A&E Announces Multi-Year WWE Expansion, Including New Series ‘WWE Rivals’
A&E is stepping back into the ring with WWE long-term. The network announced a multi-year expansion of their successful programming partnership. This strengthening tag team will bring more than 130 new hours of premium WWE-themed series and specials to air exclusively on A&E platforms and to be distributed worldwide by A+E Networks.
The partnership includes 35 new episodes of Biography featuring additional documentaries on WWE legends. Viewers were able to learn the backstories of some of the most iconic figures in sports entertainment. Last year’s installments — featuring “Stone Cold” Steve Austin, Bret Hart, “Macho Man” Randy Savage, Mick Foley, and Booker T — were a rating success. Social media was also abuzz, with the series dominating trending topics during airings last spring and summer.
WWE’s Paul “Triple H” Levesque and Stephanie McMahon
The numbers helped rank Biography as A&E’s most-watched series in 2021. Also getting more seasons is WWE’s Most Wanted Treasures, which saw the company’s archive department looking to uncover lost memorabilia for its cultivated collection. Superstars joined Stephanie McMahon, Paul “Triple H” Levesque, and host A.J. Francis along on this journey through time. But now that Francis is no longer with WWE, no word on who might step in to host.
WWE
Along with its beefed-up slate of returning favorites, A&E is bringing in a new series WWE Rivals (Working Title), which chronicles little-known stories behind the biggest clashes in history. The episodes will include revelatory insights from those who were a part of the rivalries that often extended far beyond the ring and the cameras.
Elaine Frontain Bryant, executive vice president and head of programming for A&E, said in a release that the “collaboration between these two powerhouse brands has already proven to resonate with audiences.”
Nick Khan, WWE president, added that the expansion of their partnership will allow them to “continue creating a massive slate of new content with a trusted partner, while further establishing A&E as a destination for WWE fans for years to come.”
Stay tuned for premiere date details! What WWE superstar’s story do you want A&E Biography spotlight next?
