WWE: WWE & UFC Sign 5-Year Deal with OCVIBE for Events in Anaheim, Senior WWE Writer Departure, Jade Cargill on WWE In-Ring Debut

Feb 15, 2024

WWE & UFC Sign Five-Year Deal with OCVIBE for Multiple Events in Anaheim

WWE and UFC announced earlier today that they have recently signed a five-year partnership deal with OCVIBE to hold multiple events at the Honda Center in Anaheim, California.

It was announced that UFC and WWE will be holding at least three events per year at the venue through 2028.

Official press release:

OCVIBE ANNOUNCES FIVE-YEAR LIVE EVENT PARTNERSHIP WITH UFC AND WWE
UFC And WWE To Bring Minimum Of Three Events Each To Honda Center Through 2028
UFC and WWE Among Marquee Events at OCVIBE Honda Center to Host UFC 298: VOLKANOVSKI vs TOPURIA Sat., Feb. 17 Followed by WWE Monday Night Raw on Feb. 19
ANAHEIM, Calif. and NEW YORK, NY, Feb. 15, 2024 – OCVIBE, a one-of-a-kind, immersive sports and entertainment district centered around Honda Center in Anaheim, California, today announced a first-of-its-kind five-year live event partnership with UFC and WWE, two of the world’s most iconic sports and entertainment brands.
Starting this year, UFC and WWE will bring at least three events each to Honda Center through 2028. Fans coming to Anaheim over the next five years will see a variety of events ranging from UFC’s must-watch championship Pay Per Views and compelling Fight Nights, to WWE’s spectacular arena shows, including electrifying live TV programs such as Raw and SmackDown.
Additionally, both UFC and WWE will join the inaugural lineup of marquee events at OCVIBE offering fans thrilling non-stop action featuring explosive match-ups with the world’s best mixed martial artists in UFC and the incredible athleticism and epic storytelling of the larger-than-life Superstars in WWE. OCVIBE and UFC will also collaborate to host additional activities, such as viewing parties, where the district’s immersive tech innovations and broad selection of eclectic dining and nightlife options currently in development will create UFC fan experiences far above other sports and entertainment destinations across the country.
“Hosting UFC and WWE at the iconic Honda Center allows us to bring some of the most electric live experiences to the residents of Orange County,” said Bill Foltz, CEO of OCVIBE. “The infectious excitement of these events will only become more powerful as we reimagine the downtown experience for Orange County at OCVIBE, creating a magnetic destination for entertainment, sports, and culture.”
The partnership comes to life this President’s Day weekend, as Honda Center hosts UFC 298: VOLKANOVSKI vs TOPURIA on Sat., Feb. 17followed by WWE Monday Night Raw on Feb. 19. Honda Center will become the first venue to host back-to-back UFC and WWE events as part of a dedicated sports and entertainment offering since UFC and WWE merged under TKO Group Holdings in 2023.
“For nearly 20 years, Honda Center has been one of UFC’s most favorite venues to visit,” said Peter Dropick, Executive Vice President, UFC Event Development and Operations. “The Samueli Family and Honda Center team have been amazing hosts and have helped us put on some of the most memorable UFC events ever. Now the creation of OCVIBE will take the fan experience to the next level with all the innovative ways they will be able to activate around UFC and WWE events in one destination.”
UFC has a longstanding relationship with Honda Center and the city of Anaheim dating back to April 2006, when Honda Center hosted its first UFC event, UFC 59. Since then, many of the biggest names in UFC history have competed at Honda Center, including Daniel Cormier, Matt Huges, Jon Jones, Brock Lesnar, Chuck Liddell, Stipe Miocic, BJ Penn, Ronda Rousey, and Cain Velasquez. UFC also holds the record for the highest-grossing event ever at Honda Center, with UFC 270: NGANNOU VS. GANE, which recorded a gate of $5.29 million and attracted a sold-out crowd of 17,387 in Jan. 2022. This Saturday’s UFC 298: VOLKANOVSKI vs TOPURIA will mark the tenth UFC event Honda Center has hosted, the most of any venue in the United States outside of Las Vegas.
Over the past 30 years, Honda Center has been proud to host over 60 WWE events. Monday Night Raw this Feb. 19 will be WWE’s 64th event at Honda Center, with many more to follow.
For more information about OCVIBE, please visit ocvibe.com.
For tickets to Honda Center events, including upcoming UFC and WWE shows, please visit hondacenter.com

Senior WWE Writer Reportedly Departs from Company

WWE senior writer and producer Jennifer Pepperman reportedly recently departed from the company, according to PWInsider.

Mike Johnson reported that his sources stated that Pepperman’s departure was not due to her being released by WWE and instead it was her decision to leave the company.

Prior to her departure, Pepperman had been working in WWE since April 2017 and had worked primarily for WWE’s SmackDown brand’s Women’s division in recent years. Pepperman previously had worked as a producer and director for multiple television soap operas.

RAW General Manager and WWE official Adam Pearce confirmed Pepperman’s departure on Twitter stating:

“Shout out to @JenPepperman. I have always appreciated your creativity, passion, and the countless time you’ve given to help me and others backstage over the years. I’ll miss your energy, but I know you’ll be great wherever you may roam. My gratitude forever!!!”

Shout out to @JenPepperman. I have always appreciated your creativity, passion, and the countless time you’ve given to help me and others backstage over the years. I’ll miss your energy, but I know you’ll be great wherever you may roam. My gratitude forever!!! ❤️🙏
— Adam Pearce (@ScrapDaddyAP) February 15, 2024

Jade Cargill Comments on Her Recent Royal Rumble & WWE In-Ring Debut

Fox News held a recent interview with Jade Cargill. One of the topics discussed included Cargill’s thoughts about her recent Royal Rumble and WWE in-ring debut at this past January’s Royal Rumble 2024 event.

“It felt amazing. I felt accepted. I felt on top of the world. I think I had one of the biggest pops of the night. That was 1-of-1. I wish I could relive it again. It was just a moment for the ages.”