WWE Reportedly Set To Hold 100k Event In Australia In October

WWE is reportedly looking to hold one of their biggest events ever in 2018. The MCG (Melbourne Cricket Ground) is looking to host more big events going forward, and WWE wants to capitalize on this desire. The venue has a capacity of over 100,000, and is the 10th largest stadium in the world.

According to the Herald Sun (a major newspaper in Victoria, Australia), WWE has partnered up with Visit Victoria to put on a show in October, one week after the AFL Grand Final, which takes place on September 29. An announcement for the event is excepted to occur at WrestleMania 34 on April 8.

The reports states it would be a PPV event and they would look to bring in names like The Undertaker, Rey Mysterio, and John Cena. If this event does occur, it would crush the previous attendance record (56,214) in Australia, which was UFC 193 featuring Ronda Rousey vs. Holly Holm. Rousey just signed her Raw contract at last Sunday's Elimination Chamber.

It's estimated the event would bring more than $100 million to the state's economy, along with 900 jobs.

Regarding past WWE pay-per-views, WrestleMania 32 in Dallas, TX, broke the 100K threshold at 101,763, although this number has varied in accuracy. Others coming close to 100K were WrestleMania III in Pontiac, Michigan at 93,173 (again, that number is disputed), WrestleMania 29 in East Rutherford, NJ, at 80,676, SummerSlam '92 in London, England at 80,355, and WrestleMania 23 in Detroit, Michigan at 80,103.

Source: Herald Sun

Former WWE Star Tammy 'Sunny' Sytch Arrested On Fugitive From Justice Charges

Tammy Sytch, also known as former WWE star Sunny, is once again behind bars, with cops saying she is a "fugitive from justice."

According to a report tonight by TMZ, jail records show that Sytch is currently locked up in New Jersey on contempt of court and fugitive from justice charges.

TMZ is trying to get more details on what exactly led to her arrest.

Sytch, who turned 45 years old in December, has been arrested several times over the years. In 2012, she was arrested five times in a four-week span, for disorderly conduct, third-degree burglary, and three counts of violating a protective order. She was arrested a sixth time in January 2013, also for violating a protective order. She served 114 days in jail and was released in May 2013.

In January 2016, Sytch pleaded guilty to driving while under suspension. On August 18, 2016, a judge sentenced her to 90 days in jail but counted her 97 days in rehab as jail credit. On September 23, 2016, 18 days into her probation, Sytch was arrested for violating her parole. The arrest was due to three DUI arrests in 2015. Sytch remained in jail on these charges through her arraignment in January 2017. She was fined $1,496.45 for the remaining charges and released on February 3, 2017.

Triple H Hits Social Media Milestone

Triple H hit 7 million followers on Twitter, making him the third most followed pro wrestling personality behind only The Rock and John Cena. The top 10 most followed WWE personalities as it stands right now are:

1. The Rock (12.6 million)

2. John Cena (10.9 million)

3. Triple H (7.1 million)

4. Randy Orton (5.8 million)

5. Sheamus 4.8 (million)

6. Steve Austin (4.4 million)

7. Daniel Bryan (4.3 million)

8. Shawn Michaels (3.9 million)

9. Nikki Bella (3.4 million)

10. Chris Jericho (3.4 million)

Roman Reigns is close to cracking the list, sitting at #11 with 3 million followers.

Stephanie McMahon On Shane McMahon’s Backstage Role In WWE

During a recent interview with Bloomberg, Stephanie McMahon commented on her brother, Shane McMahon, and his role behind the scenes in the sports entertainment company. Here is what she had to say:

“He is really a strong talent for us right now,” says Stephanie—though he isn’t, she points out, an actual executive at the company”

You can read the entire interview here.

WWE Announces Dual-Branded PPVs And Drops Two Events

WWE officially announced that starting with Backlash on May 6 their PPVs will now include both brands. WWE released the upcoming dual-branded PPVs along with their dates, which will be a total of 12 PPVs for 2018. Elimination Chamber will still be a Raw exclusive show and Fastlane will be a SmackDown exclusive show.

