WWE Announces New Content Partnership With Tubi

World Wrestling Entertainment (WWE), a subsidiary of TKO Group Holdings, is entering into a collaboration with free, ad-supported streaming service and subsidiary of Fox Corp, Tubi, to introduce a new and exciting series, WWE Evolve. Debuting on March 5, 2025, WWE Evolve will feature emerging talent exclusively, offering an intimate glimpse at the future of wrestling for its viewers.

A Strategic Win-Win

This deal is a huge victory for WWE and for Tubi. WWE gains an established platform from which to reach a greater, younger fan base and build future generations of wrestling stars. Tubi, for its part, gains a high-interest and high-value streaming channel that will bring in new eyeballs and solidify its footing in a streaming landscape that is increasingly crowded.

“Tubi offers WWE an important platform for access to a big, multicultural fan base with a range of fandoms, and we’re pleased to work with them in creating future stars,” added Adam Lewinson, Tubi’s Chief Content Officer, in citing the value of the deal in terms of its strategy.

Shawn Michaels, WWE Senior Vice President of Talent Development, was similarly excited, mentioning the company’s excitement in showcasing new, up-and-coming talent for the WWE Universe via the widely available platform of Tubi.

WWE Evolve: Legends Come Alive

WWE Evolve is designed to serve as a springboard for new talent emerging out of WWE’s high-profile Performance Center and ID program. The series will provide these performers with a critical platform to build in-ring talent, develop strong stage characters, and competitively audition for a chance to transition to NXT, and then SmackDown and Raw’s flagship platforms.

Expect intense in-ring competition, high drama, and unbridled ambition of performers competing for success. WWE Evolve aims to deliver the determination, grit, and sacrifice these future performers undertake in a quest to make it to the biggest stage in wrestling.

Tubi: A Streaming Giant in the Making

Tubi has emerged as a strong competitor in free ad-supported streaming television (FAST) in a relatively short span of time. With a massive and expansive library of movies and television shows, Tubi boasts a considerable and widespread fan base. With over 97 million monthly active viewers through February 2025, Tubi’s widespread fan base and growing prominence have become apparent.

The WWE partnership strengthens Tubi’s content and positions it as a must-go-to platform for sports entertainment. With access to WWE’s new talent, Tubi attracts its loyal fan base and introduces new ones who crave high-energy action and deep storytelling.

WWE’s Content Strategy: Diversification is Key

The Tubi agreement is part of a larger scheme for WWE to expand its distribution and extend its presence on a range of platforms. WWE has entered into deals with a range of streaming platforms, including Peacock and Netflix, in a move designed to make its content accessible worldwide.

By embracing streaming platforms, WWE is riding current consumption trends and having its offerings accessible to its followers regardless of preferred consumption platform. With its partnership with Tubi, WWE can enter the growing FAST marketplace, providing free, ad-supported offerings to its target base.

Behind the Scenes: Building the Next Wave of Superstars

WWE Evolve will prominently include talent developed through WWE’s Performance Center in Orlando, Florida, and WWE’s ID program. Performance Center is a cutting-edge training complex in which aspiring future WWE Superstars receive instruction from experienced coaches, utilize state-of-the-art technology, and navigate a grueling curriculum that will prepare them for life in the professional wrestling environment.

The WWE ID Program is designed to recruit and sign talent both in college athletics and in independent wrestling, offering a one-time opportunity for them to transition to WWE. The programs serve as a talent pipeline for WWE’s various brands and an opportunity for wrestlers of all types to pursue their aspirations in wrestling.

Impact on the Wrestling Community

The debut of WWE Evolve on Tubi has the potential to be a game-changer for professional wrestling as a whole. Providing a platform for up-and-coming talent, WWE is building for the future and giving wrestlers an opportunity to get themselves noticed and carve out new career paths for themselves.

The series has the potential to bring in new fans to professional wrestling, with its broad reach via Tubi exposing WWE content to a greater number of potential viewers. With new eyes viewing its content, greater demand for its events, merchandise, and other products may be next for the industry as a whole.

Potential Challenges and Opportunities Ahead

While the collaboration between WWE and Tubi is full of potential, it comes with potential obstacles, too. One such challenge is getting WWE Evolve noticed and seen in a crowded streaming environment with a plethora of options for consumption. With an abundance of options for consumption, developing high-interest content that keeps eyeballs focused consistently is paramount.

Another challenge is fan expectation management. WWE Evolve is designed to include rising talent, but not all of them will make it to the level of WWE. Handling storytelling and character development in a manner that keeps the fan base interested in these performers’ careers even when not all of them go on to become successful in the mainstream is important.

In spite of such impediments, the collaboration holds tremendous potential. WWE Evolve can serve as a platform for future WWE Superstars, providing a unique opportunity for them to develop into superstardom starting off. The show can serve as a testing ground for experimental characters, plotlines, and in-ring techniques, allowing WWE to experiment and perfect its product on an ongoing basis.

