Q&A: Jeanie Buss is wowed by WOW wrestling — and LeBron James. ‘He might be the greatest of all time’
As a die-hard fan of superheroes, I can only imagine what it must have felt like for Jerry Buss to be speaking on a panel at Comic-Con decades after attending his first one as a 12-year-old kid. It was truly a dream come true for him, and I’m sure he still feels like he belongs in the audience rather than up on that dais.
Jeanie Buss went to her first women’s wrestling match with low expectations.
She shared that her exposure to female wrestling resembled activities such as jelly or mud wrestling, which didn’t seem appealing to her at first glance.
In the year 2000, Buss went to the Women of Wrestling (WOW) show primarily to humor his close friend David McLane. This businessman and promoter had launched WOW as a follow-up to his successful Gorgeous Ladies of Wrestling program from past years.
And she was blown away.
Buss exclaimed that the moment he laid eyes on it, everything clicked for him, as he was once a young boy captivated by comic books and dreaming of becoming Supergirl with a towel draped around his neck.
Incredible, indeed! It felt as if these larger-than-life comic book characters had stepped right off the page and into reality, engaging in their own battles. Rather than rushing to their aid, they were staunchly defending their convictions – whether flawed or not – which I found truly inspiring. This empowering display made me develop a profound affection for this world.
Wow concluded towards the end of 2001 due to a shift in the marketplace resulting from the 9/11 terrorist incidents, as stated by McLane. However, over a dozen years later, Buss continued to vividly remember being impressed by Wow. (Paraphrased)
One evening during dinner, Jeanie and I were discussing topics, and she expressed her thoughts on the increasing popularity of women’s sports. She foresaw the future evolution of women’s sports and suggested a shift in the market, posing the question, “Why don’t we revive WOW – Women of Wrestling?” McLane said.
Following years of experimenting with different formats across multiple platforms, World of Warcraft (WOW) secured a syndication deal with Paramount Global Content Distribution in 2021. As a result, the third season of the weekly TV show is now airing nationwide in the U.S., including Los Angeles on KCAL-TV every Saturday at 11 p.m., and in numerous other countries. This weekend marks the premiere of this new season for us all to enjoy!
Pluto TV also recently launched a 24-hour streaming channel dedicated to the show.
This summer, Buss, McLane, along with several WOW Superheroes (the new name for wrestlers), found themselves on a panel at the 2024 San Diego Comic-Con, marking a complete loop for Buss.
On Thursday, Buss and McLane had a conversation with The Times about the history, current state, and future prospects of WOW. As the Lakers prepare to begin training camp soon, Buss also addressed a few questions concerning LeBron James, Bronny James, and the rest of the team following an intriguing summer.
(The questions and answers have been edited for length and clarity)
2024 has proven to be a momentous year for women’s sports. As co-owners of an all-women sports league, how have these developments impacted your experience?
It appears as though women’s sports have suddenly blossomed, but the truth is it’s been a 40-year journey to reach this point. Regardless, I’m thoroughly enjoying the current scene. I find myself captivated by the developments. Furthermore, Women of Wrestling serves as my personal endeavor, my way of giving back to women’s sports. It’s all about providing more platforms for skilled women and that’s what makes WOW so special to me.
Tell us about WOW’s journey to where it is now.
McLane: When we restarted this project, Jeanie emphasized the importance of doing it right, making sure each step is carefully considered, and investing in its future success so it outlives us. For her, as for me, it’s not just about producing a television show or filling airtime; we aim to establish a lasting franchise.
Buss: I wasn’t keen on creating something temporary that wouldn’t leave a lasting impact. We needed to locate suitable collaborators, discover our wrestlers, gather all the components that would contribute to a show that could be expanded and further develop our product. Now, on the brink of Season 3’s launch, I am thrilled because we have achieved longevity and are now part of the ongoing conversation.
How has the project evolved over the years and how do you see it continuing to do so in the future?
