Triple H On WWE Working With Other Promotions: ‘We’re Open For Business’

During a media call promoting NXT TakeOver: WarGames, Triple H was asked about by All Elite Wrestling partnering with IMPACT Wrestling and if WWE or NXT would be open to such a collaboration. Triple H says WWE is open for business as long as it makes sense for both sides.

“We’re open for business in a lot of ways and a lot of things,” Triple H responded. “People’s thoughts and misperceptions, their perceived knowledge of what we do and how we think is often greatly misinterpreted and not accurate. Are we open to the right business opportunities? Yeah, at any given time we’re open to things. It just depends on what they are and if they’re beneficial to us in the long-term. When I say long-term I don’t mean three months, I mean 10 years. Long-term .That’s how we think. We’re not necessarily worried about minute-by-minutes. Open for business, I think Vince says that a lot and I’ve been around him long enough that if it’s the right thing and meaningful to business, he’s open to anything.”

Wrestling Legend Dan Gable To Receive The Presidential Medal Of Freedom

The National Wrestling Hall Of Fame issued the following announcement, confirming Dan Gable will receive the Presidential Medal of Freedom on December 7 at the White House.

Gable was contacted on October 14 to inform him that he would be receiving the award, making him the first wrestler to receive the nation’s highest honor for a civilian. Other athletes who have been honored include Muhammad Ali, Tiger Woods, Jesse Owens, Billie Jean King, Michael Jordan, and Babe Ruth.

“It’s an honor,” said Gable. I’ve received a lot of awards and have a lot of trophies, but this is the highest honor a civilian can receive. It’s really hard to wrap my head around that.”

Established by President John F. Kennedy in 1963, the Presidential Medal of Freedom is awarded by the President of the United States to individuals who have made exceptional contributions to the security or national interests of America, to world peace, or to cultural or other significant public or private endeavors.

Past recipients have been movers and shakers in a range of fields, including public service, medicine, journalism, entertainment, and business. The impressive list of past honorees includes Steven Spielberg, Angela Merkel, Nancy Reagan, Mother Teresa, Billy Graham, Rosa Parks, and Martin Luther King, Jr.

“To get an award like this, it’s a lifetime achievement award, not only for what you did, but for what you continue to do,” said Gable.

The namesake of the Dan Gable Museum in his hometown of Waterloo, Iowa, Gable was inducted into the National Wrestling Hall of Fame as a Distinguished Member in 1980 and into the Dan Gable Museum’s Glen Brand Wrestling Hall of Fame of Iowa in the Charter Class of 2002. He is also a member of the World Wrestling Hall of Fame, the USA Wrestling Hall of Fame, and the United States Olympic Hall of Fame.

Gable was a three-time Iowa state high school champion for Waterloo West and a two-time NCAA champion and three-time finalist for Iowa State. He had a combined record of 181-1 in his prep and college career, losing only in the 1970 NCAA finals. Gable won the Pan American Games and the world championships in 1971 and the Tblisi Tournament and the Olympics in 1972. He did not surrender a single point in his six matches at the Olympics and was named the Outstanding Wrestler at the Tblisi Tournament, considered by many to be the toughest tournament in the world.

After stepping off the mat, Gable became the most successful coach in NCAA history, coaching the University of Iowa from 1978 to 1997. He led the Hawkeyes to 21-straight Big Ten titles and 15 NCAA team championships, including a record nine in a row from 1978 to 1986. Gable coached 152 All-Americans, 46 national champions and 12 Olympians, who combined to win eight medals (four gold, one silver and three bronze).

Gable’s influence on professional wrestling is strong, including Chad Gable’s ring name being inspired by him, and Kurt Angle also citing him as an influence.

