The Ringer and WWE Enter the Ring in New Partnership to Produce Exclusive Spotify Original Content
Make way for wrestling’s newest double threat. The Ringer, a Spotify Studio, has tapped World Wrestling Entertainment (WWE) to form an audio partnership. Together they will collaborate to develop original content, and existing content will become exclusive to Spotify.
The Ringer was founded by Bill Simmons in 2016 and acquired by Spotify in 2020. It’s famous for creating an innovative blend of sports, pop culture, politics, and tech content for its website, podcast network, and scripted and unscripted video production house. And now, together with WWE Original Podcasts, it will take wrestling fans as close to the action as possible.
“The Ringer is the premier destination for sports fandom, and WWE has used amazing storytelling and iconic characters to establish a global audience of loyal and passionate fans, making this partnership a perfect match,” said Simmons. “As a lifelong WWE fan, I couldn’t be more excited to work with them to take a fresh perspective on their most iconic moments and superstars, and leverage Spotify’s global scale to share content that we believe everyone will enjoy.”
The WWE team echoes the excitement. “Bill and his team at The Ringer consistently find ways to create premium content that drives conversation and appeals to fans of sports, entertainment and pop culture,” said Nick Khan, WWE President & Chief Revenue Officer. “We believe this collaboration will deliver a podcast slate that excites existing fans while also introducing WWE content to the millions of Spotify listeners.”
Here’s a peek at exciting new audio coming to Spotify and The Ringer.
Kicking Off Summer Content
Fans of the popular podcast The Masked Man Show with David Shoemaker can look forward to a refreshed take on the show under a new name—The Ringer Wrestling Show. The podcast will also increase in its publishing frequency and programming.
But that’s not all. Stay tuned for a new narrative series produced by The Ringer’s own Bill Simmons, as well as live conversations with our hosts on Spotify Greenroom after major WWE pay-per-view events. The final rooms will become podcasts for The Ringer Wrestling Show.
Kicking off the partnership, The Ringer will be ringside at WWE’s SummerSlam at the MGM Grand in Las Vegas. There, David will be creating new episodes of The Ringer Wrestling Show, and WWE personality Evan Mack will make his Ringer debut with his new podcast MackMania. WWE devotees can also expect a live conversation on Spotify Greenroom following Saturday’s event.
Start getting in fighting shape for the WWE SummerSlam and catch up on The Masked Man Show (soon to be The Ringer Wrestling Show) now.
