WWE Terminates Broadcast Partnership, Closes WWE Network In Russia

Following the Russian State's invasion of Ukraine, WWE have terminated their Russian TV deal and closed down the WWE Network in the country.

WWE issued the following statement: 

"WWE has terminated its partnership with Russian broadcaster Match and shut down WWE Network in Russia effective immediately.

"The move eliminates access in Russia to any WWE programming, including the company's weekly Raw, SmackDown and NXT shows, its on-demand library, and all of its premium live events, including WrestleMania 38."

Match are a federal public channel owned by Gazprom Media, which owns other pro-Kremlin organisations. After weeks of building tensions, Russian President Vladimir Putin ordered the invasion of Ukraine to begin on Thursday, February 24.

WWE are the latest Western company to distance themselves from Russia. The likes of Apple, Visa, MasterCard and IKEA have paused operations in Russia, while the upcoming Batman movie won't be released in the nation. UEFA have also suspended Russian clubs from their competitions and Electronic Arts began work to remove the Russian national team and Russian clubs from their FIFA title.