As a movie reviewer, I’d say: In the world of professional sports, the way we present our product to the fans has evolved significantly over the years. However, one constant remains – the undeniable talent and deserve for recognition that female athletes possess. That’s a conviction I’ve always carried, and it’s what Women of Wrestling embodies. They’re not just about delivering wrestling; they’re about shining a light on incredible female athletes. It’s been a journey to find the right approach to captivate our audience, and with Paramount Global as our partner, we’ve managed to create a syndicated package that makes sense for both us and our fans. Now, it’s all about building upon this foundation and ensuring our audience can easily find us and enjoy what we have to offer.
Why are the wrestlers called Superheroes?
Buss: To me, it’s obvious – they are exactly like that. They are larger-than-life personalities, some are good, while others are evil. I strongly believe that young women and girls should have role models who aren’t afraid to stand up for their convictions. That’s what superheroes represent.
McLane: Our superheroes are available in a variety of shapes and dimensions, making us the professional wrestling organization with the broadest range of diversity, hands down. We take great pride in this fact. … Beyond the ring, we delve into the tales and origins of our superheroes, fostering a bond between the audience and the performers that I believe is quite powerful.
Jeanie, are you a comic book fan?
As a devoted superhero enthusiast, I can proudly say that I was among the early attendees at one of the first Comic-Cons in history, held at the El Cortez Hotel when I was only 12 years old. Persistently nagging my mom, she eventually agreed to drive me there and leave me for a few hours. At the event, I found myself immersed in negotiations with comic book dealers, eagerly collecting Wonder Woman, Supergirl, the entire Superman family, and even Lois Lane. This was back in 1974, and my love for superheroes was already well-established, making me one of those passionate fans you might encounter at such events.
What was it like for you to actually be speaking on a panel at Comic-Con decades later?
As a movie enthusiast, it felt surreal to find myself on the stage rather than among the crowd, which is where I truly belong. Being invited to participate in Comic-Con was more than just an honor for me; it was a lifelong dream realized.
In the context of joining the Lakers, LeBron James expressed that on the job, his son, the rookie Bronny James, should avoid addressing him as “Dad”. Having been in a comparable situation, did you provide any counsel to them?
In my experience, I’ve never spoken to LeBron or Bronny about this specific topic, but when it comes to business matters, I always referred to my father as Dr. Buss to maintain a professional boundary. This way, we could keep work separate from our personal lives, especially during dinner conversations. Considering their upbringing, I believe they are well-prepared for such situations. As for Bronny, he’s a talented player, and I’m eager to see what our new coach JJ Redick plans for him. The upcoming season is bound to be intriguing, that’s for sure. LeBron’s performance at the Olympics was phenomenal; he might just go down as the greatest of all time.
LeBron will be 40 this season. What do you expect from him this year and beyond?
Speaker: He always performs exceptionally well, demonstrating dedication and commitment. He’s not just a globally recognized figure, but our guiding light. He steers our ship, establishing the rhythm and effort level that we all follow. It’s hard to argue about the need for persistence when you consider his impressive track record and career longevity. And he consistently delivers on it. His dedication leaves me in awe. I’m at a loss for words.
Regarding my hopes for the team, I could say that, historically speaking, the Lakers aim high – aiming for championships, as we all know, with great legends like Kobe Bryant, Magic Johnson, Phil Jackson, Pat Riley, and Dr. Buss leading the way. However, it’s just my opinion. What I truly look forward to is the beginning of the games so that we can witness their incredible performances. They are the ones who will write the story, as they are the ones who will demonstrate their skills and talents.
How could the Lakers address the heavy criticism they’ve faced during this off-season and quiet their detractors?
Buss: To be honest, it’s crucial to play basketball and secure victories. I understand there are criticisms, and social media can be challenging for everyone as it often sparks controversy. However, hyping things up isn’t particularly beneficial to me. Instead, the focus should be on doing the hard work. That’s how our organization functions. We concentrate on what we can manage and let our actions demonstrate our efforts.
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2024-09-13 18:31