PROGRESS Co-Owner Comments On End Of Contract With WWE, Says It’s Been A Positive Relationship

PROGRESS Wrestling co-owner Martyn Best discusses the end of the company’s contract with WWE.

PROGRESS Wrestling co-owner Martyn Best discusses the end of the company’s contract with WWE.

On January 18, PROGRESS announced the end of its contract with WWE Network. PROGRESS had been working with WWE for the past several years, and many of its shows aired on the streaming platform. However, WWE is reportedly discontinuing independent wrestling on the platform. As a result, PROGRESS and other companies are looking for new streaming homes elsewhere.

In an interview with PWMania.com, Best discussed the end of the partnership and emphasized that their contract was complete. He noted that there are other factors in play, and he made it clear that he wouldn’t speculate on how the apparent changes in WWE will play out. Best stated that he respects the company, and moving forward, PROGRESS has plenty of options.

“In very pure terms, our contract with WWE had been completed, so in that sense, nothing caused a change – just a straightforward completion of that contract. Of course, I’m not so naive not to be aware that there are wider matters at play, and I’d say there are two perspectives. Huge respect for WWE, and they are clearly facing some change. While I’m curious and watch with interest, I’m not going to be so rash as to speculate how the next few months will play out. For us, a contract ended, but not the relationship. I can guess that not having indie content on the network may make any future discussions of whatever digital media review has been referred to a little simpler. From the perspective of Lee and I, we now have a fresh set of options ahead of us,” Best said.

Best also addressed the initial fan backlash to the partnership between PROGRESS and WWE, as there had been some concern that WWE would control the company. When asked, Best made it clear that WWE never controlled PROGRESS. He stated that the two sides have had a pretty positive relationship. He also stated, now that PROGRESS won’t be on the WWE Network, they will be able to air their shows sooner.

“The company has never been controlled by WWE. There has been no direct creative input, no restrictions, and mainly the opportunity for PROGRESS to be seen on a wider platform than it had six years ago. It’s been a pretty positive relationship, and we’ve enjoyed meeting many of the people who make WWE what it is. There were of course, contractual guidelines around the timing of the release of our shows, and we will now be able to let our fans see them a little sooner than before – so, for example, our show on Sunday (Chapter 148: Start Spreading the News) will be aired next Saturday, which is a week earlier than would have been the case,” Best said.

Like PROGRESS, ICW announced that their contract with WWE has come to an end. More information is available here.

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