Variety.com has confirmed that WWE & NBC Universal were unable to come to terms over a new contract for exclusive TV rights to air WWE programming on their networks, which Monday Night RAW (USA) and Friday Night SmackDown (SyFy) air on. WWE sent the following to the entertainment website confirming their report:

“WWE’s exclusive negotiating period with NBCU for our flagship television programs Raw and Smackdown has now expired.

While we were unable to reach an agreement with NBCU during this period, we have certainly appreciated our long and productive partnership. With year-round, live programming that is highly coveted by programmers, distributors and advertisers, we are extremely excited about our future. We look forward to engaging with potential partners who recognize the value of having the #1 show on cable and live content delivered 52 weeks a year”

WWE are free to negotiate with other network providers such as Viacom, whom Variety previously noted were interested in picking up WWE programming once again. Viacom’s network Spike TV is the current home of WWE rival TNA Wrestling, who’s deal is also rumored to be up sometime this year. NBC Universal has until September 30th to match any deal offered to WWE, however if no deal is reached by midnight September 31, then all WWE programming will be removed from any and all NBC Universal networks.