Disney and WWE are expanding their partnership with two events at ESPN Wide World of Sports at Walt Disney World next month, along with themed merchandise and an on-site fan experience tied to Marvel Studios’ upcoming film Avengers: Doomsday.
The John Cena Classic is scheduled for Dec. 14. Wrestlers from Raw, SmackDown and NXT will compete for a special championship belt, with Club WWE members voting on the winner. Cena announced the event on Raw, and it will stream on Netflix.
On Dec. 15, WWE will present an Avengers: Doomsday-themed edition of Worlds Collide, featuring competitors from WWE, NXT and AAA. Two-day tickets covering both events will be available.
The plans also include WWE World, an immersive fan event developed with Fanatics. Co-branded Avengers: Doomsday and WWE merchandise will be sold there, at Disney retail stores and through the WWE Shop.
The expanded arrangement takes the companies’ relationship beyond their existing ESPN connection, through which ESPN holds U.S. rights to WWE premium live events on its app, adding live experiences and retail.
Sources: The Hollywood Reporter.