Wrestlenomics

John Pollock and Brandon Thurston chat about the revelation that Tony Khan placed a bid for the WWE during its sale process in 2023.

They discuss the disclosure in unredacted filings that gives us additional insight into the bids for WWE three years ago, Tony Khan’s role, and more.

Plus: WWE’s plans for a return to Saudi Arabia later this year are in jeopardy, WWE strikes a content partnership with Front Office Sports, and WrestleMania 42 tickets experience some movement after this past week’s sale.

VIDEO VERSION: https://youtube.com/live/Fx9BC1DVgbA

Topics this week include:

• Tony Khan bid on WWE during its 2023 sale process 
• The status of WWE going to Saudi Arabia later this year
• WWE strikes a partnership with Front Office Sports 
• WrestleMania 42 ticket sales following the 3:16 sale
• WWE lifts blackout policy for watch parties 
• AEW Revolution notes 
• All In tickets go on sale this week at Wembley Stadium
• TV & streaming viewership figures 

Additional reading:

• Tony Khan bid for WWE in the 2023 sale process - https://www.postwrestling.com/2026/03/19/tony-khan-bid-for-wwe-in-2023-sale-process-ultimately-won-by-endeavor-to-create-tko/ 
• WWE Night of Champions in Saudi Arabia this spring - https://www.postwrestling.com/2026/03/17/night-of-champions-has-been-on-wwes-internal-schedule-for-saudi-arabia-for-early-this-summer-war-in-the-region-raises-questions/ 
• WWE and Front Office Sports announce content partnership - https://www.postwrestling.com/2026/03/17/wwe-and-front-office-sports-announce-content-parternship-to-develop-business-focused-content/ 
• WWE lifts WrestleMania 42 watch party blackout - https://www.postwrestling.com/2026/03/14/wwe-lifts-wrestlemania-42-watch-party-blackout-in-las-vegas/ 

Music courtesy: “Panic Beat” by Ben Tramer

POST Wrestling

Subscribe: https://postwrestling.com/subscribe

Patreon: http://postwrestlingcafe.com

Forum: https://forum.postwrestling.com

Discord: https://discord.com/invite/Q795HhR

Twitter/Facebook/Instagram/YouTube: @POSTwrestling

Bluesky: https://bsky.app/profile/postwrestling.com

Wrestlenomics

Subscribe: https://wrestlenomics.com/podcast/

Patreon: https://patreon.com/wrestlenomics

Substack: https://wrestlenomics.substack.com/

Twitter/Facebook/Instagram/YouTube: @Wrestlenomics

Bluesky: https://bsky.app/profile/wrestlenomics.com

Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brands

Privacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

John Pollock and Brandon Thurston discuss their reporting on ESPN's decision to remove letter grades from its WWE reviews and the relationship between the two.

Plus, AEW launches a streaming/FAST service, NXT Stand & Deliver to stream on YouTube, and UFC releases its card for the White House. 

Topics this week include:

• ESPN dropped WWE letter grades from reviews after WWE pushback, according to multiple sources
• AEW Revolution media call 
• AEW launches MyAEW streaming service 
• NXT Stand & Deliver to stream on YouTube 
• Saturday Night’s Main Event in Fort Wayne on May 23 
• AEW attendances for Revolution & Double or Nothing 
• MVP signs deal with ESPN
• TV & streaming figures for the past week 
• UFC 326 numbers on CBS 

VIDEO VERSION: https://youtube.com/live/tq6ZiBB1laI

Additional reading:

