WWE facts for kids
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Trade name
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WWE |
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Formerly
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Titan Sports, Inc. (1980–1999) World Wrestling Federation Entertainment, Inc. (1999–2002) World Wrestling Entertainment, Inc. (2002–present) |
| Subsidiary | |
| Industry |
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| Predecessor | Capitol Wrestling Corporation Ltd. |
| Founded |
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| Founder | Jess McMahon or Vincent J. McMahon (as Capitol Wrestling Corporation Ltd.) Vince McMahon and Linda McMahon (as Titan Sports, Inc.) |
| Headquarters |
707 Washington Blvd
,
Stamford, Connecticut United States
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Area served
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Worldwide |
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Key people
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| Products |
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| Services | Licensing |
| Revenue |  US$1.326 billion (2023) |
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Operating income
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US$141 million (2023) |
| US$195.6 million (2022) |
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| Total assets | US$1.35 billion (2022) |
| Total equity | US$517.2 million (2022) |
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Number of employees
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~800 (2023) |
| Parent | TKO Group Holdings |
| Divisions | WWE Books WWE Libraries WWE Music Group WWE Network WWE Performance Center WWE Studios |
| Subsidiaries | Tapout (50%) WCW Inc. Others |
World Wrestling Entertainment (WWE) is a big American company. It focuses on professional wrestling. It is owned by TKO Group Holdings. This company is part of Endeavor Group Holdings.
WWE is a global entertainment company. It does more than just wrestling. It also makes films and licensing deals. They license their ideas for video games and action figures.
The company started in 1953 as the Capitol Wrestling Corporation (CWC). It was part of the National Wrestling Alliance (NWA). In 1963, CWC left the NWA. It became the World Wide Wrestling Federation (WWWF). The WWWF rejoined the NWA in 1971. In 1980, it changed its name to the World Wrestling Federation (WWF). It left the NWA for good in 1983. In 2002, the WWF changed its name again. It became World Wrestling Entertainment (WWE) after a legal issue. Since 2011, the company just uses the initials WWE.
Before September 2023, Vince McMahon was the main owner. He was a third-generation wrestling promoter. He owned a large part of the company. The company we know today started as Titan Sports, Inc. in 1980. It bought Capitol Wrestling Corporation Ltd. in 1982. Titan Sports changed its name to World Wrestling Federation Entertainment, Inc. in 1999. Then it became World Wrestling Entertainment, Inc. in 2002. In 2023, its official name changed to World Wrestling Entertainment, LLC.
WWE is the biggest wrestling company in the world. Its main wrestlers are split into two groups. These are called Raw and Smackdown. Its training group, NXT, is in Orlando, Florida. WWE shows are seen in over one billion homes worldwide. They are available in 30 languages. The company's main office is in Stamford, Connecticut. It also has offices in many other cities around the world.
WWE shows are not real fights. They are entertainment. They feature storylines and scripted matches. The matches are partly planned. But they can still be risky for the performers. In 1989, Vince McMahon said that wrestling was pre-determined. This helped avoid certain taxes. WWE calls its product "sports entertainment". This shows it combines sports and theater.
In 2023, WWE looked into selling the company. In April 2023, WWE joined with Endeavor Group Holdings. They merged with Zuffa, which owns Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC). They formed a new company called TKO Group Holdings. Vince McMahon became the chairman of this new company. Nick Khan became its president. The merger finished on September 12, 2023. In 2024, McMahon left the company completely.
Contents
How WWE Wrestlers Work
WWE signs most of its wrestlers to special contracts. This means they can only perform for WWE. They cannot work for other wrestling companies. This is unless WWE agrees to it. WWE keeps all details about wrestler salaries and contracts private.
WWE calls its wrestlers "independent contractors." They are not called employees. This means wrestlers do not get some benefits. These benefits would normally come with being an employee.
In December 2021, WWE started a new contract for college athletes. These are called "next in line agreements." They follow NCAA rules.
