible-single-night-of-wrestling-ever/ |title = The Most Incredible Single Night of Wrestling, Ever. |quote = Until Great Sasuke allegedly told Japanese reporters that he was going to win the WWE Light Heavyweight Championship and refuse to defend it in the USA and threatened to only defend it in Japan. The WWE immediately fired The Great Sasuke and moved on to put their new championship around the waist of the young Taka Michinoku. One would have to speculate that this hurt WWE's new relationship with Michinoku Pro |date = April 16, 2014 |work = Voices of Wrestling |access-date = June 24, 2016 |url-status=live |archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20160720181239/http://www.voicesofwrestling.com/2014/04/16/the-most-incredible-single-night-of-wrestling-ever/ |archive-date = July 20, 2016 |df = mdy-all }}</ref>

From 1997 to 1998, WWF partnered with the [[National Wrestling Alliance]] (NWA), with WWF hosting NWA matches on its programming. These matches were presented as part of [[National Wrestling Alliance (stable)|"an invasion" of WF by NWA wrestlers]].

In 2015, WWE entered a partnership with [[Evolve (professional wrestling)|Evolve]] – a U.S. independent promotion that WWE used as a scouting group for potential signees for the NXT brand.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.411mania.com/wrestling/wwewwn-live-partnership-boosing-evolve-seminar-numbers-more |date=January 12, 2016 |first1=Jeremy |last1=Thomas |website=411Mania |title= WWE/WWN Live Partnership Boosing EVOLVE Seminar Numbers, More|access-date=March 15, 2017|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170131192439/http://411mania.com/wrestling/wwewwn-live-partnership-boosing-evolve-seminar-numbers-more/|archive-date=January 31, 2017}}</ref> In 2020, WWE would purchase Evolve for an undisclosed amount.<ref>{{cite web|url= https://www.f4wonline.com/wwe-news/wwe-buys-evolve-additional-library-content-314631 |title= WWE buys EVOLVE, additional library content |work=f4wonline.com|date= July 2, 2020 }}</ref>

In 2016, WWE partnered with England's [[Progress Wrestling]] with Progress hosting qualifying matches for WWE's [[Cruiserweight Classic]].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.wwe.com/shows/cruiserweightclassic/gallery/cruiserweight-classic-progress-qualifying-photos|title=Cruiserweight Classic qualifying matches at Progress Wrestling: photos|work=WWE.com|access-date=March 26, 2017|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170327082539/http://www.wwe.com/shows/cruiserweightclassic/gallery/cruiserweight-classic-progress-qualifying-photos|archive-date=March 27, 2017}}</ref> In 2017, Progress talent would participate in the [[United Kingdom Championship Tournament (2017)|WWE United Kingdom Championship Tournament]]<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.f4wonline.com/wwe-news/what-you-need-know-about-wwes-uk-tournament-226551|title=What You Need to Know About WWE'S UK Tournament|work=Wrestling Observer Newsletter|author=Alan Boon|date=December 15, 2016|access-date=March 26, 2017|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170327165623/http://www.f4wonline.com/wwe-news/what-you-need-know-about-wwes-uk-tournament-226551|archive-date=March 27, 2017}}</ref> and at WWE's [[WrestleMania Axxess]] events.<ref name="ManiaAxxess">{{cite web|url=http://www.wwe.com/shows/wrestlemania/33/article/wrestlemania-axxess-live-match-schedule|title=WrestleMania Axxess matches to feature Superstars from NXT, 205 Live, the U.K. Championship Tournament, Progress and Insane Championship Wrestling|work=WWE.com|access-date=March 26, 2017|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170327082819/http://www.wwe.com/shows/wrestlemania/33/article/wrestlemania-axxess-live-match-schedule|archive-date=March 27, 2017}}</ref> Three years later in 2020, Progress programming began airing on the WWE Network. Their partnership ended in January 2023 as both companies pursued different digital media strategies.<ref name=":1">{{Cite web |title=PROGRESS Wrestling Ends Relationship With WWE Network, Set For US Return {{!}} Fightful News |url=https://www.fightful.com/wrestling/progress-wrestling-ends-relationship-wwe-network-set-us-return |access-date=June 4, 2025 |website=www.fightful.com |date=January 18, 2023 |language=en}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=Wolstanholme |first=Danny |date=January 23, 2023 |title=PROGRESS Co-Owner Remarks On End Of WWE Partnership |url=https://www.wrestlinginc.com/1175651/progress-co-owner-remarks-on-end-of-wwe-partnership/ |access-date=June 4, 2025 |website=Wrestling Inc. |language=en-US}}</ref> Progress has since focused on its own streaming platform, DEMAND PROGRESS, and other distribution options.<ref name=":1" />

In 2017, WWE partnered with Scotland's [[Insane Championship Wrestling]] (ICW) with some ICW talent appearing in the WWE United Kingdom Championship Tournament and at WWE's WrestleMania Axxess events.<ref name="ManiaAxxess" /> In 2017, WWE explored a deal to bring ICW programming onto the WWE Network<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.uproxx.com/prowrestling/wwe-network-icw-indie-promotion-added|title=A Much-Beloved U.K. Indie Wrestling Promotion May Head To WWE Network|date=January 17, 2017|access-date=March 15, 2017|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170131184556/http://uproxx.com/prowrestling/wwe-network-icw-indie-promotion-added/|archive-date=January 31, 2017}}</ref> – ICW programming began airing on the WWE Network in 2020. This partnership ended in January 2023 as both companies pursued different digital media strategies.<ref>{{Cite web |date=January 18, 2023 |title=PROGRESS, ICW confirm end of partnership with WWE Network |url=https://www.f4wonline.com/news/wwe/progress-icw-confirm-end-of-partnership-with-wwe-network/ |access-date=June 4, 2025 |website=F4W/WON |language=en-GB}}</ref>

In 2018, WWE partnered with Germany's [[Westside Xtreme Wrestling]] (wXw).<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.fightful.com/wrestling/fight-size-update-wwe-wxw-relationship-jazz-next-title-defense-progress-title-match-set-more|title=Wrestling News, NWA Women's Title Bout, PROGRESS Title Bout, WWE-WXW Relationship, WWE News – Fightful Wrestling|website=www.fightful.com|date=October 2018 }}</ref> In October 2018, WWE hosted German tryouts at the wXw Wrestling Academy.<ref>{{cite web|title=WWE coach Robbie Brookside leads workout at Germany's wXw Wrestling Academy|url=https://www.wwe.com/shows/wwenxt/article/robbie-brookside-wxw-wrestling-academy-essen-germany|access-date=February 6, 2022|website=WWE|language=en}}</ref> In 2020, wXw programming began airing on the WWE Network. Their partnership ended in May 2024 when their deal expired.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Boone |first=Matt |date=May 31, 2024 |title=wXw Promotion Out Of Germany No Longer Featured On WWE Network |url=https://wrestlingheadlines.com/wxw-promotion-out-of-germany-no-longer-featured-on-wwe-network/ |access-date=June 4, 2025 |website=Wrestling Headlines |language=en-US}}</ref>

In February 2023, WWE (specifically their NXT brand) launched a partnership with the [[Texas]]-based independent promotion [[Reality of Wrestling]] (ROW), which is owned by [[WWE Hall of Fame]]r and NXT commentator [[Booker T (wrestler)|Booker T]].<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://411mania.com/wrestling/booker-ts-reality-of-wrestling-announces-partnership-with-wwe-nxt/|title=411MANIA|website=Booker T's Reality of Wrestling Announces Partnership With WWE NXT}}</ref>

In December 2023, WWE launched a partnership with [[All Japan Pro Wrestling]] (AJPW).<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.fightful.com/wrestling/wwe-nxt-talent-face-ajpw-triple-crown-heavyweight-champion-2024|title=WWE NXT Talent To Face Off With AJPW Triple Crown Heavyweight Champion In 2024|author=Brennan, Corey|date=December 23, 2023|accessdate=December 23, 2023}}</ref><ref>{{cite tweet|author=Sean Ross Sapp|user=SeanRossSapp|date=December 23, 2023|number=1738590308860871083|title=AJPW is going to be working with NXT, per a new video from AJPW. Things are going wild in Japan right now!|access-date=December 23, 2023}}</ref> In early 2024, WWE expanded their partnership with AJPW, with NXT wrestler [[Charlie Dempsey (wrestler)|Charlie Dempsey]] going to Japan to challenge for AJPW's [[AJPW Triple Crown Championship|Triple Crown Heavyweight Championship]] which marked the first match under the new collaboration.<ref>{{cite web |last1=Lee |first1=Joseph |title=More Details On WWE-AJPW Relationship, WWE More Open To Working With Other Companies |url=https://411mania.com/wrestling/more-details-wwe-ajpw-relationship/ |website=411 Mania |access-date=January 8, 2024}}</ref> The partnership ended in late 2024 due to an exclusive deal between CyberAgent and WWE, which affected AJPW's ability to work with WWE.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Mukherjee |first=Subhojeet |date=December 31, 2024 |title=AJPW President Reveals Why Partnership with WWE Ended |url=https://www.ringsidenews.com/2024/12/31/ajpw-president-reveals-why-partnership-with-wwe-ended/ |access-date=June 4, 2025 |website=Ringside News |language=en-US}}</ref>

Throughout 2024, WWE launched partnerships with [[Dream Star Fighting Marigold]] (Marigold),<ref>{{cite web|title=Working Agreement Between WWE & Marigold Will See Years of Promotional Crossover|url=https://www.msn.com/en-us/entertainment/news/working-agreement-between-wwe-marigold-will-see-years-of-promotional-crossover/ar-AA1njU3o|author=Lowson, Thomas|website=[[MSN]] |accessdate=June 15, 2024}}</ref> [[Pro Wrestling Noah]] (NOAH), and [[Game Changer Wrestling]] (GCW).

