I was on vacation and I was just shell shocked, Bauer recalls to Deadline.
We took the family to the beach and I just face-planted into the sand.
For two solid days, I was like a computer rebooting.
Court Bauer, Major League WrestlingMajor League Wrestling
You go through the dance of media rights deals.
There are a lot of wrinkles along the way and bumps on the road.
So to go through that and then say, we got to start all over again?
Its like youre almost to the top of the summit and then you fall down.
Watch on Deadline
Tubi is owned by Fox, which is one of WWEs television partners.
MLW was reportedly scheduled to kick off on the streamer on Sept. 11, 2021.
Reps for the organization could not be reached by Deadline.
It sounds idealistic, but its really about the grit and having to keep going out there.
We had a pretty good idea what transpired [with Tubi].
Sometimes, its a ruthless business.
It as the most gutting experience of my professional career.
DEADLINE Why did you sue WWE?
Overall its just the suppression of the growth of our business that we looked at.
So, this wasnt just tampering with one deal, one piece of talent.
They have an immense market share.
They will do what they do to see to it that thats not softened.
DEADLINE What happened to the notion that a rising tide lifts all boats?
BAUERVince McMahon wants to own all the boats.
Thats how you build an empire.
DEADLINE How long after the Tubi deal went south did you start to talk to Reelz?
BAUERWe had been talking to them for over a year.
They had some success doing documentaries on wrestlers, Hulk Hogan, autopsies on certain wrestlers and so on.
Wrestling falls right into that same fabric of programming.
DEADLINE Why do you call it underground wrestling?
We instead have a product thats a bit more raw and immersive that has grit to it.
We dont have a go at cast our roles and give them heavy scripts.
Now more than ever, fans are gravitating toward more authentic programming.
Whenever we have new talent, we say were going to be co-collaborators.
Were co-authors on this.
I wouldnt want to be a puppeteer, trying to put words in their mouths and micromanage them.
BAUERRight now, were trying to find the right formula for the episodes.
I like the idea of one hour a week for wrestling.
Thats asking the viewers to put in a lot of time.
Well be shooting them around the country.
This is a new frontier for Reelz.
Weve got incredible promotion already.
And they said, look, we dont just want Underground Wrestling.
Give us some of your library.
DEADLINE Why does it remain so popular?
BAUERIts great comfort TV.
Its also a reflection of society, when done right.
Unlike the UFC, it’s possible for you to give fans the happy endings.
And its an escape, too.