WWE on the Stock Market
On October 19, 1999, WWF became a public company. It started trading on the New York Stock Exchange (NYSE). This means people could buy shares of the company. It has traded on the NYSE since then. Its stock symbol is WWE.
The company shares information with investors. It does this at conferences. In 2003, the company started paying a small amount of money to shareholders. This is called a dividend. In 2011, this dividend was reduced.
WWE's Special Words
WWE uses special words for its product. It calls the wrestling business "sports entertainment." Fans of the main shows are called the "WWE Universe." Fans of NXT shows are the "NXT Universe."
Main roster wrestlers are called "WWE Superstars." NXT wrestlers are "NXT Superstars." Wrestlers who have stopped performing are "WWE Legends." Those in the WWE Hall of Fame are "Hall of Famers."
WWE Network and TV Deals
WWE Network Streaming Service
On February 24, 2014, WWE launched the WWE Network. This is a streaming service. It shows all WWE pay-per-view events. It also has original shows. These include wrestling programs, documentaries, and reality shows. You can also watch old WWE shows.
The service quickly became popular. It reached 1,000,000 subscribers in less than a year. WWE said it was the fastest-growing digital subscription service ever.
Starting in March 2021, the WWE Network in the United States moved to Peacock. This means U.S. fans watch WWE Network content on Peacock. This change did not affect the service outside the U.S.
Global TV Partnerships
WWE has many TV deals around the world. In May 2014, WWE and NBCUniversal agreed to keep Raw and SmackDown on the USA Network and Syfy. In 2016, SmackDown moved to the USA Network.
WWE has also made deals with many other TV companies. These include Sky Deutschland, DAZN, TV5 (Philippines), Saran Media, AB 1, SuperSport, Foxtel, Canal 1, Nine Network, Flow, TVA Sports, Sport TV, IB SPORTS, and SPS HD. These deals help WWE shows reach fans in many countries.
In December 2017, WWE and Facebook launched WWE Mixed Match Challenge. This was a live wrestling show on Facebook Watch. Wrestlers competed for charity.
On September 9, 2022, WWE partnered with The Foxtel Group in Australia. Foxtel became the only place to watch WWE in Australia. All WWE shows and events are available there.
On January 23, 2024, it was announced that Netflix will show WWE's main weekly show Raw. This starts in January 2025 in the U.S., Latin America, Canada, and the UK. Netflix will also be the only place for all WWE content outside the U.S. This includes documentaries, other shows, Smackdown, NXT, and big events like WrestleMania.
WWE Beyond Wrestling
WWE has expanded into other areas. It has several companies that do different things.
Active WWE Companies
- TSI Realty Co. (since 1997): This company handles real estate for WWE.
- WWE Books (since 2002): This group publishes books. They include biographies of wrestlers and guides to WWE.
- WCW Inc. (since 2001): WWE bought the rights to World Championship Wrestling (WCW) videos and ideas. This company manages them.
- WWE Legacy Department (since 2001): This is a collection of old wrestling videos and copyrights.
- WWE Studios (since 2002): This company makes films and TV shows. These include scripted, reality, and animated content.
- WWE Music Group (since 2006): This group makes music albums. They often feature wrestlers' entrance themes.
- WWE Performance Center (since 2013): This is where future WWE wrestlers train.
- WWE Shop (since 2015): This website sells official WWE clothes and merchandise.
- WWE Podcast Network (since 2019): This network features WWE wrestlers hosting their own podcasts.
WWE Charity Work
WWE works with many charities.
- Make-A-Wish Foundation: WWE has partnered with them for over 40 years. John Cena has granted more wishes than any other celebrity.
- United Service Organizations (USO): Since the early 2000s, WWE has hosted WWE Tribute to the Troops shows for military members.
- Be A S.T.A.R.: In 2011, WWE started this anti-bullying campaign. Wrestlers visit schools to talk about bullying.
- Susan G. Komen for the Cure: Since 2012, WWE has raised awareness for breast cancer in October. They sell special merchandise and use pink colors.
- Hire Heroes USA: Since 2012, WWE helps veterans find jobs.