In October 2024, WWE launched the [[WWE ID|WWE ID system]] to develop and support the training of independent wrestlers,<ref>{{Cite web |last=Aguilar |first=Matthew |date=October 30, 2024 |title=WWE Reveals Details and First Independent Schools for WWE ID |url=https://comicbook.com/wwe/news/wwe-reveals-details-and-first-independent-schools-for-wwe-id/ |access-date=October 30, 2024 |website=ComicBook.com |language=en-US}}</ref> with the first WWE ID partner wrestling schools and promotions being Black and Brave Academy, Nightmare Factory, Elite Pro Wrestling Training Center, and KnokX Pro Academy, among others.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Murray |first=Andy H. |date=October 29, 2024 |title=WWE Launches New Indie Developmental Program, 'WWE ID' |url=https://whatculture.com/wwe/wwe-launches-new-indie-developmental-program-wwe-id |access-date=October 30, 2024 |website=WhatCulture.com |language=en}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |date=October 29, 2024 |title=What is WWE ID aka WWE Independent Development? All you need to know about the new program in the Triple H era |url=https://www.sportskeeda.com/wwe/what-wwe-id-aka-wwe-independent-development-all-need-know-new-program-triple-h-era }}</ref>

In January 2025, WWE announced a multi-year partnership with [[Total Nonstop Action Wrestling]] (TNA) that allows TNA wrestlers and [[NXT (WWE brand)|NXT]] wrestlers to appear on NXT events, ''[[TNA Impact!]]'', and select [[List of WWE pay-per-view and livestreaming supercards|WWE]] and [[List of TNA pay-per-view and livestreaming events|TNA Premium Live Events]].<ref>{{Cite web |title=WWE & TNA Wrestling announce multi-year partnership |url=https://www.wwe.com/article/wwe-tna-wrestling-announce-multi-year-partnership |access-date=January 18, 2025 |website=WWE |language=en}}</ref><ref>{{cite magazine|title=Backstage Details on WWE Partnership with TNA Wrestling Amid Jordynne Grace Surprises|url=https://www.si.com/fannation/mma/news/backstage-details-wwe-partnership-tna-wrestling-jordynne-grace-surprises|author=Quiles Jr., Fernando|magazine=[[Sports Illustrated]]|date=May 30, 2024|accessdate=June 15, 2024}}</ref>

Throughout the company's history, WWE has had past arrangements with independent companies from the [[contiguous United States]] (such as [[Ohio Valley Wrestling]]) and [[Puerto Rico]] (such as the [[International Wrestling Association (Puerto Rico)|International Wrestling Association]]) with the companies serving as [[Developmental territory|developmental territories]].<ref>{{cite web|url=https://ringthedamnbell.wordpress.com/2015/04/27/great-ideas-that-didnt-last-the-wwes-developmental-territory-system/|title=Great Ideas That Didn't Last: The WWE's Developmental Territory System|date=April 27, 2015|access-date=March 15, 2017|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170202072142/https://ringthedamnbell.wordpress.com/2015/04/27/great-ideas-that-didnt-last-the-wwes-developmental-territory-system/|archive-date=February 2, 2017}}</ref>

==Drug testing and wellness program==
The World Wrestling Federation had a drug-testing policy in place as early as 1987, initially run by an in-house administrator. In 1991, wrestlers were subjected to independent testing for [[anabolic steroid]]s for the first time.<ref>{{cite news|date=July 14, 1991|title=McMahon says he'll clean up steroids in WWF|newspaper=The Baltimore Sun|url=https://www.baltimoresun.com/1991/07/17/mcmahon-says-hell-clean-up-steroids-in-wwf/|url-status=live|access-date=May 30, 2014|archive-url=http://archive.wikiwix.com/cache/20140531115416/http://articles.baltimoresun.com/1991-07-17/sports/1991198183_1_steroid-testing-mcmahon-wwf|archive-date=May 31, 2014}}</ref> The independent testing ceased in 1996, being deemed too expensive as the company was going through financial duress at the time as a result of their competitors, [[World Championship Wrestling]], being so overwhelmingly more popular and hurting the federation's business.<ref>{{cite web|date=April 14, 2009|title=WWE's Vince McMahon is still a tough target on drug-testing|url=https://www.espn.com/espn/e60/columns/story?id=4055522|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131027201330/http://sports.espn.go.com/espn/e60/columns/story?id=4055522|archive-date=October 27, 2013|access-date=May 30, 2014|work=ESPN}}</ref>

The Talent Wellness Program is a comprehensive drug, alcohol, and cardiac screening program initiated in February 2006, three months after the [[sudden death of athletes|sudden death]] of one of their highest-profile and most popular talents, [[Eddie Guerrero]], who died at 38-years-old.<ref name="wwepolicy">{{cite web|date=February 27, 2007|title=WWE Talent Wellness Program|url=http://corporate.wwe.com/documents/TalentWellnessProgramOutline2-27-06CORPweb.pdf|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20071025021149/http://corporate.wwe.com/documents/TalentWellnessProgramOutline2-27-06CORPweb.pdf|archive-date=October 25, 2007|access-date=October 11, 2007|publisher=Corporate WWE Web Site}}</ref> The policy tests for [[recreational drug use]] and abuse of prescription medication, including anabolic steroids.<ref name="wwepolicy" /> Under the guidelines of the policy, talent is also tested annually for pre-existing or developing cardiac issues. The drug testing is handled by Aegis Sciences Corporation; the cardiac evaluations are handled by New York Cardiology Associates P.C.<ref name="wwepolicy" /> The Wellness Policy requires that all talent "under contract to WWE who regularly perform in-ring services as a professional sports entertainer" undergo testing; however, part-time competitors are exempt from testing.<ref>{{cite web|title=Brock Lesnar won't be punished by WWE; not subject to wellness policy|url=http://www.f4wonline.com/wwe-news/brock-lesnar-wont-be-punished-wwe-not-subject-wellness-policy-217356|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160728150957/http://www.f4wonline.com/wwe-news/brock-lesnar-wont-be-punished-wwe-not-subject-wellness-policy-217356|archive-date=July 28, 2016|access-date=July 26, 2016|work=[[Wrestling Observer Newsletter]]|date=July 26, 2016}}</ref>

After the [[Chris Benoit double-murder and suicide|double-murder and suicide]] committed by one of its performers, [[Chris Benoit]], with a possible link to steroid abuse encouraged by WWE, the [[United States House Committee on Oversight and Government Reform]] requested that WWE turn over any material regarding its talent wellness policy.<ref name="steroid">{{cite web|title=Congress wants WWE's info on steroids, doping|url=http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/20002071/|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20071117012701/http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/20002071/|archive-date=November 17, 2007|access-date=July 29, 2007}}</ref>

In August 2007, WWE and its contracted performers defended the program in the wake of several busts of illegal pharmacy that linked WWE performers to steroid purchases even after the policy was put into place. Ten professional wrestlers were suspended for violating the Wellness Policy after reports emerged they were all customers of Signature Pharmacy in [[Orlando, Florida]]. According to a statement attributed to WWE attorney Jerry McDevitt, an eleventh wrestler was later added to the suspension list.<ref>{{cite magazine|date=August 30, 2007|title=Fourteen wrestlers tied to pipeline|magazine=Sports Illustrated|url=http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/2007/more/08/30/wrestlers/|url-status=dead|access-date=October 11, 2007|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110628221742/http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/2007/more/08/30/wrestlers/|archive-date=June 28, 2011}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|last=Farhi|first=Paul|date=September 1, 2007|title=Pro Wrestling Suspends 10 Linked to Steroid Ring|newspaper=[[The Washington Post|Washington Post]]|url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2007/08/31/AR2007083101961.html|url-status=live|access-date=October 11, 2007|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080517140854/http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2007/08/31/AR2007083101961.html|archive-date=May 17, 2008}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|date=September 1, 2007|title=WWE Suspends Yet Another Wrestler|url=http://www.headlineplanet.com/base/articles/1188623664.html|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20071107162727/http://www.headlineplanet.com/base/articles/1188623664.html|archive-date=November 7, 2007|work=Headline Planet}}</ref>

On September 13, 2010, WWE updated their list of banned substances to include [[Muscle relaxant|muscle relaxers]].<ref>{{cite web|date=September 17, 2010|title=WWE News: WWE officially updates Wellness Policy to ban the "non-medical use" of muscle relaxant Soma|url=http://pwtorch.com/artman2/publish/WWE_News_3/article_43853.shtml|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100921002427/http://pwtorch.com/artman2/publish/WWE_News_3/article_43853.shtml|archive-date=September 21, 2010|access-date=September 18, 2010|work=Pro Wrestling Torch}}</ref>

==Legal disputes and controversies==
===1990s drug scandal===
{{main|United States v. McMahon}}
During the 1980s and 1990s, George Zahorian was thought to have routinely distributed steroids and other drugs to WWF wrestlers, supposedly with the approval of WWF owner Vince McMahon.<ref name="SESCOOPS">{{cite web|url=http://www.sescoops.com/sex-drugs-steroids-in-wwe-cena-mysterio-grant-wishes/|title=Details On Sex & Drug Scandals In WWE|work=SEScoops |date=December 27, 2009|publisher=SEScoops.com|access-date=July 17, 2017|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180120124601/http://www.sescoops.com/sex-drugs-steroids-in-wwe-cena-mysterio-grant-wishes/|archive-date=January 20, 2018}}</ref>{{unreliable source?|date=February 2019}} In 1993, McMahon was indicted in federal court after the steroid controversy engulfed the promotion, forcing him to temporarily cede control of the WWF to his wife Linda.<ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.nytimes.com/1993/11/19/sports/wwf-s-mcmahon-indicted.html |title=W.W.F.'s McMahon Indicted |work=[[The New York Times]] |date=November 19, 1993 |access-date=October 17, 2009 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20101002082943/http://www.nytimes.com/1993/11/19/sports/wwf-s-mcmahon-indicted.html |archive-date=October 2, 2010 }}</ref> The case went to trial in 1994, where McMahon himself was accused of distributing steroids to his wrestlers.<ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.nytimes.com/1994/04/28/nyregion/wrestling-promoter-fights-steroid-charges.html |title=Wrestling Promoter Fights Steroid Charges |work=The New York Times |date=April 28, 1994 |access-date=October 17, 2009 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141107133220/http://www.nytimes.com/1994/04/28/nyregion/wrestling-promoter-fights-steroid-charges.html |archive-date=November 7, 2014}}</ref> One notable prosecution witness was [[Kevin Wacholz|Nailz]] (real name: Kevin Wacholz), a former WWF performer who had been fired after a violent confrontation with McMahon. Nailz testified that McMahon had ordered him to use steroids, but his credibility was called into question during his testimony as he repeatedly stated that he "hated" McMahon.<ref>{{cite news | url=https://www.nytimes.com/1994/07/12/nyregion/nailz-the-wrestler-testifies-he-was-told-to-use-steroids.html?pagewanted=1 | title=Nailz the Wrestler Testifies He Was Told to Use Steroids | newspaper=The New York Times | date=July 12, 1994 | url-status=live | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160409144620/http://www.nytimes.com/1994/07/12/nyregion/nailz-the-wrestler-testifies-he-was-told-to-use-steroids.html?pagewanted=1 | archive-date=April 9, 2016 | df=mdy-all }}</ref><ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.wrestleview.com/faq/?article=nailz|title=NAILZ|work=Wrestleview|access-date=November 20, 2012|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141107060111/http://www.wrestleview.com/faq/?article=nailz|archive-date=November 7, 2014}}</ref> The jury would later acquit McMahon of the charges and he resumed his role in the day-to day operations of the WWF.<ref>{{cite news |title=Wrestling Promoter McMahon Acquitted of Steroid Charges |url=https://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-1994-07-23-sp-18991-story.html |work=Los Angeles Times |agency=Associated Press |date=July 23, 1994}}</ref>

