Wrestlenomics Radio

John Pollock and Brandon Thurston chat with reporter Richard Deitsch from The Athletic and the Sports Media Podcast.The three speak about the rise of professional wrestling as a sports property, the impact Nick Khan has had on the company, WWE’s domestic television deals with Fox and NBC Universal, the emergence of AEW, and how pro wrestling is covered by outlets and state of wrestling media.Plus, Pollock & Thurston discuss the report of a pending deal between AEW & WBD, the potential increase they could garner, Ari Emanuel on the WWE-UFC merger, and a New York bill proposed on pro wrestling regulation.Video version: https://youtube.com/live/C2SGXYJx1FYRichard Deitsch is the host of the Sports Media Podcast and writes for The Athletic.Subscribe: https://postwrestling.com/subscribePatreon: http://postwrestlingcafe.comForum: https://forum.postwrestling.comDiscord: https://discord.com/invite/Q795HhRMerch: https://store.postwrestling.comTwitter/Facebook/Instagram/YouTube: @POSTwrestlingSupport this podcas

Brandon Thurston, Jesse Collings, and Chris Gullo discuss the latest news in pro wrestling business.All In ticket sales reach 60,000 WWE in Puerto Rico WBD earnings reportWWE Friday Night Smackdown preliminary rating is lower than usualCurrent trends for WWE TV ratings, attendance, and Cagematch.net receptionELO draft standing updateSuperchat: Does AEW All In improve the perceived value of AEW TV in Britain?Superchat: Did this week's AEW Dynamite rating skew younger?AEW hires Will Washington as Director of Wrestling AdministrationVideo version: https://youtube.com/live/KAWIqsKfSX4

John Pollock and Brandon Thurston break down WWE’s Q1 earnings report and discuss the early success of AEW All In.The two chat about the first quarter of 2023 for WWE and the key divisions that highlighted the period, notes from earnings Q&A, how the merger was discussed, and notes on the domestic rights negotiations.Plus, they react to the early pre-sale success for AEW’s All In event at Wembley Stadium in London, England.Subscribe: https://postwrestling.com/subscribePatreon: http://postwrestlingcafe.comForum: https://forum.postwrestling.comDiscord: https://discord.com/invite/Q795HhRMerch: https://store.postwrestling.comTwitter/Facebook/Instagram/YouTube: @POSTwrestling

Brandon Thurston, Jesse Collings, and Chris Gullo discuss these topics:New lawsuit against WWE alleging racial discriminationPeacock subscribers, Jeff Shell steps down as NBC Universal CEOWWE & AEW rights value compared to other leagues WWE business since Wrestlemania & Vince's returnSuperchat: Was WWE badly underpaid by Comcast before FOX came in?Wrestlenomics DraftVideo version: https://youtube.com/live/LgiulblhiN0

John Pollock and Brandon Thurston welcome Pat Crakes to discuss the sports media industry, major deals on the horizon, and where professional wrestling fits in that space.They discuss the WWE’s domestic rights package, the battle between linear and streaming platforms, the value of SmackDown to Fox, WBD’s relationship with AEW, and the growth of the UFC. Crakes is a former SVP of Programming, Research & Content Strategy at Fox Sports and currently runs Crakes Media.Video version: https://youtube.com/live/gloJJbKMq8Y

Brandon Thurston, Jesse Collings, and Chris Gullo discuss these topics:AEW partner WBD supposedly interested in WWE rightsKey questions for media rights outlookStardom at Yokohama ArenaAEW reportedly booked United Center for CM Punk return in JuneLWO leads WWE merchandise analysis for second week in a rowVideo version: https://youtube.com/live/PHe8dL4Fryk

Brandon Thurston, Jesse Collings, and Chris Gullo discuss these topics:Nick Khan’s interview on LightShed Live, talking WWE’s merger with UFC, media rights, talent pay, sponsorshipsWhether WWE events will go back on pay-per-viewWWE Summerslam ticket salesAEW All Access ratings compared to Power SlapAEW All In pre-sale registrations for Wembley StadiumVideo version: https://youtube.com/live/64OtDPjGbd8POST Wrestling's summary of the Nick Khan interview

