No Current Discussions Between WWE and MLW
Over the last week, various reports have emerged regarding a possible working arrangement between WWE and MLW.
Dave Meltzer was first to report on the possible deal, revealing the partnership would be similar to a prior deal the company had with Evolve.
Fightful Select (subscription required) confirmed Meltzer’s report, noting conversations between both companies have occurred, and go “high up in both companies”.
Mike Johnson initially disputed the report, but has provided an update during this week’s edition of “We Don’t Need No Stinkin’ Name Show” on PWInsider Elite (subscription required)
“Were their conversations at different points, could MLW and WWE maybe do some stuff together, yes, at some point that did happen,” Johnson stated. “They had conversations in the past and Court Bauer and MLW sold WWE the copyright to War Games, which Bauer had copyrighted on his own many years before NXT decided to resurrect that concept and use that terminology again. There obviously has been back and forth”
Johnson noted discussions between both sides tapered off prior to Wrestlemania, with WWE sources stating there are no current discussions, MLW confirmed conversations in the past, and would be open to speaking with WWE in the future.
“I was told that even prior to Wrestlemania season, whatever sort of discussions there were kinda fizzled out. There was never any ‘oh we’re going to make a deal, we’re going to shake hands’. It was more along the lines of ‘what are you guys doing, what are we doing’, but I also think there was that time period where WWE was looking to make deals with others companies to bring their content to the WWE Network. It’s possible they were having those conversations, and then management switches over and changes, and things disappear. I was told there is no current discussions at all, people in WWE were like ‘yeah no!’, but there will definitely people on the MLW side who were like ‘yeah nothing right now, but we have had some conversations in the past, and if they want to open up the conversations again we’d be open to talking to them, because who wouldn’t be’.”
WWE has also been working on a possible secondary show to showcase developmental talent under the NXT banner. The company filmed a pilot in 2019.
If you use any of the quotes in this report please credit PWInsider Elite with a h/t to HeelByNature.com for the transcription.