A Fox bid for WWE television rights could be the biggest TV sports agreement since the network poached the rights to “Thursday Night Football.” OK, so that was only a few weeks ago, but Fox Sports is now poised to steal away TV ratings giants “Raw” and “SmackDown Live” from their longtime home at the the USA Network — and that’s a big deal.
While any pitch is still in the early stages, an agreement would likely result in WWE flagship show “Raw” airing Mondays on Fox’s broadcast network and its Tuesday sister series “SmackDown Live” staying on cable with a move to FS1, a person with knowledge of the preliminary conversations tells TheWrap.
Why put them on different channels? Well, the relatively young FS1 found out pretty early on that you can beef up studio shows all you want, but nothing beats live sports for bringing eyeballs and awareness to a growing brand. (Sorry, Skip Bayless.)
Whichever Fox channel they’d call home, the shows would be a great get for what’s left of 21st Century if, as expected, Disney buys the company. (You know, unless Comcast swoops in to snag Fox first.)
With Fox Sports likely losing its extremely pricey UFC rights next year, what better substitute for young male viewers than WWE? Though Vince McMahon’s pro-wrestling promotion costs a bit more than Dana White’s mixed martial arts one does right now, the UFC license fee is about to double — or more. Compare their Nielsen TV ratings side by side, and WWE starts to look like a bargain.
With the NFL and WWE, Fox Sports president Eric Shanks might need to start wearing a championship belt around the office.
But he’s a tag-team act. Right-hand man Larry Jones is the Fox Sports deal-maker — the numbers guy to Shanks’ production experience. And the pair have plenty of support in their stable.
Shanks was spotted ringside Tuesday night at Los Angeles’ Staples Center scouting WWE “SmackDown Live” alongside Fox Sports talent producer Jacob Ullman and TV/radio personality Colin Cowherd.
While Ullman is a legit fan (and close friend of WWE talent relations executive Jim Ross, which certainly won’t hurt communication), Cowherd began his week as a non-believer. The critic of pro wrestling made a bit of what those in the wrestling business call a “face turn” this week, posting smiling photos with WWE Superstars and generally endorsing the product.
Two other heavyweights loom over Shanks and his team — and they seem to be extra-interested in Fox Sports these days.
Peter Rice, head of 21st Century Fox, has been trying to get more involved on the sports side, we’re told, as he weighs whether to head to Disney post-merger or remain at Fox.
Lachlan Murdoch, executive co-chairman of the company, also seems to have a sudden interest in sports. He was very involved in the landmark “Thursday Night Football” deal, which is not something that would typically get his full attention.
It’s a smart move by a pair of smart guys, as what will remain of Fox after the Disney merger will be sports, news and broadcast television. The Murdochs are dominating cable news — it’s time to catch up on sports.
Money-aside, there’s a bit of a hangup here unique to Fox. “Raw” is a three-hour show and Fox’s broadcast primetime is only from 8 to 10 p.m. We’re told it is too early to say whether Fox would add the 10 o’clock hour to accommodate WWE. Alternatively, WWE boss Vince McMahon could let “Raw” go back to 120 minutes. (“SmackDown Live” could get as much time on FS1 as it wants.)
Enter Fox Networks Distribution President Mike Biard. Biard is in tight with Fox’s affiliates, who will have to buy into “Raw” programming. If WWE demands that a third hour be carried nationwide, Biard needs to get his affiliates on board. Because the WWE could body-slam the local news shows that currently own the Monday-at-10 p.m. slot.
Fox and WWE both declined to comment on this story when reached by TheWrap.
Every WWE Champion Ever, Ranked by Number of Reigns (Photos)
Pro-wrestling championship belts change hands like grapplers change ring gear these days, though it wasn't always that way. Bobby Lashley is again WWE Champion, thanks to a little outside interference from Roman Reigns and Paul Heyman at the 2022 WWE Royal Rumble.
After a Brock Lesnar F-5 K.O.-ed the referee on Saturday, Jan. 29, Reigns ran in with a devastating spear. He then demanded the WWE Championship belt from Heyman, who obliged. The title itself delivered the final blow to Brock. All Lashley had to do was muster a cover.
Scroll through our gallery to see every WWE Champion ever, ranked by their number(s) of title wins. Remember: this is a list of those who won the WWWF Championship, the WWF Championship or the WWE Championship. So don't come after us, Universal Champions, et al.
WWE
Rank: 32 (tie)
Wrestler: Kofi Kingston
# of Reigns: 1
The power of positivity.
Rank: 32 (tie)
Wrestler: Jeff Hardy
# of Reigns: 1
The un-"Broken" half of the Hardy Boyz has had the more storied singles career.
Rank: 32 (tie)
Wrestler: Bray Wyatt
# of Reigns: 1
The Fiend used to go by "Husky Harris" -- we'd say this run is working out better for him.
