WWE exploring cutting back on house shows as part of cost-cutting initiatives

TKO chief operating officer Mark Shapiro said they are looking to cut back on WWE house shows in the future as part of a cost-cutting initiative with both WWE and UFC. Speaking at Monday's UBS media conference, Shapiro said while those house shows (what he called "cards" and/or "superstar events") are good for the brand, building an audience and bringing the brand to "C and D counties," "from a margin perspective, they're dilutive." "There's probably an opportunity as we go through our synergies and efficiency opportunities, to cut back on some of those non-televised events which, of course, will push our margin up," he said, adding they are going through that exercise now. He did not define what "C and D counties" meant, but it's assumed to be events in smaller cities and towns. He said they run 300 events a year with 170 of those televised. Conversely, he would like to see more UFC Fight Night events and are exploring that, something both they and ESPN would like to see. He pointed to their six sellouts an