===1990s ring boy scandal===
{{Main|Ring boy scandal}}
During the early 1990s, Mel Phillips, WWF's ring announcer and ring crew head, was accused of molesting multiple "ring boys", under-aged children that worked as part of the WWF ring crew.<ref name=BIallegations>{{cite web |url=https://www.businessinsider.in/politics/world/news/wwe-cofounder-linda-mcmahon-who-runs-trumps-biggest-super-pac-once-hired-a-suspected-child-molester-on-the-condition-that-he-stop-chasing-after-kids-he-didnt-/articleshow/78938854.cms |title=WWE cofounder Linda McMahon, who runs Trump's biggest super PAC, once hired a suspected child molester on the condition that he 'stop chasing after kids.' He didn't. |work=[[Business Insider]] |date=October 29, 2020 |accessdate=February 25, 2024 |author=Bixenspan, David |archive-date=February 25, 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240225224507/https://www.businessinsider.in/politics/world/news/wwe-cofounder-linda-mcmahon-who-runs-trumps-biggest-super-pac-once-hired-a-suspected-child-molester-on-the-condition-that-he-stop-chasing-after-kids-he-didnt-/articleshow/78938854.cms |url-status=dead }}</ref> In 1992, Phillips was fired from the WWF.<ref name=BIallegations /> Phillips had previously been temporarily dismissed from the WWF in 1988 for sexual misconduct, but was brought back that same year.<ref name=BIallegations />

On October 29, 2020, it was reported by ''[[Business Insider]]'' that Vince McMahon and his wife [[Linda McMahon|Linda]] were aware of the allegations against Phillips but willfully [[Turning a blind eye|turned a blind eye]] to them. According to [[Freedom of Information Act (United States)|Freedom of Information Act]] requests for court records regarding the ring boy scandal, Vince, under oath, stated that he was aware that Phillips had taken a "peculiar and unnatural interest in children" but refused to take action against him.<ref name=BIallegations /> Further testimony revealed that Vince, after bringing Phillips back to the WWF in 1988, had made Phillips promise to "stop chasing after kids".<ref name=BIallegations /> It was also reported by ''Business Insider'' that, under Vince and Linda McMahon's directive, the WWF began a campaign to discredit Tom Cole, one of the children who had accused Phillips of sexual misconduct, and Cole's family.<ref name=BIallegations /> In response to the ''Business Insider'' report, Jerry McDevitt, WWE's attorney, stated that the accusations against Phillips were related to his unusual "foot fetish" but did not include "anything approximating conventional forms of sexual abuse such as rape, sodomy, etc."<ref name=BIallegations /> He additionally described the claims that the McMahons knew about the accusations against Phillips but refused to take action and continued to employ him under the condition that he "stop chasing after kids" as "outlandish" and "classic libel".<ref name=BIallegations />

Tom Cole died in February 2021.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://prowrestling.net/site/2021/02/13/tom-cole-dead-at-age-50-key-accuser-in-the-wwe-wwf-ring-boy-scandal/ |title=Tom Cole dead at age 50, key accuser in the WWE/WWF Ring Boy scandal |work=Pro Wrestling Dot Net |author=Powell, Jason |date=February 13, 2021 |accessdate=February 25, 2024}}</ref>

===Disputes with rival companies===
In 1996, Titan Sports, the parent company of the World Wrestling Federation, sued World Championship Wrestling (WCW) over WCW implying that Scott Hall and Kevin Nash (Razor Ramon and Diesel) were invading WCW on the WWF's behalf. This led to a series of lawsuits filed by both companies as the Monday Night War heated up. The lawsuit went on for years, ending with a settlement in 2000. One of the terms gave then WWF the right to bid on WCW's assets if the company were liquidated. AOL Time Warner, the then-parent company of WCW, canceled WCW's television shows in March 2001 and sold the company assets to the WWF.<ref>{{cite web|url= http://bleacherreport.com/articles/883214-wwe-the-5-most-interesting-excerpts-from-wwe-related-lawsuit-filings-case-law|title= WWE: The 5 Most Interesting Excerpts from WWE-Related Lawsuit Filings & Case Law|website= Bleacher Report|access-date= July 19, 2017|date= October 7, 2011|url-status=live|archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20170731155611/http://bleacherreport.com/articles/883214-wwe-the-5-most-interesting-excerpts-from-wwe-related-lawsuit-filings-case-law|archive-date= July 31, 2017|df= mdy-all}}</ref>{{unreliable source?|date=February 2019}}

On May 23, 2012, [[Impact Wrestling|Total Nonstop Action Wrestling]] (TNA) sued former employee Brian Wittenstein and WWE. [[TNA Entertainment, LLC v. Wittenstein|The suit]] alleged that Wittenstein violated a non-disclosure agreement and shared confidential information with the WWE which represented a comparative advantage in negotiating with wrestling talent under contract with TNA. He was subsequently hired by WWE, after which TNA asserted that Wittenstein violated the agreement by downloading confidential TNA trade secrets and providing that information to WWE. Although WWE fired Wittenstein and alerted TNA officials as to the disclosure of the information, TNA claimed that WWE had access to the information for three weeks prior to disclosure and in this time, the WWE used [[Trade secret|secret contract information]] and attempted to poach their talent in violation of Tennessee's [[Uniform Trade Secrets Act]].<ref name="Burr&Forman">{{cite web|url=http://www.noncompetetradesecretslaw.com/tag/tna-entertainment-llc/|title=TNA Entertainment LLC – Noncompete Trade Secrets Law|publisher=Burr & Forman Blog|access-date=July 10, 2012|author=John Paul Nefflen|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150915081303/http://www.noncompetetradesecretslaw.com/tag/tna-entertainment-llc/|archive-date=September 15, 2015}}</ref> The lawsuit was formally withdrawn without prejudice, by the plaintiff, TNA, on January 15, 2013, under a "Notice of Voluntary Nonsuit" which offers no ruling on the merits of the suit and allows TNA to potentially refile at a later date.<ref>{{cite web|last=Caldwell|first=James|title=TNA drops lawsuit vs. WWE this week|url=http://pwtorch.com/artman2/publish/WWE_News_3/article_67952.shtml|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130222143547/http://pwtorch.com/artman2/publish/WWE_News_3/article_67952.shtml|archive-date=February 22, 2013}}</ref>

On January 11, 2022, [[Major League Wrestling]] (MLW) filed an [[anti-trust]] lawsuit against WWE, accusing them of interfering in television and streaming deals and poaching talent. Through the lawsuit, it was disclosed that a streaming deal with [[Fox Corporation]]-owned [[Tubi]] was terminated due to WWE allegedly threatening to pull their programming from the sibling [[Fox Broadcasting Company|Fox]] broadcast network. The suit also alleges that WWE pressured Vice TV to withdraw from negotiations with MLW.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.wrestlinginc.com/news/2022/01/mlw-files-federal-anti-trust-lawsuit-against-wwe/|title=MLW Files Lawsuit Against WWE, Alleges WWE Nixed Streaming Deal|date=January 11, 2022|publisher=Wrestling Inc}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.wrestlinginc.com/news/2022/01/mlw-lawsuit-against-wwe-details-allegations-of-poaching-talent-tubi-interference-fite-tv-and-vice/|title=MLW Lawsuit Against WWE Details: Allegations Of Poaching Talent, Tubi Interference, FITE TV And VICE|date=January 12, 2022|publisher=Wrestling Inc}}</ref>

===Owen Hart's death===
On May 23, 1999, [[Owen Hart]] fell to his death in [[Kansas City, Missouri]], during the [[Over the Edge (1999)|Over the Edge]] pay-per-view event in a stunt that went wrong. WWF broke [[kayfabe]] by having television commentator [[Jim Ross]] repeatedly tell those watching live on pay-per-view that what had just transpired was not a wrestling angle or storyline and that Hart was hurt badly, emphasizing the seriousness of the situation.<ref name="Tragedy">{{cite web|url=http://www.wrestlinggonewrong.com/video/owen_hart_tragedy.html |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20071005052506/http://www.wrestlinggonewrong.com/video/owen_hart_tragedy.html |url-status=dead |archive-date=October 5, 2007 |access-date=January 5, 2008 |title=Owen Hart Tragedy |publisher=Wrestling Gone Wrong }}</ref> While several attempts to revive him were made, he died from his injuries. The cause of death was later revealed to be [[internal bleeding]] from [[blunt force trauma]]. The WWF management controversially chose to continue the event.<ref name="SLAM">{{cite web|url=http://slam.canoe.ca/OwenHart/may24_overtheedge.html|access-date=January 5, 2008|title=Hart tragedy overshadows Taker's win|last=Powell|first=John|publisher=SLAM! Sports|url-status=usurped|archive-url=https://archive.today/20120530091422/http://slam.canoe.ca/OwenHart/may24_overtheedge.html|archive-date=May 30, 2012}}</ref> Later, Jim Ross revealed Hart's death to the home viewers during the pay-per-view, but not to the crowd in the arena.<ref name="OWoWr">{{cite web|url=http://www.onlineworldofwrestling.com/results/wweppv/overtheedge99.html|access-date=January 5, 2008|title=Over the Edge 1999 results|publisher=Online World of Wrestling|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080120002030/http://www.onlineworldofwrestling.com/results/wweppv/overtheedge99.html|archive-date=January 20, 2008}}</ref> While the show did go on, it has never been released commercially by [[WWE Home Video|WWF Home Video]]. In 2014, fifteen years after his death, the [[WWE Network]] aired the event for the first time. A small photo tribute is shown before the start informing fans that Hart died during the original broadcast. All footage of Hart was edited out of the event. The statement reads: "In Memory of Owen Hart May 7, 1965 – May 23, 1999 who accidentally passed away during this broadcast."<ref>{{Cite web |last=Fan |first=Ryan |date=March 10, 2021 |title=The Wrestler Who Died From a Stunt Gone Wrong |url=https://medium.com/crimebeat/the-wrestler-who-died-from-a-stunt-gone-wrong-90f3b92efc3b |access-date=March 22, 2024 |website=CrimeBeat |language=en}}</ref> Four weeks after the event, the Hart family sued the WWF over how dangerous and poorly planned the stunt was, and over the harness system being defective.<ref name="court">{{cite web|url=http://www.robbrobb.com/NewsPressDetail.aspx?Id=70|access-date=January 20, 2008|title=Deal approved in WWF case|last=Margolies|first=Dan|work=The Kansas City star|publisher=Robb & Robb|date=November 11, 2000|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20081207012816/http://www.robbrobb.com/NewsPressDetail.aspx?Id=70|archive-date=December 7, 2008}}</ref> After over a year and a half into the case, a settlement was reached on November 2, 2000, which saw the WWF give the Hart family US$18 million.<ref name="court2">{{cite web|url= http://www.robbrobb.com/articles_Record-Settlement-Wrestlers-Family.htm|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070822145239/http://www.robbrobb.com/articles_Record-Settlement-Wrestlers-Family.htm|archive-date=August 22, 2007|access-date=January 20, 2008|title=Record $18M settlement for Wrestler's family|last=Skinner|first=Stephanie|publisher=Robb & Robb|date=November 27, 2000}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.ctv.ca/servlet/ArticleNews/story/CTVNews/1025827430770_21236630/|access-date=January 20, 2008|title=Owen Hart Family awarded $18 million US|publisher=CTV|date=November 8, 2000|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20081207053150/http://www.ctv.ca/servlet/ArticleNews/story/CTVNews/1025827430770_21236630/|archive-date=December 7, 2008}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://corporate.wwe.com/news/2000/2000_11_02.jsp|access-date=January 20, 2008|title=WWE Entertainment, Inc. Announces Settlement in Owen Hart Case|publisher=WWE Corporate|date=November 2, 2000|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120904132236/http://corporate.wwe.com/news/2000/2000_11_02.jsp|archive-date=September 4, 2012}}</ref>

