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HEADLINE NEWS & STORY
TNA’s parent company hires former WWE executive as Chief Revenue Officer
Prior to joining Anthem Sports Group, Kligman served as Vice President of Marketing Operations & Sales at G Fuel, where he led a team of 12 in developing partnership programs with the likes of Netflix, Marvel, Paramount Pictures, Activision Blizzard and Walmart, among others, prior to the company’s acquisition. In addition to G Fuel and WWE, his impressive resumé includes executive positions with USA TODAY Sports Media Group, where he worked as Vice President of Multimedia Sales; and Time Inc., where he served as the National Advertising Sales Director for Sports Illustrated; as well as senior sales leadership positions at other top publishers.
“Anthem Sports Group has quickly built a diverse portfolio packed with world-class content offerings from across the entertainment spectrum,” Kligman said. “TNA Wrestling remains one of the most iconic brands in the sport, while Invicta FC continues to break new ground as the premier destination for all-female MMA action. I look forward to working with Anthem’s dynamic team to build upon the success that they’ve already enjoyed, driving revenue growth by serving TNA and Invicta’s vocal and loyal fan base, and forging new and innovative strategic partnerships.” This appointment comes at a time of unprecedented momentum for both TNA Wrestling and Invicta FC. In recent months, TNA’s return to its iconic brand has led to increased audiences, and its talent roster has continued to deliver the best live wrestling experiences and anytime/anywhere connectivity with its fans, as the promotion builds toward its signature Slammiversary summer event in Montreal on July 20. Meanwhile, Invicta FC finalized a landmark agreement with CBS Sports Network earlier this month, giving the platform exclusive U.S. television rights to broadcast Invicta’s events live throughout 2024, with the first card slated for June 28. |
With wrestling fans focused on their on-screen collaboration, there’s a new behind-the-scenes tie between WWE and TNA. Anthem Sports & Entertainment, TNA’s parent company, announced today (June 17) that they’ve hired former former WWE Vice President of Global Digital & Integrated Sponsorship Sales Rob Kligman as their new Chief Revenue Officer. Kligman will report directly to Anthem Sports Group President Anthony Cicione, and be responsible for driving sales and advertising, sponsorships & strategic partnerships for TNA Wrestling and mixed martial arts promotion Invicta FC. Here’s the press release: Anthem Sports & Entertainment Inc., a global, multi-platform media company, announced that Rob Kligman has been named Chief Revenue Officer of Anthem Sports Group, effective immediately. Kligman will report to Anthony Cicione, President of Anthem Sports Group. With nearly three decades of experience working at the highest levels of mainstream sports for some of the world’s most recognizable brands, Kligman will be responsible for driving revenue across all aspects of the businesses, with an emphasis on sales and advertising, sponsorship opportunities, and strategic partnerships for Anthem’s TNA Wrestling, one of the world’s top wrestling organizations; and Invicta Fighting Championships, the world’s premier all-female professional mixed martial arts promotion.
“Rob has built a distinguished track record in the sports arena, guiding some of the biggest brands in the business to grow existing revenue and develop new revenue streams,” said Cicione. “His duties as Anthem Sports Group’s CRO will place special emphasis on TNA Wrestling and Invicta FC, for which he is uniquely suited after spending eight successful years with WWE. His professional wrestling prowess and sports industry relationships will prove vital, as we continue to create and cultivate new areas of growth and opportunities to take TNA and Invicta to even greater heights.” Additionally, Kligman will lead revenue growth for TNA and Invicta FC’s multiple revenue streams including FAST Channels, TNA+, PPV events, social media, merchandise, and more. He will also work closely with the sales team at Anthem’s AXS TV, where TNA’s flagship show TNA iMPACT! airs every Thursday night. He will utilize his experience of sustained success with WWE, where he served as Vice President of Global Digital & Integrated Sponsorship Sales. During his tenure, he quickly established WWE as a premier sponsorship platform—securing first-time partnerships with major brands such as GEICO, Coca-Cola, AT&T®, Nestlé, and Papa Johns®, and signing Mars Snickers® as the first presenting sponsor of the company’s cornerstone WrestleMania event. A true industry trailblazer, Kligman helped lead the company into new territory with a Netflix partnership that seamlessly integrated Netflix content into WWE storylines. |
Uncle Howdy makes highly anticipated return to WWE on Raw, continues Bray Wyatt's legacy
Afterward, it appeared Wyatt and Uncle Howdy were headed toward a WrestleMania 39 match involving Bobby Lashley, but Wyatt was taken off television due to a reported illness, and as a result, so did Uncle Howdy. But the character never returned with Wyatt, as the WWE star died in August 2023. Months after Wyatt's death, there were several reports about WWE wanting to bring Uncle Howdy back as a way to honor and continue to legacy of Wyatt. Since April, odd music has randomly started playing inside arenas during WWE shows, and glitches during the broadcast would happen with a QR code shown, which would lead to disturbing and confusing messages hinting at Uncle Howdy and the group, the Wyatt 6, appearing in the near future. The most recent QR code led a countdown that would end during "Monday Night Raw" on June 17.
