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March 18, 2020
WWE To Air WrestleMania 36 From Multiple Locations
WrestleMania 36 To Air As A Two-Night Streaming Event, Rob Gronkowski Announced As Host
WWE has announced that WrestleMania 36 will be a two-night streaming event for the first time ever.
WrestleMania 36 will air on Saturday, April 4 and Sunday, April 5 at 7pm ET on pay-per-view and the WWE Network. It will still air from the WWE Performance Center in Orlando, with no crowd.
WWE also announced that former NFL player Rob Gronkowski will be hosting The Grandest Stage of Them All this year.
Gronk, who will be on Friday's SmackDown to push the appearance, took to Twitter and commented on the big announcement.
"It's official! I'm hosting @WrestleMania this year...and it's gonna be too big for just one night. For the 1st time, #WrestleMania will be a [alarm emoji] 2-NIGHT [alarm emoji] event: Saturday, April 4 AND Sunday, April 5 on @WWENetwork! Tell you more this Friday night on #SmackDown at 8 ET on @FOXTV," he wrote.
Below is the full announcement WWE sent to us:
For Immediate Release
WRESTLEMANIA® TOO BIG FOR JUST ONE NIGHT
STAMFORD, Conn. – March 18, 2020 – WrestleMania, for the first time ever, will be held as a two-night event streaming on Saturday, April 4 and Sunday, April 5 at 7 pm ET on WWE Network and available on pay-per-view.
The two-night pop culture extravaganza will be hosted by three-time Super Bowl Champion Rob Gronkowski. Tune in to SmackDown this Friday at 8 pm ET on FOX to see what Gronk has in store for WrestleMania.
As previously announced, only essential personnel will be on the closed set during the production of WrestleMania.
~ Kayfabe by
Kaliqo~
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8:29 PM
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Labels: WrestleMania, WWE Network, WWE Performance Center
March 16, 2020
WWE Statement Regarding WrestleMania 36
In coordination with local partners and government officials, WrestleMania and all related events in Tampa Bay will not take place. However, WrestleMania will still stream live on Sunday, April 5 at 7 pm ET on WWE Network and be available on pay-per-view. Only essential personnel will be on the closed set at WWE’s training facility in Orlando, Florida to produce WrestleMania.
March 12, 2020
WWE Statement on Potential Impact of COVID-19
WWE today communicated perspective regarding the potential impact of COVID-19 on the Company's financial performance.
WWE has substantial financial resources, both available cash and debt capacity, which currently total more than $0.5 billion, to manage the challenges ahead. The fundamentals of the Company's business remain strong reflecting the passion of WWE's fans and the quality of its content. Management continues to believe the Company is well positioned to take full advantage of the changing media landscape and increasing value of live sports rights over the longer term.
The health and safety of WWE's fans, performers and employees are the Company's top priorities and management is monitoring the situation closely domestically and internationally.
The potential impact of COVID-19, and corresponding changes in the way WWE operates, may adversely impact the Company's business including, but not limited to, its live event ticket sales and the sale of merchandise at those events. It should be noted that the Company may be directed to cancel, postpone or relocate certain upcoming events and the number of these changes is unknown at this time. The Company is currently unable to quantify the potential financial impact of COVID-19, but the financial impact to the Company may be material. Accordingly, the Company is withdrawing its previously announced first quarter and full year 2020 guidance due to the increased uncertainty of the financial impact of COVID-19 to the Company.
"While we remain committed to hosting WrestleMania at Raymond James Stadium on Sunday, April 5, we are putting contingency plans in place in the event that it is cancelled by government officials, civil authorities and/or local venues," WWE said. "The health and safety of our fans, performers and employees are our top priorities and we are monitoring the situation closely with our partners and government officials in Tampa Bay."
Tampa City Officials Make Announcement Regarding WrestleMania 36
WWE's WrestleMania 36 will move forward as scheduled, at least for now.
