WWE Studios and Film Roman announced today that they have entered into a co-financing and co-production agreement to produce up to thirteen, three-minute webisodes of a new animated series entitled CAMP WWE. Mike Benson of ENTOURAGE and THE BERNIE MAC SHOW will script the series.
From WWE STUDIOS and FILM ROMAN, the animation studio behind THE SIMPSONS and KING OF THE HILL, comes an irreverent new, adult comedy series about what the biggest, most outrageous WWE Superstars® were like as kids. CAMP WWE follows these unruly tykes as they body slam their way through their formative years. Proving to be a nightmare for teachers and other kids, their exhausted parents pack-up their future WWE Superstars with their masks, chains, kneepads and security blankets and send them off to Camp WWE, to be transformed into model citizens by the most terrifying counselor who ever lived, Mr. McMahon.
"Film Roman has been involved with some of the most well-known and humorous animated series,” said Michael Luisi, President WWE Studios. “They are the perfect partners for WWE Studios to capture our Superstars in a truly unique and fun way."
"CAMP WWE is a new and exciting project with a great creative team for Film Roman to be working on with WWE Studios and we are very bullish on its prospects for success. With a combination of their unique personalities, distinctive characteristics and huge built-in loyal fan base, WWE Superstars make for ideal animation subjects in CAMP WWE," said Dana Booton, General Manager for Film Roman. "We are very pleased to be working with WWE Studios and hope that it will begin a mutually beneficial, long-term business relationship."
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November 4, 2013
WWE Studios and Film Roman Announce "Camp WWE" Irreverent Animated Web Series
November 3, 2013
Wrestling Needs an Offseason: How to Do It
We can't ignore that wrestlers need time off. The laws of man might not apply to the gods of the squared circle, but the men who portray those deities are human beings. The schedule as it stands is grueling, borderline inhumane, and largely unnecessary. It's institutional, sure, but institutions evolve. The athletes beat themselves to a pulp, bouncing off the mat (and the ringside floor) four nights a week. As WWE constantly searches for mainstream attention, the tragedies that characterized the popular representation of wrestling through much of the past 10 years have demonstrated the need for better treatment of wrestlers' bodies. The masochistic and itinerant lifestyle of wrestlers, exacerbated by the excesses of the '80s and '90s, led to widespread drug abuse: You pop pills to dull the pain, you snort cocaine to bring you back up, and you drink 20 beers to put yourself to sleep. It all starts with the painkillers. Thankfully, the majority of current wrestlers were fans themselves and saw this cycle play out either on the news or with their own eyes. And in some ways, the WWE is doing more than ever before. It takes concussions seriously; it provides rehab for wrestlers with substance-abuse problems (even for its former employees); it pays for many surgeries and allows reasonable recovery time. (In years past, injured wrestlers were discarded by shallow-pocketed territorial outfits, and as recently as 1998 one major company fired a hobbled performer via FedEx while he lay in his hospital bed.) Even so, wrestlers hardly get a week off unless they're filming movies (often for WWE Films) or when they're injured. Which sort of defeats the point.
But a literal offseason remains impossible. WWE is too dependent on the steady stream of television and house-show revenue to alter its schedule. The networks count on WWE for steady content and the fans have been conditioned to expect never-ending product. That shouldn't be the end of the conversation, however. It can't be. Wrestling isn't a traditional sport, and it probably doesn't need a traditional offseason. And in the interest of the pseudo reality that wrestling has always tried to convey, it must be said that an offseason isn't, well, realistic in a world where athletic endeavor is characterized as much by personal animosity as by competition. But being that a deeper reality — that of wrestlers' humanity and health — runs as a discomforting undercurrent through the sport's onscreen unreality, it's crazy to regard the current system with a shrug. If the concussion epidemic is causing people to wonder whether the NFL can continue to exist, shouldn't a larger-scale conversation be allowed for the wrestling world? WWE can't promote the "real athleticism" of wrestlers, run "Don't try this at home" commercials, and then hide behind wrestling's falsehood when it comes to the health of the performers. So, here is a modest proposal from this lowly quarter: a staggered offseason in the form of mandatory sabbaticals every year for every wrestler. How does this sound?
WWE’s McMahons send mixed signals to investors
Stephanie McMahon, meet dad Vince McMahon — maybe you two should talk.
