Freddie Prinze Jr. has expressed his belief that Amazon could emerge as the top contender to secure the media rights deal of WWE, which is scheduled to expire in 2024.
Prinze, known for his career in acting, past work as a WWE writer, and his upcoming wrestling promotion, made this prediction during an episode of his podcast titled “Wrestling With Freddie,” where he discussed Amazon’s growing interest in WWE programming.
During the podcast, Prinze disclosed that he became aware of Amazon’s interest in wrestling when he pitched to them his own wrestling federation. “I know for a fact that Amazon is interested in wrestling because I was talking to them about my federation,” Prinze revealed, jokingly adding that they would likely offer significantly more money than they did for his venture.
On a more positive note, Prinze acknowledged that an Amazon-WWE partnership could lead to the production of more adult-oriented content, something WWE CEO Nick Khan has recently expressed interest in. However, he dismissed the possibility of WWE adopting an edgier program if Disney were to acquire its media rights. Prinze drew a parallel with Disney’s acquisition of “Deadpool,” noting the company’s aversion to adult content. “If Disney has its hands on WWE, we were just trying to get to a more Rated-R type of content,” Prinze explained. “And now you’re gonna go to a place where no adult content is allowed? Maybe it’s an extreme view on Disney, but they turn sports into soap operas.” (H/T WrestlingInc)
Would There Be Any Negatives Of WWE Heading To Amazon?
While Prinze sees the potential for Amazon to acquire WWE’s media rights as a positive development, he raised concerns about the impact on WWE’s viewership. He highlighted Amazon’s habit of not sharing viewership numbers, suggesting this lack of transparency might not augur well for WWE’s popularity. “The downside is, if it goes to Amazon, how many people stop watching wrestling?” Prinze wondered aloud.
It is important to mention that WWE’s current deals with USA and FOX are set to expire in October 2024. According to the New York Post, WWE’s exclusive negotiation window with its current partners has closed, allowing the company to explore potential discussions with other media companies, interested in broadcasting “WWE SmackDown,” “WWE Raw,” and “WWE NXT.”
As WWE enters a crucial phase of negotiations, speculation continues to grow regarding potential suitors for its media rights. While Amazon could be a leading candidate, the final outcome of this lucrative deal remains uncertain. The chosen media partner will undoubtedly play a significant role in shaping the future of WWE programming.