===Dispute with USA Network===
In April 2000, [[IAC Inc.|USA Networks, Inc.]], the parent company of [[USA Network]], had filed a lawsuit against World Wrestling Federation Entertainment Inc. in a bid to keep ''[[WWE Raw|Raw is War]]'' and all WWF programming after the WWF opened up a bidding war a month prior.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-2000-apr-13-fi-19052-story.html|title=USA Networks Files Lawsuit in Fight to Keep Wrestling Rights|first=Sallie |last=Hofmeister |date=April 13, 2000|via=Los Angeles Times |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230814170455/https://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-2000-apr-13-fi-19052-story.html |archive-date= August 14, 2023 }}</ref> [[Viacom (original)|Viacom]]'s proposed bid included a $30-million to $50-million equity investment in the company and carriage on broadcast, billboards and radio of both wrestling matches along with the then-launched [[XFL (2001)|XFL]].

On June 27, 2000, the [[Delaware Supreme Court]] ruled in favor of the WWF.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.courtlistener.com/opinion/2155881/usa-cable-v-world-wrestling-federation/ |title=USA Cable v. World Wrestling Federation |id=766 A.2d 462 |via=CourtListener}}</ref> The next day, Viacom won the rights to all WWF programming for $12.6 million including ''Raw is War'' on [[Paramount Network|TNN/Spike TV]], a revamped ''[[WWE Heat|Sunday Night Heat]]'' on [[MTV]] and retained ''[[WWE SmackDown|SmackDown!]]'' on [[UPN]] after the merger with [[CBS]] in 1999. The lawsuit centered on USA's contention that it did not have to match every aspect of a Viacom offer to satisfy a [[right of first refusal]] clause in its contract that allowed its deal with the WWF to continue.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2000/06/28/business/smackdown-viacom-wins-usa-s-wrestling.html |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150527144929/http://www.nytimes.com/2000/06/28/business/smackdown-viacom-wins-usa-s-wrestling.html |archive-date=May 27, 2015 |url-access=subscription |url-status=live|title=Smackdown: Viacom Wins USA's Wrestling|first=Bill|last=Carter|newspaper=The New York Times|date=June 28, 2000}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-2000-jun-28-fi-45614-story.html|title=WWF Wins Bid to Dump USA, Join Viacom|author1=Bloomberg News|author2=Staff Reports|date=June 28, 2000|via=Los Angeles Times}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.broadcastingcable.com/news/court-smacks-down-usa-88679|title=Court smacks down USA|first=John M.|last=Higgins|website=Broadcasting & Cable|date=July 3, 2000}}</ref> In 2005, WWE's programming (excluding ''SmackDown!'') moved back to USA Network (now owned by [[NBCUniversal]]) and maintains its relationship to this day.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/archive/lifestyle/2005/04/05/usa-and-wwe-a-tag-team-again/fb3f30c8-4eeb-4092-8c2d-6d02310567dd/|title=USA and WWE, a Tag Team Again|date=April 5, 2005|newspaper=The Washington Post}}</ref>

===WWF name dispute===
{{Further|WWF trademark dispute}}
In 1994, Titan Sports had entered into an agreement with the [[World Wide Fund for Nature]] (also trademarked WWF), an environmental organization, regarding Titan's use of the "WWF" acronym, which both organizations had been using since at least March 1979. Under the agreement, Titan had agreed to cease using the written acronym "WWF" in connection with its wrestling promotion, and to minimize (though not eliminate) spoken uses of "WWF" on its broadcasts, particularly in scripted comments. In exchange, the environmental group (and its national affiliates) agreed to drop any pending litigation against Titan, and agreed not to challenge Titan's use of the full "World Wrestling Federation" name or the promotion's then-current logo.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.sec.gov/Archives/edgar/data/1091907/000095013099005741/0000950130-99-005741.txt|title=Amendment No. 3 to Form S-1|author=World Wrestling Federation Entertainment Inc.|date=October 13, 1999|access-date=December 25, 2013|at=Exhibit 10.16: Agreement between WWF – World Wide Fund for Nature and Titan Sports, Inc. dated January 20, 1994|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131226073929/http://www.sec.gov/Archives/edgar/data/1091907/000095013099005741/0000950130-99-005741.txt|archive-date=December 26, 2013}}</ref>

In 2000, the World Wide Fund for Nature sued World Wrestling Federation Entertainment Inc. in the United Kingdom, alleging various violations of the 1994 agreement.<ref>{{Cite journal| author=John K. Carlisle| year=2003| title=World Wide Fund For Nature vs. World Wrestling Entertainment| journal=Foundation Watch| publisher=Capital Research Center| url=http://www.capitalresearch.org/pubs/pdf/x3773144899.pdf| access-date=December 15, 2010| url-status=dead| archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110429134400/http://www.capitalresearch.org/pubs/pdf/x3773144899.pdf| archive-date=April 29, 2011| df=mdy-all}}</ref> The [[Court of Appeal of England and Wales|Court of Appeal]] agreed that the promotion company had violated the 1994 agreement, particularly in regards to merchandising. The last televised event to market the WWF logo was the UK-based [[pay-per-view]] [[WWE Insurrextion|Insurrextion 2002]]. On May 5, 2002, the company launched its "Get The F Out" marketing campaign and changed all references on its website from "WWF" to "WWE", while switching the [[Uniform Resource Locator|URL]] from ''WWF.com'' to ''WWE.com''.<ref name="GetFOut">{{cite web| title=World Wrestling Federation Entertainment Drops The "F" To Emphasize the "E" for Entertainment| publisher=WWE| url=http://corporate.wwe.com/news/2002/2002_05_06.jsp| access-date=August 28, 2008| url-status=dead| archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090119180317/http://corporate.wwe.com/news/2002/2002_05_06.jsp| archive-date=January 19, 2009| df=mdy-all}}</ref> The next day, the official name change from World Wrestling Federation Entertainment, Inc. to World Wrestling Entertainment, Inc., was publicized in a press release and during a broadcast of ''Raw'', from the [[Hartford Civic Center]].

Following the name change, the use of the WWF "scratch" logo became prohibited on all WWE properties. Additionally, past references to the ''WWF'' trademark and initials in 'specified circumstances' became censored.<ref>{{cite news|url= http://corporate.wwe.com/news/2002/2002_05_06.jsp|title= World Wrestling Federation Entertainment Drops The "F" To Emphasize the "E" for Entertainment|publisher= WWE|access-date= December 20, 2008|date= May 6, 2002|url-status=dead|archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20090119180317/http://corporate.wwe.com/news/2002/2002_05_06.jsp|archive-date= January 19, 2009|df= mdy-all}}</ref> Despite the litigation, WWE was still permitted use of the original WWF logo, which was used from 1979 through 1994 and had been explicitly exempted under the 1994 agreement, as well as the similar "New WWF Generation" logo, which was used from 1994 through 1998. Furthermore, the company could still make use of the full "World Wrestling Federation" and "World Wrestling Federation Entertainment" names without consequence. In 2003, WWE won a limited decision to continue marketing certain classic video games from [[THQ]] and [[Jakks Pacific]] that contained the WWF "scratch" logo.<ref>{{cite web| url=http://corporate.wwe.com/news/2003/2003_04_17.jsp| title=English Court Repudiates World Wide Fund for Nature; Ends Legal Block To Sale of THQ/Jakks WWE Videogames| publisher=WWE Corporate | date=April 17, 2003| access-date=June 9, 2012| url-status=dead| archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120503190915/http://corporate.wwe.com/news/2003/2003_04_17.jsp| archive-date=May 3, 2012| df=mdy-all}}</ref> However, the packaging on those games had all WWF references replaced with WWE.

