Skip to Main Content
HBS Home
  • About
  • Academic Programs
  • Alumni
  • Faculty & Research
  • Baker Library
  • Giving
  • Harvard Business Review
  • Initiatives
  • News
  • Recruit
  • Map / Directions
Faculty & Research
  • Faculty
  • Research
  • Featured Topics
  • Academic Units
  • …→
  • Harvard Business School→
  • Faculty & Research→
Publications
Publications
  • January 2019 (Revised February 2020)
  • Case
  • HBS Case Collection

World Wrestling Entertainment, Inc.

By: Anita Elberse and Melissa Rodman
  • Format:Print
  • | Language:English
  • | Pages:26
ShareBar

Abstract

World Wrestling Entertainment, Inc. (WWE) develops and presents scripted hero-versus-villain storylines featuring its wrestlers at hundreds of live events—on several weekly television shows, on its own over-the-top streaming service, and on social media—to millions of fans around the globe. In January 2018, buoyed by the $800-million-dollar company’s strong prospects for further growth, WWE’s chief brand officer Stephanie McMahon and her husband, Paul “Triple H” Levesque, a WWE wrestler who also serves as the company’s executive vice president of talent, live events, and creative, are discussing whether to add Ronda Rousey, who has made a name for herself as a judoka at the Olympics and as a mixed martial artist in the Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC), to WWE’s roster. Should WWE try to sign Rousey, and, if so, what kind of offer makes the most sense? And is WWE well positioned for further success in the world of entertainment?

Keywords

Superstars; Talent; Talent Development; Labor Economics; General Management; Entertainment; Sports; Media; Talent and Talent Management; Contracts; Marketing; Strategy

Citation

Elberse, Anita, and Melissa Rodman. "World Wrestling Entertainment, Inc." Harvard Business School Case 519-058, January 2019. (Revised February 2020.)
  • Educators
  • Purchase

About The Author

Anita Elberse

Marketing
→More Publications

Related Work

    • January 2019 (Revised February 2020)
    • Faculty Research

    World Wrestling Entertainment, Inc.

    By: Anita Elberse and Melissa Rodman
Related Work
  • World Wrestling Entertainment, Inc. By: Anita Elberse and Melissa Rodman
ǁ
Campus Map
Harvard Business School
Soldiers Field
Boston, MA 02163
→Map & Directions
→More Contact Information
  • Make a Gift
  • Site Map
  • Jobs
  • Harvard University
  • Trademarks
  • Policies
  • Accessibility
  • Digital Accessibility
Copyright © President & Fellows of Harvard College