As we've noted, top WWE officials and local officials met today in Tampa to discuss the status of WrestleMania 36 and the coronavirus pandemic. Local officials were also discussing the possible cancellation and changes to other events in the area.
With WrestleMania still 3 weeks away, officials have decided that they do not want to cancel the event just yet.
"Right now WrestleMania is out about three weeks," Hillsborough Commissioner Les Miller said this afternoon. "We came to the conclusion that at this point, we don't want to pull that plug. However we wanted to give it at least a week to see what was going to happen, if WWE was going to do anything at all. If they don't, at that point, I will suggest that we do come together for an emergency meeting to discuss what we do at that particular point in time."
It was noted that WWE and local officials will reconvene next week as we get closer to April 5, which is the day of the WrestleMania 36 pay-per-view from Raymond James Stadium in Tampa. WrestleMania 36 Week and the non-WWE wrestling events will begin in the area several days before that.
March 4, 2020
WWE Issues Statement On The Coronavirus And WrestleMania 36 Week
WWE is moving forward with WrestleMania 36 plans despite multiple confirmed cases of coronavirus in the Tampa, Florida area.
WWE issued a statement to ESPN this afternoon and said they are monitoring the coronavirus situation closely with partners and government officials in the Tampa Bay area. WWE confirmed that there are no current plans to cancel or postpone any upcoming events due to the virus.
WWE Held Talent Meeting Over Coronavirus Concerns At RAW
According to PWInsider.com, WWE held a talent meeting before RAW last night regarding the Coronavirus pandemic. It was noted that the company wanted to review the latest information on the disease and what talents could do to avoid contracting the disease on the road.
Last week, Stephanie McMahon and other WWE officials were in Tampa for a business luncheon and spoke with the Tampa Bay Times about growing concerns over the disease. McMahon said WWE puts the safety of their performers and fans first but they’ll act if it comes to that point. “The health and safety of not only our fan base, but also our superstars, really does come first. We don’t want to put anyone in a bad situation ever, regardless of the circumstance. Those are not risks worth taking.” McMahon added that the company will “enact those measures” if necessary.
~ Kayfabe by
Kaliqo~
at
7:24 AM
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Labels: News, Stephanie McMahon, WrestleMania, Wrestling News, WWE
November 11, 2019
WrestleMania 35 generated $165.4 million in economic impact for the New York/New Jersey region
WWE and New Jersey Governor Phil Murphy today announced that WrestleMania 35 generated $165.4 million in economic impact for the New York/New Jersey region this past April, according to a study conducted by the Enigma Research Corporation. This marks a more than 60 percent increase from the $101.2 million generated for WrestleMania 29 in New York and New Jersey, and the eighth consecutive year that WrestleManiagenerated more than $100 million in economic impact for its host region.
Over the past 13 years, WrestleMania has generated more than $1.3 billion in cumulative economic impact for the cities that have hosted the event. WrestleMania 35 also generated approximately $27.1 million in federal, state and local taxes.
“New Jersey is proud to have hosted WrestleMania35 in April, the fourth time our state has been host to this great event,” said New Jersey Governor Phil Murphy. “This data underscores what we already knew -- bringing large-scale events that draw fans from all over the world brings significant economic benefits to our state and the region. I thank WWE for choosing New Jersey and hope to continue this partnership in the future.”
“We are thrilled that WrestleMania’s return to our ‘front yard’ generated a significant economic increase for our partners in New York and New Jersey,” said John P. Saboor, WWE Executive Vice President of Special Events. “This success would not have been possible without the tireless support of Governor Murphy, Barclays Center, NYC & Company, Meadowlands Chamber, New York Jets, New York Giants and the rest of our public and private sector partners throughout the region. We now turn our attention to next year for what will be a historic WrestleMania debut in Tampa Bay.”
A sold-out crowd of 82,265 fans from all 50 states and 68 countries attended WWE’s pop-culture extravaganza this past April, making it the highest-grossing entertainment event in the history of MetLife Stadium. Key highlights from the study include:
- $165.4 million in direct, indirect and induced impact derived from spending by visitors to the New York/New Jersey region for WrestleMania 35.
