21 Biggest Wrestling Stories Of 2018

13. May - One Billion FOX Given

WWE SmackDown Fox
WWE.com

In May, WWE's Co-Presidents Michelle Wilson and George Barrios pulled off the coup of the century, convincing FOX Network to fork over a frankly outrageous billion dollars over the course of five years to begin airing blue B-brand SmackDown from autumn 2019.

The astronomical figures, promising $205 million deposited into WWE's burgeoning bank account per annum, represented a three-fold increase on the previous NBCUniversal agreement. Supposedly, new crossover star Ronda Rousey was crucial to the agreement, as were the competing interests of a second party who reportedly offered even more for the show, only to be rebuffed in favour of FOX's "commitment to heavily promote SmackDown across a robust sports portfolio."

Given the general trend of WWE's ratings throughout 2018, one wonders just how deeply the buyers' remorse has begun to set in in the Murdoch household.

Editorial Team
Editorial Team

Benjamin was born in 1987, and is still not dead. He variously enjoys classical music, old-school adventure games (they're not dead), and walks on the beach (albeit short - asthma, you know). He's currently trying to compile a comprehensive history of video game music, yet denies accusations that he purposefully targets niche audiences. He's often wrong about these things.