WWE Employees 'Very Scared' Following UFC Merger

The merger between UFC and WWE was completed this week, with TKO Group Holdings being floated on the New York Stock Exchange from Tuesday, September 12. The merger sees Endeavor own a controlling 51 percent stake in TKO while WWE shareholders hold the remaining 49 percent. Endeavor CEO Ari Emanuel holds the same position in TKO. Vince McMahon is the Executive Chairman of TKO and Nick Khan is now President of WWE. 

Changes aren't expected to be made to WWE's on-screen product. Triple H remains Chief Content Officer and Vince McMahon has retained the power to overrule and change any plans he wishes to. Cuts aren't expected to be made to WWE's talent roster either. 

Cuts will be made behind the scenes, though, and WWE employees are "very scared" following the merger with UFC, according to Dave Meltzer on Wrestling Observer Radio. 

"There are going to be people laid off in WWE and, you know, a lot of WWE employees are very scared and have every right to be... I know people who are really bracing in that company and it's a very different environment. It is very much they are going to cut back on employees, on certain expenses. When it comes to talent, they are obviously going to keep the line on salaries about where they are while, of course, increasing revenue to a great degree," Meltzer said.

The merger between WWE and UFC was announced back in April and it was stated ahead of the deal being completed that TKO Group would look to make cost savings and synergies, a euphemism for cuts.