The world of microdramas (otherwise known as verticals) continue to be the burgeoning new form of entertainment storytelling often with romance novel-like soap opera storytelling, and all accessible in bite sized short 1-2 minute episodes on your phone.

After The Bold and the Beautiful’s Brad Bell (executive producer and head writer) land his son Oliver Bell announced that in August they will premiere their first microdrama Hollywood Startlet under their Red Flair Entertainment banner for aTwist (formerly MicroCo), comes word that now WWE, the global leader in sports entertainment is developing their first live-action microdrama series in collaboration with ReelShort, the world’s leading microdrama platform.

This new endeavor brings together WWE’s iconic Superstars, world-renowned creative strategy, and global fanbase with ReelShort’s expertise in premium vertical storytelling to create an entirely new entertainment experience for audiences around the world. Together, the companies are introducing a new way for fans to experience entertainment through mobile-first storytelling, while expanding the possibilities of the rapidly growing microdrama format.

WHICH WWE SUPERSTARS WILL APPEAR IN THE MICRODRAMA?

The initial series will feature WWE Superstars: Drew McIntyre, Jacob Fatu and Joe Hendry, among others, alongside fan-favorite ReelShort stars Marc Herrmann and Chase Mattson. Production is scheduled to begin next month, with the series expected to premiere this early fall.

“Brand partnerships are evolving beyond product placement. We’re creating entertainment ecosystems where brands, talent, and storytelling come together to build cultural moments that audiences actively engage with and share,” said Sammie Hao, Head of Talent & Business Development at ReelShort.

THE EVOLUTION OF STORYTELLING

“By bringing WWE Superstars into the ReelShort cinematic world, we are creating a new storytelling experience for the WWE Universe, while reaching a fresh audience with premium content on ReelShort’s innovative platform,” said Ben Houser, Head of Original Content and Development, WWE.

ReelShort is the world’s leading microdrama platform, delivering premium original scripted series through fast-paced, mobile-first storytelling. Available in more than 100 countries and reaching more than 70 million monthly active users, ReelShort is redefining how global audiences discover and engage with entertainment through original productions, bestselling IP adaptations, and collaborations with leading creators, brands, and entertainment companies. ReelShort is developed by Crazy Maple Studio, a global entertainment company behind some of the world’s most successful mobile storytelling platforms.

WWE is the global leader in sports entertainment. The company creates and delivers original content 52 weeks a year to a global audience. WWE is committed to family-friendly entertainment on its television programming, Premium Live Events, digital media, and publishing platforms. WWE’s TV-PG programming can be seen in more than 1 billion households worldwide in more than 20 languages through world-class distribution partners including Netflix, ESPN, NBCUniversal, USA Network and The CW. WWE is part of TKO Group Holdings (NYSE: TKO). Additional information on WWE can be found at wwe.com and corporate.wwe.com.

So, what do you think about WWE, getting into the microdrama business? It’s seems like a great way to utilize the WWE superstars and mix them up with some of the top stars in vertical dramas and for consumption for the global pro wrestling fans who will have yet another platform to watch their favorites.  Weigh-in via the comment section below.

On the July 6 episode of WWE Raw on Netflix, CM Punk made his triumphant return to WWE programming and captured the Undisputed WWE Championship, in his hometown of Chicago, no less.

In the story, Punk stepped in at the last minute as a replacement in the title match against Sami Zayn, when Zayn’s scheduled opponent, the American Nightmare, Cody Rhodes was taken out at the beginning of Raw by sneak attack by Gunther.

The attack on Rhodes, left Cody out of the title picture for the night and chance to reclaim the championship he lost to Zayn at Night of Champions in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia just 9 days ago.

Photo: WWE

LAST MINUTE OPPONENT

With Adam Pearce currently in charge of both Raw and SmackDown after Nick Aldis also got into an altercation with Gunther last week, Aldis returned and got into with Pearce over the booking of the title match.

Zayn, who thought he got out of a title fight, soon learned he has an unnamed challenger in the main event and headed to the ring for this title defense. Only, it was going to be a losing battle with CM Punk’s theme music hit, and the crowd in Chicago went nuts!

Despite Zayn building significant offense throughout his match,, Punk ultimately came out victorious after using Zayn’s patented victory following a Helluva Kick and a Go To Sleep.

PUNK BECOMES A WWE CHAMP FOR THE EIGHTH TIME

This makes CM Punk an eight-time WWE world champion.  Zayn’s reign as champion became one of the shortest ever. Previously, Punk dropped the WWE World Championship title to Roman Reigns in a classic bout at WrestleMania 42, and until now has been out of the storyline.

Since the Undisputed WWE Championship is associated with SmackDown, the WWE Universe can most likely to CM Punk heading to the blue brand as champ with Reigns the champ on Raw.

But all of this has to be leading to SummerSlam, where the smart money is that Cody Rhodes will demand a title shot at CM Punk for the Undisputed Championship, while we already know Seth Rollins is facing Roman Reigns for the WWE Championship.

WWE SummerSlam takes place in Minneapolis on August 1 and August 2 with the full match cards being revealed in the coming weeks.

So, what did you think of CM Punk returning in Chi-Town to win the Undisputed WWE Championship? Do you think we will now get a Cody or Punk heel turn? Happy or mad, that Sami Zayn’s title run was oh-so short? Weigh-in via the comment section. But first, check out Punk’s winning moment below.

“Legends will fall, heroes will rise,” those are the keys to the stories as Netflix is set to take you one more time behind the scenes of the writers room and life as a professional wrestler in WWE Unreal premiering on July 21.

Now on Monday, the streamer has unveiled their official season 3 trailer for the docudrama which features: WWE legend, John Cena on the final run of his retirement tour, and a host of top WWE superstars including: Cody Rhodes, Liv Morgan, CM Punk, AJ Lee, Trick Williams, Lash Legend, Stephanie Vaquer, Oba Femi, Bron Breakker, Chelsea Green, Matt Cardona, Seth Rollins and Becky Lynch.

On the new season of WWE: Unreal, it is set to takes viewer inside the writers’ room as injuries, last-minute pivots, and career-defining decisions reshape WWE’s biggest season yet heading into WrestleMania 42.

Photo: Netflix

HOW THE STORYLINES AND MATCHES CAME TOGETHER FOR WRESTLEMANIA 42

In the trailer, John Cena asks,”Why are we fighting? Start there.The why is everything!” Then, the footage showcases the rising stars of the WWE from Oba Femi, Bron Breakker to Trick Williams.

WWE Chief Content Officer, Triple H is seen in the writers room as he says, “I think we got to pull the trigger on somebody.” Cena shares, “We have so many great new people. Who’s next? That’s the why”  Bron Breakker explained, “If I get dinged up in the middle of a match, you quit? What’s it say about me? I’ll run through a wall for those people.”

In addition, AJ Lee returned after 10 years away from the WWE and wrestled alongside her husband CM Punk, who shared on having his wife back, “It might not seem like a big deal, but everything’s just so much better when she’s there.”  Meanwhile, AJ Lee explained,  “I needed to change things for everyone who came behind me.”  The trailer also shows Liv Morgan battling back from injury, and so much more.

Check out the official WWE Unreal Season 3 trailer below.

Now, let us know, what you are most intrigued to see on the new season as WWE takes you behind the scenes of the creative decisions that led into WrestleMania 42 and more via the comment section.