WWE Hall Of Famer Pat Patterson Passes Away

From WWE.com: WWE is saddened to learn that Pat Patterson has passed away at the age of 79. A true trailblazer of the industry, Patterson was linked to many "firsts" in sports-entertainment throughout his storied career, including the first-ever Intercontinental Title reign and the creation of the Royal Rumble Match. In a career spanning six decades, the renaissance man left an indelible mark on the industry in the ring, on the microphone and behind the scenes. Patterson began his career in 1958 in his native Canada before becoming a fixture in the Bay Area for nearly two decades. After winning the AWA Tag Team Championship with Ray Stevens in 1978, Patterson moved on to WWE. Under the tutelage of The Grand Wizard, Patterson made an immediate impact and became the first Intercontinental Champion in September 1979. Patterson's most legendary WWE rivalry was undoubtedly his war with Sgt. Slaughter, which captivated the WWE Universe with Boot Camp Matches and a brutal Alley Fight at Madison Square Garden. Shortly before his in-ring retirement in 1984, Patterson joined Mr. McMahon as a color commentator. Even after hanging up his boots, Patterson was far from finished reimagining the possibilities of the sports-entertainment industry. In 1988, Patterson brought one of the ring's most groundbreaking ideas to life by creating the original format for the Royal Rumble Match. Patterson returned to the ring during WWE's electric "Attitude Era," creating many memorable moments alongside Gerald Brisco as one of Mr. McMahon's hilarious "Stooges." Patterson even pinned Crash Holly to claim the Hardcore Title. For all his efforts, Pat Patterson was inducted into the WWE Hall of Fame in 1996 by Bret Hart. In his 25-plus years in WWE, Patterson was synonymous with making history. From the Intercontinental Title to the Royal Rumble Match and beyond, his name will forever be revered in WWE lore. This amazing legacy was captured in Patterson's 2016 autobiography, Accepted: How the First Gay Superstar Changed WWE, a moving chronicle about his life both inside and out of the ring.

WWE Creative Update On Vince McMahon And Bruce Prichard

Mike Johnson of PWInsider.com revealed the following about WWE creative: "Creatively, everything flows through Prichard at the moment and his word has been described as 'very much the Gospel' for Vince McMahon, which as you might image, being in that position translates into a lot of frustration and heat towards Prichard among talents privately." Vince has been completely hands-on with is the sword entrance that WWE Champion Drew McIntyre has been doing recently. Triple H reportedly filled in for Prichard on this week's Raw and those backstage described the situatioas a "breath of fresh air" according to PWInsider.

WWE NXT Tops AEW Dynamite On Night Before Thanksgiving

Week 59 of the Wednesday Night War saw WWE NXT defeat AEW Dynamite in viewership, but not the ratings in the key demographic. The numbers are just now being released due to the Thanksgiving holiday. Wednesday's NXT averaged 712,000 viewers on the USA Network, edging out the 710,000 viewers garnered by AEW Dynamite by just 0.3%, according to Showbuzz Daily. AEW ranked #7 in the Cable Top 150 for the 18-49 demo, while NXT ranked #25. AEW ranked #64 in total viewership, while NXT ranked #63 in viewership. Last week's Dynamite show drew 850,000 viewers (-16% from last week) and ranked #7 in the Cable Top 150, and #60 in viewership. Last week's NXT episode drew 638,000 viewers (+11.6%) and ranked #56 in the Cable Top 150, and #74 in viewership. AEW drew a 0.26 rating in the 18-49 demographic (-30%) while NXT drew a 0.20 (+43%) in the same demo this week. Last week's AEW show drew a 0.37 rating while the NXT episode drew a 0.14 in that demographic. This was the second-best NXT viewership and 18-49 demographic rating since October, besides the Halloween Havoc special, which drew 876,000 viewers and a 0.25 rating in the key demo. NXT viewership was down 12% from the 2019 Thanksgiving Week episode.

Stephanie McMahon On ThunderDome Boosting TV Ratings, Challenges Faced By WWE Due To COVID-19

At the start of the COVID-19 outbreak in March, three of the four major sporting leagues in the U.S. were temporarily shut down, The Masters was postponed, and nearly every sporting event across the world was put on hold. Even Hollywood production houses hit the pause button on all their projects. However, WWE didn't miss a beat and continued producing shows at its Performance Center [Capitol Wrestling Center] in Orlando, FL, where it hosted all three of its weekly TV shows [Raw, SmackDown, and NXT] before introducing ThunderDome at the Amway Center. Stephanie McMahon, the Chief Brand Officer of WWE, recently appeared on the 2020 Forbes CMO Summit Virtual Series and spoke of the challenges faced by WWE at the start of the pandemic. "For WWE, we never stopped producing our content, and that was a very difficult decision in and of itself," said Stephanie. "First and foremost, we had to ensure the health and safety of our talents, crew, and employees." She went onto talk about how WWE had no choice but to adapt to the new normal. "WrestleMania, for example, was supposed to be an event attended by 80,000 fans [at Raymond James Stadium] and instead became a two-day event at our Performance Center, which is essentially a warehouse where we develop and train our future stars. "It was a stark contrast to what WrestleMania normally is," she added. Stephanie emphasized that the pandemic era has made WWE realize just how crucial the fans are to its programming. "We continue to produce 7 hours of live programming every week, and produce content for a myriad of channels and platforms. And we never stopped. What we found [through this experience]] is that our fans mean everything. They bring the energy, the excitement, and the spectacle, and without them, the shows are just not the same." While touching upon WWE's ratings decline at the start of the empty arena era, Stephanie said WWE tried to bring in developmental talent to be a part of the audience but "that wasn't enough" to bring back the excitement to the live programming. "We had hoped to be back in the arenas during the fall but that wasn't to be," she revealed. "So, we decided to double down and invest in the ThunderDome. Today, we have 1,000 virtual fans every show and nearly 100,000 fans who have signed up for this experience." She continued, "These fans are live, they give us real-time reactions, and we see their faces. We also mix in additional audio, which we found very helpful. We bring that audio into the arena [besides piping in the noise for TV] because the performers need to hear the audience too, and feed off that crowd." Stephanie said ThunderDome has also enabled its production crew to explore technologies such as AR, Drones, Pyros, and Lasers in ways that "we had never been able to do before." She added, "Through ThunderDome, we have brought the spectacle back to WWE and have seen our ratings increase because of that." WWE will be moving its ThunderDome set to Tropicana Field in Tampa Bay, FL, starting with the episode of SmackDown on Friday, December 11.