Rank: 32 (tie)
Wrestler: Sgt. Slaughter
# of Reigns: 1
Camel Clutch, Cobra Clutch -- whatever "C"-animal it was, it hurt.
Rank: 32 (tie)
Wrestler: Dean Ambrose
# of Reigns: 1
And "The Lunatic Fringe" pulled this off while wearing jeans.
Rank: 32 (tie)
Wrestler: Chris Jericho
# of Reigns: 1
You're a "stupid idiot" if you didn't know this guy made "The List."
Rank: 32 (tie)
Wrestler: Eddie Guerrero
# of Reigns: 1
Generally considered one of the best ever to have done it held the big-boy belt for 133 days.
Rank: 32 (tie)
Wrestler: Jinder Mahal
# of Reigns: 1
The "Modern-Day Maharaja" dropped the title to A.J. Styles.
Rank: 32 (tie)
Wrestler: John "Bradshaw" Layfield
# of Reigns: 1
JBL has taken his heel persona from the ring to the announce table. Never without a cowboy hat, Layfield thankfully leaves his lariat clothesline at home.
Rank: 32 (tie)
Wrestler: The Ultimate Warrior
# of Reigns: 1
The muscle-bound maniac who handed Hulk Hogan his first-ever "WrestleMania" loss died after suffering a heart attack three days after being inducted into the WWE Hall of Fame.
Rank: 32 (tie)
Wrestler: "Superstar" Billy Graham
# of Reigns: 1
"Superstar" Billy Graham was a bodybuilder and buddy of Arnold Schwarzenegger. Yeah, blame Graham's body for Jinder Mahal's run.
Rank: 32 (tie)
Wrestler: Kevin Nash
# of Reigns: 1
You mean Tarzan from "Magic Mike"?!?!? Yes, yes we do.
Rank: 32 (tie)
Wrestler: Pedro Morales
# of Reigns: 1
History lesson: Back in the WWWF days, Morales became the first guy in wrestling history to win all three of the major men's titles -- the WWF Championship, the Intercontinental Championship and the WWF Tag Team Championship -- in the company.
Rank: 32 (tie)
Wrestler: André the Giant
# of Reigns: 1
The tales about André the Giant sometimes feel as tall as he was.
Rank: 32 (tie)
Wrestler: The Iron Sheik
# of Reigns: 1
This guy is as big a hit on Twitter as he was in the ring.
Rank: 32 (tie)
Wrestler: Kane
# of Reigns: 1
You wouldn't know it by looking at him, but Kane, now mayor of Knox County in Tennessee, is one of the smartest Superstars in WWE history.
Rank: 32 (tie)
Wrestler: Rey Mysterio
# of Reigns: 1
We're not going to talk about how ridiculous the setup to his finishing move, "The 6-1-9," became. This is a happy list.
Rank: 32 (tie)
Wrestler: Stan Stasiak
# of Reigns: 1
Unfortunately Stasiak only held the belt for nine days.
Rank: 32 (tie)
Wrestler: Rob Van Dam
# of Reigns: 1
One of the most popular ECW wrestlers of all-time, RVD has brought his three initials to seemingly every pro-wrestling promotion with three initials.
Rank: 32 (tie)
Wrestler: Ivan Koloff
# of Reigns: 1
The "Russian Bear" was actually Canadian.
Rank: 32 (tie)
Wrestler: Buddy Rogers
# of Reigns: 1
Rogers was kinda-sorta the first champion in the company. It's complicated -- ask Killer Kowalski and Bruno Sammartino.
Rank: 32 (tie)
Wrestler: Vince McMahon
# of Reigns: 1
Hell, Mr. McMahon runs the damn company -- of course he made this list.
Rank: 32 (tie)
Wrestler: Big E
# of Reigns: 1
Big E has had a big career -- both as a singles performer and a member of The New Day.
Rank: 16 (tie)
Wrestler: The Miz
# of Reigns: 2
The kid from "The Real World" made good on his over-the-top MTV promos. One of the best on the mic, Miz has been holding down the Intercontinental Championship more than any other Superstar of the past few years.
Rank: 16 (tie)
Wrestler: Drew McIntyre
# of Reigns: 2
Scottish Psychopath joined the WWE Champions' and two-timers club all in 2020.
Rank: 16 (tie)
Wrestler: Batista
# of Reigns: 2
Guardian of the Galaxy, defender of WWE Championship.
Rank: 16 (tie)
Wrestler: The Big Show
# of Reigns: 2
You can't miss this two-time champ -- not even in a mega-arena.
Rank: 16 (tie)
Wrestler: A.J. Styles
# of Reigns: 2
"The Phenomenal One" held the belt for 371-straight days, which is a record for a "SmackDown" wrestler.
