“You’ve Got to Walk Before You Run”: Endeavour COO Claims WWE Will Not Follow a Similar Strategy Like the UFC Which Received Major Criticism a Few Months Ago

WWE is one of the most popular sports entertainment programs of all time. The pro wrestling spectacle was popularized by Vince McMahon several years ago and has been going strong. However, earlier this year, the company sold itself to UFC’s parent company Endeavor. Recently, Endeavor’s COO Mark Shapiro in a podcast discussed why they bought WWE, and how things are working with WWE CEO Nick Khan, among other things. However, he also spoke on a major issue that might be a major talking point for WWE fans.

Speaking on the podcast, the host asked Shapiro if WWE might follow a similar path such as UFC after Endeavour acquired the company in a deal worth $21 billion. However, Shapiro did not provide a clear answer but hinted that they might do something similar.

UFC’s decision to over-commercializing their fighter’s attires attracted major criticism a few months ago. When UFC signed a shoe deal with Dwayne Johnson and Project Rock, it upset the fighters. The shoe deal ended up providing very fewer incentives to the fighters, and they had raised their major concerns about it.

What did Mark Shapiro claim about WWE following UFC’s commercialization path?

Being one of the most watched television shows of all time, WWE could benefit from commercializing their shows. However, Shapiro hinted that although they have not decided anything yet, they might not commercialize the shows.

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He said, “Look, we haven’t finished this transaction, we are still running through the process, we are not making any decisions, we are not in control, So I am not gonna forecast what we may or may not do. I will speak to you from a point of view why we thought it was so attractive beyond what I have already mentioned, and the answer is yes, all those are opportunities. “

Shapiro further said, “you have to figure out what’s right in the ring, in the Octagon, you have to figure out what’s right in the arena, indoor, outdoor, you have to figure out what’s right with the fighter and the participants and you’ve got to walk before you run.”

After what occurred with their shoe deal a few months ago, UFC and Endeavor might think twice before commercializing anything in WWE. However, one does not know what might happen in the future. And with the WWE fanbase being really vocal about any changes in their product, Endeavor is maybe right to tread cautiously before deciding on any such major step.

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Do you guys think WWE should commercialize their shows? Let us know in the comments.