Linda Mahon was interviewed by Matt Lauer on the Today Show this morning. Click here.
January 7, 2010
WWE Promotes Andrew Whitaker to Head WWE International
World Wrestling Entertainment, Inc. today announced that Andrew Whitaker will take on additional responsibilities and head up WWE International effective immediately.
In his new role as Executive Vice President, Whitaker will be responsible for determining the strategic direction for WWE's business outside of the U.S. across all revenue streams. He will report directly to WWE Chairman and CEO Vince McMahon and has been named an Executive Officer of the company. Whitaker will relocate back to WWE's global headquarters in Stamford.
Whitaker joined WWE in 1987 as part of the team delivering television syndication and developing WWE's pay-per-view business. He moved to WWE's international division in 1991, working in live events, international television and the pay-per-view business from WWE's London office, where Whitaker negotiated the largest international television contracts in the company's history. In November 2007, Whitaker began managing several of WWE's regional business units internationally and his role was expanded in January 2009 to include all areas outside of the U.S.
"Andrew has been instrumental to WWE's international growth. We are confident that he will continue to expand the breadth and depth of opportunities for WWE internationally," said Vince McMahon.
source: corporate.wwe.com
Whitaker is basically filling Shane McMahon's old position. Th press release states that Whitaker has been managing WWE international business "to include all areas outside of the U.S." since January 2009. What was Shane doing for the past year?
Son’s Sanity Questioned in Attack on Ex-Chief; Family is Friendly with Triple H
Prosecutors have questioned whether the son of a former police chief is mentally competent to stand trial on charges that he kidnapped and severely beat his father last spring, court records show.
According to Assistant County Attorney Roger Chadwick, police found a T-shirt in Eric Largy’s possession which originally was embroidered with an image of a police officer and police dog, with the words, “It’s all about loyalty.”
Underneath that, Eric Largy had written, “I ERIC LARGY LOVE VINCE with all my HEART SOUL I TRUST & ADMIRE the greatness of the MAN HE IS MY REAL FATHER AND IS BEST DAD ANY BOY could have LOVE & Thanks.” Eric Largy signed the message, and also wrote a “lengthy handwritten diatribe” on the back of the shirt, accusing his father of abusing him as a child and of trying to “ruin” his life because Eric was “SMARTER BETTER LOOKING HAD GREAT IDEAS.”
Police found no evidence of any history of family abuse, Chadwick wrote, and he asked that if the case goes to trial, Eric Largy should be required to outline his evidence before being allowed to make any such claims in court.
Chadwick wrote that “Vince” apparently refers to professional wrestling promoter Vince McMahon, whom Eric Largy had met through his family’s friendship with a local wrestler, “Triple H.” Eric Largy has never had any significant relationship with McMahon, however, Chadwick wrote...More?
source: nashuatelegraph.com
This Day in Wrestling History
Nicole Bass sues the WWF(E) for sexual harrassment
January 7, 2000
ECW's last pay per view prior to the WWE revival, Guilty As Charged, takes place in New York City.
January 7, 2001
January 6, 2010
WWE Wonder Women
At World Wrestling Entertainment, women are a driving force behind the company's success. If you find that surprising, here's another revelation: to a large degree WWE is run by a few women. Sure, chairman and CEO Vince McMahon, the very public face of WWE, still sits atop the organizational chart. But it's estrogen rather than testosterone that wafts through the executive offices. Three women in particular — Donna Goldsmith, chief operating officer; Michelle Wilson, executive vice president of marketing; and Stephanie McMahon, executive vice president of creative development and operations — are the day-to-day drivers behind this $500 million-plus marketing engine.
The leading ladies are aware that people are sometimes surprised to hear WWE is not a male-dominated organization, but Goldsmith is adamant that there is no glass ceiling and everyone is treated equally. McMahon is somewhat blunter: "Women rule the world. We just let men think they do."...More?
source: magazine.continental.com
The article notes at the time it was being produced, Linda McMahon had just left to campaign for a seat in the U.S. Senate representing Connecticut. This is the second article I have found that emphasizes the "female force" behind the WWE and it seems apparent that the WWE wants you to know that Stephanie McMahon is a big part of that. Could this be why Shane left? Just a thought...
Documentary About MOTÖRHEAD's Lemmy to Premiere at SXSW
According to RollingStone.com, "Lemmy", a documentary that follows MOTÖRHEAD's frontman Ian "Lemmy" Kilmister on the road and into his home, will premiere at the 2010 South By Southwest (SXSW) festival in Austin, Texas this March.
The film promises fans more access than ever before to Kilmister's life, and includes interviews with past and present bandmates and such peers/admirers as Slash, Dave Grohl, METALLICA, Alice Cooper, Ozzy Osbourne and wrestling superstar Triple H.
Directors/producers Greg Olliver and Wes Orshoski, spent three years with Lemmy to capture the life and history of the legendary rocker, traveling from Kilmister's Hollywood home to concerts in Scandinavia and Russia...More?
source: blabbermouth.net
Shane McMahon Update
Dana White recently said that Shane McMahon was looking to do some consulting work for UFC but did not know if they would make a deal. Apparently Shane, through intermediary and former WWE employee Carl DeMarco, has been looking at getting involved with the Strikeforce MMA promotion.
source: wrestling observer newsletter
This Day in Wrestling History
Happy Birthday to Jacqueline
January 6, 1966
Larry Hennig & Harley Race defeated Crusher & Dick the Bruiser for the AWA Tag Team title
January 6, 1967
Nick Bockwinkel & Ray Stevens defeated Verne Gagne & Billy Robinson for the AWA Tag Team title
January 6, 1973
Harley Race defeated David Von Erich for the Missouri State Heavyweight title
January 6, 1984
January 5, 2010
ECW Results: Straightedge Homecoming
SmackDown’s straightedge savior, CM Punk, who earlier in the night promised Christian he’d be challenging him to become the Straightedge ECW Champion, met fellow former ECW Champion, Mark Henry. The World’s Strongest Man seemed to feed off Punk’s kick-fueled attack with his offensive domination. But when Punk distracted the WWE official, his associate, Luke Gallows, kicked Henry in the head. Then, Punk capitalized with two more kicks to the head, knocking Henry to the ground and pinning him for the win. Punk moves on in the ECW Homecoming, but will he be the one to challenge Christian for the ECW Title at Royal Rumble? Full results.
source: wwe.com
TNA Impact Sets Records for Spike, But is Smacked-Down by WWE Raw Anyway
Spike TV’s TNA Impact! set a viewership record during Monday night’s three-hour special featuring Hulk Hogan, averaging 2.2 million viewers. The previous viewing record was 1.9 million viewers set in April 2008.
The first hour of the special averaged 2.5 million viewers.
Records or not, USA Network’s WWE Monday Night Raw put the smackdown on TNA Impact with an average of 5.5 million viewers from 9 p.m. to 11 p.m vastly outdistancing the the 2 million viewers the TNA Impact! averaged during those two hours.
source: tvbythenumbers.com
Oderint Dum Metuant: Let Them Hate As Long As They Fear
