WWE: Ari Emanuel on Endeavor’s WWE Purchase, Savio Vega on Backlash Appearance, A&E WWE Ratings

May 10, 2023

Endeavor CEO Ari Emanuel on WWE Purchase

A recent episode of CNBC’s Squawk on the Street show had Endeavor CEO Ari Emanuel as the guest. One of the topics discussed included Emanuel’s thoughts on Endeavor’s recent deal with WWE to purchase the company.

“Well hopefully, with this sale of the academy, the sale of Endeavor content, two things that sold for a billion dollars, IMG Academy for $1.250 billion, people realize, ‘Wait a second, there’s really great assets inside remaining assets at Endeavor, which I think there are, of course, as the CEO. Yes, there’s unbelievable value in the pure play of sports and sports and entertainment, eventually with UFC and WWE, TKO.”

Emanuel also gave his thoughts on not believing there will be any issues when it comes to dealing with both Dana White and Vince McMahon.

“Actually, I’ve represented UFC before we bought it, for over 20 years. The same thing’s true with Vince. We have a good relationship.”

Emanuel also stated that Endeavor will handle WWE in the same hands-off approach that they have done with UFC.

“Exactly. We do what we do as it relates to saving some costs, driving some revenue with sponsorship, international sales. Like we did with UFC, we’re gonna 2.0 at WWE.”

Emanuel also gave his thoughts about WWE’s upcoming negotiations for new television deals.

“Right now, we’re focused on saving some costs, doing sponsorships which they didn’t have. It’s the same formula we used at UFC, and international rights. Their rights are open now, we’re in a year and a half from now. I think they’re on separate time frames.”

On the topic of a timeframe for when Endeavor’s purchase of WWE will be made official, Emanuel stated:

“We’re waiting on DOJ. We’re not pushing it back. We’re just waiting.”

Transcript h/t: Fightful.com

Savio Vega Comments on Bad Bunny & Damian Priest Pushed for His Appearance at Backlash 2023

As noted before, this past Saturday’s WWE Backlash 2023 event in San Juan, Puerto Rico featured former WWE wrestler Savio Vega making a surprise appearance at the event.

A recent episode of the Cultaholic Wrestling podcast featured Vega as the guest. One of the topics discussed included Vega’s thoughts on his appearance at this past Saturday’s Backlash 2023 event.

“That was incredible. That was so… I don’t know how to describe it. We know, of course, the fans in Puerto Rico will have a good reaction. The [pop] when they see my face next to Rey Mysterio and Bad Bunny, my god. I was in shock, to be honest. I was like, wow. The biggest pop of the night, that’s what the crew say …
I continue to wrestle here in Puerto Rico, I have my company, IWA Puerto Rico. The fans see me here or there, they see me on television doing promotion and this and that, and it’s okay. They love what they see, what we’re doing here in Puerto Rico. Now, Bad Bunny and Damian Priest, they’re gonna wrestle, two Puerto Ricans in Puerto Rico, never been done before. When I was with them and Carlito was with them, I’m don’t know if Carlito had the chance to go to Puerto Rico, I’m not sure. But I don’t have that chance because they didn’t travel to Puerto Rico by that time. So it’s like wow, now they’re coming with this huge event. The event was okay, but having Bad Bunny there made it a little bit bigger. Here in Puerto Rico, everybody’s talking about that, the news, the talk shows, you make it. Just today, I did five interviews. Tomorrow I have more, and the next day and the next day. So I love that, and that helps the local wrestling here. What an experience.”

Vega also stated that Bad Bunny and Damian Priest were the people responsible who had pushed for his surprise appearance at this past Saturday’s Backlash 2023 event.

“They got in contact with me because this is the mastermind of Damian Priest and Bad Bunny. They’re both fans of me, I discovered that when I went to the farewell of The Undertaker. I saw Damian Priest there and as soon as I see him, I went to him and said, ‘Hey, man, how you doing?’ I said, I want to take a picture with you.’ He said, ‘I want to take a picture with you.’ I said, ‘No, I want to take a picture with you.’ So I talked to him a little bit there, my experience and stuff like that. We don’t talk too much, but we keep in touch by phone. So this idea was them. More Damian Priest and he said, ‘I’d like to have this two guys in Puerto Rico when they find out they’re gonna do this pay-per-view over here.’ The dream came true, and then the rest was to put the puzzle together. Soon that happened, the company called me and [asked] if I’m interested to be part of it. I said, ‘Why not? Yes, let’s do it.’ They said, ‘Carlito’s gonna be in town.’ I said, ‘Bring him down too. That’s good.’ It was great.”

Transcript h/t: Fightful.com

A&E WWE Programming Ratings – May 7, 2023

This past Sunday’s WWE’s Most Wanted Treasures episode drew 383,000 viewers on A&E. This episode also drew a 0.11 rating in the 18-49 demographic and a #38 ranking in the key demographic rankings. This was down from last week’s 426,000 viewers, 0.16 key demographic rating, and #17 key demographic ranking. This episode focused on lost D-Generation X memorabilia.

This past Sunday’s Stone Cold Takes America episode drew 282,000 viewers on A&E. This episode also drew a 0.09 rating in the 18-49 demographic and a #49 ranking in the key demographic rankings. This was down from last week’s 339,000 viewers, 0.10 key demographic rating, and #36 key demographic ranking.

More Sunday ratings: ShowBuzz Daily