Starting with the [[WWE Raw 1000|1,000th episode of ''Raw'']] in July 2012, the WWF "scratch" logo is no longer censored in archival footage due to WWE reaching a new settlement with the World Wide Fund for Nature.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.wrestlingnewssource.com/news/25935/WWE-Reaches-Settlement-With-World-Wildlife-Fund/ |first1=Kenny |last1=Williams |title=WWE Reaches Settlement With World Wildlife Fund |publisher=Wrestlingnewssource.com |date=August 8, 2012 |access-date=August 10, 2013 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131004215607/http://www.wrestlingnewssource.com/news/25935/WWE-Reaches-Settlement-With-World-Wildlife-Fund/ |archive-date=October 4, 2013}}</ref> In addition, the F in WWF initials are no longer censored when spoken or when written in plain text in archival footage. Since then, full-length matches and other segments featuring the WWF initials and "scratch" logo have been added to the WWE website and the [[WWE Classics on Demand]] and eventually the [[WWE Network]] service. This also includes [[WWE Home Video]] releases since October 2012, starting with the re-release of ''Brock Lesnar: Here Comes The Pain''.<ref>{{cite web| url=http://www.wwedvdnews.com/will-wwf-scratch-logo-appear-future-wwe-dvds/28264/| title=Exclusive: Will the WWF "Scratch Logo" Appear on Future WWE DVDs? | publisher=Wrestling DVD News |first1=Daniel |last1=Bee | date=October 10, 2012| access-date=August 10, 2013| url-status=live| archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130317184837/http://www.wwedvdnews.com/will-wwf-scratch-logo-appear-future-wwe-dvds/28264/| archive-date=March 17, 2013| df=mdy-all}}</ref> Although the WWF initials and logo are no longer censored in archival footage, WWE cannot use the WWF initials or logo in any new, original footage, packaging, or advertising.<ref>{{cite web| url=http://www.pwinsider.com/ViewArticle.php?id=71245&p=1 |first1= Mike |last1=Johnson | title=Update On The WWE Scratch Logo Situation| publisher=PWInsider.com| date=August 19, 2012| access-date=August 10, 2013| url-status=live| archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140512220457/http://www.pwinsider.com/ViewArticle.php?id=71245&p=1| archive-date=May 12, 2014| df=mdy-all}}</ref>

===Harry Slash and the Slashtones lawsuit===
[[Harry Slash & The Slashtones|Harry "Slash" Grivas]] and Roderick Kohn filed a lawsuit against WWE in June 2003 due to the music being used for its programming and DVDs without consent or payment. It also asserted a violation of the rights to original music used by ECW that WWE had been using during [[The Invasion (professional wrestling)|the Invasion storyline of 2001]]. The case was resolved on both sides with a settlement that saw WWE purchase the catalog outright in January 2005.<ref>{{cite web| url=http://rajah.com/node/2273| title= World Wrestling Entertainment Purchases Another ECW Asset |first1=Niel |last1=Stephens | publisher=Rajah.com| date=February 1, 2005| access-date=August 18, 2014| url-status=live| archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140819090214/http://rajah.com/node/2273| archive-date=August 19, 2014| df=mdy-all}}</ref>

===Ultimate Warrior-related disputes===
In 1993, [[Jim Hellwig]], known in the WWF as "The Ultimate Warrior", legally changed his name to the [[mononymous person|mononym]] Warrior.<ref>{{cite book|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=KUsJAwAAQBAJ&q=ultimate+warrior+changed+name&pg=PA305 |title=Historical Dictionary of Wrestling – John Grasso – Google Books |date= March 6, 2014|access-date=April 11, 2014|isbn=9780810879263 |last1=Grasso |first1=John |publisher=Scarecrow Press }}</ref><ref>{{cite book|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=ufOINU177dEC&q=ultimate+warrior+changed+name&pg=PA148 |title=The Death of Wcw – R. D. Reynolds – Google Books |access-date=April 11, 2014|isbn=9781554902552 |last1=Reynolds |first1=R. D. |year=2004 |publisher=ECW Press }}</ref> This one-word name appears on all legal documents pertaining to Warrior, and his children carry the Warrior name as their legal surname.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://abcnews.go.com/Entertainment/ultimate-warrior-legend/story?id=23254308|title=Why the Ultimate Warrior Was Such a Legend|access-date=April 9, 2014|publisher=ABC|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140409205541/http://abcnews.go.com/Entertainment/ultimate-warrior-legend/story?id=23254308|archive-date=April 9, 2014}} "The Ultimate Warrior, born James Brian Hellwig, legally changed his name to Warrior in 1993 ... It's also the last name of his wife and children."</ref> Warrior and the WWF engaged in a series of lawsuits and legal actions in 1996 and 1998,<ref>[http://sec.edgar-online.com/1999/12/13/15/0000950130-99-007020/Section7.asp World Wrestling Entertainment Inc. – WWE Quarterly Report (10-Q) Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements (Unaudited)] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080703015917/http://sec.edgar-online.com/1999/12/13/15/0000950130-99-007020/Section7.asp |date=July 3, 2008 }}. Sec.edgar-online.com (December 13, 1999). Retrieved on January 5, 2012.</ref> where both parties sought a declaration that they owned the characters, Warrior and Ultimate Warrior, under both contract and copyright law. The court ruled that Warrior was legally entitled to use the gimmick, costuming, face paint designs, and mannerisms of the "Warrior" character.<ref name="Flynn3">{{cite web|url=http://flynnfiles.com/blog/warrior/warrior3.htm|last=Flynn|first=Daniel|title=Interview with the Ultimate Warrior – Part 3 of 4|publisher=FlynnFiles.com|access-date=May 18, 2008|date=June 28, 2004|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080419060342/http://www.flynnfiles.com/blog/warrior/warrior3.htm|archive-date=April 19, 2008}}</ref>

On September 27, 2005, WWE released a DVD documentary focusing on Warrior's retrospective wrestling career, titled ''The Self-Destruction of the Ultimate Warrior''. The DVD featured clips of his more notable feuds and matches along with commentary from WWE stars past and present (most of which are unflattering). The DVD has provoked some controversy due to Warrior's allegations of libel by WWE against him. Originally, Warrior was asked to help with the production of the DVD, but as he refused to work with WWE, there had been some resulting animosity between Warrior and WWE over the Warrior claiming bias on the part of WWE.<ref name="Sokol">{{cite web|url=http://slam.canoe.ca/Slam/Wrestling/2005/07/05/1127823.html|archive-url=https://archive.today/20130101005403/http://slam.canoe.ca/Slam/Wrestling/2005/07/05/1127823.html|url-status=usurped|archive-date=January 1, 2013|last=Sokol|first=Chris|title=Warrior speaks his mind in new shoot|publisher=[[Canadian Online Explorer]]|access-date=May 18, 2008|date=July 5, 2005}}</ref> In January 2006, Warrior filed another lawsuit against WWE in an [[Arizona]] court over the depiction of his wrestling career in ''The Self-Destruction of the Ultimate Warrior'' DVD.<ref>[http://www.wrestlemag.com/2006/01/19/wwe-ultimate-warrior-files-lawsuit-against-world-wrestling-entertainment/ WWE: Ultimate Warrior files lawsuit against World Wrestling Entertainment] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080128174017/http://www.wrestlemag.com/2006/01/19/wwe-ultimate-warrior-files-lawsuit-against-world-wrestling-entertainment/ |date=January 28, 2008 }}. Wrestlemag.com. Retrieved on January 5, 2012.</ref> On September 18, 2009, Warrior's lawsuit in Arizona was dismissed.

Warrior returned to WWE to be inducted into the [[WWE Hall of Fame|Hall of Fame]]. During his induction, he mentioned that WWE should create an award to honor those behind the scenes called the Jimmy Miranda Award, named after a long time WWE employee who died. Warrior died three days after being inducted into the WWE Hall of Fame. WWE decided to create the Warrior Award, an award for people "who embodied the spirit of the Ultimate Warrior." The award was later given to [[Connor Michalek]] (a child who died from cancer), [[Joan Lunden]] (a journalist who was diagnosed with cancer), and [[Eric LeGrand]] (a former college football player who became a quadriplegic after an in-game injury). In October 2017, WWE used the tagline "Unleash Your Warrior" when promoting [[Breast Cancer Awareness Month]]. Since Warrior's death, WWE has been accused of whitewashing and ignoring Warrior's bigoted and controversial past comments.<ref name="Vice" /> ''Pro Wrestling Torch'' described Warrior in real-life having made public "vile, bigoted, hateful, judgmental comments", citing as an example that regarding Bobby Heenan's cancer diagnosis, Warrior said, "Karma is just a beautiful thing to behold."<ref>{{cite web|last=Keller|first=Wade|title=Unleash Your Warrior under fire |url=https://www.pwtorch.com/site/2017/10/27/kellers-take-unleash-warrior-fire-vice-revisits-warriors-vile-comments-heenan-getting-cancer-karma-just-beautiful-thing/ |website=Pro Wrestling Torch|date=October 27, 2017|access-date=November 4, 2017|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171028150030/https://www.pwtorch.com/site/2017/10/27/kellers-take-unleash-warrior-fire-vice-revisits-warriors-vile-comments-heenan-getting-cancer-karma-just-beautiful-thing/|archive-date=October 28, 2017}}</ref> ''[[Vice (magazine)|Vice]]'' wrote that "completely whitewashing his past and elevating his likeness to a bland symbol of corporate altruism is shockingly tone-deaf, especially for a company that's at least outwardly trying to appear progressive, inclusive and diverse."<ref name="Vice">{{cite web|url=https://www.vice.com/en/article/wwe-is-whitewashing-the-ultimate-warriors-bigoted-past/|title=WWE is Whitewashing The Ultimate Warrior's Bigoted Past|website=Vice Sports|date=October 27, 2017 |access-date=November 4, 2017|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171108213020/https://sports.vice.com/en_us/article/59y3nb/wwe-is-whitewashing-the-ultimate-warriors-bigoted-past|archive-date=November 8, 2017}}</ref>

