A new report from the Wrestling Observer Newsletter has revealed details about the business relationship between WWE and TNA Wrestling. According to the report, the partnership includes a clause that gives WWE an option to purchase TNA and the right of first refusal on any other offers for the company.
WWE’s Option To Buy TNA Wrestling
In the latest newsletter, Dave Meltzer reported that a WWE source confirmed their working agreement with TNA is similar to deals the company previously offered to European independent promotions. Those deals included a provision that gave WWE “an option for a certain length of time to buy TNA.”
The report also notes that the agreement gives WWE the “right of first refusal to match any other offers for TNA.” This effectively means that any potential buyer would have to be friendly with WWE, because if not, WWE could simply match the offer and purchase the company themselves.
The Future Of The TNA Partnership
The report comes after recent rumors that former UFC owner Lorenzo Fertitta has shown interest in buying TNA. The goal for WWE, according to the report, is to have a strong, friendly company in the No. 2 spot in the US, which helps elevate the value of the entire genre for television rights deals.
The two promotions announced a working agreement earlier this year. The full, detailed report can be found in the latest edition of the Wrestling Observer Newsletter.