• ESPN dropped WWE letter grades from reviews after WWE pushback - https://www.postwrestling.com/2026/03/10/espn-dropped-wwe-letter-grades-from-reviews-after-wwe-pushback-according-to-multiple-sources/ 
• AEW announces MyAEW.com streaming service - https://www.postwrestling.com/2026/03/09/aew-announces-myaew-com-streaming-service/ 
• NXT Stand & Deliver to stream on YouTube - https://www.postwrestling.com/2026/03/11/shawn-michaels-announces-wwe-nxt-stand-and-deliver-will-stream-on-youtube/ 
• Ronda Rousey slams UFC’s pay structure - https://www.postwrestling.com/2026/03/10/ronda-rousey-slams-ufcs-pay-structure-they-cant-support-their-families/ 
• Francis Ngannou set for co-main event of Rousey vs. Carano - https://www.postwrestling.com/2026/03/09/francis-ngannou-set-for-co-main-event-of-rousey-vs-carano-netflix-card/ 

Music courtesy: “Panic Beat” by Ben Tramer

POST Wrestling

Subscribe: https://postwrestling.com/subscribe

Patreon: http://postwrestlingcafe.com

Forum: https://forum.postwrestling.com

Discord: https://discord.com/invite/Q795HhR

Twitter/Facebook/Instagram/YouTube: @POSTwrestling

Bluesky: https://bsky.app/profile/postwrestling.com

Wrestlenomics

Subscribe: https://wrestlenomics.com/podcast/

Patreon: https://patreon.com/wrestlenomics

Substack: https://wrestlenomics.substack.com/

Twitter/Facebook/Instagram/YouTube: @Wrestlenomics

Bluesky: https://bsky.app/profile/wrestlenomics.com

Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brands

Privacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

John Pollock and Brandon Thurston go through the latest news on the WWE shareholder lawsuit and allegations of communications being deleted, plus Mark Shapiro speaks at the Morgan Stanley conference.

Plus, Janel Grant speaks publicly again, and a judge orders that redactions be removed in the WWE shareholder lawsuit. 

Topics this week include:

• WWE plaintiffs seek sanctions over deleted Signal messages
• Judge orders parties in WWE shareholder lawsuit to remove redactions
• Janel Grant speaks on behalf of bill in Connecticut 
• Mark Shapiro at the Morgan Stanley Conference 
• Paramount+ to combine with HBO Max, if the acquisition is approved
• UFC could air on TNT
• CM Punk claims Chamber drew the second-highest arena gate
• TV & streaming figures for the past week

VIDEO VERSION: https://youtube.com/live/ClYEuDUmTjw

Additional reading:

• Judge orders parties in WWE shareholder lawsuit to remove redactions - https://www.postwrestling.com/2026/03/05/judge-orders-parties-in-wwe-shareholder-lawsuit-to-remove-redactions-after-challenged-by-reporter/ 
• WWE merger plaintiffs seek sanctions over deleted Signal messages - https://www.postwrestling.com/2026/03/04/wwe-merger-plaintiffs-seek-sanctions-over-deleted-signal-messages-allege-december-2022-vince-mcmahon-ari-emanuel-meeting/ 
• TKO announces quarterly dividend payment - https://www.postwrestling.com/2026/03/04/tko-announces-quarterly-dividend-payment-for-end-of-the-month/ 
• Will AEW become a priority or expendable under Paramount? https://www.postwrestling.com/2026/03/03/will-aew-become-a-priority-or-expendable-under-paramounts-ownership-opinion/ 
• Paramount+ and HBO Max to combine - https://www.postwrestling.com/2026/03/02/paramount-intends-to-combine-paramount-and-hbo-max-if-acquisition-is-approved/ 
• Janel Grant and her counsel speak on behalf of bill to limit usage of NDAs in Connecticut - https://www.postwrestling.com/2026/03/05/janel-grant-and-her-counsel-speak-on-behalf-of-bill-to-limit-usage-of-ndas-in-connecticut/
• Dr. Carlon Colker loses appeal of order to produce documents showing Vince McMahon paid Janel Grant’s medical bills - https://www.postwrestling.com/2026/03/05/dr-carlon-colker-loses-appeal-of-order-to-produce-documents-showing-vince-mcmahon-paid-janel-grants-medical-bills/