Below is WWE's official statement:

"After WrestleMania, you'll get the best of both brands – Raw and SmackDown LIVE – every month, on every pay-per-view. Catch every event streaming live on the award-winning WWE Network.

WrestleMania 34 - April 8, 2018

WWE Backlash - May 6, 2018

WWE Money in the Bank - June 17, 2018

WWE Extreme Rules - July 15, 2018

SummerSlam - Aug. 19, 2018

WWE Hell in a Cell - Sept. 16, 2018

WWE TLC: Tables, Ladders & Chairs - Oct. 21, 2018

Survivor Series - Nov. 18, 2018

WWE Clash of Champions - Dec. 16, 2018"

A few changes have been made to the original PPV schedule. 

Previously, Payback (SmackDown) was scheduled to be on May 27, but has been removed. Extreme Rules (Raw) was initially scheduled to be on September 16, but is now on July 15 with Battleground(Raw) being removed. Hell in a Cell (SmackDown) was on September 30 and has been moved to September 16.

FDA Authorizes Marketing Of First Blood Test To Aid In The Evaluation Of Concussion In Adults

The FDA has released the following news which will no doubt have an affect on the way WWE, the NFL and other sports institutions handle concussion treatment:

FDA authorizes marketing of first blood test to aid in the evaluation of concussion in adults

New quick testing option to help reduce need for CT scans, radiation exposure for patient

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration today permitted marketing of the first blood test to evaluate mild traumatic brain injury (mTBI), commonly referred to as concussion, in adults. The FDA reviewed and authorized for marketing the Banyan Brain Trauma Indicator in fewer than 6 months as part of its Breakthrough Devices Program.

Most patients with a suspected head injury are examined using a neurological scale, called the 15-point Glasgow Coma Scale, followed by a computed tomography or CT scan of the head to detect brain tissue damage, or intracranial lesions, that may require treatment; however, a majority of patients evaluated for mTBI/concussion do not have detectable intracranial lesions after having a CT scan. Availability of a blood test for concussion will help health care professionals determine the need for a CT scan in patients suspected of having mTBI and help prevent unnecessary neuroimaging and associated radiation exposure to patients.

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Rich Swann And WWE Mutually Part Ways

WWE today announced that Rich Swann is done with the company. In a statement, they said that the two parties have mutually agreed to part ways.

"Rich Swann and WWE have mutually agreed to part ways as of today, February 15, 2018," WWE posted on their official website. "WWE wishes Swann the best in all of his future endeavors."

Swann was arrested and charged for false imprisonment/kidnapping and misdemeanor battery (touching or striking) after an incident with his wife Vannarah Riggs, who currently works for Impact Wrestling as Su Yung, in mid-December. Swann was driving a car with Riggs and apparently began to critique her performance at a wrestling show earlier in the night. Swann supposedly got angry and Riggs jumped out of the car because she was worried that the argument was going to escalate. Swann allegedly stopped the car in traffic and yelled for her to return before putting her in a headlock and dragging her back to the vehicle. The car was apparently not in park, and it crashed into a telephone pole. Swann denied physically touching Riggs and the couple reconciled shortly after.

At the Television Critics Association Winter Tour event in California in early January, Stephanie McMahon and Triple H said that Swann would be immediately terminated from the company if he was found guilty.

"We are just waiting on legal," Triple H said. "We have a zero tolerance policy on that, as you've seen, so he's suspended until it is determined legally one way or the other."

"And if he's convicted, he will be released," Stephanie stated.

Triple H added, "Immediately."

All charges against Swann were dropped in late January after prosecutors determined that there was insufficient evidence to move forward with the case.

CNN Money Posts Article About WWE's Financial Success, How Much It's Now Worth

CNN Money has posted an article about WWE's current financial success. WWE stock has been at an all-time high as of late, and according to the article, the company as a whole is now worth almost $3 billion.

