WOW Superheroes is set to return in 2022 and it will feature the return of AJ Lee to professional wrestling as she is set to join the brand in a producer capacity.
This will be the first time AJ Lee works in any capacity inside professional wrestling since the Monday Night Raw after WrestleMania 31 in 2015. During her tenure in WWE, she was the second-longest-reigning Divas Champion in company history, she was surpassed by Nikki Bella months after her departure.
------BREAKING NEWS------
— WOW (@wowsuperheroes) October 7, 2021
AJ Mendez is WOW Wrestling! Welcome to the team! pic.twitter.com/DRF2LGja6u
In addition to the return of AJ Lee, as first reported by Fightful Select, the return of WOW Superheroes coincides with the return of Tessa Blanchard to professional wrestling. The promotion has also made history by signing a multi-year distribution agreement with ViacomCBS. New episodes of WOW will launch in weekend syndication beginning in the fall of 2022, past episodes are expected to be available on CW Seed and Pluto TV platforms in December 2021.
League owner and WOW executive producer Jeanie Buss, said in a statement to ET, "Wrestling’s presentation of women has long been very important to me, and we now are presenting the epitome in sports entertainment that will highlight the athleticism of these superstars as we reintroduce WOW. Our partnership with the entire ViacomCBS Global Distribution Group family allows us to continue our mission of providing wrestling fans and WOW Superheroes what they have all deserved: a global platform for a dedicated women’s wrestling league."
"We are thrilled to partner with Jeanie Buss and David McLane to create a significant global footprint for WOW and expand our diverse, world-class content portfolio," added Dan Cohen, President of ViacomCBS Global Distribution Group, in a statement. "This series offers audiences unique, compelling, and creative entertainment that features female 'superheroes' in the ring, behind the cameras, and in all aspects of the business. Both in the U.S and abroad, we believe this is an event program that will make some noise in the marketplace."
Speaking about her return to wrestling, Tessa Blanchard focused on her lineage and the different paths professional wrestling has taken her through the years.
"[Wrestling has] taken me all over the world," she noted. "I've gotten to live in different countries, and win championship titles all over the world, but now with WOW, this is without a doubt the biggest platform for women's wrestling in history. To be a part of it, it's a testament that we're changing the status quo for women's wrestling, for professional wrestling altogether, and it's just such a blessing to be a part of it."
Fightful was issued the following press release:
VIACOMCBS ANNOUNCES MULTI-YEAR DISTRIBUTION AGREEMENT WITH JEANIE BUSS-OWNED “WOW - WOMEN OF WRESTLING”
ViacomCBS Global Distribution Group Provides Women’s Wrestling Its Largest Media Footprint in Sports Entertainment History
LOS ANGELES – Oct. 6, 2021 – ViacomCBS Global Distribution Group announced today a new multi-year distribution agreement with WOW - Women Of Wrestling (WOW), marking the return of the world’s leading women’s wrestling league. This historic and exclusive media rights deal gives WOW the biggest distribution opportunities for the U.S. and abroad in the history of women’s professional wrestling. WOW is owned by Jeanie Buss and was created by David McLane, founder of women’s wrestling’s original hit series GLOW.
New episodes of WOW will launch in weekend syndication beginning in the fall of 2022. ViacomCBS Global Distribution Group has already secured clearance in 160 markets, representing 70 percent of the United States via licensing agreements with deals that include CBS-owned-and-operated stations and Sinclair Broadcast Group. Historical seasons will be available on CW Seed and Pluto TV platforms, expected in December 2021.
“We are thrilled to partner with Jeanie Buss and David McLane to create a significant global footprint for WOW and expand our diverse, world-class content portfolio,” said Dan Cohen, President of ViacomCBS Global Distribution Group. “This series offers audiences unique, compelling and creative entertainment that features female ‘superheroes’ in the ring, behind the cameras and in all aspects of the business. Both in the U.S and abroad, we believe this is an event program that will make some noise in the marketplace.”
Former WWE world champion and New York Times bestselling author of Crazy Is My Superpower AJ Mendez will provide color commentary during each broadcast, which will feature the return of WOW World Champion The Beast and former world champion Tessa Blanchard to the squared circle.
“Wrestling’s presentation of women has long been very important to me, and we now are presenting the epitome in sports entertainment that will highlight the athleticism of these superstars as we reintroduce WOW,” said Jeanie Buss, Owner of WOW. “Our partnership with the entire ViacomCBS Global Distribution Group family allows us to continue our mission of providing wrestling fans and WOW Superheroes what they have all deserved: a global platform for a dedicated women’s wrestling league.”
Buss and Mendez will serve as executive producers, while WOW creator and founder McLane is the executive producer of the production, along with two-time Emmy Award nominee Nick Staller. ViacomCBS Global Distribution Group distributes the series in the U.S. and internationally.
Out with the old… in with the new generation!
— WOW (@wowsuperheroes) October 7, 2021
WOW Women Of Wrestling is BACK! #expectmore pic.twitter.com/x0pXmBIpYS
Fightful will have more on the return of WOW Superheroes as more updates are made available.
