Morning Daily News Update: May 7, 2026 – TKO Reports WWE First Quarter Revenue
By Conor Renshaw on 7 May 2026
Morning all!
It’s Thursday, and it’s time for the Morning Daily News Update!
We’ve also got some new posts from the blog from yesterday:
Jabroniville has a new Dream Matches post
LScisco posted a new WTWWW for WWF Superstars from January 6, 1996
Phrederic reviewed last night’s episode of WWE Evolve
WWE Drives TKO Growth as Revenue Jumps 26%
WWE played a major role in driving growth for TKO Group Holdings during the company’s latest financial quarter, generating $475.7 million in revenue, up 22 per cent year-over-year. TKO reported total quarterly revenue of $1.597 billion overall, with WWE’s biggest gains coming from media rights and live events, particularly international shows such as the Royal Rumble.
Despite the strong growth, TKO’s overall debt continues to rise, reaching $4.671 billion this quarter. Reports indicate the company is prioritising expansion and investor spending over aggressively reducing debt, believing that future earnings growth will gradually lower those figures.
AEW Dedicates Wednesday’s Dynamite To Ted Turner
AEW dedicated Wednesday night’s special three-hour edition of Dynamite to the memory of Ted Turner following his passing at the age of 87. Before the show aired on TBS, AEW released a statement honouring Turner’s role in bringing professional wrestling to TBS and TNT dating back to the 1970s.
Turner, who founded TBS, TNT and CNN and previously owned WCW, played a major role in wrestling’s television history long before AEW launched Dynamite on TNT in 2019. The tribute episode aired from North Charleston, South Carolina and continued the long-standing connection between Turner’s networks and professional wrestling.
Francois Prinsloo has announced his departure from WWE, sharing an emotional message reflecting on his time in NXT. Prinsloo described WWE as “nothing but a blessing,” thanked the coaches and staff who supported him through multiple injuries, and said the company helped reignite his passion for acting and speaking.
Prinsloo also admitted he was disappointed his journey ended before he could fully establish himself, but hinted that he already has future plans in mind. In closing, he referenced advice about staying hungry for success, suggesting more details about his next move will be revealed soon.
WWE President Nick Khan Signs New Contract
Nick Khan has officially signed a new deal with TKO Group Holdings that will keep him as WWE President through 2030, according to the company’s latest SEC filing. The agreement will see Khan earn a $2 million annual base salary through 2026, then increase to $3 million per year from 2027 onward, with potential bonuses pushing his yearly compensation as high as $9 million.
The filing also revealed that Khan received $24.3 million in total compensation in 2025, including salary, bonuses, and stock awards. The disclosure comes amid criticism surrounding WWE’s recent roster cuts and reports that several talents were being asked to accept major pay reductions following WrestleMania 42.