- 52% of fans that attended WrestleMania were from outside the New York and New Jersey region and stayed an average of 4.6 nights.
- $23.9 million was spent on hotels and accommodations within the New York/New Jersey region.
- The economic impact derived from WrestleMania Week was equal to the creation of 1,534 full-time jobs for the area.
- $6.6 million was spent by visitors to the region at area restaurants.
April 13, 2019
Rumor Mill - Sasha Banks And Bayley Reportedly Cause A Bad Scene Over WrestleMania Loss
Sasha Banks felt "blindsided" by the decision to put the WWE Women's Tag Team Titles on The IIconics and reportedly tried to quit the company. It was noted that she expected to have a strong run with Bayley and the titles. According to the report, which you can read at this link, Banks has been given time to think everything over before making a decision.
Ryan Satin of Pro Wrestling Sheet took to Twitter today and reported that Banks and Bayley were laying on the floor of the locker room at Met Life Stadium on Sunday, "loudly making it known they were unhappy" about dropping the titles. It was also noted that they made a similar scene back at the WWE hotel.
"Heard from a few sources now saying Sasha Banks and Bayley were laying on the floor of the locker room on Sunday, and back at the hotel in front of one of their rooms, loudly making it known they were unhappy about losing the tag titles," Satin wrote on Twitter.
Satin defended his report and said he heard the same information from multiple sources. "This info is from four different sources I've spoken with the past day. All independent from each other and all came to me about it, not the other way around," he wrote in one tweet to a fan. He continued in another tweet, "Was told this by four separate people who have no relation to each other. There were a lot of people staying in the hotel during Mania weekend."
~ Kayfabe by
Kaliqo~
at
11:14 AM
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Labels: Bayley, Rumor Mill, Sasha Banks, WrestleMania, WWE Womens Division
April 8, 2019
WWE Sets New MetLife Stadium Attendance Record For WrestleMania 35
At last night’s WWE WrestleMania 35 event, it was announced by WrestleMania host Alexa Bliss that WWE had set a new attendance record for MetLife Stadium thanks to the event.
It was announced that the new attendance record for the venue is 82,265.
March 26, 2019
Joan Jett To Perform ‘Bad Reputation’ For Ronda Rousey Live at WrestleMania 35
WWE has announced Joan Jett will be performing “Bad Reputation” live for Ronda Rousey’s ring entrance at WrestleMania 35.
Rousey will defend her Raw women’s title at WrestleMania 35 against Becky Lynch and Charlotte Flair. The match will main event the show.
Major Stipulation Added to Triple H vs. Batista Match at WrestleMania 35
During tonight's edition of WWE Monday Night Raw, it was revealed that in addition to the No Holds Barred stipulation for the Triple H-Dave Batista match at WrestleMania 35, Triple H's in-ring career will also be on the line as well.
November 12, 2018
WWE Announces WrestleMania 34's Major Economic Impact For New Orleans Area
November 5, 2018
Triple H Set To Undergo Surgery On Tuesday, Will Likely Miss WrestleMania
Triple H wrote on Twitter that he will be undergoing surgery on Tuesday morning. Triple H had suffered a torn pectoral muscle during his match at WWE Crown Jewel this past Friday, where he teamed with Shawn Michaelsto defeat Kane and The Undertaker.
As noted, the return time for other wrestlers with a torn pec has been anywhere from 5-9 months, although it is usually at least 6 months. If he is out of action for six months then he would miss WrestleMania 35, which takes place on Sunday, April 7, 2019. WWE had teased a match between Batista and Triple H at the event.
June 19, 2018
Several WWE Programs Included In Emmy Prelim Ballots
It is a rather long journey to actually get nominated for an Emmy Award. You must pass a couple different stages in the selection process first but it looks like a few WWE programs could be on their way to making the final nomination list.