The article mentions how the WWE Network has been a success for WWE so far, as well as WWE's incredible popularity on social media. The article also acknowledges that while Monday Night Raw and SmackDown Live television ratings aren't quite as high as they used to be, they both still averaged about three million viewers a week throughout 2017. Raw in particular draws about the same number of viewers as an NBA basketball game on broadcast television.

WWE's revenue is expected to continue to grow in the coming years, according to several of the experts who spoke to CNN Money.

Serena Deeb Reveals New WWE Role

Serena Deeb is back with WWE as a Women's coach at the WWE Performance Center. Deeb, 31, had worked for WWE from 2009 through 2010. During that time, she was a member of The Straight Edge Society with CM Punk and Luke Gallows. She returned to the company last year in the Mae Young Classic where she defeated Vanessa Borne in the first round before losing to Piper Niven in the second. In an interview with WWE.com, she said that her goal it to be teaching her own class at the Performance Center. She also was asked about her goals specifically as a teacher as someone who's just starting out as a coach.

"To really step up into this leadership role, which is a new thing for me," Deeb said. "I'm just looking forward to the set of challenges and rewards that are coming with this responsibility and getting to improve myself personally and professionally. I'm focused on how I can be a better person and a better coach. [I want] to give my best self to them so I can be a reflection of them and receive their best selves back. I think it's so important for the individual, regardless of the role you're in, to always be mindful of where you're at and always take your self-inventory so you can garner the best side of them as well."

WWE Earnings Call Highlights: Who Does Vince Credit For Signing Ronda?, How Long Is She Signed For?, WWE Network Updates, More

WWE Chairman and CEO Vince McMahon, Chief Strategy and Financial Officer George Barrios, Chief Revenue & Marketing Officer Michelle Wilson and SVP Financial Planning & Investor Relations Michael Weitz are hosting a Fourth Quarter 2017 earnings call today from WWE headquarters in Stamford. You can check out coverage of this morning's press release at the following link. Below are highlights from the call:

Weiss opens the call and welcomes us, going over the basics. He turns the call over to Vince. Vince says they achieved record revenue in 2017 and he goes over some of the numbers from the earlier earnings report. Vince touts how video views have grown as have their social media engagements. He touts how WWE has one of the most-viewed YouTube channel. He talks about Mixed Match Challenge and the new "Miz & Mrs." USA Network series with Maryse and WWE Intercontinental Champion The Miz. WWE also looks forward to rolling out Virtual Reality content. He also comments on celebrating the RAW 25th Anniversary but says it's just one of many milestones to come. He comments on how Ronda Rousey's debut was the highlight of the women's Royal Rumble match. He also congratulates Triple H and Stephanie McMahon on bringing Rousey to the company.

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WWE Promotes George Barrios and Michelle Wilson to Co-President

WWE issued the following press release:

STAMFORD, Conn.–(BUSINESS WIRE)– In recognition of their contributions to four years of record revenues and the successful transformation to a multiplatform business model, WWE Chairman & CEO Vince McMahon announced today that George Barrios and Michelle Wilson have been promoted to Co-Presidents and appointed to WWE’s Board of Directors. Barrios and Wilson will continue to report directly to McMahon.

“The successful transformation of our business model has put us in a position to capitalize on all that the changing global media landscape has to offer,” said WWE Chairman & CEO, Vince McMahon. “I am confident that our executive management team, led by Michelle and George, will achieve continued success across key strategic initiatives and ensure our long-term growth.”

Vince McMahon Steps Aside And Puts Triple H In Charge Of 'WWE 205 Live'

There are major behind-the-scenes changes going on with the WWE 205 Live brand as Vince McMahon has stepped aside and is no longer personally producing the show, according to PWInsider. The changes began with last week's episode, which featured new 205 Live General Manager Drake Maverick and kicked off the 16-man tournament that will end at WrestleMania 34 with the crowning of a new WWE Cruiserweight Champion.

Triple H is now overseeing 205 Live and he has brought back some of the aspects of the WWE Cruiserweight Classic tournament, including the style and presentation of the wrestlers. Vince had personally worked with the 205 Live Superstars to bring out their personalities to present them in a certain way but there has been more focus on the in-ring work under Triple H.

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