===Morals clause violations===
Under Section 9.13(a) of WWE's booking contract, commonly known as the "morals clause", the company has a zero-tolerance policy involving domestic violence, child abuse and sexual assault. Upon arrest and conviction for such crimes, a WWE talent shall be immediately suspended and their contract terminated.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://corporate.wwe.com/who-we-are/talent|title=Talent|website=World Wrestling Entertainment Inc. |url-status=deviated |archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20220727095215/https://corporate.wwe.com/who-we-are/talent |archive-date= July 27, 2022 }}</ref>
* On May 10, 1983, Nancy Argentino, the girlfriend of [[Jimmy Snuka]], then 39 years old, died in their hotel room, hours after Snuka defeated [[José Estrada Sr.|José Estrada]] at a WWF TV taping at the [[Lehigh County, Pennsylvania|Lehigh County]] Agricultural Hall in [[Allentown, Pennsylvania]]. Snuka was arrested 32 years later on September 1, 2015, and charged with [[third-degree murder]] and [[involuntary manslaughter]] for Argentino's death.<ref name="charged">{{cite web|url=http://www.mcall.com/news/breaking/mc-jimmy-snuka-grand-jury-announcement-20150901-story.html|title=Wrestling legend Jimmy 'Superfly' Snuka to be charged in girlfriend's 1983 death|last= Gamiz |first= Manuel Jr. |date=September 1, 2015|work=[[The Morning Call]]|access-date=September 1, 2015 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150901214649/http://www.mcall.com/news/breaking/mc-jimmy-snuka-grand-jury-announcement-20150901-story.html |archive-date= September 1, 2015 }}</ref><ref name="6ABC-charged">{{cite web|title=Former Pro Wrestling Star 'Superfly' Snuka Charged in Girlfriend's 1983 Lehigh County Death|url=http://6abc.com/news/fmr-wrestler-superfly-snuka-charged-in-girlfriends-lehigh-county-death/965659/|website=6ABC | date= September 2, 2015 |publisher=ABC Inc. ([[WPVI-TV]]) | location= Allentown, Pennsylvania |access-date= January 19, 2017}}</ref> This eventually led WWE to suspend his Legends contract (a long-term deal to make infrequent, non-wrestling appearances) and removed his Hall of Fame page from its website.<ref name="RS">{{cite magazine |url= https://www.rollingstone.com/sports/news/jimmy-snukas-contract-suspended-by-wwe-after-murder-charge-20150903|title=Jimmy Snuka's Contract 'Suspended' by WWE After Murder Charge|first= James| last= Montgomery|magazine=Rolling Stone|access-date=September 20, 2015| date= September 3, 2015}}</ref> However, Snuka never stood trial due to his poor health, and he died on January 15, 2017.<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://popculture.com/wwe/2017/01/24/wwe-jim-ross-apologizes-for-controversial-jimmy-snuka-comments/|title=WWE: Jim Ross Apologizes For Controversial Jimmy Snuka Comments|work=Pop Culture|access-date=November 9, 2018|language=en}}</ref>{{unreliable source?|date=February 2019}}
* In June 2003, [[Umaga (wrestler)|Eddie Fatu]] (then known as "Jamal" and later "Umaga") was released after his involvement in a bar fight.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://slam.canoe.ca/Slam/Wrestling/Bios/rosey.html|archive-url=https://archive.today/20120714125232/http://slam.canoe.ca/Slam/Wrestling/Bios/rosey.html|url-status=usurped|archive-date=July 14, 2012|title=Rosey bio|access-date=August 18, 2007|quote=And then, in June, Jamal was released by WWE stemming from an incident at a night club, leaving Rosey on his own.|work=Slam! Sports|publisher=[[Canadian Online Explorer]]}}</ref>
* In the aftermath of [[Chris Benoit]]'s [[Chris Benoit double-murder and suicide|murder of his wife and son, along with his suicide]] in June 2007, the WWE removed mentions of Benoit in its broadcasts and its merchandise.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://corporate.wwe.com/news/2007/2007_06_25.jsp |title=WWE Superstar Chris Benoit Found Dead |publisher=WWE Corporate |access-date=May 21, 2008 |date=June 25, 2007 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080516081401/http://corporate.wwe.com/news/2007/2007_06_25.jsp |archive-date=May 16, 2008}}</ref><ref>''[https://www.cnbc.com/2007/06/26/wwes-mcmahon-should-have-apologized.html WWE's McMahon Should Have Apologized]'';by [[Darren Rovell]]; by [[Darren Rovell]]; ''[[CNBC]]'', June 26, 2007</ref>
* On November 30, 2012, [[Thom Latimer]], then known as Kenneth Cameron, was charged with [[Battery (crime)|battery]] of a law enforcement officer and disorderly intoxication in [[St. Petersburg, Florida]] which led him being released from his NXT contract by the WWE. Latimer had previously been arrested in January 2011 for [[driving under the influence]].<ref>{{cite web|last=Johnson|first=Mike|title=WWE TALENT ARRESTED, RELEASED|url=http://www.pwinsider.com/article/73674/wwe-talent-arrested-released.html?p=1|publisher=PWInsider|access-date=December 1, 2012}}</ref>
* On December 10, 2017, [[Rich Swann]] was arrested in [[Gainesville, Florida]] on charges of battery and kidnapping/false imprisonment.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://florida.arrests.org/Arrests/Richard_Swann_34994531/|title=Richard Swann Mugshot 12/10/17 Florida Arrest|website=Arrests.org|date=December 10, 2017|access-date=December 10, 2017|archive-date=December 10, 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171210180237/https://florida.arrests.org/Arrests/Richard_Swann_34994531/|url-status=dead}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.pwinsider.com/article/114098/205-live-star-arrested.html?p=1|title=205 Live star arrested|last=Johnson|first=Mike|date=December 10, 2017|access-date=December 10, 2017|work=Pro Wrestling Insider}}</ref> The victim was identified as his wife, [[Su Yung|Vannarah Riggs]]. According to the arrest report, Swann and Riggs had gotten into an argument over Swann critiquing Riggs' performance at a show that night. When Riggs tried to get away from Swann, witnesses state that he grabbed her in a [[headlock]] and dragged her back into his car.<ref name="ArrestDetailsWON">{{cite web|url=https://www.f4wonline.com/wwe-news/rich-swann-arrested-domestic-battery-and-false-imprisonment-247726|title=Rich Swann arrested for domestic battery and false imprisonment|last=Currier|first=Joseph|date=December 10, 2017|access-date=December 10, 2017|work=[[Wrestling Observer Newsletter]]}}</ref><ref name="ArrestDetailsPWI">{{cite web|url=https://www.pwinsider.com/article/114100/more-details-on-rich-swann-arrest.html?p=1|title=More details on Rich Swann arrest|last=Johnson|first=Mike|date=December 10, 2017|access-date=December 10, 2017|work=Pro Wrestling Insider}}</ref> WWE suspended Swann indefinitely and was released on February 15, 2018.<ref>{{cite web|title=Rich Swann and WWE part ways|url=http://www.wwe.com/article/rich-swann-wwe-part-ways|work=WWE|access-date=February 15, 2018}}</ref> He was originally scheduled to face Drew Gulak in a match to determine the number one contender to the Cruiserweight Championship, [[Enzo Amore]], the following night on ''Raw'', but the match was canceled in light of his domestic violence arrest.<ref name="ArrestDetailsPWI" />
* On January 22, 2018, the [[Phoenix Police Department]] confirmed that [[Enzo Amore|Eric Arndt]] (Enzo Amore) was under investigation for an alleged sexual assault that was reported to authorities in October 2017.<ref>{{cite web|last=Satin|first=Ryan|author-link=Ryan Satin|url=http://www.prowrestlingsheet.com/enzo-amore-rape-allegations/|title=Enzo Amore Suspended Over Sexual Assault Allegations, Incident Under Investigation By Police|date=January 22, 2018|access-date=May 16, 2018|website=Pro Wrestling Sheet}}</ref><ref name="USAT firing">{{cite news|title=WWE fires Enzo Amore fired after police open sexual assault investigation|url=https://www.usatoday.com/story/sports/2018/01/23/wwe-fires-enzo-amore-fired-after-police-open-sexual-assault-investigation/1060184001/|access-date=May 16, 2018|work=[[USA Today]]|date=January 23, 2018}}</ref> Later that day, Arndt was suspended by WWE due to violating their zero tolerance policy for matters involving sexual harassment and sexual assault. WWE released a statement indicating that he would remain suspended until the matter was resolved.<ref name="WWE suspension">{{cite web|url=http://www.wwe.com/article/enzo-amore-suspended?sf179957021=1|title=Enzo Amore suspended|publisher=WWE|date=January 22, 2018|access-date=January 22, 2018}}</ref> In an interview on January 23, a woman accused Arndt of raping her in a [[Phoenix, Arizona]], hotel room on October 19, 2017.<ref>{{cite news|title=Enzo Amore Accuser Speaks Out, 'I Said 'No' Countless Times'|url=https://www.tmz.com/2018/01/23/enzo-amore-accuser-philomena-sheahan-rape-wwe/|access-date=January 25, 2018|work=[[TMZ]]|date=January 23, 2018}}</ref> As a result, his scheduled title defense against [[Cedric Alexander]] at the [[Royal Rumble (2018)|Royal Rumble]] was canceled.<ref>{{cite web|last=Powell|first=Jason|url=https://prowrestling.net/site/2018/01/22/wwe-pulls-cruiserweight-title-match-royal-rumble-lineup/|title=WWE pulls the Cruiserweight Title match from the Royal Rumble lineup|date=January 22, 2018|access-date=May 16, 2018|website=ProWrestling.net|publisher=Last Row Media LLC}}</ref> Arndt was fired from WWE the next day and the title was vacated.<ref name="WWE firing">{{cite web|url=http://www.wwe.com/article/enzo-amore-released|title=Enzo Amore released|publisher=WWE|date=January 23, 2018|access-date=January 23, 2018}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news|last=Satin|first=Ryan|author-link=Ryan Satin|url=http://www.prowrestlingsheet.com/enzo-release-reasoning-update/|title=Update on Reasoning Behind Enzo Amore's Release From WWE|date=January 23, 2018|work=Pro Wrestling Sheet|access-date=January 24, 2018}}</ref> On Twitter, Arndt "fully and unequivocally" denied the allegations against him.<ref>{{cite news|last1=Schwartz|first1=Nick|title=Enzo Amore releases first statement after being released by WWE|url=http://ftw.usatoday.com/2018/01/enzo-amore-releases-first-statement-after-being-released-by-wwe|access-date=January 25, 2018|work=[[USA Today]]|date=January 24, 2018}}</ref> On May 16, 2018, the Phoenix Police Department ceased their investigation due to insufficient evidence.<ref name="drop">{{cite web|last=Satin|first=Ryan|author-link=Ryan Satin|url=http://www.prowrestlingsheet.com/enzo-amore-investigation-dropped/|title=Enzo Amore Sexual Assault Investigation Dropped Due To Insufficient Evidence|date=May 16, 2018|access-date=May 16, 2018|website=Pro Wrestling Sheet}}</ref>

===Concussion lawsuit===
Starting in 2014, numerous former WWE talent filed multiple lawsuits against WWE alleging that WWE did not protect and hid information from their talent about [[concussions]] and [[Chronic traumatic encephalopathy|CTE]]. The former talent claimed physical and mental health issues as a result of physical trauma they experience in WWE. The lawsuits were filed by attorney Konstantine Kyros. US District Judge [[Vanessa Lynne Bryant]] dismissed many of the lawsuits in September 2018.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.denverpost.com/2018/09/19/lawsuit-against-wwe-concussions-thrown-out/| title= Judge throws out lawsuit against WWE by ex-pro wrestlers over concussions|last=Collins|first=Dave|work= [[The Denver Post]] |access-date=September 23, 2020| date= September 19, 2018}}</ref> In September 2020, the lawsuits were dismissed by the [[United States Court of Appeals for the Second Circuit]].<ref>{{cite news|url=https://apnews.com/018105b0a317dd35bdf679e2dca0507b| title= Former WWE wrestlers' lawsuit over brain damage is dismissed|last=Collins|first=Dave|work= Associated Press |access-date=September 23, 2020| date= September 9, 2020}}</ref> The [[Supreme Court of the United States]] subsequently declined to hear the case in April 2021.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://apnews.com/article/connecticut-head-injuries-lawsuits-wrestling-injuries-a5d36523a5435dce920cb263155ee122|title=Supreme Court declines to hear wrestlers' brain damage cases|last=Collins|first=Dave|work= Associated Press |access-date=July 14, 2021| date= April 26, 2021}}</ref>

