In this major move, TKO, the owners of the UFC and WWE (see "WWE and UFC Form TKO Group"), has added one of the most powerful entrepreneurial forces on Earth to their board. Johnson, who was first and foremost one of the most electrifying WWE champions to ever enter the squared circle, has an expansive business portfolio that includes Seven Bucks Productions (see "'RoboForce: The Animated Series'"), Teremana Tequila, ZOA Energy, and Project Rock. He was also owner of XFL football, which recently merged with the USFL to create the largest pro football spring league, the United Football League (UFL). And, of course, he one of the top-grossing actors to grace the silver screen in recent history, starring in the Fast & Furious movies, Moana, Jumanji, and Black Adam.
“My grandfather, High Chief Peter Maivia, and my dad, Rocky 'Soulman' Johnson, would’ve never thought this day would come," said Johnson. "Which is why I’m very humbled to have a seat at the table that has decades of history and family legacy for me. A table that my family helped to build."
As part of this deal, Johnson enters a services and merchandising agreement with the WWE where he will provide promotional, licensing, and other services for the company. He has also secured full ownership of the trademark on his ring name "The Rock," a feat which is something that is almost unheard of for a wrestler to accomplish.
"Being on the TKO Board of Directors, and taking full ownership of my name, ‘The Rock’, is not only unprecedented, but incredibly inspiring as my crazy life is coming full circle," Johnson noted. "I’m very motivated to help continue to globally expand our TKO, WWE, and UFC businesses as the worldwide leaders in sports and entertainment."
Shortly after TKO announced Johnson's appointment, they also announced that Netflix has entered into a long-term deal to become the new home of their flagship WWE Raw show. WWE Raw premiered on USA on January 11, 1993, and has been on linear television for 31 years. The move to a streaming service is a colossal change for the brand, as it further opens up the doors to international markets. Starting in January 2025, Netflix will stream WWE Raw in the U.S., Canada, U.K., and Latin America and expects to add more countries and regions over time.
