The WWE is expanding to another platform.
The sports entertainment company, which revealed plans to merge with Endeavor’s UFC on April 3, is producing a new docuseries called WWE: Recruits for The Roku Channel, with WWE legend John Cena set to produce and appear in the eight-episode series.
WWE: recruitings follows a group of men and women who hope to become WWE superstars. Other stars set to appear on the series include Paul “Triple H” Levesque (who also leads WWE creative); Rick Flair; Shawn Michaels; and Bianca Belaire. Filming is already underway, with some content produced at Wrestlemania this past weekend.
A. Smith & Co. Productions (The kitchen of hell, American Ninja Warrior) produces the series for Roku Channel.
WWE: Recruits The WWE also runs its own docuseries that give viewers a behind-the-scenes look at the development of new talent, something the UFC has long done through its Ultimate fighter series. The Roku Channel deal also means the WWE now has original content on NBCUniversal, Fox, A+E Networks, and Netflix (although the actual matches and events are only on USA, Peacock, and Fox).
The series is also an example of what the company hopes to do more once its new venture with the UFC is complete.
“We expect to launch unscripted shows, docs and movies, more fights, more events and a social media mess in this new combination,” said Endeavor president and COO Mark Shapiro. The Hollywood Reporter this week.
Roku Channel, meanwhile, is getting a high-profile original series from a seasoned producer and big star.
“Millions of people around the world watch and dream of it, but only a handful of extraordinary individuals can become a WWE superstar,” Cena said in a statement. “I’m so excited to bring WWE: Recruits to The Roku Channel and look forward to giving viewers an exclusive, fully accessible perspective on how the WWE is making the dreams of talented young people come true.”
“Roku Original Series WWE: Recruits not only explains how the WWE transforms unknown athletes into world-famous stars, but also invites audiences into the lives of an unforgettable group of young people chasing their ultimate dream,” added Sean Boyle, the head of adventure and exploration programming for Roku Channel We couldn’t be more thrilled to be teaming up with the icon himself, John Cena, as our executive producer and our outstanding partners, the WWE and A. Smith & Co Productions, to bring the untold story of this high stakes world to life. to share.”
