Jeff Jarrett predicts that TKO would sell WWE once it stops being a “good” investment.
A few weeks earlier, Karl Anderson and Luke Gallows said WWE didn’t exist anymore, and it’s just TKO now, criticizing the company’s profit-driven direction. Many fans echoed their views. Jarrett backed their comments on his My World podcast, explaining that TKO prioritizes investor returns above all else and will likely sell WWE when profits drop.
“Yeah, I’ve said it and I’ve gotten interesting feedback. To me, the clarity of it at the end of day — Vince is a third-generation promoter, if you will. At the end of the day, every decision he made was based on what he thought the wrestling fan wanted. The rules are rewritten, those rules no longer apply. TKO does what is best to get a return on investment. They are their master, if you will, and you can’t serve two masters. Their master, if you will, is private equity.”
“Their powers that be get the return on investment, the highest return they can possibly [get]. When they quit getting the highest returns that they can, they’re gonna sell the asset. I just think it’s that simple. I think they’re going to burn and churn and burn and churn and burn and churn. My grandmother used to always preach in so many ways, ‘Son, as a promoter, you always have to prepare for rainy days.’ Well, when the rain comes on TKO, they are changing cities and changing assets.”
“I do, I think it’s that simple. They are not concerned at all other than the return on investment. That’s the business they’re in. So, that’s not a knock, I want to make that clear. That is not a dig. They are doing exactly what they set out to do and what their investors want them to do and require them to do. It’s just a different playing field. Karl, what he’s saying, I think a lot of folks are saying and it’s just kind of the awakening. It’s going to continue down this road, I think we’re just scratching the surface on what a different company it is.” [H/T: Fightful]
Speculation about WWE being sold is gaining momentum in recent weeks, as Jonathan Coachman recently claimed that Vince McMahon is trying to buy WWE. Even Shane McMahon was asked about Vince’s potential return, and he simply responded, “I’m just saying, anything can happen.”