The Emmy Prelim Ballot was recently released and it includes WWE programming in several categories. As we previously reported, WWE attended the For Your Consideration event and brought a lot of star power to the show. Not only did they have skits designed to entertain but they also brought a couple heavy-hitting programs to put up for a nomination.
The WWE Network's 24 Special "Empowered" is listed on the Prelim Ballot for Best Documentary or Non-Fiction Special. HBO and WWE Studio's joint project Andre The Giant is also in the same category.
WrestleMania 34 is getting some attention in the Outstanding Variety Special (Live) category. Both Raw and Mixed Match Challenge are also listed in the Emmy Prelim Ballot for Outstanding Structured Reality Program. The Unstructured Reality Program category includes some WWE representation in the form of both Total Divas and Total Bellas.
Only time will tell if those WWE programs actually make it into the small list of nominees for an Emmy Award, but it's certainly a good start to see them on the list at this point.
Source: Emmys
~ Kayfabe by
Kaliqo~
at
8:00 AM
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Labels: Andre the Giant, Celebrity, WrestleMania, WWE, WWE Network
June 9, 2018
Triple H Talks Sending The Rock A Photo Of Himself From WrestleMania This Year, Rock's Response
Triple H was among a panel of WWE stars interviewed by Stephanie McMahon during the WWE FYC (For Your Consideration) event in North Hollywood, California. The event was held for the purposes of campaigning for a 2018 Emmy Award nomination under the industry of entertainment.
Stephanie asked Triple H about how it is transitioning from WWE superstar to heading the talent relations and creative department in WWE.
"I think that when you're a WWE superstar, obviously the greatest part of what we get to do, putting smiles on people's faces," Triple H said. "We're doing all this stuff, but there's this, it's hard to even put it into words. There's a picture of me out front from WrestleMania this year. I noticed when I walked in today. And, what I noticed about the picture, with HD television and camera work now, I noticed that it's a shot of Steph and I from WrestleMania, and my legs are covered with goosebumps. I immediately took a snapshot of it and sent it to The Rock to say, 'dude, look at my legs.' We used to talk about this all the time, the passion for what we do when you have that moment in front of 80,000 people where your whole body, it's electric. There's no other way to describe it, but it just goes into automatic and you're covered with goosebumps and it's just this insane adrenaline thing.
"Rock sent me a note back like two seconds later and was like, 'oh my God. If it wouldn't be totally weird, I would blow this up right now and put this on my trailer wall as an inspiration.' I said, I know, that's why I trimmed it a certain way just to show my leg, 'cuz it was cold at WrestleMania (smiles), but [Rock] said that nobody can understand that like we can, it's something of the WWE. So at that point in my life, nothing greater than that. I can honestly say that step into where I am now, that pales in comparison to seeing a person with a dream."
Triple H used Charlotte – who was also on the panel – as an example as someone who came to him "lost" and looking for an opportunity to having Ric Flair calling her for inspiration and inspiring a generation of young women to achieve their dreams.
As far as NXT, Triple H calls them his "kids," and said that leading the NXT brand has been the greatest part of his WWE career so far.
April 9, 2018
WWE Announces Record Subscribers For The Network
WWE issued the following today, announcing a record 2.1 million subscribers for the WWE Network. You can read the full release with chart at the WWE Corporate website by clicking here.
WWE® Network Hits Record 2.1 Million Subscribers
04/09/2018
WWE® Raises Q1 and Full Year 2018 Guidance
STAMFORD, Conn.--(BUSINESS WIRE)-- WWE® (NYSE:WWE) today announced that its digital streaming service, WWE Network, reached a record 2.12 million total subscribers following last night's WrestleMania®.1 This is a 9% increase from April 3, 2017, the day after WrestleMania last year.
"We expect to deliver record subscriber levels, revenue and Adjusted OIBDA in 2018," said George Barrios, WWE Co-President. "WWE Network's continued growth along with our massive reach across traditional television as well as digital and social platforms, reaffirms the effectiveness of our global, multi-platform content strategy."
