The WWE wrestling empire could be taking to the top rope as it prepares to make a mighty splash into the health club market through the launch of a gym chain called Tapout Fitness.

According to reports, WWE is eager to expand its partnership with fitness lifestyle brand Tapout beyond fitness apparel and merchandise and open up a chain of gyms across the US. On a WWE investor conference call last week, chief strategy and finance officer George Barrios said he was particularly ‘excited’ about working with Tapout, but declined to expand on his enthusiasm.

However, reports suggest that a WWE gym chain would tap into the natural synergies between wrestling and fitness, with WWE superstars playing an integral part in the marketing plans. There is also speculation that the wrestlers would even work out at the gyms when the company has live events in the area, enabling fans to pump iron with their wrestling heroes and take classes with them.

The company has already been taking strides to open up its training processes and show fans what it takes to become a wrestler. Earlier this year, WWE opened its wrestling performance centre to offer fans all-access tours of the facility where wrestling’s future stars hone their skills.

Meanwhile, WWE has been eager to increase its international presence in recent years, particularly in the UK where a number of events have been staged at Wembley Arena. Last week, the company announced that international revenue increased by 43 per cent to US$119m (€109m, £77m) through the first nine months of 2015, and the establishment of a US gym chain could see locations follow in the UK and Europe.

Health Club Management has contacted the WWE for comment, but there has been no definitive word yet on what form the gym chain may take, or whether members will be able to take advantage of ‘rockbottom’ prices.