The WWE family members have been planning to launch a stand-alone wrestling-themed cable channel for well over a year now, but so far nothing has materialized.
At a Multichannel News event Wednesday, Stephanie McMahon told attendees, “We’re looking at traditional and nontraditional distribution, and we’re targeting first quarter next year.”
Stephanie seemed to be breaking some news, but as sports-news site Bleacher Report noted, daddy Vince told investors on the company earnings call Thursday that no date had been settled on.
The WWE channel has had a slew of false starts and likely doesn’t want to be held to a deadline once again.
Reps for the channel reiterated to On the Money that no date had been confirmed.
We thank Stephanie for being candid and hope the McMahons have more luck with the distributors in talks this time around.
source: nypost.com
Former AWA Wrestler Says Vince McMahon Bought His Lawyer
Former AWA Tag Team Champion “Pretty Boy” Doug Somers appeared on The Undisputed Wrestling Show on Thursday, October 31. Mr. Somers talked about his 45 year wrestling career including being on a ring crew at 8 years old, being trained by Harley Race, working with a young Shawn Michaels, experiencing amnesia and Parkinson’s Disease from concussions suffered in the ring, and what former NFL star Shawne Merriman will have to do to make it in professional wrestling.
When discussing his failed lawsuit against WWE for royalties connected to DVD sales, Mr. Somers said:
“I am refiling. He (Vince McMahon) is not going to get away with it. He bought my lawyer. To be that conquerer in any business or any sport you have to be a low life son of a bitch. And he (Vince McMahon) is.”
Triple H Explains Why His Family Doesn't Appear On TV
Speaking to WWE Magazine, Triple H revealed that his family is completely off-limits from appearing on television. He said, "One thing about me: I don't put my family in anything, I feel like there's a line that you have to draw. There is a lot of personal exposure, and that exposure can be harmful. So when you open that door, you can't be upset when someone comes in. You just have to be careful how much you open the door."
WWE Divas on The Steve Harvey Show
The Bella Twins, Cameron and Naomi will be appearing on The Steve Harvey Show this Tuesday, November 5th to promote WWE Total Divas.
NJPW Champ Headed to WWE?
Current IWGP Jr. Heavyweight Champion Prince Devitt announced via Twitter that he was coming to WWE, in order to look for a new member for his "Bullet Club" faction.
I am going to WWE.... To find a new member of #BulletClub..
— Prince Devitt (@fergaldevitt) November 2, 2013
Back in August, we reported that WWE was interested in signing Devitt after William Regal showed Triple H a tape of his match against Adrian Neville, who is currently under contract in NXT, and among the names being discussed for a WWE roster spot in the near future.
Backstage Update On Richards & Edwards Joining WWE
Wrestling Observer Editor Dave Meltzer wrote the following on the Observer message board this weekend about WWE potentially signing Davey Richards and Eddie Edwards:
"They are in play. It is a very unique situation that is still being played out. The most I can say is the people you would expect not to want them don't, and the people you would expect to want them do. I've continually emphasized that they neither have been turned down, nor signed to a deal. That hadn't changed as of yesterday."
More On This Weeks's TNA Sale Story
Former WWE Front Office man and close friend of Billy Corgan, Lou D'Angeli, has posted on his Twitter account that Corgan was in Nashville, TN this past week inquiring into buying in to TNA. Lou wrote, "I know he is pretty serious in at least partial, if not, majority ownership."
Janice Carter, of the Carter family that owns TNA, has said that they are not actively looking to sell the company. As we have said on the site all week, everything is for sale for the right price and when someone makes an offer, you listen.
Corgan, the front man of The Smashing Pumpkins, has been a wrestling fan his who life and has run shows himself in the past under the "Resistance Pro Wrestling" name in Chicago, IL. They have a show scheduled for Chitown on 11/23.
November 2, 2013
Former NFL Prospect Talks WWE Tryout
Former NFL prospect Morkeith Brown talked to Totally Driven Radio podcast this past weekend. Brown turned down an invitation to workout for the Tampa Bay Buccaneers to attempt his hand at WWE Development. Brown said the tryout was over a span of five days, lasting from 8am to 5pm every day. He also mentioned that multiple guys were out of shape and would end up dropping out before the tryout was completed. Brown had a short stint in the Arena Football League with the Philadelphia Soul.
