WWE’s talks with Disney may be much bigger than a few branded events in 2027. New details indicate the two sides have been discussing several ways to bring WWE deeper into Disney’s ecosystem, including live events, fan experiences and appearances on Disney+ programming.
After TKO President and COO Mark Shapiro revealed that WWE is working with The Walt Disney Company on special events for 2027, WrestleVotes on Fightful Select reached out to a source for more context on exactly what those discussions could involve.
According to the update, WWE’s interest in working with Disney actually predates the company’s ESPN agreement. The conversations are not considered new, and WWE had already been exploring ways to build a relationship with Disney before its premium live events landed on ESPN.
Nothing has been finalized, but one concept that has been discussed involves WWE using the ESPN Wide World of Sports Complex in Orlando, Florida. The facility includes a roughly 9,500-seat arena that could potentially host WWE events along with larger festival-style fan experiences.
WWE has also considered concepts similar to ESPN Fan House, potentially giving fans another type of interactive experience surrounding major shows.
The discussions apparently extend beyond events held on Disney property. A source speculated that a WWE-themed Disney Cruise Line experience could eventually make business sense, although that was described specifically as speculation and not something currently confirmed as being in development.
There is also a television component to the growing relationship. WWE talent is expected to begin appearing on Disney+ programming over the next year, giving the company another way to introduce its wrestlers and personalities to Disney’s massive family audience. Shapiro originally said WWE and Disney were looking at special events because of the audience both companies share.
“Frankly, I’m excited for 2027 because we’re working with The Walt Disney Company on some special events around Disney and WWE and bringing those two audiences together since, of course, what do they have in common? Family.”
What first sounded like a handful of crossover events now appears to be part of a much wider conversation. Between possible WWE events at the ESPN Wide World of Sports Complex, larger fan experiences and talent appearing on Disney+, the relationship could stretch across several parts of Disney’s business if the ideas currently being discussed move forward.
Nothing beyond Shapiro’s confirmation of special events is official yet, but WWE clearly isn’t looking at Disney as just another venue partner. The company appears interested in putting its brand in front of Disney audiences in several different ways, and 2027 could be when fans finally start seeing what that relationship looks like.
What would you want to see from a WWE and Disney partnership — live events at the ESPN Wide World of Sports Complex, Disney+ appearances, a WWE-themed cruise, or something completely different? Leave your thoughts and feedback in the comments.
