World Wrestling Network was founded by Sal Hamaoui and Tony Valamontes in 2001 as a DVD company before it later evolved into an internet streaming and video on demand business.[1] In 2003, WWNLive began producing FIP DVDs.[1]
In November 2014, Evolve Wrestling, Dragon Gate USA (DGUSA), Full Impact Pro (FIP) and Shine Wrestling held a tour of China under the WWNLive banner.[3] The following month, WWNLive announced a long-term deal with Great-Wall International Sports Management for regular tours of Asia, starting in the spring of 2015.[4]
In 2015, WWNLive opened a training facility in Trinity, Florida named the "World Wrestling Network Academy".[5] That year, Evolve began a partnership with WWE. Evolve's wrestlers were featured on WWE.com,[6] while NXT wrestlers Sami Zayn, Chad Gable and Jason Jordan took part in Evolve events in non-wrestling roles.[7][8] In January 2016, NXT General Manager William Regal and WWE COO Triple H attended Evolve 54.[9] As part of the relationship, it was announced in March 2016 that Evolve would hold qualifying matches for WWE's Cruiserweight Classic.[10]
On October 24, 2016, WWNLive and FloSports announced a new streaming service to launch on November 4. Through the service, subscribers can access both live streaming events as well as events from WWNLive's on-demand library, dating back to 2003.[11]
On November 22, 2016, it was announced that WWNLive would be debuting a new promotion named Style Battle on January 7, 2017.[12] Also announced was the creation of the WWN Championship on April 1, 2017.[13]
On September 21, 2017, it was reported that FloSports had filed a $1 million lawsuit against WWNLive for breach of contract and alleged misrepresentation of iPPV and VOD buyrates.[14] WWNLive, meanwhile, claimed that FloSports had failed to live up to their contractual obligations. Because of the lawsuit, FloSports pulled all future WWNLive events from its streaming service.[15] The following December, WWNLive launched a replacement streaming service, Club WWN.[16]
In July 2020, Evolve's assets were sold to WWE and Sapolsky left WWN.[17] A few weeks later, WWN announced the creation of Grindhouse, a new brand promoted by Eddie Kingston.[18]
^Johnson, Mike (2014-09-19). "Evolve heading to China (no, really)". Pro Wrestling Insider. Retrieved 2014-09-19. WWNLive, the parent company of Evolve, Shine, FIP and Dragon Gate USA.
