Highlights from the 2012 WWE Shareholders Meeting

WWE CEO Vince McMahon opened the annual shareholders meeting Friday talking about two guarantees in life - death and taxes - before vowing to report improved operating results this time last year.

McMahon acknowledged the stock price has dipped below $8 per share to 52-week lows, and said he believes it reflects on unfavorable 2011 business results. He said he believes the price will be much improved this same time next year.

Key reasons why WWE believes they will be in a better position is cleaning up the Films division, generating more revenue from their TV shows with the imminent announcement of NXT and Superstars's future homes, and accelerating international growth.

The following are more business highlights from the annual shareholders meeting capturing WWE's view on the past year and year ahead.

McMahon said there will be "announcements very shortly" on the next wave of distribution for NXT and Superstars, which WWE management says they have strategically held back on before bringing back to TV. WWE CFO George Barrios noted WWE used the shows in contract negotiations for the Network.

McMahon said they sense there is "extraordinary demand" for their product in and out of the ring, and "now is the time to capitalize" on NXT & Superstars to re-obtain TV Rights Revenue from distributing the shows.

McMahon was asked if WWE should drop the price of PPVs to increase buys. "No," McMahon replied. He added, "We're the best value in entertainment." McMahon said WWE believes more people are congregating at homes to watch the PPVs in a tough economy. He attributed a PPV decline to economic reasons rather than a lack of interest in the product.

Asked about UFC PPVs in comparison, McMahon said it's "two completely different audiences." He then said, "UFC's PPVs have dropped like a rock. Ours haven't." McMahon said UFC dropping their PPV price would "indicate a great deal of weakness."

McMahon was asked later why not make WrestleMania free, like the Super Bowl, and charge advertisers. McMahon said it "does not make much sense." He said he doesn't know of a channel that would air Mania, and he doesn't think money from sponsors would compare to the money they make on PPV for Mania.

Triple H was asked to clear up the status of WWE Developmental and the future of the program. Hunter spent the first-half of his response addressing the telephone version of the last month's rumor that FCW may be shutting down (not the entire Developmental program) before saying the "where and how" of their expansion plans is still in the works. Hunter stressed Developmental being the lifeblood of WWE and name-dropped Brodus Clay as one wrestler who has come through the system.

When asked if he's thought about a physical Hall of Fame location, McMahon said, "No, we haven't." He said it's something they would consider in the future, though, before getting into his belief that a physical building would not be a money-maker for WWE in the current environment.

"Something not on the front-burner, but one day will probably do something like that," McMahon said.

Asked why WWE continues to a publicly-traded company, McMahon said it makes them better businesspeople, gives the company more brainpower at the executive and Board of Directors level, they can obtain capital, and it changes the complexion of the company. "It's no longer one man's vision," McMahon said.

source: pwtorch.com

You can view the video of the meeting here. Triple H speaks at the 59:01 mark.