WWE has steered its content in a PG direction for years, but for fans hoping for a return to an edgier product like the glory days of the Attitude Era, that seems far off.
Especially if the pro wrestling giant teams with Disney.
While speaking at the Goldman Sachs Communacopia + Technology Conference, TKO president Mark Shapiro said that the company was planning special events that would bring the WWE and Disney audiences together.
“When it comes to going after families, that’s our audience. I think advertisers are starting to see that. Frankly, I’m excited about 2027 as we’re working with the Walt Disney Company on some special events around Disney and WWE and bringing those two audiences together since, of course, what do they have in common? Family,” Shapiro said, according to the Wrestling Observer Newsletter.
WWE has ebbed and flowed over the years on whether it presented a more family-friendly product or one based on reality-oriented storylines that pushed the envelope. With TKO and Disney both publicly traded companies, the best business approach is to reach kids and families first.
The partnership between WWE and ESPN is just finishing up its first year, with the company’s premium live events airing on the ESPN Unlimited platform. ESPN pushed back against any notion that it’s unhappy with the current deal after a report was retracted about them potentially already deciding not to renew their contract with WWE.
And with four years left on the deal, there is plenty of time to explore other potential areas of collaboration far beyond ESPN throughout the WWE universe. What that may include for Disney remains to be seen.
One potential option could be an altcast like we’ve seen with various sports broadcasts in the past, like Big City Greens and The Simpsons. Except instead of an NBA or NFL game, it could be something like SummerSlam or another PLE that gets the animated altcast treatment. More sports content is also coming to Disney+, so a family-friendly WWE series could land there too.
There are also too many merch possibilities between the two companies to print money. Penta masks for Bluey characters? Why not!
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