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Uncle Howdy is back — and he has the whole world in his hands. For weeks, speculation has been building for the return of the late Bray Wyatt's companion, played by his brother Taylor Rotunda, better known as Bo Dallas. On "Monday Night Raw," the character returned to WWE after the end of the men's Money in the Bank qualifying match at the conclusion of Raw. The lights went out in the arena and the camera showed a strange woman walking onto the ramp. The camera followed backstage to a brutal scene of superstars laid out in carnage, while three people in masks stood over. Finally, Uncle Howdy emerged from the darkness and walked out into the crowd with his entourage. He held the signature Bray Wyatt lantern as the group huddled around him, and he proclaimed "We're here," before he blew out the lantern and the show ended. WWE stars appeared to confirm their involvement with the Wyatt Sicks and they were at Raw with Uncle Howdy. Nikki Cross shared an image from one of the QR codes, Joe Gacy shared an image of the group. WWE is also selling apparel of the Wyatt Sicks. Uncle Howdy was introduced by Wyatt after he made his return to WWE in October 2022. Uncle Howdy initially appeared as an antagonist to Wyatt, but would be his companion during his feud with LA Knight. When Wyatt and LA Knight faced off in a pitch black match at the 2023 Royal Rumble, Uncle Howdy came out and delivered a diving elbow off the top off a platform to LA Knight.
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The Latest On Jeff & Matt Hardy’s TNA Wrestling Status
TNA sources expressed satisfaction with the post-show speech by The Hardys, Nic Nemeth, and Joe Hendry at Against All Odds 2024. While there are no updates on ongoing discussions between The Hardys and AEW, there is a possibility of continued collaboration between both parties in the future. Jeff’s most recent appearance for AEW was in February when he participated in a No DQ match against Sammy Guevara on an episode of Rampage.
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Fightful Select has shared an update on the developments regarding The Hardy Boys.
Jeff Hardy returned to TNA Wrestling at Against Odds 2024 last Friday, reuniting with his brother Matt Hardy. Jeff’s AEW contract had reportedly expired at midnight on Friday, June 14, leading to his TNA return. Matt and Jeff are currently free agents working in TNA without contracts. According to sources, there had been speculation about Jeff’s imminent appearance in TNA, although no official confirmation was provided before June 14. Matt’s initial agreement with TNA was reportedly short-term; however, additional dates and plans have been included. The report also mentions that there have been discussions about Reby Hardy potentially competing in a match, although this has not been confirmed. Reby last competed in a TNA match in 2016. |
AEW & Reebok Teaming Up For Brodie Lee-Footwear Coming July 2024
The fact that Reebok has partnered with AEW twice now is a good sign for Tony Khan's promotion. AEW is, after all, still a relatively new promotion, having officially launched just over five years ago. To have gone from concept to company to landing deals with Reebok is a testament to AEW's success and we'll perhaps see more collaborations like this down the line.
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The life and career of the late Brodie Lee will be celebrated with a new piece of footwear as part of a collaboration between AEW and Reebok. The new Reebok Classic Leather features a purple and black design, a nod to Lee's AEW run as the leader of the Dark Order. AEW branding appears on an added tag on the lateral collar, while the tongue tag showcases The Dark Order's logo. The midsole combines purple and grey tones, with a special nod to Brodie Lee near the heel, and the outsole matches the black and purple theme. The AEW x Reebok Classic Leather Brodie Lee will be released on July 1, 2024, through Champs online and in-store. The men's size is set to retail at $90. Lee sadly passed away at the age of 41 in December 2020. AEW and ReebokThis is the second major collaboration between AEW and Reebok and comes after The Young Bucks had their own sneaker. The Reebok AEW Pump Omni Young Bucks Zone II sneakers retail for $130 and sizes available range from 7.5 to 12. The AEW EVPs and reigning AEW World Tag Team Champions have donned the shoes in question in matches and attached thumbtacks for Anarchy in the Arena at Double or Nothing.
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