Rank: 16 (tie)
Wrestler: Alberto Del Rio
# of Reigns: 2
Si! Si! Si! Si! Si! Si! Si!
Rank: 16 (tie)
Wrestler: Sycho Sid
# of Reigns: 2
It was a long way down from Shawn Michaels' former bodyguard's power-bomb.
Rank: 16 (tie)
Wrestler: "Nature Boy" Ric Flair
# of Reigns: 2
If you haven't watched ESPN's "30 for 30: Nature Boy," do that. Oh, and look up Flair's ridiculous NWA runs too.
Rank: 16 (tie)
Wrestler: Sheamus
# of Reigns: 2
Master of the Brogue Kick, Rocksteady in the "Ninja Turtles" movies -- which is the greater accomplishment?
Rank: 16 (tie)
Wrestler: Seth Rollins
# of Reigns: 2
He's BURN(ed) IT DOWN more than once.
Rank: 16 (tie)
Wrestler: Yokozuna
# of Reigns: 2
That belt needed a few extenders to fit around the sumo.
Rank: 16 (tie)
Wrestler: CM Punk
# of Reigns: 2
Let's just say he was a little less successful in the UFC -- but maybe an AEW run?
Rank: 16 (tie)
Wrestler: Randy "Macho Man" Savage
# of Reigns: 2
Before he snapped into Slim Jims, the "Macho Man" was snapping dudes in half.
Rank: 16 (tie)
Wrestler: Bob Backlund
# of Reigns: 2
Backlund couldn't "Make Darren Young Great Again" -- or even keep the guy employed -- but the master of the cross-face chicken wing had a pretty incredible career of his own.
Rank: 16 (tie)
Wrestler: Bruno Sammartino
# of Reigns: 2
Google him, kids.
Rank: 16 (tie)
Wrestler: Bobby Lashley
# of Reigns: 2
Lashley just looks like the guy who should be champion.
Rank: 13 (tie)
Wrestler: Mankind
# of Reigns: 3
Mick Foley nearly killed himself to raise these titles.
Rank: 13 (tie)
Wrestler: Roman Reigns
# of Reigns: 3
The Head of the Table may make the top of this list when all is said and done.
Rank: 13 (tie)
Wrestler: Shawn Michaels
# of Reigns: 3
Before he found God, the "Heartbreak Kid" found jaws with his foot, popularizing the Superkick.
Rank: 9 (tie)
Wrestler: Daniel Bryan
# of Reigns: 4
Fellow fan-favorite Superstar is now in AEW with CM Punk.
Rank: 9 (tie)
Wrestler: Edge
# of Reigns: 4
On this day, you can see clearly... that Edge is one of the best to ever lace up.
Rank: 9 (tie)
Wrestler: The Undertaker
# of Reigns: 4
The Dead Man is truly a living legend.
Rank: 9 (tie)
Wrestler: Kurt Angle
# of Reigns: 4
Top 10, it's true -- it's damn true.
Rank: 8
Wrestler: Bret "Hitman" Hart
# of Reigns: 5
The best there is, the best there was, and the best there ever will be.
Rank: 5 (tie)
Wrestler: Hulk Hogan
# of Reigns: 6
Hulkamania was real. Then again, so was Gawker at one point.
Rank: 5 (tie)
Wrestler: "Stone Cold" Steve Austin
# of Reigns: 6
On the Mt. Rushmore of all-time greats, and that's the bottom line.
Rank: 3 (tie)
Wrestler: The Rock
# of Reigns: 8
He may be Dwayne Johnson now, but he'll always be "The Rock" to us.
Rank: 3 (tie)
Wrestler: Triple H
# of Reigns: 8
Boss of The Authority and former DX member has two words for the other guys on this list. We can't reprint them.
Rank: 2
Wrestler: Randy Orton
# of Reigns: 10
The Viper has RKO'd a lot of dudes outta nowhere.
Rank: 1
Wrestler: John Cena
# of Reigns: 13
U Can't See Him.
1 of 55
From Buddy Rogers to Bobby Lashley, here are all the guys from the old WWWF and WWF days — and beyond
Pro-wrestling championship belts change hands like grapplers change ring gear these days, though it wasn't always that way. Bobby Lashley is again WWE Champion, thanks to a little outside interference from Roman Reigns and Paul Heyman at the 2022 WWE Royal Rumble.
After a Brock Lesnar F-5 K.O.-ed the referee on Saturday, Jan. 29, Reigns ran in with a devastating spear. He then demanded the WWE Championship belt from Heyman, who obliged. The title itself delivered the final blow to Brock. All Lashley had to do was muster a cover.
Scroll through our gallery to see every WWE Champion ever, ranked by their number(s) of title wins. Remember: this is a list of those who won the WWWF Championship, the WWF Championship or the WWE Championship. So don't come after us, Universal Champions, et al.
