June 11, 2012
Top WWE Star Out Of PPV Main Event
WWE has sent a breaking news text which says Alberto Del Rio is officially out of the World Heavyweight Championship match against Sheamus at No Way Out on Sunday.
Alberto Del Rio suffered a concussion on Smackdown last week, and because of this WWE is going to name a new number one contender tonight on the three-hour episode of RAW.
World Wrestling Entertainment Shareholders Get Slammed
Holders of shares in World Wrestling Entertainment (NYSE: WWE) have already been warned. Corporate filings with the SEC say that the interests of controlling stockholder and CEO Vince McMahon may conflict with those of other shareholders. McMahon, one would think, should have a special sense of responsibility for his nearly powerless fellow owners. The financial performance of the corporation, his obscene pay package and the price of the company’s shares say otherwise.
The WWE is well known around the world and is a particularly valuable brand, but it is a very small business by entertainment company standards. Its revenue last year was only $483 million. Profits were negligible at $25 million, with a net margin of 5%. That net income was the lowest in five years. And revenue has not grown at all over that time. Total revenue was $486 million in 2007. Net income has dropped by half over the same time five-year period through 2011.
McMahon and his senior management have done very well while the shareholders have not. WWE shares traded at $14 five years ago and rose to almost $19 in April 2010. Today, the stock sits near a five-year low at $7.90 — down 57% from the April 2010 peak.
Rumor Mill - Linda's Senate Campaign Affecting Storylines & Firings
WZ has learned from sources that Linda McMahon's campaign for Senate in Connecticut could be affecting both a major WWE storyline and the company's decision to fire talent.
Our sources report that WWE is holding back on firing any talents right now because of Linda McMahon's campaign, which is promoting her as a "job creator." In the past, WWE has been known to do some spring cleaning after WrestleMania season and release several talents in a short period of time. This wave of mass releases hasn't happened yet and sources are telling WZ it may not happen this year in order to avoid bad publicity for McMahon's political campaign.
We're also being told that McMahon being a "job creator" could affect tonight's storyline with John Laurinaitis having his job evaluated by Vince McMahon. Sources said they wouldn't be surprised if Laurinaitis got some kind of stay of approval as opposed to Mr. McMahon's typical "you're fired" gimmick.
Rumor Mill - Triple H Talks Vince Out of Doing Something Drastic
Vince McMahon was reportedly so furious following Brock Lesnar recently attending the UFC 146 pay-per-view that Triple H had to talk him out of doing something drastic. Word is that Triple H wants the SummerSlam match against Lesnar bad, leading people to believe that Triple H will be going over.
source: f4wonline.com
WWE Star Christian Appears Live at TNA Slammiversary
Hulk Hogan is out once again. He wants to continue the surprises and introduces current WWE star Christian (Hogan introduces him under his TNA name of Christian Cage). "WELCOME BACK" chant starts up. Christian grabs the mic. "So can you guess the question I've been asked the most this week? Are the rumors true? Will you be appearing at Slammiversary this Sunday? Well drink it in. *YES! CHANTS* Who would have thunk it huh? Christian Cage standing right here in a TNA ring. One...two...three...it seems to me the last time I was here there were a few more corners here." He adds that while things change, the fans don't change and congratulates TNA for existing for 10 years. Christian calls for everyone to get on their feet. He presents the #1 moment in TNA history. The #1 moment is the return of Sting in 2006.
source: wrestleview.com
This Day in Wrestling History
Hulk Hogan signs with World Championship Wrestling after leaving the World Wrestling Federation.
June 11, 1994
June 10, 2012
Sting the First Inductee into the TNA Hall of Fame
TNA President Dixie Carter comes out to the ring. She announces this is the largest live crowd for TNA in the United States. Carter thanks every wrestler for stepping in the TNA ring making the company what it is today. She invites all TNA wrestlers and staff to walk out to the stage. AJ Styles is up front. Dixie introduces the first inductee into the TNA Wrestling Hall of Fame...Sting.
A video package airs featuring Hulk Hogan, Kurt Angle and others talking about Sting's career. Sting being very humble as he hugs Dixie in the ring. Dixie announces the formal induction will take place at Bound for Glory in October. A loud "THANK YOU STING" chant starts up. Some "YES!" chants as well. Sting takes the mic and says he wasn't prepared for this. He thanks Dixie, the men and women of the TNA roster and a thank you chant for the fans.
source: wrestleview.com
Jerry Lawler Reveals Vince McMahon Upset Over Top 50 Stars DVD
During a Q&A session Sunday afternoon, Jerry Lawler revealed that Vince McMahon was upset over WWE's recent Top 50 Superstars of All-Time DVD release because he did not want a 1-50 ranking so as to avoid ruffling feathers with the order. Lawler and Jim Ross noted it's a subjective list and impossible to rank 1-50 without establishing criteria.
R-Truth Injured
PWInsider.com reports WWE Tag Team Champion R-Truth either severely sprained or broke his foot last week. He did not go on the Raw brand's tour of Spain-Kofi Kingston partnered with Zack Ryder and Brodus Clay at events.
WWE Ranks Top 15 Families In Wrestling - The McMahons at #1
WWE's website has a new feature up that ranks the top 15 wrestling families. They are listed below:
15. The DiBiases
14. The Colons
13. The Poffos
12. The Hennigs
11. The Vachons
10. The Windhams
9. The Briscos
8. The Rhodes
7. The Funks
6. The Guerreros
5. The Ortons
4. The Von Erichs
3. The AnoaŹ»i/Maivias
2. The Harts
1. The McMahons
They wrote the following about the McMahon family:
"The McMahon name has long been synonymous with sports-entertainment, but few realize the family was involved in professional wrestling since before the first television was even invented. In the 1920s, Jess McMahon began promoting matches in the New York City area during the industry's early boom. When he died in 1954, his son, Vincent, took over the business and became one of the most respected and admired promoters. For Jess and Vince, Madison Square Garden was their home, but that regional base was expanded in the 1980s when Mr. McMahon took what would become WWE from an eastern attraction to an international powerhouse. Not just sports-entertainment’s greatest promoter, but one of the genre’s biggest stars, the mastermind behind WrestleMania’s in-ring battles with “Stone Cold” Steve Austin brought his company record television ratings and box-office receipts. His kids pitched in too as both Shane* and Stephanie McMahon as key players both in the squared circle and at the corporate offices. With Stephanie's 2003 marriage to Triple H, the family lineage extended to include not only sports-entertainment's greatest minds, but one of the ring's biggest legends."
*Not sure why they didn't note that Shane left the company in 2009.
Oderint Dum Metuant: Let Them Hate As Long As They Fear