- Connor's Cure: In 2014, Triple H and Stephanie McMahon started this charity. It helps children with brain and spinal cord tumors. WWE recognizes September as Pediatric Cancer Awareness Month.
- Special Olympics: WWE has partnered with them since 2014.
- Boys & Girls Clubs of America: WWE has partnered with them since 2016.
- Girl Up: In 2018, WWE and the United Nations Foundation's Girl Up started "Sports for a Purpose." This program helps girls get involved in sports.
- Leukemia & Lymphoma Society: Since 2019, WWE has partnered with them to support leukemia research.
- National Medal of Honor Museum Foundation: Since 2021, WWE has partnered with them to honor Medal of Honor recipients.
Partnership with Tapout
In March 2015, WWE teamed up with Authentic Brands Group. They relaunched Tapout. It was a major clothing line for MMA. Now it is a general "lifestyle fitness" brand. WWE helps market the brand. WWE wrestlers often wear Tapout gear.
WWE Working with Other Companies
WWE has sometimes worked with other wrestling companies.
In the 1970s, 80s, and early 90s, WWE worked with Japanese companies like New Japan Pro-Wrestling (NJPW). They also worked with Mexican companies like Universal Wrestling Association (UWA). These partnerships led to new championships.
From 1992 to 1996, WWE exchanged talent with U.S. and Japanese companies. These included Smokey Mountain Wrestling (SMW) and United States Wrestling Association (USWA).
In 1997, WWE worked with Mexico's AAA. Wrestlers from AAA appeared at the Royal Rumble event. WWE also worked with Japan's Michinoku Pro Wrestling (MPW).
From 1997 to 1998, WWE partnered with the National Wrestling Alliance (NWA). NWA matches were shown on WWE programming.
In 2015, WWE partnered with Evolve. This U.S. company helped WWE find new talent for NXT. In 2020, WWE bought Evolve.
In 2016, WWE worked with England's Progress Wrestling. Progress hosted qualifying matches for WWE's Cruiserweight Classic. Later, Progress shows began airing on the WWE Network.
In 2017, WWE partnered with Scotland's Insane Championship Wrestling (ICW). Some ICW talent appeared in WWE events. ICW shows also started airing on the WWE Network in 2020.
In 2018, WWE partnered with Germany's Westside Xtreme Wrestling (wXw). WWE held tryouts at the wXw Wrestling Academy. wXw shows began airing on the WWE Network in 2020.
In February 2023, WWE's NXT brand partnered with Reality of Wrestling (ROW). This company is owned by WWE Hall of Famer Booker T.
In December 2023, WWE partnered with All Japan Pro Wrestling (AJPW). This partnership grew in 2024. An NXT wrestler, Charlie Dempsey, went to Japan to compete for a championship.
In 2024, WWE also started partnerships with Total Nonstop Action Wrestling (TNA), Dream Star Fighting Marigold (Marigold), and Pro Wrestling Noah (NOAH).
Throughout its history, WWE has had agreements with smaller companies. These companies served as training grounds for new wrestlers.
Images for kids
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Vincent J. McMahon with Verne Gagne and Bruno Sammartino in 1975
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Vincent K. McMahon, former majority owner and executive chairman of WWE, in 1986.
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Shawn Michaels became one of the biggest stars in WWF during this time, since an iconic ladder match at WrestleMania X in 1994.
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Stone Cold Steve Austin rivalry with Vince McMahon is often cited as having turned the tides for WWF in the Monday Night War against rival promotion WCW.
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John Cena gradually became one of the biggest star of the WWE during this time and since 2005 he went on to win the WWE Championship a record 13-times.
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Roman Reigns (center) has been a top star in the WWE since 2015, and at WrestleMania 38 in 2022 Reigns defeated Brock Lesnar to unify the WWE Championship with the WWE Universal Championship.
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Former WWE Chairwoman and CEO Stephanie McMahon (right) with her husband WWE CCO and Head of Creative Triple H (left)
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The logo of TKO Group Holdings
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