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WWE HAS BIG PLANS FOR TAPOUT PARTNERSHIP NEXT YEAR

As we reported last week in the Elite section of PWInsider.com, there was a reason why George Barrios and WWE were so evasive when they were asked about their plans with the Tapout brand during the WWE's third quarter earnings conference call for 2015. While Barrios admitted they are very excited and have big plans for the Tapout brand, he wouldn't give up any of their plans.

What those plans are, PWInsider.com has learned are a big planned investment from WWE into Tapout, which they first partnered with in March 2015 after Tapout was acquired by American Brand Group. That investment is not to just refocus the old MMA-themed clothing line but to bring the entire Tapout name forward as a Fitness brand in the years to come.

With WWE's partnership, there are plans to open Tapout Fitness Centers all over the United States with locations in Brooklyn, NY, Las Vegas, Portland, Oregon, Phoenix, Arizona, Los Angeles and Oakland, CA, Houston, Texas, and Oakland, NJ, as well as others.

WWE are not just going to be lending their name and money to the project either. PWInsider has learned that part of the strategy is to integrate talents so that they are appearing and taking part in the Tapout Fitness Centers in the markets they live. So, Daniel Bryan could appear, teach or take part at the Center in Phoenix, for example.

WWE has already started to tip their toe in the water in this regard. They've been using talents in online videos and DVD releases for their "Bodyfit" series. The next UK tour will see WWE hold fitness classes hosted by Ryback, Seth Rollins and Ryback on 11/7 in Leeds, England. That program will see the WWE talents leading a custom-designed 55-minute workout, and Meet and Greet opportunity. It could very well be these events overseas are dry runs for what they want to roll out next year once the Tapout Fitness Centers begin to open. own

The strategy is obviously a WWE answer to UFC's gym franchise, using their own intellectual property and bridging that with the Tapout brand to forge a new Lifestyle brand and all the potential revenue streams that come with that venture.

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