UPDATED: More on WOW – Women Of Wrestling Relaunch, AJ Mendez Involved

UPDATE: Some new details are available on the relaunch of WOW – Women Of Wrestling, including the fact that AJ Mendez is involved. The company sent out a press release which noted that Mendez, the former AJ Lee from WWE, will be an executive producer on the show and will provide color commentary.

You can see the full announcement below:

VIACOMCBS ANNOUNCES MULTI-YEAR DISTRIBUTION AGREEMENT WITH JEANIE BUSS-OWNED “WOW – WOMEN OF WRESTLING”
ViacomCBS Global Distribution Group Provides Women’s Wrestling Its Largest Media Footprint in Sports Entertainment History

ViacomCBS Global Distribution Group announced today a new multi-year distribution agreement with WOW – Women Of Wrestling (WOW), marking the return of the world’s leading women’s wrestling league. This historic and exclusive media rights deal gives WOW the biggest distribution opportunities for the U.S. and abroad in the history of women’s professional wrestling. WOW is owned by Jeanie Buss and was created by David McLane, founder of women’s wrestling’s original hit series GLOW.

New episodes of WOW will launch in weekend syndication beginning in the fall of 2022. ViacomCBS Global Distribution Group has already secured clearance in 160 markets, representing 70 percent of the United States via licensing agreements with deals that include CBS-owned-and-operated stations and Sinclair Broadcast Group. Historical seasons will be available on CW Seed and Pluto TV platforms, expected in December 2021.

“We are thrilled to partner with Jeanie Buss and David McLane to create a significant global footprint for WOW and expand our diverse, world-class content portfolio,” said Dan Cohen, President of ViacomCBS Global Distribution Group. “This series offers audiences unique, compelling and creative entertainment that features female ‘superheroes’ in the ring, behind the cameras and in all aspects of the business. Both in the U.S and abroad, we believe this is an event program that will make some noise in the marketplace.”

Former WWE world champion and New York Times bestselling author of Crazy Is My Superpower AJ Mendez will provide color commentary during each broadcast, which will feature the return of WOW World Champion The Beast and former world champion Tessa Blanchard to the squared circle.

“Wrestling’s presentation of women has long been very important to me, and we now are presenting the epitome in sports entertainment that will highlight the athleticism of these superstars as we reintroduce WOW,” said Jeanie Buss, Owner of WOW. “Our partnership with the entire ViacomCBS Global Distribution Group family allows us to continue our mission of providing wrestling fans and WOW Superheroes what they have all deserved: a global platform for a dedicated women’s wrestling league.”

Buss and Mendez will serve as executive producers, while WOW creator and founder McLane is the executive producer of the production, along with two-time Emmy Award nominee Nick Staller. ViacomCBS Global Distribution Group distributes the series in the U.S. and internationally.

ORIGINAL: It’s official: WOW – Women of Wrestling is officially returning next year, and it’s coming to CBS affiliates. The women’s promotion announced on Wednesday (per ET Online) that they have reached an exclusive multi-year deal with ViacomCBS and will launch in weekend syndication starting in September of 2022.

The announcement added that historical seasons of the promotion will be available on CW Seed and Pluto TV platforms, expected in December 2021.

The announcement marks the return of the promotion and the largest distribution platform for an all-women’s wrestling promotion ever. Tessa Blanchard and Twana “The Beast” Barnett-Ferguson were with WOW owner and executive producer Jeanie Buss for the announcement.

“Wrestling’s presentation of women has long been very important to me, and we now are presenting the epitome in sports entertainment that will highlight the athleticism of these superstars as we reintroduce WOW,” Buss said in a statement. “Our partnership with the entire ViacomCBS Global Distribution Group family allows us to continue our mission of providing wrestling fans and WOW Superheroes what they have all deserved: a global platform for a dedicated women’s wrestling league.”

ET’s article announcing the relaunch listed Danni, Alex Gracia, Briana Montez, Kate Smith and Imo Akpan as “other WOW Superheroes.”