THQ Deny WWE 13 Job Cuts, Reveal Exclusive WWE Rights Until 2017

By Matt Holmes / June 16, 2012

THQ have denied reports that WWE '13 will be their last video game release with the sports entertainment organisation by sensationally revealing they have the exclusive rights to produce WWE video games for the next five years. They have revealed that only THQ are able to develop and release video game releases from WWE properties until 2017. There had been rumours on Thursday that the financially struggling THQ had to let more employees go this past week (which included the departures of Community Manager Marcus Stephenson and Art Director B. Chambers) and that yesterday was the last day of work for several of those working on WWE '13, but they have been vehemently denied. THQ released the following statement via RipTen;

"We are extremely pleased with our relationship with the WWE, and have an exclusive license for the brand through 2017. Our recent videogame cover reveal for WWE €™13 on Monday Night Raw airing May 28, as well as WWE Superstar Sheamus€™ recent appearance at E3 showcase examples of how well we are working collaboratively with the WWE."

There had been an expectation among many in the gaming industry that Electronic Arts were plotting a move to take the WWE franchise away from THQ on the backs of the giant developer taking the UFC rights this past month, but THQ publicly remain confident of surviving and continuing to release WWE games. Many suspect that THQ had to drop either WWE or UFC to another company after hitting money troubles and in the end they decided UFC had less potential for profits in the next five years than their WWE series.