A wrestling promotion was on the verge of securing a deal with Paramount+ just over a year ago until the UFC agreement shifted priorities, according to Dave Meltzer. Speaking on the Wrestling Observer Radio following Raw, Meltzer revealed that as Paramount Skydance completed its acquisition of Warner Bros. Discovery—overcoming key legal challenges—a wrestling company was in active negotiations with Paramount+, although no official contract was signed. Meltzer did not disclose the promotion’s name.
He explained, “I was told about a wrestling company negotiating with Paramount+ more than a year ago. They felt confident about the deal even without a signed contract, working with top executives at Paramount, one of whom lost their position due to the Skydance merger, but another remained.” However, discussions dissolved once Paramount shifted its focus to combat sports.
“At the time, there was no wrestling on Paramount+. The company believed they would get on the platform, but as the UFC deal emerged, all talks unexpectedly cooled,” Meltzer added.
The timing aligns: the Skydance-Paramount merger finalized in August 2025, bringing David Ellison into leadership and reshuffling executives. Soon after, Paramount revealed a seven-year, $7.7 billion media rights deal with TKO for UFC content starting that same year. This agreement brought all UFC numbered events and Fight Nights exclusively to Paramount+, with some events also airing on CBS, and ended UFC’s traditional U.S. pay-per-view model. Paramount+ currently does not feature any wrestling programming.
Meltzer also discussed potential impacts of the Warner Bros. Discovery merger on AEW, whose U.S. media rights deal with Warner Bros. Discovery runs through 2027, with an option for 2028. He noted that Tony Khan and David Ellison are acquainted via the NFL and that Khan is optimistic about new opportunities.
“I know Tony and David have spoken. Tony is very hopeful about getting AEW on more platforms like Paramount+, gaining greater exposure and support,” Meltzer said.
Meltzer mentioned industry speculation that goes beyond streaming alone. “While Tony hasn’t discussed CBS deals, others have floated ideas about special events on network TV or one-time deals similar to UFC’s, as well as transitioning AEW pay-per-views to a model like UFC’s where Paramount would buy the rights, guaranteeing revenue and vastly expanding viewership,” he explained.
This approach mirrors Paramount’s arrangement with UFC, where events are included in the Paramount+ subscription rather than sold individually, with occasional broadcasts on CBS. Presently, AEW sells its pay-per-views separately, including on HBO Max.
Khan publicly stated he expects the merger to benefit AEW. During a Bloomberg TV interview in May, he said uniting Paramount and Warner Bros. would be favorable for AEW, and that merging HBO Max with Paramount+, as planned by Ellison, would increase the audience and buyers for AEW’s pay-per-views.
A notable concern revolves around UFC’s ownership by TKO, which also owns WWE. However, a Paramount source told Fightful earlier this year there is no exclusivity clause blocking other wrestling content from appearing on Paramount+.
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Fan Take: This development reveals how corporate mergers and streaming rights can dramatically reshape wrestling’s broadcast landscape, impacting how fans access their favorite promotions. If AEW gains broader exposure on Paramount+ or even CBS, it could elevate wrestling’s profile and usher in a new era of accessibility for combat sports enthusiasts.
Source: wrestlingnews.co
