WWE: John Cena Hoping for One Last WWE Run After Christmas, Cody Rhodes on Goal to Bring Back “Winged Eagle” WWE Title Belt, Vince McMahon to Sell More TKO Stock

Apr 8, 2024

John Cena Comments on Future of His Wrestling Career & Plans for Final In-Ring Run

Monday’s special WWE themed episode of The Pat McAfee Show featured John Cena as the guest. One of the topics discussed included Cena’s thoughts about being hopeful of having one last run in WWE for his wrestling career.

“I’ve speculated a lot about when it is that I hang up the Jorts. It wasn’t last night and I still have a little bit of rubber left on the tires. When that time is done, that means it’s gone. I’m actively trying to craft that path right now. I put a line in the sand for myself at 50. I honestly think it’s going to be before that. I’ll be 47 in a few weeks. Many are calling this the greatest WrestleMania ever. I agree, what a spectacle. That’s because of the talent that actually put the time in. I showed up for 90 seconds. This is the greatest WrestleMania with or without my involvement. That’s because of the now, the superstars we have now and their contributions to the business. It is going to be time for me to go. I’m embracing that, enjoying it, and it allows me to be present.”

Cena also gave his thoughts about wanting to have his final run in WWE once he finishes up his current acting schedule for this year.

“[Hollywood commitments] will take me through just about Christmas. I’m crossing my fingers, toes, and heart so that maybe, just maybe, I can tell the Hollywood world to pump the brakes for a while and come back to my family for one last run. I hope, I don’t know. I hope, I’m trying, we’ll see what happens.”

Transcript h/t: Fightful.com

Cody Rhodes on Wanting to Bring Back “Winged Eagle” WWE Title Belt

Monday’s special WWE themed episode of The Pat McAfee Show also featured Cody Rhodes as the guest. One of the topics discussed included Rhodes being hopeful of being able to bring back the classic “Winged Eagle” WWE Championship belt now that he is the new champion.

“I think we should probably just come right out with it. This (the current WWE title belt) is what I got in the ring so there’s a level of specialness to this, equity that’s been put into it, that I have a warm feeling about so I feel differently about it today. However, that said, I had changed a title previously in the past. I am not in charge of anything, I am no longer an EVP, I have no stroke other than the fact that I’m the champion but I just think it would be special perhaps to see a particular championship, one that I grew up on.
Again, I’m not in charge of anything. Triple H is in charge of things but you guys are damn right, the winged eagle.
If it doesn’t happen, just don’t get mad at me, okay? I’ll do what I did the last time, I’m going to try my best so thank you, guys.”

Transcript h/t: F4WOnline.com

TKO & Endeavor to Purchase Over 3 Million TKO Shares from Vince McMahon

In a recent SEC filing, TKO Group announced that they have entered an agreement with former TKO Executive Chairman Vince McMahon to purchase over three million of McMahon’s current shares in TKO.

It was announced that McMahon will be selling 1,642,970 shares of TKO stock to Endeavor and 1,853,724 shares to TKO that will be worth $311.2 million in total.

TKO’s SEC filing:

On April 4, 2024, WME IMG, LLC (“Endeavor”), an indirect subsidiary of Endeavor Group Holdings, Inc. (“EGH”), the parent company of TKO Group Holdings, Inc. (“TKO” or the “Company”), entered into a stock purchase agreement (the “Stock Purchase Agreement”) with Vincent K. McMahon (“Seller”), pursuant to which Endeavor agreed to purchase 1,642,970 shares of Class A common stock of TKO, par value $0.00001 per share (the “Common Stock”), held by Seller at a per share price of $89.01 for an aggregate amount of $146.2 million (the “Endeavor Share Purchase”). Endeavor expects the Endeavor Share Purchase to close on or about April 9, 2024, subject to the satisfaction of customary closing conditions.
On April 7, 2024, TKO entered into a stock purchase agreement (the “TKO Stock Purchase Agreement”) with the Seller, pursuant to which TKO agreed to purchase 1,853,724 shares of Common Stock of TKO held by Seller at a per share price of $89.01 for an aggregate amount of $165.0 million (the “TKO Share Purchase”). TKO expects the TKO Share Purchase to close on or about April 10, 2024, subject to the satisfaction of customary closing conditions. TKO intends to retire the shares of Common Stock purchased in the TKO Share Purchase following the closing of the TKO Share Purchase. TKO intends to fund the TKO Share Repurchase with approximately $150.0 million of borrowings under the revolving credit facility under the First Lien Credit Agreement dated as of August 18, 2016 by and among Zuffa Guarantor, LLC, UFC Holdings, LLC, the lenders party thereto from time to time and Goldman Sachs Bank USA, as Administrative Agent, and with cash on hand.

Wrestlenomics’ Brandon Thurston reported that McMahon will still own 8,021,405 remaining TKO shares and will be down to just a 4.7% ownership stake in TKO after this sale.