TKO President Rules Out WWE Betting: “It’s Not Happening”

TKO President Mark Shapiro recently shut down the idea of WWE entering the betting market, citing the scripted nature of wrestling as a major obstacle. Shapiro confirmed that betting on WWE matches, despite being a potential revenue source, is not viable due to the difficulties of keeping results confidential.

WWE’s Scripted Nature Makes Betting Impractical

With sports betting becoming increasingly popular and lucrative, many fans wondered if WWE would consider joining the market, particularly as it is now part of Endeavor Group alongside the UFC. In a recent interview with CNBC, Shapiro explained why this move is not feasible. “Not happening. It’s not happening. We’re scripted,” Shapiro emphasized. He pointed out that maintaining secrecy is difficult in scripted events, as demonstrated by challenges in protecting award show results like the American Music Awards and Golden Globes, even with strict measures in place.

Why WWE Betting is Incompatible with Wrestling’s Format

Shapiro further elaborated on the potential issues if WWE were to allow betting. Unlike live sports, where outcomes are unpredictable, WWE storylines and match results are pre-planned. Shapiro noted the logistical challenge of asking WWE’s head of creative, Triple H (Paul Levesque), to keep match results confidential. Wrestling’s collaborative nature and fluid storylines make this kind of secrecy difficult to enforce, which would undermine the integrity required for a betting market.

Previous Consideration for Legalized WWE Betting

Earlier in 2023, reports suggested that WWE had explored the possibility of regulated betting. Plans discussed by WWE included locking in match results months in advance, with wrestlers only finding out outcomes shortly before their matches. However, this concept never came to fruition, as WWE officials and regulators likely saw how such measures could interfere with creative flexibility.

As Shapiro has ruled out betting on WWE events, fans and analysts can expect the company to pursue other revenue opportunities within Endeavor’s vast sports and entertainment landscape. For now, it’s clear that WWE will focus on engaging fans through its unique, scripted storylines rather than venturing into gambling.

Shapiro’s statement reflects a commitment to maintaining WWE’s creative integrity while acknowledging the limitations that a scripted format places on traditional betting markets.