August 8, 2010
Tyler Black Signs WWE Developmental Deal
The Wrestling Observer has confirmed that Tyler Black's deal with WWE is indeed a developmental deal. He is expected to drop the ROH Title within the next five weeks and start with WWE's Florida Championship Wrestling developmental territory in September.
McMahon Anticipating Primary Victory
Linda McMahon's Primary Victory Party is set for August 10th at 7:00pm at the Crowne Plaza Hotel Cromwell, 100 Berlin Road, Cromwell, CT.
Not Exactly A Knockout Stock
If Ms. McMahon can't pin her political opponents down for a three-count, WWE would surely welcome her back. In the past few months, the company has taken a pounding.
WWE shares fell 7% last week after reporting what Ms. McMahon's husband, Chairman and CEO Vince McMahon, candidly called “a lousy quarter,” as net income dropped by 69%, to $6.2 million. Mr. McMahon cited such disparate factors as the Icelandic volcano disrupting wrestling events in Europe, the fact that the latest WrestleMania was held earlier in the year, and unexpected retirements by and injuries to several star performers.
But while WWE attributes its recent weakness to temporary factors and a lack of compelling performers, it's also apparent that in tough times, people spend less money on wrestling.
In the meantime, WWE's filings show the lengths the McMahons have gone to minimize the executive-pay issue during the U.S. senate race. While the McMahons possess $700 million worth of shares and have unquestioned control of WWE, they compensate themselves modestly compared with other executives. Ms. McMahon collected a $500,000 salary in her last full year as CEO and waived all other compensation. When the company raised its dividend by 50% in 2008, the McMahons agreed not to be paid the higher dividend for three years, instead accepting the old rate.
source: crainsnewyork.com
This Day in Wrestling History
Pedro Morales becomes the first ever WWF(E) Triple Crown holder.
August 8, 1980
August 7, 2010
This Day in Wrestling History
Larry Hennig & Harley Race defeated Crusher & Verne Gagne for the AWA Tag Team title.
August 7, 1965
Kane & The Undertaker defeated Sean O'Haire & Chuck Palumbo for the WCW Tag title.
August 7, 2001
Ron Killings defeated Ken Shamrock for the NWA Heavyweight title.
August 7, 2002
August 6, 2010
SmackDown Results: Accusations Run Red
Just nine days before their SummerSlam showdown, Rey Mysterio accused World Heavyweight Champion Kane of being The Undertaker’s attacker. Meanwhile, Dolph Ziggler stunned the WWE Universe by capturing the Intercontinental Championship from Kofi Kingston and Team Lay-Cool brought their B.F.F. relationship to a whole new level. Full results.
source: wwe.com
Putting TNA's Epic Fail in Perspective
TNA's last few PPVs have drawn around 8,000 buys each, which is beyond pathetic and even lower than what the early pre-taped ROH PPVs drew. It gets worse.
In the newest Wrestling Observer Newsletter, Dave Meltzer analyzed the Boston Globe story about Dana White. In this piece, he mentioned that during UFC's dark ages, they drew 14,000-19,000 buys per event. This was when they had no TV outlet and their shows were only available on DirecTV (which was much less of a powerhouse at the time), Primestar (Which was dying and sold to/folded into DirecTV in 1999), and a handful of small cable systems, making them available to about 25% of the PPV market. TNA has a weekly TV show seen by a million people and 100% PPV clearance.
So...yeah. There you have it.
source: cageseats.com
Vince McMahon Comments on Critics of the WWE and Linda's Senate Run
Vince McMahon, chairman and CEO of World Wrestling Entertainment, says his wife's political opponents are taking unfair shots at his business to try to discredit her U.S. Senate candidacy.
In an interview with The Associated Press, McMahon says the wrestling empire's detractors have taken snippets of footage out of context, such as a necrophilia scene and one in which a woman barks like a dog at his command.
McMahon says opponents of his wife, Linda McMahon, left out the "soap opera elements" leading up to those moments.
He concedes the WWE has made some mistakes. He says the company two years ago decided to move away from "shock TV" to more family-friendly scenes.
Linda McMahon, former CEO of WWE, faces two opponents in the Aug. 10 Republican primary.
WWE Attorney Comments on TNA Using ECW Theme
Newsday's Alfonso Castillo recently contacted WWE attorney Jerry McDevitt for comment regarding TNA's Hardcore Justice PPV this Sunday featuring an all ECW-theme.
McDevitt said, "The WWE is sole owner of the ECW marks, and as with all of WWE's intellectual property it will be vigorously protected. TNA acts at its peril if it infringers upon WWE's rights."
As of this week, WWE has made no attempts to get the event shut down due to copyright issues.
source: wrestling observer
