Below are a couple of top news stories of the day, featuring Vince McMahon and TKO.
• Vince McMahon introduced the term “WWE Universe” to emphasize the special relationship between the company and its audience.
Speaking on the Something to Wrestle podcast, JBL explained that McMahon sought to avoid the simple term “fans,” believing it didn’t fully acknowledge their role in the product.
According to JBL:
“Vince was huge about respecting the fans, but he didn’t want to call them that. That’s why he came up with the term ‘WWE Universe’. Vince wanted to give them a special name because they were part of the show — they were part of us.”
McMahon’s goal was to make the audience feel integrated into the experience, ensuring they were recognized as more than just spectators. JBL continued:
“It wasn’t like, ‘Hey, here come our fans. They’re going to pay a fee, and because of that, we’re going to balance a ball on our nose and perform.’ It wasn’t about doing whatever we wanted while they just watched.
Vince wanted the fans to feel like they were part of the show, which they were. When done right, fans are a key part of the show. That’s why he came up with the term ‘WWE Universe.’”
WATCH: Sable Kisses Vince McMahon:
• TKO (parent company of WWE & UFC) and the Saudi Arabia Public Investment Fund are reportedly close to launching a new boxing league, featuring up-and-coming boxers exclusively tied to the competition.
According to Tariq Panja and Kevin Draper of The New York Times, “a deal for what would be a new competition, featuring up-and-coming boxers tied exclusively to the league, could be announced within weeks, according to three people familiar with the matter.”
While TKO declined to comment further, stating they “had nothing to announce,” the company emphasized its openness to opportunities that could add value for shareholders.
TKO’s statement to the Times read: “We would evaluate any unique and compelling opportunity that could fit well in our portfolio of businesses and create incremental value for our shareholders.” The Saudi wealth fund also declined to comment.
In addition to discussions with the Saudi Arabia Public Investment Fund, TKO is reportedly engaging with other Arab nations regarding the boxing league.
UFC CEO Dana White, who has long expressed an interest in entering the boxing world, recently revealed that he “has a plan” to become a boxing promoter.
Saudi Arabia has increasingly become a hub for major boxing events, including the Tyson Fury vs. Oleksandr Usyk bouts.
TKO President Mark Shapiro indicated that, if TKO were to enter boxing, it would do so in an “organic way”.