WWE Network Subscriber Highlights
WWE Network achieved record levels of total and total paid subscribers as of April 9, 2018. Total paid subscribers reached 1.81 million, representing a 9% increase from April 3, 2017 – the day after WrestleMania last year.
March 27, 2018
Video: Triple H and Stephanie McMahon train for WrestleMania
~ Kayfabe by Kaliqo~ at 10:54 AM
Labels: Kurt Angle, Ronda Rousey, Stephanie McMahon, The Authority, Triple H, WrestleMania, WWE Performance Center, WWE Womens Division
March 23, 2018
Triple H Talks New WWE NXT Title, Being Excited For Daniel Bryan, Training With Stephanie McMahon
Triple H recently spoke with USA Today's "For The Win" blog at this link to promote WrestleMania 34 and the match with Stephanie McMahon against Ronda Rousey and WWE Hall of Famer Kurt Angle, plus the WWE NXT "Takeover: New Orleans" event. Below are highlights:
Are you serving as Stephanie's coach or trainer as she's preparing for this match?
I mean, honestly, as a husband, do you really coach your wife on a whole lot? We're training a lot. We train together, whether that be in the gym or in the ring. We're trying to make sure she's as ready as possible.
I worked with her – it's an interesting thing that I've been there for so much of the evolution of her as a character, even prior to us having a relationship together. I've been there all along the way and I've put her matches together for a lot of them, almost all of them, with her. It's exciting to see this one come to fruition, but you know, she's also a little bit older, has a little bit more responsibility. She's got a lot going on, as we both do, but she wants to make sure her girls see her proud. So there's a lot of pressure on her right now.
The biggest story of the week in WWE was Daniel Bryan's return after being medically cleared. What has it been like watching him work behind the scenes to get back to where he is?
It's been an amazing process. One of the hardest things I've ever had to do is tell talent that they can't do this anymore. That you can't live your dream. And for somebody like Daniel, man, it was soul-crushing.
He went through *a lot* to try to get back to where he was, without any guarantee that it would ever work. But you take the advice of the doctors, the same doctors that told you he couldn't, tell you he can… man, it's like a second lease on life for him. Really excited, really happy for him. Watching him on TV the other night, just sitting at the monitor watching was unbelievable.
TakeOver: New Orleans will feature a six-man ladder match for the inaugural North American Championship. What do you hope this new title will represent for NXT?
I think it's part of a long-term strategic plan for the brand. You see with the UK title, the North American Championship, I think as we branch out and become bigger, [with more] opportunities in different places.
It allows for multiple events to take place with championships represented where I feel like, in locations across North America, Mexico, Canada, the North American Championship can be defended and be a main event-style match with the right players. The NXT Championship could be going internationally at that same period of time. It really depends, but it's part of a long-term strategic plan.
Source: USA Today
~ Kayfabe by
Kaliqo~
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7:10 PM
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Labels: Concussion Syndrome, Daniel Bryan, Kurt Angle, Ronda Rousey, Stephanie McMahon, Triple H, WrestleMania, WWE NXT
March 15, 2018
WWE Changes Name Of Fabulous Moolah Memorial Battle Royal
WWE is changing the name of the first-ever Fabulous Moolah Memorial Battle Royal to take place at WrestleMania 34. The new name will be the WrestleMania Women's Battle Royal.
WWE sent us the following statement on the name change today:
"After further consideration, we believe it's best to proceed with the name 'WrestleMania Women's Battle Royal.' What remains most important is that this historic match is part of WWE's unwavering commitment to the Women's Division."
We noted how the public backlash over WWE paying tribute to the WWE Hall of Famer Moolah began as soon as the match was announced on Monday's RAW. Fans were not happy over how WWE was honoring such a controversial figure. Moolah has been accused of pimping younger women's wrestlers and taking their pay decades ago, among other bad business practices.
~ Kayfabe by
Kaliqo~
at
8:37 PM
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Labels: WrestleMania, Wrestling History, Wrestling News, WWE, WWE Womens Division