===Relationship with Saudi Arabia===
{{main|WWE in Saudi Arabia}}
The events promoted in Saudi Arabia by WWE have been subjected to criticism due to allegations of [[sportswashing]]. WWE has been accused of contributing to Saudi Arabia's [[LGBT rights in Saudi Arabia|discrimination of LGBT people]] and [[Women's rights in Saudi Arabia|women]] by holding events in the country.<ref>{{cite magazine |last1=Barrasso |first1=Justin |title=An expert's take on WWE's Saudi Arabia partnership |url=https://www.si.com/wrestling/2018/09/26/wwe-news-saudi-arabia-crown-jewel-kenny-omega-new-york |access-date=April 10, 2021 |magazine=[[Sports Illustrated]] |date=September 26, 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180926222223/https://www.si.com/wrestling/2018/09/26/wwe-news-saudi-arabia-crown-jewel-kenny-omega-new-york |archive-date=September 26, 2018}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |last1=Andersson |first1=Jasmine |title=WWE is hosting Greatest Royal Rumble in Saudi Arabia and LGBT+ fans are not happy about it |url=https://www.pinknews.co.uk/2018/04/26/wwe-greatest-royal-rumble-saudi-arabia-women-lgbt-rights/ |access-date=April 10, 2021 |work=[[PinkNews]] |date=April 26, 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210211051540/https://www.pinknews.co.uk/2018/04/26/wwe-greatest-royal-rumble-saudi-arabia-women-lgbt-rights/ |archive-date=February 11, 2021}}</ref>

WWE's relation with Saudi Arabia has been condemned by activist groups such as [[Code Pink]] and several politicians.<ref>{{cite news |title=WWE: End Your Partnership With Saudi Arabia! |url=https://www.codepink.org/wwe |access-date=April 10, 2021 |work=[[Code Pink]] |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190419002644/https://www.codepink.org/wwe |archive-date=April 19, 2019}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |last1=Bixenspan |first1=David |title=Why Is WWE Creating Propaganda for Saudi Arabia? |url=https://www.thenation.com/article/wwe-saudi-arabia-wrestling-propaganda/ |access-date=April 10, 2021 |work=[[The Nation]] |date=November 1, 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181101201402/https://www.thenation.com/article/wwe-saudi-arabia-wrestling-propaganda/ |archive-date=November 1, 2018}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |last1=Martínez |first1=Sebastián |title=Super ShowDown: los fans amenazan con darse de baja de WWE Network – Reacción de Bill Goldberg|url=https://solowrestling.mundodeportivo.com/new/87827-wwe-super-showdown-los-fans-amenazan-con-darse-de-baja |access-date=April 10, 2021 |work=[[Solowrestling.com]] |date=February 27, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200228112602/https://solowrestling.mundodeportivo.com/new/87827-wwe-super-showdown-los-fans-amenazan-con-darse-de-baja |archive-date=February 28, 2020 |language=es}}</ref><ref name="WON2019">{{cite journal|url=https://www.f4wonline.com/march-13-2020-observer-newsletter-40th-annual-awards-issue-305806|title=March 13, 2020 Observer Newsletter: 40th Annual Awards Issue|first=Dave|last=Meltzer|author-link=Dave Meltzer|journal=[[Wrestling Observer Newsletter]]|date=March 5, 2020 |access-date=March 8, 2020}}</ref>

===Ashley Massaro affidavit===
Prior to her death on May 15, 2019, former WWE wrestler [[Ashley Massaro]] alleged that she was sexually assaulted at a US military base during a 2006 WWE tour of [[Kuwait]] by a man posing as a doctor, and that WWE officials persuaded her to not report it to the appropriate authorities as they did not want it to affect the company's relationship with the military.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.bostonglobe.com/sports/2016/11/12/former-wwe-diva-joins-lawsuit-alleges-sexual-abuse-brain-injuries/DxKRDb8reXsjH5ACJZExKN/story.html |last=Hohler |first=Bob |title=Former WWE diva joins lawsuit, alleges sexual abuse, brain injuries |date=November 12, 2016|access-date=November 12, 2016 |work=[[The Boston Globe]]|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161114001446/https://www.bostonglobe.com/sports/2016/11/12/former-wwe-diva-joins-lawsuit-alleges-sexual-abuse-brain-injuries/DxKRDb8reXsjH5ACJZExKN/story.html|archive-date=November 14, 2016|url-status=live}}</ref> WWE officials would later claim they had no knowledge of Massaro's alleged sexual assault.

After her death, an [[affidavit]] by Massaro describing the sexual assault allegations in detail was subsequently released by the law firm that represented her.<ref name="wwestatement">{{cite web |last1=Nason |first1=Josh |title=WWE releases statement on Ashley Massaro sexual assault claim |url=https://www.f4wonline.com/news/wwe/wwe-releases-statement-ashley-massaro-sexual-assault-claim-284421 |website=[[Wrestling Observer Newsletter]] |access-date=February 9, 2024 |language=en |date=May 22, 2019}}</ref> In response, WWE said that their executives had not been previously informed of the allegations described in the affidavit.<ref name=newsweek>{{cite magazine |url=https://www.newsweek.com/wwe-ashley-massaro-abuse-allegations-1434051 |title=WWE Issues Statement on Ashley Massaro Sexual Abuse Allegations |first=Phillip |last=Martinez |magazine=[[Newsweek]]|access-date=May 26, 2019 |date=May 23, 2019|archive-date=November 28, 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221128214837/https://www.newsweek.com/wwe-ashley-massaro-abuse-allegations-1434051|url-status=live}}</ref> Despite previous denials from WWE about having knowledge of her allegation, in February 2024 an attorney representing former WWE Head of Talent Relations [[John Laurinaitis]] stated that: "most upper level management at sometime became aware of the [Massaro] allegations and ensured all proper WWE protocols were followed, including privacy for the alleged victim."<ref>{{cite web |last1=Carey |first1=Ian |title=John Lauriniatis lawyer: WWE knew about Ashley Massaro rape claim |url=https://www.f4wonline.com/news/wwe/john-lauriniatis-lawyer-wwe-knew-about-ashley-massaro-rape-claim |work=[[Wrestling Observer Newsletter]] |access-date=February 9, 2024 |language=en |date=February 7, 2024 |archive-date=February 7, 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240207210052/https://www.f4wonline.com/news/wwe/john-lauriniatis-lawyer-wwe-knew-about-ashley-massaro-rape-claim |url-status=live}}</ref> That month, [[Vice News]] reported that the [[Naval Criminal Investigative Service]] had investigated Massaro's allegations from June 2019 to January 2020, although no further information about the investigation other than its existence is known.<ref>{{cite web |last1=Marchman |first1=Tim |title=Despite Denials, WWE Management Knew Wrestler Said She Had Been Raped on Military Base |url=https://www.vice.com/en/article/ashley-massaro-vince-mcmahon-john-laurinaitis-rape-cover-up-wwe/ |publisher=[[Vice News]] |access-date=February 9, 2024 |date=February 7, 2024 |archive-date=February 9, 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240209012635/https://www.vice.com/en/article/88x7ex/ashley-massaro-vince-mcmahon-john-laurinaitis-rape-cover-up-wwe |url-status=live}}</ref> A further report by Vice News revealed that Massaro had accused Vince McMahon of "preying on female WWE wrestlers" and that she believed he had tried to sabotage her wrestling career after she rejected an advance from him.<ref>{{cite web |last1=Currier |first1=Joseph |title=Ashley Massaro accused Vince McMahon of preying on female WWE wrestlers |url=https://www.f4wonline.com/news/wwe/ashley-massaro-accused-vince-mcmahon-of-preying-on-female-wwe-wrestlers |work=[[Wrestling Observer Newsletter]] |access-date=February 12, 2024 |language=en |date=February 9, 2024}}</ref>