Fans Pick Chris Jericho Over Triple H
In what has to be the largest difference in WWE.com poll history, they currently have a poll up asking fans who's better - Triple H or Chris Jericho and 98% have voted for Jericho as of this posting. Jericho responded on Twitter:
Haha OUCH! @Rubbishy_Blood: Who is better @IAmJericho or @TripleH? OMG the largest difference in #WWEPoll history pic.twitter.com/zDNf0JVsyD
— Chris Jericho (@IAmJericho) November 2, 2013
Rumor Mill - Backstage News On Daniel Bryan And The WWE Title, His Storyline With Triple H And Stephanie
Daniel Bryan is indeed out of the WWE Title picture after the storyline "reset" at last Monday's RAW. For now, there are no plans for Bryan to contend for the championship.
There is at least some talk of putting some contention back on Bryan during WrestleMania season but he is in a program with CM Punk and The Wyatt Family for the next few months.
In WWE's mind, they made Bryan a star and showed the audience that he can hang with their other top Superstars. The storyline is that Bryan couldn't overcome The Authority, Triple H and Stephanie McMahon, so later on down the line this can be addressed again.
Photo: Motorhead Sends a Gift to Triple H
Coolest gift ever!!!!!! Thanks to my family at @myMotorhead ...get yours on 11/12 http://t.co/ZyejhnjOjm. pic.twitter.com/m3Q3OXbAl8
— Triple H (@TripleH) November 2, 2013
November 1, 2013
Rumor Mill - Person Rumored To Be TNA’s “Serious Buyer” Revealed
WrestleZone is reporting that Billy Corgan is one name coming up a lot right now as an individual seriously interested in the sale of TNA. Best known for his days as the frontman of The Smashing Pumpkins, Corgan is a notorious wrestling fan, and also the one behind independent wrestling company, Resistance Pro Wrestling.
One current TNA star and two former stars have all verified that Corgan's name is making the circles behind the scenes in TNA. While no concrete details are available at this time, and no public statements have been made by either party regarding this possibility, current water cooler talk in TNA is pointing to Corgan as a potential candidate.
TNA Ends Partnership With OVW
The Wrestling Observer is reporting that effective today, TNA has officially ended their partnership with Ohio Valley Wrestling, who had served as the official developmental territory for the promotion as of late.
According to the website, going forward, TNA is expected to use Universal Studios in Orlando, Florida as their "primary training facility."
The initial partnership between TNA and OVW was set up by Bruce Prichard, who is no longer associated with TNA.
Stephanie McMahon signs new WWE "booking agreement"
In WWE's latest 10-Q filing, it includes a new booking agreement with Stephanie McMahon that is valid for three years, effective on October 7, 2013. In the agreement, McMahon is referred to as a wrestler. Stephanie has not wrestled a match for WWE since October 2003 against her father, Vince McMahon at the No Mercy PPV. Stephanie has also not been physically involved on WWE TV since March 2009 where she took part in the Randy Orton/Triple H feud.
To view the full 10-Q filing, click here.
WWE Called 'A Hidden Gem' On Financial Show
After soaring over 9% yesterday, WWE stock is up another 2.39% today. Investors obviously see a major windfall with the company's television rights fees for RAW and SmackDown coming up early next year.
- Chris Bevilacqua referred to WWE as "a hidden gem" on Forbes SportsMoney earlier today, and said that the television landscape was completely different from the last time that WWE negotiated their rights fees with companies now paying huge sums for sports content. Bevilacqua noted that the company has a very loyal audience with a strong social media following.
In terms of "gross ratings points," Bevilacqua noted that WWE is triple the size of NASCAR, which recently inked a deal with NBC worth $4.5 billion over ten years. It was noted that the only sports property larger than WWE - in terms of viewership - is the NFL. Bevilacqua feels that WWE could be getting 4-6 times their current $140 million / year in rights fees. Fox Sports 1, Netflix and Google were named potential bidders for WWE's next deal, although it was noted that Netflix and Google weren't likely.
Janice Carter Issues Internal Memo In Regards To Reports Of TNA Being Up For Sale
Janice Carter reportedly issued an internal memo to TNA employees in regards to online reports that the company was looking for a new owner.
In the memo, which praised their new 24/7 initiative, Carter told the staff that any rumors of Panda Energy "attempting to sell its ownership stake" in TNA is false and that she remains committed to the company.
Chris Jericho admits to drunk-tweeting his reply to Triple H's Raw dig, offers new response
Part-time WWE star Chris Jericho admitted to drunk-tweeting when he responded to Triple H's storyline-driven dig at Edge, Rob Van Dam, and Jericho on Raw TV last month.
"The funny thing was had I not been drinking Grey Goose vodka and not been completely loaded when I heard about it, I wouldn’t had bothered twitting about it but I was like: 'Screw him, I’m going to tweet back,'" Jericho said on the Busted Open satellite radio show promoting his band "Fozzy."
Jericho's October tweet responding to Hunter labeling the trio as capable stars but not "The Guy" in WWE read: "Thing is @tripleh despite ur major push, u never were either. Good luck in ur future endeavours." Jericho added: "Time to move on guys. Bye bye @wwe! Now time for more important things...any doubt that #DayInTheLife is the best @thebeatles song ever?"
The next night, Jericho downplayed his reaction to Triple H's dig, tweeting: "No big deal. Always nice to be mentioned on Raw."
Jericho also expanded on his thoughts about Hunter's comment during the Busted Open interview.
"That’s Triple H being Triple H. It’s just the way he is and whether he believes it or not, it’s part of the show. I don’t feel that way and I never did feel that way. It’s funny throughout our careers, Triple H and I were almost at the same level. We were always the guy that worked with 'the guy.' Triple H is a huge star, one of the greatest of all time but also never really 'the guy.' Who really has been 'the guy' over the last ten years? I can think of three. Rock, Stone Cold, and John Cena. There you go."
October 31, 2013
Rumor Mill - WWE Targeting A Former TNA Name About A Return To The Company
The shakeups continue in WWE developmental. As we’ve seen over the last month, Joey Mercury was transferred as an NXT trainer to a main roster producer. This cleared the way for the hiring of Nick Dinsmore to replace him at the WWE Performance Center. The next guy in line for a transfer is Billy Gunn. Gunn is expected to join the main roster as a producer, which operates as a segue into our most interesting piece of information.
WWE has been in talks with Devon Dudley about possibly coming in as a developmental trainer. Devon has experience as a trainer as he a co-owner of the Team 3D Academy, which is also located in Florida. While many in WWE have said the Dudley Boyz would never be welcome back in WWE, it’s really Bully Ray that has the heat. Devon is seen as someone that is generally well-liked.
Triple H has said before he’d never bring the Dudley Boyz back because of his dislike for Bully Ray but he’s not opposed to Devon returning on his own as a trainer. Devon has told friends he doesn’t have interest in returning to TNA and he’s believed to be interested in WWE’s offer.
Rumor Mill - Backstage Talk About Roman Reigns, The Shield, Wyatt Family
Look for Roman Reigns of The Shield to eventually turn into a major babyface, but probably not for several months down the line. No word yet on what this will mean for Dean Ambrose and Seth Rollins.
There is talk that with The Shield possibly dissolving soon, The Wyatt Family will take their spot as the dominant heel stable. Look for The Wyatts to have a major feud against CM Punk and Daniel Bryan.
Jack Swagger On How Zeb Colter Became His Manager
WWE Superstar Jack Swagger recently spoke to Music Recall Magazine:
MRM: How did Zeb Colter become your manager?
Swagger: It’s a cool story. We were a couple weeks out from the Elimination Chamber in 2013. And we were in Nashville for a Raw TV taping, and Zeb lives in Nashville, and we knew we wanted another character to go along with the storyline. Triple H had an idea to bring him in, and he came in. He started discussing some ideas, and he did a couple promos on tape and Vince and Hunter just loved it. It was very meant to be. He already had the mustache and fit the character to a T.
Wall Street Loves WWE
The WWE stock had a great day closing at $12.95. It was up $1.11 and 9.37%, closing at its 52 week high on a day when the market was down. It went as high as $13.14 during the day. Obviously, Wall Street reacted well to the company's earnings, and more importantly believes it will get a significant raise in revenue when it gets its next TV deals.
Vince McMahon conference call coverage: WWE Network, SummerSlam disappoints, television rights negotiations, third quarter financial report
Vince McMahon and members of senior management hosted a conference call pertaining to the 2013 third quarter report that was released on October 31, 2013. The following are the highlights of the call.
-The call was hosted by WWE Chairman Vince McMahon, WWE CFO George Barrios, and WWE Investor Relations Michael Weitz.
-Vince said the increased television rights fees offset the "disappointing" SummerSlam numbers and video game sales. Regarding SummerSlam, Vince said fans "didn't buy the attraction, as most of you know these events are attraction driven."
-Vince said they are looking for "traditional and non-traditional distribution" for the WWE Network.
-Vince said their largest television contracts are coming up both in the United States and in the United Kingdom. He said India is coming up shortly thereafter.
-Barrios took over the call temporarily and read through the financial presentation. He noted that revenue increased nine percent and said it was largely due to increased licensing fees and to some extent live events.
-Barrios said "Total Divas" has averaged roughly 1.8 million viewers per week. He noted that it performed 150 percent better than the programming it replaced on E! network.
-Revenue from the pay-per-view business was down ten percent "primarily due to the performance of the SummerSlam event." This is despite the fact that WWE added new digital media platforms for their pay-per-view events, such as Playstation 3.
-The movies released under WWE Studios new film model are expected to bring a 13 percent return.
-Barrios said the company is confident that they can double or triple their 2012 results by 2015 via future television agreements and the WWE Network. He said their key domestic television deals are expected to be done by "next April."
-Barrios compared WWE to live sports. He said the similarities make WWE "DVR-proof."
-Barrios also spoke briefly about the potential WWE Network platforms, then opened up the line for calls.
-The first caller noted that the domestic television deals are expected to be finalized by April 2014 and whether they will maintain their current relationships or end up elsewhere. He questioned whether WWE Vince said there is a certain exclusive negotiating window for current partners that ends on the first of the year. He said they can go outside to other potential partners after that. Barrios said the timeline they are offering is typical for television rights negotiations.
-Vince was asked about the pay-per-view numbers. He once again stressed that pay-per-views are attraction driven. He said it was a "swing and a miss" as far as the attraction they went with. He said the declining numbers really don't have to do with anything other than that.
-Vince closed out the conference call by wishing everyone a good say and saying, "The future looks bright."
-It didn't seem like Vince realized he was still on the line, as could be heard saying, "As Daniel Bryan would say..." There was laughter in the room. One of the three men mentioned something about it being "the shortest" and said no one would have saw it coming.
WWE Third Quarter Earnings Up 9%, Beat Estimates
WWE today announced financial results for its third quarter ended September 30, 2013. Revenues increased $9.1 million or 9%, to $113.3 million from $104.2 million in the prior year quarter driven by a significant increase in rights fees from the licensing of television content. Operating income decreased 36% to $3.2 million as compared to $5.0 million in the prior year quarter as revenue growth was more than offset by increased movie losses due to a $7.0 million impairment charge primarily associated with the Company’s 2010-2012 film release slate, and reduced profits from the Company’s pay-per-view, video game and home entertainment businesses. Net income was $2.4 million, or $0.03 per share, as compared to $3.5 million, or $0.05 per share, in the prior year quarter. Excluding the impact of film impairments, Adjusted Operating income increased 104% to $10.2 million, Adjusted OIBDA increased 62% to $16.7 million and Adjusted Net income increased 100% to $7.0 million...More?
Triple H's Response When Asked About Matt Morgan
When Matt Morgan's name was brought up to Triple H about being hired, Triple H's response is that they are spending millions of dollars on the new Performance Center so their focus is on developing younger guys on their own to bring in as opposed to experienced older guys. Obviously if it was a bigger name there could be an exception made, but that is WWE's mentality in most cases going forward.
October 30, 2013
WWE Looks To Build Through Second Screen; Targets First Quarter of 2014 For Launch of WWE Network
Multiplatform content is crucial for the WWE, said Stephanie McMahon, executive VP of creative development & operations at the company on Wednesday during the TV Summit at NYC Television Week.
McMahon told moderator R. Thomas Umstead, programming editor, multimedia editor, Multichannel News, that the WWE's app is changing the way people watch their programs.
"It's been downloaded over 8 million times. What we offer is really a revolutionary second screen experience." McMahon said, adding the app offers behind-the-scenes pictures and facts.
When asked about the WWE's plans to create a network, she was unable to disclose specifics on plans but did say, "We are looking at traditional and nontraditional distribution, and we're targeting first quarter next year."
source: broadcastingcable.com
