A multi-year deal with ViacomCBS is bringing WOW – Women of Wrestling back to television, and the league will have former world champion Tessa Blanchard as a new member of its roster.
Entertainment Tonight broke the news, alongside interviews with League owner and WOW executive producer Jeanie Buss and stars The Beast and Blanchard.
The new agreement with ViacomCBS is the largest in the history of the all-women league, and it allow WOW to return with new weekly episodes in the fall of 2022. As part of the deal, seasons from the past will be available on CW Seed and Pluto TV with December 2021 as the expected launch date for this aspect of the deal.
“Wrestling’s presentation of women has long been very important to me, and we now are presenting the epitome in sports entertainment that will highlight the athleticism of these superstars as we reintroduce WOW, Buss said in a statement to ET. “Our partnership with the entire ViacomCBS Global Distribution Group family allows us to continue our mission of providing wrestling fans and WOW Superheroes what they have all deserved: a global platform for a dedicated women’s wrestling league.”
Dan Cohen, President of ViacomCBS Global Distribution Group, also issued a statement about the deal in which he expressed ViacomCBS’ excitement to collaborate with WOW.
“We are thrilled to partner with Jeanie Buss and David McLane to create a significant global footprint for WOW and expand our diverse, world-class content portfolio,” said Cohen. “This series offers audiences unique, compelling and creative entertainment that features female ‘superheroes’ in the ring, behind the cameras and in all aspects of the business. Both in the U.S and abroad, we believe this is an event program that will make some noise in the marketplace.”
On Wednesday, Buss, WOW World Champion The Best and former IMPACT World Champion Tessa Blanchard discussed the league’s return. Just as WOW will come back, Blanchard’s involvement will officially put her back in the in-ring spotlight for the first time since the controversial end of her run with IMPACT Wrestling.
“[Wrestling has] taken me all over the world,” said Blanchard. “I’ve gotten to live in different countries, and win championship titles all over the world, but now with WOW, this is without a doubt the biggest platform for women’s wrestling in history. To be a part of it, it’s a testament that we’re changing the status quo for women’s wrestling, for professional wrestling altogether, and it’s just such a blessing to be a part of it.”
Danni, Alex Gracia, Briana Montez, Kate Smith and Imo Akpan were also announced as WOW superheroes for the new season.
WrestleZone will provide more details as they become available.
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