Following the merger between WWE and the UFC to form TKO Group, The Rock returned to WWE as part of the TKO Board of Directors.
On a recent edition of “The Town” podcast, Khan commented on why it made sense for the Great One to return after the merger, The Rock’s position on the TKO board, and more.
You can check out some highlights from the podcast below:
On why it made sense for The Rock to return after the merger: “It’s something that…the first bell-ringing day for TKO was September 12th. The conversation that Ari [Ari Emanuel], Mark [Mark Shapiro], Andrew [Andrew Schleimer], myself, others was ‘Dwayne Johnson would be really interesting for the board.’ Ari, Dwayne, and others, Brad Slater, who is an agent there, Ari and Brad have been across Dwayne’s business for a long period of time. The idea of Dwayne and having his input on TKO, which is part of WWE, was something we were desirous of. In having an on-going dialogue with Dwayne in the past two-plus years about, ‘when are you going to come back?’ It finally made sense to him. ‘The why,’ he would always say. ‘I need to figure out the Why.’”
On The Rock’s position on the TKO board: “The interesting part for him is he’s developed all these other businesses. Now he sits on the board of a publicly traded company that has an incredibly strong valuation and that’s great for him and great for us that we can have him back on camera and in the ring. I think when it was just WWE, the board operated in a different way. I think because TKO is growth-minded—that’s not to say WWE wasn’t—we wanted to be the best sports entertainment/wrestling company in the world, but with MMA in mind and what could be out there and with all of the great success the UFC had. Our fans love him. I think he loves our fans. Wrestling is in his blood.”
The Rock, also known as Dwayne Johnson, has made a triumphant return to WWE following the merger between WWE and the UFC to form TKO Group. As part of the TKO Board of Directors, The Rock brings his expertise and passion for wrestling to the table.
In a recent episode of “The Town” podcast, Nick Khan, the President and Chief Revenue Officer of WWE, shed light on why it made perfect sense for The Rock to come back after the merger. Khan explained that the idea of having The Rock on the board was discussed early on during the formation of TKO. With Ari Emanuel, Mark Shapiro, Andrew Schleimer, and others involved in the conversation, it became clear that The Rock’s input would be invaluable.
Khan mentioned that Ari Emanuel and Brad Slater, who have been closely involved with The Rock’s business ventures, had a long-standing relationship with him. The Rock’s inclusion on the TKO board was seen as an opportunity to tap into his wealth of knowledge and experience. However, it took some time for The Rock to come on board as he needed to understand the “why” behind his return.
The Rock’s position on the TKO board is significant not only because of his star power but also because of his success in various other businesses. He has built a strong portfolio outside of wrestling and now sits on the board of a publicly traded company with a substantial valuation. This is a win-win situation for both The Rock and TKO, as they can leverage each other’s strengths.
Khan emphasized that TKO operates differently from WWE due to its growth-oriented mindset. While WWE aimed to be the best sports entertainment/wrestling company in the world, TKO has its sights set on incorporating elements of mixed martial arts (MMA) into its offerings. This aligns perfectly with The Rock’s background and love for wrestling, making him an ideal fit for the board.
The fans’ love for The Rock is undeniable, and his return to WWE is met with great enthusiasm. Wrestling runs in his blood, and his presence in the ring and on camera adds an extra layer of excitement to TKO’s programming. The Rock’s involvement not only enhances the entertainment value but also brings a fresh perspective to the company’s strategic decisions.
In conclusion, The Rock’s return to WWE as part of the TKO Board of Directors is a significant development in the wrestling and entertainment industry. His inclusion brings a wealth of experience and a passion for wrestling that will undoubtedly benefit TKO. As the company aims to become the best in the world, The Rock’s presence will undoubtedly elevate the brand and create memorable moments for fans worldwide.