One of the largest mergers in sports and entertainment occurred in 2023 when the UFC and WWE joined together to form TKO Group Holdings. Fans are now curious as to who is earning more money over a year later. Is WWE catching up, or is the UFC still in the lead?
2024 UFC vs. WWE Earnings
TKO Group has revealed their third-quarter 2024 earnings, and the findings are unexpected. The UFC and WWE combined witnessed a massive 52% increase over the previous year! The fact that WWE is approaching UFC’s profits, however, is what has everyone’s attention.
WWE made $326 million and UFC made $354 million in a matter of months. Although the UFC appears to be in the lead, its growth has halted, and WWE is catching up quickly. In actuality, UFC’s earnings this quarter were just around $30 million higher than WWE’s. WWE may soon surpass UFC if it continues to expand and UFC remains unchanged.
WWE’s Outstanding Development
What is causing WWE to catch up, then? With the return of beloved superstars like Roman Reigns and Seth Rollins, as well as record-breaking pay-per-view events, WWE has been on fire lately. By bringing back iconic performers like Rhino, RVD, and The Dudley Boyz, which garners a lot of attention, WWE also knows how to keep fans engaged.
Furthermore, some of the greatest women’s wrestling in the world today can be found on WWE’s NXT brand. WWE’s mix of seasoned professionals and up-and-coming talent is paying off, as evidenced by the explosive 10-woman tag team bout in NXT. WWE is gaining ground on the UFC because to their astute strategies.
WWE vs. AEW
WWE is after the UFC, but AEW (All Elite Wrestling) is a rival as well. Fans adore wrestlers like Jon Moxley (who was once Dean Ambrose in the WWE), and AEW’s program, AEW Dynamite, is doing quite well. Recently, AEW unveiled a brand-new faction called “The Heart Syndicate,” which includes Shelton Benjamin and Bobby Lashley, the MVP of the former WWE. This new squad has the potential to upend the wrestling industry and increase pressure on WWE.
The Potential Heel Turn and Future of Seth Rollins
One of WWE’s biggest performers, Seth Rollins, has a character that is always changing. By stating that it’s simpler to be a heel in the modern world, he has alluded to a potential heel (villain) turn in 2024. Rumor has it that Rollins and CM Punk will square off in one of the biggest matches in WWE history at WrestleMania 2025.
What Does WWE Have in Store?
For 2025, WWE has enormous ambitions. One of WWE’s top performers, Roman Reigns, may take on a more relaxed schedule, concentrating on Monday Night Raw and perhaps NXT. His continuing plot with The Bloodline has fans eager to see what comes next. Additionally, WWE is commemorating The New Day’s tenth anniversary, which may mark Big E’s big comeback.
The 2025 retirement match of Goldberg is likewise a topic of discussion. In order to support the upcoming generation of WWE talents, he might take on Brock Lesnar or perhaps Bron Breaker in a “passing of the torch” moment.
What Comes Next?
WWE and the UFC are both very popular, and their rivalry is becoming more thrilling. WWE is catching up in revenue and producing exciting plots, it will be intriguing to observe whether they can surpass UFC very soon.