Fan and Industry Hype

The WWE Evolve announcement has generated quite a buzz in fan and professional circles. Fans simply cannot wait to see the fresh faces in WWE, while industry professionals view the partnership between WWE and Tubi as a smart decision for both parties.

There are discussions among fans about the format of the show, wondering if it will be more of a competition show or a more conventional wrestling show. There is also speculation about what the effects of WWE Evolve might be on independent wrestling promotions.

The general reaction to the alliance has been positive, with everyone regarding it as a win-win for both WWE and Tubi and for the larger world of wrestling in general.

Looking Forward: The Future of WWE and Tubi

The debut of WWE Evolve marks the beginning of a new chapter in a long and fruitful partnership between Tubi and WWE. As streaming continues to define and grow, these types of partnerships will become increasingly important to distributors and producers of content alike.

By combining respective strengths, both WWE and Tubi can tap new audiences, generate high-quality content, and shape future trends in sports entertainment. How successful WWE Evolve will become will most likely have an impact on future collaborations, but early indications are positive.

With a shared commitment to innovation and high-quality entertainment, both WWE and Tubi are prepared to make a lasting mark in both the streaming marketplace and in professional wrestling for many years to come.

WWE’s Evolving Content Model: A Deeper Analysis

WWE’s partnership with Tubi for WWE Evolve reflects the company’s continued transformation in its content model. In a post-pandemic, digital-first environment, WWE actively expands its distribution platforms to address current fan behavior and consumption habits.

Embracing the streaming revolution

The shift to streaming services such as Tubi, Peacock, and Netflix is a move away from linear television broadcasting. Though WWE still has a presence on linear television, the company acknowledges the necessity of meeting viewers where they are: online.

Streaming provides freedom for viewers in terms of when and in what form they consume, with access to a deep archive and binge-viewing and on-demand capabilities.

Reaching Diverse Audiences

WWE’s content strategy reflects a growing awareness of a need to target a range of audiences. Tubi’s availability and multicultural base of followers align with WWE’s expansion efforts towards a broader fan base.

WWE Evolve boasts a heterogeneous roster comprising different backgrounds, ethnicities, and wrestling styles, which enhances storytelling and offers more identifiable characters.

Investing in the future: talent development

The emphasis placed on talent development through the WWE Performance Center and WWE ID reflects WWE’s commitment to a long-term future. Building and training new talent ensures a steady pipeline of talented performers for years to come.

WWE Evolve showcases these up-and-coming stars, providing valuable exposure and allowing fans to connect with them personally as they pursue their dreams.

Tubi’s Content Strategy: Beyond a Simple Library

For Tubi, its agreement with WWE is a strategic content buy to establish its position. As a free, ad-supported service, Tubi aims to build and maintain an audience with a range of content.

Expanding into Sports Entertainment

WWE Evolve introduces Tubi to the world of sports entertainment. While Tubi boasts an extensive library of movies and TV shows, WWE allows the platform to tap into the loyal fan base of wrestling.

Sports entertainment generates strong interest and repeat viewings, and WWE’s loyal fan base guarantees an audience for WWE Evolve.

Attracting Younger Viewers

Tubi’s focus on youth is in tune with WWE’s objectives. Younger demographics use streaming platforms increasingly, and Tubi’s free and accessible platform attracts them.

The partnership with WWE introduces a new set of fans to Tubi, as WWE Evolve’s focus on up-and-coming talent and high-octane performance appeals to a young following.

Brand Awareness Building

The WWE affiliation promotes awareness for the Tubi brand. WWE is a worldwide-known brand, and its affiliation raises awareness and legitimacy for Tubi.

The marketing and promotion of WWE Evolve make its message even stronger, reaching out to millions and positioning Tubi at a level with free streaming leaders.

The Future of WWE Evolve: Possibility and Prospect

As WWE Evolve prepares to debut, its future remains unwritten, but the potential is undeniable.

Growth and development

If WWE Evolve takes off, then expansion is an option, including increased narrative, featurettes, and interactivity.

WWE and Tubi can experiment with spin-offs and companion programming, but only if the show captivates audiences.

Impact on WWE’s Main Roster

The success of Evolve could have an impact on WWE’s flagship rosters, acting as a proving ground for future talent that could possibly make its way onto Raw or SmackDown in the future.

Their journey from WWE Evolve to the main roster can be made into compelling storylines, which will result in more audience-athlete connections.

A Win-Win Partnership

The WWE-Tubi partnership is a win for both parties involved. WWE gains a larger fan base and new platform, and Tubi gains high-value content to attract an audience and establish its brand.

As WWE Evolve gets underway, the whole wrestling world is watching, for both companies’ futures may depend on this marriage.