Report: AEW Interested In Merger With WWE

In a report that would have major ramifications for the future of professional wrestling, Alex Sherman of CNBC has claimed that All Elite Wrestling are interested in a merger with WWE. 

That is according to 'people familiar with the matter', who also stated that Shahid and Tony Khan could look to partner with "a strategic media company to share the intellectual property." AEW have yet to hold talks with WWE and it was noted that Vince McMahon might view any deal with the Khans as a non-starter. 

Furthermore, CNBC claimed Tony and Shahid Khan would be open to talking about a potential role for Vince McMahon, should a merger be completed. 

The report from CNBC comes after Barron's, a sister publication of the Wall Street Journal, stated that All Elite Wrestling are "in the pool of potential buyers for WWE." They also noted that AEW would likely look for a financial partner in any potential acquisition of WWE. 

Along with being a co-owner of AEW, Shahid Khan is the owner of the NFL's Jacksonville Jaguars and the English Premier League's Fulham Football Club. According to Forbes, his current net worth is $11.6 billion.

Talk of a WWE sale emerged following Vince McMahon's return to the company and his subsequent election as Executive Chairman. The 77-year-old came back to pursue a sale of the company ahead of any new media rights deal being agreed.