Music courtesy: “Panic Beat” by Ben Tramer

POST Wrestling

Subscribe: https://postwrestling.com/subscribe

Patreon: http://postwrestlingcafe.com

Forum: https://forum.postwrestling.com

Discord: https://discord.com/invite/Q795HhR

Twitter/Facebook/Instagram/YouTube: @POSTwrestling

Bluesky: https://bsky.app/profile/postwrestling.com

Wrestlenomics

Subscribe: https://wrestlenomics.com/podcast/

Patreon: https://patreon.com/wrestlenomics

Substack: https://wrestlenomics.substack.com/

Twitter/Facebook/Instagram/YouTube: @Wrestlenomics

Bluesky: https://bsky.app/profile/wrestlenomics.com

Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brands

Privacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

John Pollock and Brandon Thurston go through TKO’s year-end earnings report, new details on the UFC White House card, and big projections for 2026.

Plus, Brandon Thurston examines the rebound in professional wrestling TV ratings following Nielsen's recent methodology adjustments. 

Topics this week include:

• TKO’s Q4 and Year-End Earnings Report 
• Projections for 2026
• UFC to spend $60 million on White House card 
• Wrestling TV ratings rebound for Nielsen adjustments 
• WBD accepts a higher bid from Paramount, Netflix bows out 
• WBD earnings, updated subscriber count 
• NXT Stand & Deliver moving away from ‘Mania Weekend 
• Zuffa Boxing signs Connor Benn, fight announced for April 11 
• Collision airs head-to-head with Elimination Chamber
• Advance for Elimination Chamber in Chicago, per WrestleTix
• ESPN Unlimited is available to Xfinity subscribers

Additional reading:

• Wrestling TV ratings rebound after Nielsen’s adjustments - https://wrestlenomics.com/articles/2026/wrestling-tv-ratings-rebound-after-nielsen-adjusts-big-data-panel-methodology/ 
• Netflix declines to raise bid for Warner Bros. - https://about.netflix.com/en/news/netflix-declines-to-raise-offer-for-warner-bros 
• Whistleblower claims Paramount head leaked details of UFC deal - https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/business/business-news/paramount-president-jeff-shell-leaked-details-of-ultimate-fighting-championship-deal-rj-cipriani-1236514207/ 
• WBD Earnings - https://variety.com/2026/film/news/hbo-max-subscribers-132-million-warner-bros-discovery-earnings-1236673104/ 
• Boxing braced for $1 billion lawsuit over TKO & Sela’s Zuffa launch - https://www.nytimes.com/athletic/7070249/2026/02/25/frank-warren-dana-white-sela-lawsuit/
• ESPN Unlimited finally coming to Xfinity subscribers - https://awfulannouncing.com/espn/espn-unlimited-finally-coming-to-xfinity-subscribers.html

Music courtesy: “Panic Beat” by Ben Tramer

POST Wrestling

Subscribe: https://postwrestling.com/subscribe

Patreon: http://postwrestlingcafe.com

Forum: https://forum.postwrestling.com

Discord: https://discord.com/invite/Q795HhR

Twitter/Facebook/Instagram/YouTube: @POSTwrestling

Bluesky: https://bsky.app/profile/postwrestling.com

Wrestlenomics

Subscribe: https://wrestlenomics.com/podcast/

Patreon: https://patreon.com/wrestlenomics

Substack: https://wrestlenomics.substack.com/

Twitter/Facebook/Instagram/YouTube: @Wrestlenomics

Bluesky: https://bsky.app/profile/wrestlenomics.com

Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brands

Privacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

John Pollock and Brandon Thurston report on Janel Grant’s speech at the Connecticut Alliance to End Sexual Violence event on Thursday. Grant spoke about her personal experience since the initial reporting by the Wall Street Journal and her lawsuit filed against Vince McMahon, John Laurinaitis & WWE in 2024, alleging sexual assault and sex trafficking.

Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brands

Privacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

John Pollock and Brandon Thurston look at the all-time gate record set at WrestleMania 41, drawing over $66 million over two nights, and the figures from John Cena’s retirement tour.