===Misconduct allegations involving Vince McMahon===
{{see also|Vince McMahon sex trafficking scandal}}
One of the first allegations against Vince McMahon was made on April 3, 1992, when [[Rita Chatterton]], a former [[Referee (professional wrestling)|referee]] noted for her stint as Rita Marie in the WWF in the 1980s and for being the first female referee in the WWF (possibly in professional wrestling history),<ref>{{cite book|url=https://archive.org/details/sexliesheadlocks00shau/page/116|title=Sex, Lies, and Headlocks: The Real Story of Vince McMahon and the World Wrestling Federation|last1=Assael|first1=Shaun|last2=Mooneyham|first2=Mike|publisher=Crown Publishers|year=2002|isbn=0609606905|edition=1st|location=New York|pages=[https://archive.org/details/sexliesheadlocks00shau/page/116 116]|oclc=49276567|author-link=Shaun Assael|name-list-style=amp}}</ref> made an appearance on [[Geraldo Rivera]]'s show ''Now It Can Be Told''. She claimed that on July 16, 1986, McMahon tried to force her to perform [[oral sex]] on him in his limousine; when she refused, he raped her.<ref>{{cite book|url=https://archive.org/details/sexliesheadlocks00shau/page/115|title=Sex, Lies, and Headlocks: The Real Story of Vince McMahon and the World Wrestling Federation|last1=Assael|first1=Shaun|last2=Mooneyham|first2=Mike|publisher=Crown Publishers|year=2002|isbn=0609606905|edition=1st|location=New York|pages=[https://archive.org/details/sexliesheadlocks00shau/page/115 115–117]|oclc=49276567|author-link=Shaun Assael|name-list-style=amp}}</ref> Former wrestler [[Mario Mancini|Leonard Inzitari]] has corroborated Chatterton's allegation.<ref>{{cite web | url=https://www.yahoo.com/finance/news/vince-mcmahon-1986-rape-allegation-143500212.html | title=Vince McMahon 1986 Rape Allegation Resurfaces as Former Wrestler Corroborates Story }}{{Dead link|date=May 2023 |bot=InternetArchiveBot |fix-attempted=yes }}</ref> Several years later, on February 1, 2006, McMahon was accused of sexual harassment by a worker at a tanning bar in [[Boca Raton, Florida]].<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.bocaratonnews.com/index.php?src=news&prid=14071&category=Local%20News|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070928094453/http://www.bocaratonnews.com/index.php?src=news&prid=14071&category=Local%20News|url-status=usurped|archive-date=September 28, 2007|title=WWE chief accused of groping Boca tanning salon worker|last=King|first=Dale|date=February 3, 2006|work=Boca Raton News|access-date=July 2, 2007}}</ref> At first, the charge appeared to be discredited because McMahon was in [[Miami]] for the [[2006 Royal Rumble]] at the time. It was soon clarified that the alleged incident was reported to police on the day of the Rumble, but actually took place the day before.<ref>{{cite magazine|url=http://www.wrestlingobserver.com/wo/news/headlines/default.asp?aID=15391|title=McMahon situation to get more publicity|first=Dave|last=Meltzer|magazine=Wrestling Observer Newsletter|access-date=July 2, 2007|date=February 2, 2006}}</ref> On March 25, it was reported that no charges would be filed against McMahon as a result of the investigation.<ref>{{cite news|title=Digest|url=http://articles.sun-sentinel.com/2006-03-25/news/0603250062_1_consecutive-life-cancer-treatment-life-terms|access-date=March 9, 2016|work=Sun-Sentinel|date=March 25, 2006|archive-date=March 10, 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160310024927/http://articles.sun-sentinel.com/2006-03-25/news/0603250062_1_consecutive-life-cancer-treatment-life-terms|url-status=dead}}</ref> Both Chatterton and a separate tanning spa worker who alleged that McMahon sexually assaulted her in California in 2011 filed civil sex abuse lawsuits against him in late 2022.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.wsj.com/articles/wwes-vince-mcmahon-faces-fresh-demands-from-women-alleging-sexual-abuse-11670945682|title=WWE's Vince McMahon Faces Fresh Demands From Women Alleging Sexual Abuse|first1=Joe|last1=Palazzolo|first2=Ted|last2=Mann|publisher=Wall Street Journal|date=December 13, 2022|accessdate=January 6, 2023}}</ref> McMahon would agree to pay Chatterton an undisclosed multimillion-dollar legal settlement.<ref name=chattertonsettlement>{{cite web |last2=Mann |first1=Joe |last1=Palazzolo |first2=Ted |title=WWE's Vince McMahon Settles With Ex-Wrestling Referee Who Accused Him of Rape |url=https://www.wsj.com/articles/wwes-vince-mcmahon-settles-with-ex-wrestling-referee-who-accused-him-of-rape-11674149751 |work=[[Wall Street Journal]] |date=January 20, 2023 |access-date=February 22, 2023|url-access= subscription }}</ref>

In 2014, activist investor [[Emmanuel Lemelson]] stated that he believed the company had made material misrepresentations in its [[Financial Reporting|financial reporting]]<ref name="WSJCA">{{cite news |last=Copeland |first=Rob |date=October 28, 2015 |title=Hedge-Fund Priest: Thou Shalt Make Money |work=[[The Wall Street Journal]] |url=https://www.wsj.com/articles/hedge-fund-priest-thou-shalt-make-money-1445918531?mod=mktw |access-date=December 19, 2015}} (Subscription required)</ref><ref name=":5">{{Cite web |last=Strauss |first=Gary |title=World Wrestling pummeled four out of five rounds this week |url=https://www.usatoday.com/story/money/markets/2014/04/07/world-wrestling-gets-wall-street-style-take-down/7418043/ |access-date=April 3, 2021 |work=USA TODAY}}</ref> and called for new leadership or a sale of the company.<ref name=":6">{{Cite web |last=Kline |first=Daniel B. |date=June 7, 2014 |title=Should the McMahons Still Be Running WWE? |url=https://www.fool.com/investing/general/2014/06/07/should-the-mcmahons-still-be-running-wwe.aspx |access-date=July 31, 2021 |work=The Motley Fool}}</ref> Lemelson's analysis was credited with an $800 million drop in the [[market capitalization]] of the stock.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Schiavo |first=Amanda |title=Why World Wrestling Entertainment (WWE) Stock Finished Down Today |url=https://www.thestreet.com/markets/why-world-wrestling-entertainment-wwe-stock-finished-down-today-12667421 |access-date=July 31, 2021 |website=TheStreet |date=April 11, 2014 |language=en-us}}</ref><ref name=":7">{{Cite web |last=Strauss |first=Gary |title=Kulicke & Soffa shares surge after investor urges buyback |url=https://www.usatoday.com/story/money/markets/2014/04/22/kulicke--soffa-shares-rocket-after-investor-urges-buyback/8016399/ |access-date=July 31, 2021 |work=USA TODAY}}</ref>

In April 2022, the WWE board began investigating a $3 million hush-money settlement that McMahon paid over an alleged affair with a former employee of the company. The investigation also revealed other nondisclosure agreements related to misconduct claims by other women in the company against McMahon and executive [[John Laurinaitis]], totaling $12 million.<ref>{{cite news |last=Calia |first=Mike |title=WWE board investigates secret $3 million hush payment by CEO Vince McMahon, report says |url=https://www.cnbc.com/2022/06/15/wwe-board-investigates-secret-3-million-hush-payment-by-vince-mcmahon.html |access-date=June 15, 2022 |publisher=CNBC |date=June 15, 2022}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |last1=Mann |first1=Ted| last2=Palazzolo |first2=Joe |title=WWE Board Probes Secret $3 Million Hush Pact by CEO Vince McMahon, Sources Say |url=https://www.wsj.com/articles/wwe-board-probes-secret-3-million-hush-pact-by-ceo-vince-mcmahon-sources-say-11655322722 |access-date=June 15, 2022 |newspaper=The Wall Street Journal |date=June 15, 2022}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|last1 =Palazzolo|first1 =Joe|last2 =Mann|first2 =Ted|last3 =Flint|first3 =Joe|title =WWE's Vince McMahon Agreed to Pay $12 Million in Hush Money to Four Women|work=The Wall Street Journal| date =July 8, 2022| url =https://www.wsj.com/articles/wwes-vince-mcmahon-agreed-to-pay-12-million-in-hush-money-to-four-women-11657289742| url-access = subscription| accessdate = July 23, 2022}}</ref> This eventually led to McMahon retiring from all of his positions on July 22, 2022, and a change in leadership of the WWE for the first time since 1982;<ref>{{cite web|url=https://corporate.wwe.com/news/company-news/2022/07-22-2022a|title=Vince McMahon Retires|work=WWE|date=July 22, 2022|access-date=July 22, 2022}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2022/07/22/business/vince-mcmahon-retires-wwe.html|title=Vince McMahon retires from W.W.E. after stepping down amid a board investigation.|work=[[The New York Times]] |date=July 22, 2022|access-date=July 22, 2022}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/business/wwes-vince-mcmahon-says-he-is-retiring/2022/07/22/808096d4-0a04-11ed-80b6-43f2bfcc6662_story.html|title=WWE's McMahon says he is retiring amid misconduct probe|newspaper=[[The Washington Post]] |date=July 22, 2022|access-date=July 22, 2022}}</ref> he would later return to the company in January 2023 as executive chairman.<ref name=chattertonsettlement />

The company would eventually report $19.6 million in unrecorded payments made by Vince McMahon between 2006 and 2022.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Stebbins |first=Jack |title=WWE discloses another $5 million in McMahon payments, delays earnings report |url=https://www.cnbc.com/2022/08/10/wwe-discloses-5-million-in-mcmahon-payments-delays-earnings-report.html |access-date=October 19, 2022 |website=CNBC |date=August 10, 2022 |language=en}}</ref>

In January 2024, McMahon's history of having a role with the WWE ended amid new allegation by ex-WWE employee Janel Grant.<ref name=mcmahongone>{{cite news|url=https://www.nbcnews.com/news/us-news/wwe-founder-vince-mcmahon-resigns-ex-employee-accuses-lawsuit-sexual-a-rcna135981|title=WWE founder Vince McMahon resigns after ex-employee accuses him in lawsuit of sexual assault, trafficking|first1=Emile|last1=Dorn|first2=Diana|last2=Dasrath|first3=Jamie|last3=Knodel|publisher=NBC News|date=January 26, 2024|accessdate=January 27, 2024}}</ref> Grant accused McMahon and John Laurinaitis of not only sexually assaulting her, but also sex trafficking.<ref name=byebyevince /><ref name=mcmahongone /> The allegation also led to Slim Jim pausing its sponsorship of WWE events.<ref name=byebyevince />

==See also==
{{Portal|United States|Connecticut|Companies}}
* [[Professional wrestling in the United States]]

==Notes==
{{notelist}}

==References==
{{reflist}}

==Further reading==
* {{cite thesis|last=Fargiorgo|first=Joseph|year=2014|url=https://atrium.lib.uoguelph.ca/xmlui/handle/10214/8022|title=WWE: Wrestling, Wellness & Entertainment – An Analysis of Work and Health in Professional Wrestling|type=MA|publisher=Department of Sociology and Anthropology, University of Guelph|access-date=September 7, 2021|via=The Atrium at University of Guelph}}
* {{cite book|last1=Olson|first1=Cristopher|last2=Reinhard|first2=Carrie Lynn D.|year=2021|chapter=Wrestling with Eating Disorders: Transmedia Depictions of Body Issues in WWE's Women's Professional Wrestling|editor-last1=Johnson|editor-first1=Malynnda|editor-last2=Olson|editor-first2=Cristopher|title=Normalizing Mental Illness and Neurodiversity in Entertainment Media|edition=1st E-book|location=London|publisher=Routledge|doi=10.4324/9781003011668-15|isbn=9781003011668|s2cid=233598773}}
* {{cite thesis|last=Verma|first=D. S.|year=2020|url=https://dspace.library.uu.nl/handle/1874/399263|title=Wresting Fans as Players, Performers as Characters: Conceptualizing WWE Storytelling and Production in Terms of Games and Play|type=Master|publisher=Faculty of Humanities Theses, Utrecht University|hdl=1874/399263|access-date=September 7, 2021|via=Utrecht University Repository|archive-date=September 7, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210907114035/https://dspace.library.uu.nl/handle/1874/399263|url-status=dead}}

==External links==
{{commons category}}
* {{Official website}}
* [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tlFkWbvNTPo&t=3s WWE Superstars - Wikipedia: Fact or Fiction?] at ''[[Loudwire]]''
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