John Pollock and Brandon Thurston welcome Brandon Ross of LightShed Partners with his reaction to the WWE-UFC merger, reaction from Wall Street & the major questions moving forward.They go over the merger announcement, the many personalities involved, the value Nick Khan has brought to WWE, the volatility of Vince McMahon, WWE’s streaming and domestic television rights, the impact the NBA rights could have, PLE strategy, and next month’s WWE earnings call.YouTube version: https://youtube.com/live/j9FMcNZ-kB0The LightShed Podcast with Brandon Ross is available on SpotifyPOST WRESTLINGSubscribe: https://postwrestling.com/subscribePatreon: http://postwrestlingcafe.comForum: https://forum.postwrestling.comDiscord: https://discord.com/invite/Q795HhRMerch: https://store.postwrestling.comTwitter/Facebook/Instagram/YouTube: @POSTwrestlingWRESTLENOMICSPatreon: https://patreon.com/wrestlenomicsWebsite: https://wrestlenomics.com/Support this podcast at — https://redcircle.com/wrestlenomics-radio2532/donationsAdverti

WWE and Endeavor announced on Monday morning that WWE and Endeavor's UFC will merge by late 2023. Brandon Thurston and Chris Gullo discuss one of the most pivotal stories in pro wrestling history.WWE-UFC mergerPossible layoffsNew ownership breakdownWrestlemania businessVince's return to creativeVideo version: https://youtube.com/live/PNzO6kkoNwA

John Pollock and Brandon Thurston welcome CNBC reporter Alex Sherman to discuss Endeavor’s move to merge WWE with UFC under a new company.Sherman was the reporter to break the news on Sunday and we will speak with Sherman about this seismic event for the companies, the broader media landscape, Vince McMahon’s role, and what this means for all the key players.Plus, Pollock & Thurston react to the discussion and answer questions from listeners.Video version: https://youtube.com/live/A8nacmOqYSwPOST WRESTLINGSubscribe: https://postwrestling.com/subscribePatreon: http://postwrestlingcafe.comForum: https://forum.postwrestling.comDiscord: https://discord.com/invite/Q795HhRMerch: https://store.postwrestling.comTwitter/Facebook/Instagram/YouTube: @POSTwrestlingWRESTLENOMICSPatreon: https://patreon.com/wrestlenomicsWebsite: https://wrestlenomics.com/Twitter/Facebook/Instagram: @wrestlenomicsSupport this podcast at — https://redcircle.com/wrestlenomics-radio2532/donationsAdvertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com

John Pollock and Brandon Thurston discuss all aspects of Endeavor’s purchase of WWE and launching a new company with UFC.The two discuss the sale from all angles, analysis of Ari Emanuel and Vince McMahon’s appearance on CNBC, the many questions that arise, the role McMahon will hold, what Endeavor sees in the combination of WWE & UFC & more.Plus, your listener questions regarding the sale.Subscribe: https://postwrestling.com/subscribePatreon: http://postwrestlingcafe.comForum: https://forum.postwrestling.comDiscord: https://discord.com/invite/Q795HhRMerch: https://store.postwrestling.comTwitter/Facebook/Instagram/YouTube: @POSTwrestlingSupport this podcast at — https://redcircle.com/wrestlenomics-radio2532/donationsAdvertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brandsPrivacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

WWE is near a deal to merge with UFC, according to a report from CNBC.Brandon Thurston is joined by MJ from NJ to break down what we know so far.Video version: https://youtube.com/live/JfTkLypiu3cSupport this podcast at — https://redcircle.com/wrestlenomics-radio2532/donationsAdvertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brandsPrivacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

Brandon Thurston and Jesse Collings talk about the latest news about the business of Wrestlemania, including:Vince McMahon is officially a WWE employee again and was present at WrestlemaniaAttendance of Night 1, Smackdown, and Supercard of HonorBrandon estimates the gate for both nights of Wrestlemania combined could be around $20 millionWWE is getting $1.8 million subsidies from Puerto Rico related to BacklashNick Khan’s latest appearance on CNBCVideo version: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hbN79WIZ8xU