Topics this week include:

• WrestleMania 41 gate exceeds $66 million
• Comparison of WrestleMania ticket prices over the years 
• Pollstar figures for John Cena’s retirement tour, final draw sets a record
• Ronda Rousey to fight Gina Carano on Netflix
• WWE’s European tour includes the first PLE in Italy
• CNN article discloses WBD’s minority interest in AEW
• AEW Double or Nothing at Louis Armstrong Stadium 
• Hearing in the Janel Grant case scheduled for June
• WBD reopens talks with Paramount 
• TV & streaming figures for Raw, Impact, SmackDown, Grand Slam Australia

Additional reading:

• John Cena’s retirement show sets arena record 
• WrestleMania 41 broke all existing pro wrestling gate records 
• Netflix announces Ronda Rousey vs. Gina Carano
• WWE Clash in Italy among European tour shows 
• Warner Bros. Discovery reopens talks with Paramount

Music courtesy: “Panic Beat” by Ben Tramer

POST Wrestling

Subscribe: https://postwrestling.com/subscribe

Patreon: http://postwrestlingcafe.com

Forum: https://forum.postwrestling.com

Discord: https://discord.com/invite/Q795HhR

Twitter/Facebook/Instagram/YouTube: @POSTwrestling

Bluesky: https://bsky.app/profile/postwrestling.com

Wrestlenomics

Subscribe: https://wrestlenomics.com/podcast/

Patreon: https://patreon.com/wrestlenomics

Substack: https://wrestlenomics.substack.com/

Twitter/Facebook/Instagram/YouTube: @Wrestlenomics

Bluesky: https://bsky.app/profile/wrestlenomics.com

Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brands

Privacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

John Pollock and Brandon Thurston move to prime time and discuss everything involving Brody King, Janel Grant to speak in public, the status of WM 42 ticket sales & more.

Topics this week include:

• Anti-ICE chants and mainstream coverage for AEW
• Brody King misses Dynamite, WBD denies report regarding the reason
• Janel Grant to speak in Hartford next week
• Ring boy’s response Vince & Linda McMahon
• Anthem Wrestling Entertainment’s case involving Gail Kim
• WrestleMania 42 ticket sales and comparison to last year
• TV & streaming viewership data
• WWE & AEW market-to-market comparisons in January

Music courtesy: “Panic Beat” by Ben Tramer

POST Wrestling

Subscribe: https://postwrestling.com/subscribe

Patreon: http://postwrestlingcafe.com

Forum: https://forum.postwrestling.com

Discord: https://discord.com/invite/Q795HhR

Twitter/Facebook/Instagram/YouTube: @POSTwrestling

Bluesky: https://bsky.app/profile/postwrestling.com

Wrestlenomics

Subscribe: https://wrestlenomics.com/podcast/

Patreon: https://patreon.com/wrestlenomics

Substack: https://wrestlenomics.substack.com/

Twitter/Facebook/Instagram/YouTube: @Wrestlenomics

Bluesky: https://bsky.app/profile/wrestlenomics.com

Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brands

Privacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

John Pollock and Brandon Thurston cover the Royal Rumble, Ashley Massaro mentioned in the Epstein files, and a breakdown of Zuffa Boxing’s contracts.

Topics this week include:

• Royal Rumble in Riyadh
• Event still not available for YouTube TV or Comcast Xfinity subscribers
• Backlash announced for Tampa in May
• Ashley Massaro mentioned in Jeffrey Epstein files
• Variety covers update by Nielsen before the Super Bowl
• Legal updates across multiple cases
• Zuffa Boxing’s restrictive contracts 
• Dana White to testify in Johnson v. Zuffa this week

Additional reading:

• Nielsen’s New Ratings Data Could Give Cable a Short-Term Boost (Variety)
• Nielsen’s Super Bowl measurement (Variety)
• Zuffa Boxing’s contracts (The Guardian)

