Latest Update on WWE Possibly Buying Out TNA

WWE and TNA Wrestling have continued to work closely together, with TNA wrestlers regularly appearing on NXT, and the two promotions have put on a joint show, titled the NXT vs. TNA Showdown, back on October 7th. This close alliance between the two wrestling companies has sparked rumors that WWE might buy TNA outright.

In the latest Fightful Select Answers, Sean Ross Sapp noted that he doesn’t think WWE is a potential buyer of TNA, pointing to the fact that TKO Group Holdings has not been in asset acquisition mode recently. He added that Zuffa buying out promotions like PRIDE and Strikeforce was a long time ago, and WWE buying out WCW, ECW, etc., was well before the TKO merger.

He added that WWE would not get much out of buying TNA since TNA has no particularly valuable TV time slot, not many contracts, not much equipment, since TNA rents most of their gear, etc. The main valuable asset TNA has is its IP and library.

He also noted that WWE buying out TNA could strengthen a potential antitrust case against WWE.

Earlier reports noted that WWE has the right of first refusal to buy TNA if another party offers to buy the promotion.

TNA currently airs Impact on Thursday night, and features talent such as Moose, Trick Williams, Mike Santana, Jeff Hardy and Matt Hardy, and others on their roster. TNA President Carlos Silva has been hinting recently at a new media rights deal for TNA.