WWE published their 10-K report, which includes a renewed wrestler contract with Paul Levesque. Levesque's new deal went into effect Jan. 1 and ends March 30, 2016.
Highlights:
*Levesque will be paid a "Minimum Annual Compensation" of $1 million for each year under contract.
*He will be limited to 180 dates per year, unless both parties mutually agree to extend beyond that number.
*In addition to other wrestling companies, he cannot appear for any "martial arts" company while under contract.
Full Annual Report is here. Booking Contract starts on page 88.
March 2, 2012
Paul Levesque's Renewed Booking Contract
WWE Network Woes Continue - N.Y. Newspaper Reports New Details on Network Launch Struggles
The New York Post reported on WWE's woes attempting to get WWE Network off the ground, and included quotes from cable TV executives questioning whether the Network initiative is the right move for WWE.
The Post cited sources that say WWE has "yet to strike a single deal with a cable or satellite TV provider to carry its own cable channel." The other issues are WWE's inability to hire high-ranking executives to manage the Network and WWE's content having a narrow appeal.
“WWE has the programming and marketing muscle, but they just have no one with cable experience who can execute for them,” said one cable executive.
“Given the content issues, I think a whole channel would be a stretch,” said Gerri Donini, senior vice president broadcast at media-buying shop R.J. Palmer. “It is very limited in who it reaches.”
The Post also reported WWE is "expected to hire" 200 employees specific to the Network. WWE CFO George Barrios said in the quarterly conference call with investors that WWE has hired 40-45 employees.
The report cites information from WWE's fourth quarter 2011 earnings results, which saw WWE take a rare quarterly loss mainly because of initial Network expenses and the company's other project, WWE Studios.
This Day in Wrestling History
WWWF(WWE) World Champion Bruno Sammartino & Gorilla Monsoon defeat Killer Kowalski & Ernie Ladd in Washington, DC.
March 2, 1970
Missouri Mauler beat Johnny Valentine for the American (Texas) Heavyweight Title in Chicago, IL.
March 2, 1973
WCW in Waldorf, MD - Thomas Stone High School
Big Josh pinned El Cubano
Dustin Rhodes & Tim Horner defeated Larry Zbyzsko & Dutch Mantell when Rhodes pinned Mantell
Ricky Morton pinned Buddy Landell
Sid Vicious pinned Tommy Rich with the powerbomb
Barry Windham fought Butch Reed to a no contest in a streetfight when Ron Simmons attacked Reed and the two men battled all over the building
WCW US Champion Lex Luger pinned Dan Spivey
Sting defeated WCW World Champion Ric Flair via disqualification when Barry Windham and Buddy Landell prevented the pinfall; El Gigante was the guest referee for the bout
Rick & Scott Steiner defeated Michael Hayes & Jimmy Garvin when Scott pinned Garvin with the Frankensteiner
March 2, 1991
March 1, 2012
Natayla Comments on Receiving Help from Triple H
WWE Diva Natalya was interviewed by ‘The Miami Hearld’ and discussed her family heritage, Beth Phoenix, Khrama and more. Here is part of the piece:
The accomplished performer is always looking to up her game. Natalya is not satisfied with complacency. Much like she did early on in her career, she still seeks input and advice from family.
“Bret has helped me a lot with that. It’s funny, but Triple H has also helped me evolve the sharpshooter a little bit. A lot of people don’t know that. Bret has given me a ton of advice on the sharpshooter, but the one match I had in 2010 at the TLC: Tables, Ladders & Chairs pay-per-view when I put Michelle McCool and Layla in the sharpshooter at the same time. It was the first time it had ever been done."
“It was Triple H who helped me with it and told me he had an idea. He coached me on it, which is kind of a testament to him and his role is changing. My dad has also helped and taught me a ton of power moves. The running powerslam for example was taught to me by my dad. It’s also great to have Triple H around because he has actually helped me with pre-tapes, backstage scenarios and scenes. Triple H has made me feel comfortable when I’m in front of the camera, so it’s cool to have that element too.”
February 27th Raw TV Ratings Breakdown: HHH/Taker Draws
Below is a segment-by-segment breakdown for Monday's (2/27) edition of RAW SuperShow which drew a 3.14 rating with 4.64 million viewers.
C.M. Punk and Chris Jericho's opening promo drew a 3.22 opening quarter.
Punk vs. Daniel Bryan (-) 289,000 viewers.
The HHH/Undertaker video package (+) 526,000 viewers. Drawing a 3.38 rating which is rare because video packages normally drop in ratings.
Kelly Kelly vs. Nikki Bella (-) 816,000 viewers.
John Cena vs. The Miz (+) 388,000 viewers.
Primo & Epico vs. Jack Swagger & Dolph Ziggler vs. R-Truth & Kofi Kingston (-) 221,000 viewers.
Eve Torres interview (+) 225,000 viewers.
Big Show & Sheamus vs. Cody Rhodes & Mark Henry (+) 3,000 viewers.
This Day in Wrestling History
Gene Kiniski & Waldo Von Erich defeat Dr. Jerry & Crazy Luke Graham for the WWWF (WWE) United States Tag Team Title in Washington, D.C.
March 1, 1964
February 29, 2012
Guest Star Announced for the March 12th Edition of Monday Night Raw
WWE.com has announced that actor and star of USA's Psych, James Roday, will be the special guest star of the 3/12 edition of WWE Raw. The show will be taped in Cleveland, Ohio.
Roday was previously supposed to guest star on Raw back in January of 2010, however due to a last minute appendectomy he was unable to appear alongside his Psych co-star Dule Hill.
WWE Network Update
The latest on the planned WWE Network launch is that internally, it's being planned for the Network to debut sometime during "November sweeps" but no hard launch date has been set yet. The company wants the Network on the air before the end of the year.
November is also the latest word on the potential Cruiserweight series. Talents who had been talked with about working that show were told that plans to sign anyone had been pushed back to the Fall. WWE is looking for wrestlers in the 200 lb. range for the series.
Oderint Dum Metuant: Let Them Hate As Long As They Fear