VIDEO VERSION: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4HymkZGWISk

Music courtesy: “Panic Beat” by Ben Tramer

POST Wrestling

Subscribe: https://postwrestling.com/subscribe

Patreon: http://postwrestlingcafe.com

Forum: https://forum.postwrestling.com

Discord: https://discord.com/invite/Q795HhR

Twitter/Facebook/Instagram/YouTube: @POSTwrestling

Bluesky: https://bsky.app/profile/postwrestling.com

Wrestlenomics

Subscribe: https://wrestlenomics.com/podcast/

Patreon: https://patreon.com/wrestlenomics

Substack: https://wrestlenomics.substack.com/

Twitter/Facebook/Instagram/YouTube: @Wrestlenomics

Bluesky: https://bsky.app/profile/wrestlenomics.com

Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brands

Privacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

John Pollock and Brandon Thurston discuss the rapid construction in Saudi Arabia of a stadium to house the Royal Rumble.

Plus: Vince & Linda McMahon oppose John Does remaining anonymous in the ringboy suit, Triller’s finances & more.

Topics this week include:

• John & Brandon discuss the process of having a stadium built in Saudi Arabia and questions regarding the labor utilized for WWE’s return to Riyadh
• Vince & Linda McMahon oppose ring boys’ anonymity 
• Triller disclosure sheds light on AEW & BKFC ties 
• TNA Impact’s second week on AMC
• Paramount+ touts the success of UFC 324 
• TV viewership stats 

Additional reading:

• Nobody Wants to Work in These Situations”: A Decade of Exploitation on The Riyadh Metro Project (Amnesty International)
• What Is the Kafala System? (Council on Foreign Relations)
• Modern Slavery in Saudi Arabia (Walk Free)

VIDEO VERSION: https://www.youtube.com/live/5_dVKSkLFMU

Music courtesy: “Panic Beat” by Ben Tramer

POST Wrestling

Subscribe: https://postwrestling.com/subscribe

Patreon: http://postwrestlingcafe.com

Forum: https://forum.postwrestling.com

Discord: https://discord.com/invite/Q795HhR

Twitter/Facebook/Instagram/YouTube: @POSTwrestling

Bluesky: https://bsky.app/profile/postwrestling.com

Wrestlenomics

Subscribe: https://wrestlenomics.com/podcast/

Patreon: https://patreon.com/wrestlenomics

Substack: https://wrestlenomics.substack.com/

Twitter/Facebook/Instagram/YouTube: @Wrestlenomics

Bluesky: https://bsky.app/profile/wrestlenomics.com

Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brands

Privacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

John Pollock and Brandon Thurston discuss the defendants' responses to the ring boy lawsuit, Netflix’s engagement report, and TNA’s debut numbers on AMC.  

Topics this week include:

• Defendants file Answers in the ring boy lawsuit
• Vince & Linda McMahon push to reveal identities 
• Netflix engagement report for the second half of 2025
• Netflix’s earnings report 
• TNA’s launch on AMC
• UFC kicks off on Paramount this weekend
• SmackDown airing on Syfy during the Olympics 
• Netflix global viewership rankings, TV viewership figures
• Nielsen Gauge - Dec. 2025

VIDEO VERSION: https://youtube.com/live/KWajgkRs7Hc

Music courtesy: “Panic Beat” by Ben Tramer

POST Wrestling

Subscribe: https://postwrestling.com/subscribe

Patreon: http://postwrestlingcafe.com

Forum: https://forum.postwrestling.com

Discord: https://discord.com/invite/Q795HhR

Twitter/Facebook/Instagram/YouTube: @POSTwrestling

Bluesky: https://bsky.app/profile/postwrestling.com

Wrestlenomics

Subscribe: https://wrestlenomics.com/podcast/

Patreon: https://patreon.com/wrestlenomics

Substack: https://wrestlenomics.substack.com/

Twitter/Facebook/Instagram/YouTube: @Wrestlenomics

Bluesky: https://bsky.app/profile/wrestlenomics.com

Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brands

Privacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy