Santa Monica, CA-based WWE Studios has closed on a revolving credit facility worth $35 million with Bank of America Merrill Lynch.  The deal comes after a multi-year successful run by the production company.

With this new arrangement, WWE Studios expects to extend and grow their partnership base, which already includes Warner Bros., Lionsgate and 20th Century Fox. The proceeds of the facility will allow WWE Studios to execute further on its key strategy for long-term growth, increasing the number of mid-size budgets films, similar to The Call and Oculus, on its slate. The funds will also go toward the expansion of the acquisition slate.

"WWE Studios is an amazing brand with a history of creating content with fascinating characters and storylines," said Randy Hua, senior vice president of Bank of America Merrill Lynch. "This new facility will provide WWE Studios the capacity to build on the momentum from the last several years by producing and acquiring more branded and genre films.  The various platforms and global reach of both BofAML and WWE creates the perfect collaboration."

"This new relationship with Bank of America Merrill Lynch gives us the opportunity to be involved in higher profile films and expand talent relationships," said Michael Luisi, President, WWE Studios.  "Our audience craves larger-than-life stories, and we're looking forward to using this new facility to bring even more of those stories to the big screen." 

"The credit facility enhances WWE's financial flexibility and is consistent with WWE's film strategy and planned investment levels as previously communicated," said George Barrios, WWE Chief Strategy & Financial Officer.

With all new productions and ventures, WWE Studios will leverage WWE's extensive platforms from weekly TV shows, including WWE's flagship programs, Monday Night Raw® and SmackDown®, to digital, social media, and the WWE Network, to market and promote its titles.

WWE Studios most recently launched a new label, Erebus Pictures, with media mogul Gene Simmons, which is set to finance and produce elevated horror movies.

WWE® Studios develops and produces feature films, as well as television and digital content. Its diverse slate is released theatrically, direct to home, and/or across digital platforms, and is co-produced & distributed through partnerships with premiere global entertainment companies. WWE's film division, led by President Michael Luisi, is headquartered in Santa Monica, CA.