ViacomCBS said Thursday that it inked a multi-year distribution deal with WOW, also known as Women of Wrestling.
The exclusive media rights pact gives the women’s professional wrestling league distribution in the US and abroad.
New episodes of WOW will launch in weekend syndication beginning in the fall of 2022. Reruns of WOW will be available on CW Seed and Pluto TV platforms in December this year, ViacomCBS said.
ViacomCBS and WOW didn’t announce terms of their deal.
WOW was founded in 2000 by David McLane, who was also behind the women’s wrestling promotion GLOW, which was the inspiration for the namesake Netflix series, starring Alison Brie and Mark Maron.
WOW is now owned by LA Lakers controlling owner and president Jeanie Buss.
“Wrestling’s presentation of women has long been very important to me, and we now are presenting the epitome in sports entertainment that will highlight the athleticism of these superstars as we reintroduce WOW,” Buss said in a statement.
Dan Cohen, president of ViacomCBS Global Distribution Group added: “This series offers audiences unique, compelling and creative entertainment that features female ‘superheroes’ in the ring, behind the cameras and in all aspects of the business. Both in the U.S and abroad, we believe this is an event program that will make some noise in the marketplace.”
AJ Mendez, author of “Crazy Is My Superpower” and former WWE champion, who went by the name AJ Lee when she wrestled, will provide commentary during each broadcast. She will also serve as executive producer alongside Buss.