Brandon Thurston, Jesse Collings, and Chris Gullo talk about these subjects in wrestling business:WWE's 8-K filing of reimbursement agreement with Vince McMahon related to sexual misconduct investigationWrestlemania tickets distributed updateLatest estimated tickets distributed for Wrestlemania weekend eventsQuarterly annual growth rates for TV and attendance for WWE and AEWAEW Forbidden Door tickets distributed updateWWEShop top merchandise sellers/most items updateShopAEW top merchandise sellers updatePWTees top merchandise sellers updateWith recent business numbers should Roman Reigns be a Wrestling Observer Hall Of Famer?      Super Chat- Any thoughts re Fite as loss leader /OTT service? Is there a long-term risk in changing the perceived cost of GCW/Mania weekend(like the network did for Mania), maybe even for non-Fite/GCW-associated PPVs?Video version: https://youtube.com/live/VSF5BEekISA

John Pollock and Brandon Thurston speak with Mike Weber of FITE TV as the platform gets set for its busiest week of the year.They discuss the growth of FITE TV, its expansion with the FITE+ streaming service, the state of the streaming industry in combat sports, The Collective series of shows, and his thoughts on a potential WWE sale.Subscribe: https://postwrestling.com/subscribePatreon: http://postwrestlingcafe.comForum: https://forum.postwrestling.comDiscord: https://discord.com/invite/Q795HhRMerch: https://store.postwrestling.comTwitter/Facebook/Instagram/YouTube: @POSTwrestlingSupport this podcast at — https://redcircle.com/wrestlenomics-radio2532/donationsAdvertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brandsPrivacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

Brandon Thurston, Jesse Collings and Chris Gullo talk about these subjects in wrestling business:AEW begins running house showsAEW announces six-show Canadian tourNXT Stand And Deliver ticket salesROH Supercard of Honor ticket salesWrestlemania ticket salesWWE live event market-to-market comparisonComparing Google Trends, quarter-hours, and WWEShop daily top 10 item counts between Sami Zayn and Cody RhodesScissorfest trademarked by The AcclaimedAEW Collision trademark filedMLW viewership updateTony Khan's approach and criticism of promoting AEW on Social MediaSuper chat: What's the chance of CM Punk coming back to AEW?Super chat: Is Tony Khan on Twitter too much?AEW's upcoming Canadian tour and other potential international markets.Video version: https://youtube.com/live/QaP7TwsXH64

Brandon Thurston and Chris Gullo talk about these subjects in wrestling business:Talent analytics for Roman Reigns across TV ratings, Google web search, YouTube videos, WWEShopThe latest coverage on WWE's attempt to legalize gambling on matchesGCW challenges AEW's "Fight Forever" trademarkWWE confirms two PLEs after Wrestlemania in Puerto Rico and Saudi ArabiaComments on WWE from Fox CEO Lachlan Murdoch and from Endeavor CEO Ari Emanuel, both at the Morgan Stanley TMT conferenceVideo version: https://youtube.com/live/C86aiTQqKicVideo version of Brandon’s catch-up super chat discussion with MJ from NJ: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eI-CDwD4D-k

We demonstrate declines in various consumer metrics for AEW over the last year. Brandon Thurston, Jesse Collings, and Chris Gullo discuss possible causes ahead of AEW's Revolution pay-per-view in San Francisco.AEW fan interest is weakeningWhy is AEW fan interest down?Is Endeavor interested in buying WWE?AEW All Acess premiere date, ratings expectationsSuper chat: Should Revolution be considered a B PPV?Super chat: Can potential WWE bidders lowball TV rights?Video version: https://youtube.com/live/ezR-nTx4eB8

Brandon Thurston, Jesse Collings, and Chris Gullo discuss:Evaluating the WWE PCWBD's claim about AEW Dynamite viewershipKeiji Muto's retirement likely draws highest attendance in Japan in yearsWrestlemania ticket sales updateVideo version: https://youtube.com/live/Apf5Eu1QH7g

John Pollock and Brandon Thurston speak with labor attorney Lucas Middlebrook on the state of independent contractors in professional wrestling.They discuss the lack of representation for wrestlers, the steps necessary to form an association or union, the difference between the two, escalating revenue in the industry, independent contractor status & many other subjects.Additional reading:In the WWE, Wrestlers Say Labor Abuses Are Everywhere (Jacobin)Subscribe: https://postwrestling.com/subscribePatreon: http://postwrestlingcafe.comForum: https://forum.postwrestling.comDiscord: https://discord.com/invite/Q795HhRMerch: https://store.postwrestling.comTwitter/Facebook/Instagram/YouTube: @POSTwrestlingSupport this podcast at — https://redcircle.com/wrestlenomics-radio2532/donationsAdvertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brandsPrivacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy