USA is expanding its commitment to the live action entertainment company WWE, bringing SmackDown to the network in the first quarter of 2016. Now the exclusive cable home to WWE marquee properties, USA airs the powerhouse Monday Night Raw live 52 weeks a year and the reality competition series WWE Tough Enough, which returns this summer in a reimagined format with live elements.
“WWE consistently delivers one of the largest and most socially engaged live audiences in entertainment and we’re excited to expand our long-standing relationship and be the true cable home for the WWE fan,” said USA Network President Chris McCumber.
“WWE is proud to have SmackDown join Raw as part of our expanded partnership with USA Network,” said WWE Chairman & Chief Executive Officer, Vince McMahon. “The combination of the #1 cable network and two ratings juggernauts provides a destination for our viewers and an extraordinary platform for our partners.”
Earlier this year, USA announced the renewal of WWE Tough Enough, premiering Tuesday, June 23 at 8/7c. The reimagined series will feature an all-new format with live elements and more fan participation than ever before. In addition, WWE recently unveiled a new brand campaign “For The Hero In All of Us,” that engages consumers through #MyHeroIs, inviting fans to name their favorite WWE Superstars and share personal and inspirational stories of heroism.
Monday Night Raw on USA is the most-watched, regularly scheduled, year-round program on cable, airing a live three-hour block every Monday night, 52 weeks a year. Raw has been a cable mainstay for more than 20 years and is consistently a top ten show on television. Year-to-date Raw averages 1.95MM P18-49, 2.02MM P25-54 and 4.43MM total viewers P2+ and SmackDown averages 1.1MM P18-49, 1.22MM P25-54, and 2.86MM total viewers P2+. In 2014, Raw and SmackDown reached 55.9MM total viewers P2+.
With more than 800 original episodes, SmackDown is the second longest-running weekly episodic program in U.S. television history, only behind Monday Night Raw. Over the past 15 years, SmackDown has been broadcast from 170 different venues, in 148 cities, in seven different countries including the United States, Canada, the United Kingdom, Iraq, Japan, Italy and Mexic
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April 7, 2015
SmackDown Moves to USA Network in 1Q2016, Joining Raw and WWE Tough Enough
Premiere Date For Jerry Springer's WWE Network Show, Update On WWE Horror Movie
WWE Studios horror thriller Incarnate, which features Aaron Eckhart, now has a release date in Belgium of September 23rd, 2015 and a release date in the Netherlands of March 3rd, 2016. It should be released in the United States some time this fall but we'll keep you updated. The movie features Mark Henry in a small role, as announced back in 2013.
- The release date for Jerry Springer's "Too Hot For TV" on the WWE Network is Monday, April 27th. This is the night after Extreme Rules.
April 4, 2015
Rumor Mill - Steve Austin Reportedly Turns Down Tough Enough, Backstage Talk On His Problems With Vince McMahon
Steve Austin did not travel to Santa Clara for the festivities and this caused a lot of shock within WWE as he was expected to be there.
It turns out Austin was scheduled to fly into San Jose on the same flight that The Undertaker was on as they both live in Texas. The flight landed and Austin was not there. WWE even had an employee waiting to pick Austin up from the airport. It appears they still thought he might show up as there was a room with his name on it backstage at Levi's Stadium until mid-week.
It was noted before that the issue appeared to be between Austin and Vince McMahon. One person close to the situation said they have never seen Vince as angry about anything else, which is saying a lot. The rift between Vince and Austin reportedly has to do with his podcast on the WWE Network and Vince not liking some aspects of it. This is likely why WWE Network is now carrying Chris Jericho's podcast instead.
WWE also wanted Austin for the upcoming season of Tough Enough but he reportedly turned it down for an unknown reason. Some expect Austin to address his issues with WWE shortly.
April 3, 2015
AJ Lee Retires From WWE, WWE Issues Statement
From WWE.com:
AJ Lee (April Mendez) has decided to retire from in-ring competition with WWE. We wish AJ the very best.
WWE Issues Response to Justin Roberts' Blog on Connor Michalek's WWE Hall of Fame Induction
WWE issued the following statement in response to the blog on Connor Michalek that former WWE announcer Justin Roberts posted last night:
“It is offensive to suggest that WWE and its executives had anything but altruistic intentions in honoring Connor and his legacy with The Warrior Award. In conjunction with Connor's father, Connor's Cure was established by Stephanie McMahon and Paul Levesque to raise awareness and funds for pediatric cancer, and to honor a boy that so many people within the WWE family came to love. The fund is managed by the Children's Hospital of Pittsburgh Foundation and has already raised more than $200,000 for pediatric cancer research.
In addition, following the Ultimate Warrior's impassioned Hall of Fame speech last year encouraging WWE to recognize its unsung heroes, the Warrior Award was established in his memory to honor those who exhibit unwavering strength and perseverance, and who live life with the courage and compassion that embodies the indomitable spirit of the Ultimate Warrior. With the full support and input of Ultimate Warrior's widow, Dana Warrior, Connor Michalek was the first recipient of the Warrior Award, and moving forward the award will be given annually to acknowledge other unsung heroes among WWE's employees and fans.
WWE is proud to use our global platforms to raise awareness for important social causes, including Connor's Cure as well as our longstanding partnership with Make A Wish, our on-going partnership with Susan G. Komen, which has resulted in more than $1.5 million in funds raised, and our international partnership with Special Olympics.”
WWE Studios to Partner with Richwater on Two Films
WWE Studios and British production-financing company Richwater Films are teaming to co-produce and co-finance action-thriller “Eliminators” and “Rampage,” Variety has learned exclusively.
“Eliminators” will be directed by James Nunn (“Tower Block”) and star Scott Adkins and WWE’s Wade Barrett. The story follows a former U.S. federal agent who must abandon the witness protection program and come out of hiding after his London home is mistakenly invaded — leading to him finding himself on the run from Europe’s most dangerous assassin to get his daughter to safety.
“Eliminators” will start shooting in London in the late spring.
“Rampage,” currently in development, follows an American counterterrorism operative who must work with an English MI5 agent to take down a dangerous terrorist in London. WWE and Richwater plan for the film to go into production later this year.
“Having watched WWE programming since the 1991 Royal Rumble and regarding Vince McMahon as the ultimate entrepreneurial pioneer, I am thrilled to be in business with WWE Studios,” said Jonathan Sothcott, CEO and founder of Richwater Films.
WWE Studios president Michael Luisi said, “As a major new player on the British independent film scene, Richwater Films exudes a professional zeal that is highly compatible with the work we do here at WWE Studios. Both of our organizations are dedicated to creating films that engage and excite.”
WWE Studios will be handling worldwide rights and said it will leverage WWE’s platforms from its weekly TV shows “Monday Night Raw” and “SmackDown.”
The announcement comes a week after WWE Studios formed a partnership with Gene Simmons to launch Erebus Pictures to finance and produce movies in a three-picture co-production deal. “Temple,” which follows a team of trained operatives who find themselves trapped inside an isolated military compound, is the first title in that partnership.
source: variety.com
Joe Theismann credits George Allen for his famous photo with Andre the Giant
As previously mentioned in this space, the Andre the Giant-to-the-Redskins story is probably more myth than history. Despite reports on wrestling sites that the massive WWE star was once offered a contract, or a tryout, or an interview with the team, other reports agree that this topic never went beyond the theoretical.
Still, let’s add another voice to this history: that of quarterback Joe Theismann. In a recent radio appearance with 106.7 The Fan’s Chad Dukes, Theismann brought up the Andre story on his own when asked about the NFL being a 12-month publicity machine.
“I will say this though: one of the forerunners of football 12 months a year was George Allen, our old coach with the Redskins,” Theismann said. “George used to try and make some kind of a big deal, usually in the first two weeks of May. I remember one year he sent me to New York to Toots Shor’s, and I got a picture taken — and you can look it up online, — with Andre the Giant.
“[Allen] had talked to Vince McMahon Sr.,” Theismann went on. “This was the type of progressive mind that he had; he talked to Vince McMahon Sr. and said ‘Look, I’m thinking about maybe bringing Andre the Giant in, signing him, so that he can come in and block field goals and extra points for us.’ Now, I don’t know whether it was true or not, but if you look up the picture, I look like an infant. Is that unbelievable or what? Look at his head! And I’ll tell you something, I shook his hand and I lost my arm. I mean, it went all the way up to my elbow. I had no forearm or anything.
“But that was George: he just always kept the Redskins name out there. He was a great promoter of the football team. He understood the marketing aspects of the game of football.”
The Redskins Encyclopedia reports that the above photo was taken at Duke Zeibert’s, in Washington, in July of 1975, and also that the Redskins offered Andre a $100,000 contract. That would seem to conflict with both Theismann’s memory, and with that of Bubba Tyer, who told the Orlando Sentinel that there was never actually a tryout. It seems likely to me that there might not ever be a completely factual historical account of this incident.
source: washingtonpost.com
Justin Roberts Felt WWE Handled Connor “The Crusher” Michalek Story Without Sincerity
Former WWE ring announcer Justin Roberts has opened up in a heartfelt blog titled "Believe Half of What You See and Portions of What You Hear" over at his Medium.com blog which includes photos.
The longtime ring announcer who was was employed by WWE from 2002 until his release in 2014 discusses his thoughts and feelings on his friend Connor “The Crusher” Michalek, WWE and his recent Hall of Fame induction, which from his perspective wasn't told the way he experienced it - It's a long but insightful read, that will bring a tear to your eye.
Hi, my name is Justin Roberts. I was an announcer at World Wrestling Entertainment for about 12 years. Sometimes when you’ve worked there and you speak up about something company-related, it’s easy to be painted as a bitter, ex employee. What’s strange is that my unhappiness at this dream job didn’t start after I left; it started while I was there.
The last time I wrote a blog here, it was about how I loved professional wrestling. I was with the company at the time and loved (and I still love) professional wrestling. There were reasons why it wasn’t titled “I love WWE.” My unhappiness started in my last couple of years with the company and I was actually just as happy when they decided not to renew my contract as I was on the day that I signed. They told me I wasn’t getting fired, there was nothing that I did wrong, that they were going a different direction and the door was always open. I politely closed it behind me and with that said, I’ll now share one of the contributing factors on why I wouldn’t want to go back to this company.
I have always been a fan of the movie “Basic” where “telling the story right” is the theme. WWE also tells a story, week after week. Sometimes their stories seem “real” and we forget that they’re a company… that tells stories. Remember “Macho Man” Randy Savage’s jealousy over Elizabeth and Hulk Hogan? Matt Hardy and Edge battling over relationship reasons, CM Punk taking the title and leaving the company? Daniel Bryan overcoming the evil bosses who did everything to keep him down? These were memorable, reality-inspired storylines, but overall, they were stories that WWE told us fans.
This past weekend at the WWE Hall of Fame ceremony, they told a story. While using real life people and real stories, they did what they do best: they told a story and they didn’t let the facts get in the way.
Last year, just days before his unfortunate, sudden death, the legendary Ultimate Warrior suggested during his Hall of Fame induction speech that WWE should honor the hardworking people who work behind the scenes at the company. He spoke about those people who worked there: “Some of them for years, 20–25–30 years,” he continued, “To have a category in the Hall of Fame where you honor these people.” Unfortunately, the WWE track record shows that many people who work there and give their lives to the company for 20–30 years don’t get rewarded, they get released once they’ve been there for too long.
I can name numerous employees that I worked with at WWE who would be deserving of such an award. Those people devoted all of their time and energy to WWE, because they loved their jobs and thought they were working for a good cause. A guy like Mark Yeaton who was let go on the eve of what would have been his 30th anniversary. He was the guy that worked all morning and afternoon in the production office of the TV shows, then sat at ringside and rang the bell for the show, while communicating on headset with the bosses to make sure everything ran smoothly. Then he would return to the production office where he made sure the operations ran as they should while accommodating everyone who approached him about needing something done. Then he would go through the locker rooms to make sure no one left anything behind. He even cleaned up the towels and did anything else asked of him. Mark would take a bullet for the company and would have made an excellent and deserving award recipient, but he was let go for a budget cut. (You probably won’t hear much from Mark publicly as far as saying anything negative about the company, or the many others like Mark, as their employee contracts prevent them from speaking out. Mine doesn’t.).
Who else could be a good nominee? Lots of folks. There are so many hardworking men and women that work behind the scenes at that company. How about Sue, who arranges all of the great Make-A-Wish events, Adam who manages fan services…All of these people deserve recognition by the company, and that’s what the Warrior was trying to say. But the question is, how much publicity could those awards make for the company? Or how could you market that award to mean something to the public?
So rather than honor those people that you don’t see or hear about , who work hard to put on the shows that we all love, the company decided to tell a different story. This year, they spliced and spun the Warrior’s speech to make the award about “warriors” outside of the company, because that might make for a better story — and for better publicity.
April 1, 2015
Tapout's President Talks State of UFC Sponsorship and their New WWE Deal
As the most established of all the MMA “lifestyle brands,” Tapout has not been as hard hit by the UFC’s sponsorship restrictions and its new exclusive deal with Reebok. But, the company still got a huge boost recently by signing a deal with WWE.
Tapout President Dan “Punkass” Caldwell was in attendance at WrestleMania 31 this past weekend in California, which was his first trip to the annual sports-entertainment extravaganza.
“We’re really excited about the deal,” Caldwell told MMAjunkie. “It’s been a long time coming. We’ve been working on it for awhile, and it’s just finally come together. This is my first WrestleMania, so I’m excited.”
Caldwell is well aware of the state of UFC sponsorships and the way it’s impacting brands that have made MMA the central part of their businesses.
“Domestically, it’s had some troubles here,” Caldwell said. “I feel for some of those other brands that are out there because I was knee deep in that stuff. I was sitting next to these guys at shows. You create this kind of warrior relationship with these guys because they’re all working hard. I just know that it’s going to be hard for them at this point now going beyond what’s happened with the UFC and their deal.
“But, what’s great about Tapout is that we’ve been around so long that we kind of excel beyond. We mean more than the UFC. It’s athletics, it’s – when you think about Quiksilver or Volcom, it doesn’t mean you have to be a surfer to wear Volcom. But yet, that’s what it is. A lot of people don’t even think about that anymore. It’s just a brand that’s out there. It’s a brand that’s made its way, and it’s excelled beyond its own sport, and I feel that’s where Tapout is today.”
Ultimately, Caldwell hopes the Reebok deal works out in a way that benefits the fighters.
“I feel sorry for them,” Caldwell said. “I’m hoping the UFC can put that together for the fighters. It’s really about the fighters for us. It’s always been about the fighters. We want to – they’re the ones that are really putting it on the line. We hope it works out.”
source: mmajunkie.com