WWE And Omaze Are Offering Fans The Chance To Tour The WWE PC With The Undertaker

The Undertaker just had his Final Farewell at WWE Survivor Series, but WWE is offering fans the rare chance to step into the ring with “The Phenom” Through Omaze and a collaboration with the Make-A-Wish Foundation, the winner of a sweepstakes will get get to meet “The Deadman”” himself. The experience includes a tour of the WWE Performance Center, led by The Undertaker, and a picture with him, too. Plus, the winner gets to make their own ring entrance, Here’s the announcement from the official website: “Hear that? It’s the Undertaker’s bell. And it tolls for YOU. The Undertaker is inviting you and a friend to join him at the WWE Performance Center for an unforgettable experience. You’ll tour the training center for the wrestling stars of tomorrow with the wrestling legend. Take some truly epic photos. And even step into the ring with The Undertaker—don’t worry, not for a Tombstone Piledriver—but to create your own custom ring entrance! Flights, hotel and autographed WWE title belt included.” Fans can enter the running until it ends on February 24, 2021. No donation is required, but fans who buy numerous entries can increase their chances of winning while donating to the cause. The winner will be announced on March 10, 2021.

WWE Confirms $39 Million Class Action Lawsuit Settlement

A new SEC filing by WWE reveals that the company has closed on a $39 million settlement for a class action lawsuit filed by the City of Warren, Michigan Police & Fire Retirement System.

The suit alleged that WWE executives deceived investors over their business dealings in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, inflating the company stock and selling more than $280 million worth of shares at fraudulently inflated prices.

The suit, originally filed in March, had been consolidated by six different law firms. It alleged that WWE officials failed to disclose how the expected business agreements with Saudi Arabia for Middle Eastern TV deal had not been consummated, but that by allowing investors to believe otherwise, the company had caused the stock to rise when it should not have.

The settlement will include a full release of all Defendants in connection with the allegations made in the lawsuit, and will not contain any admission of liability or admission as to the validity or truth of any or all allegations or claims by any of the Defendants.

The Term Sheet provides for the settlement payment, all of which the Company expects will be paid by the Company's insurance carriers.

The Company believes that resolving the matter is the right business decision and that it is prudent to end the protracted and uncertain class action process.

The Undertaker Has Talked With Triple H About Coaching At The WWE PC

The Undertaker recently spoke with Tony Maglio of The Wrap and in a Q&A session, he discussed various topics, from The Boneyard Match at WWE WrestleMania 36 to The Last Ride documentary. In one interesting exchange, Undertaker said he’s trying to figure out what’s next for him, adding that he’s open to being a coach but travel is one obstacle in his way.

“You know, that’s the pickle that I’m in right now, is trying to [figure] out what lane I want to take. I’ve been on the road for so long, that really doesn’t appeal to me, traveling and doing all that. I love to teach. Triple H and I have had many conversations about me working with the talent there at NXT, in Orlando at the PC. And I really enjoy that. And we’re just trying to figure out how it works because I’d have to come in and go out. I live in Texas. So I’m sure I will do more of that moving forward. I think there’s a lot of– I think I have a lot to offer. The product is changing and evolving, but I think there’s a lot of what I bring to the table that is still applicable to the product and these guys need to hear it and see it from somebody who has made it work. So we’ll see what happens there.”

Stephanie McMahon Named One of Adweek’s Most Powerful Women in Sports

Adweek has revealed their list of the Most Powerful Women in Sports, with Stephanie McMahon among names like The Rock’s business partner Dany Garcia, WWE Board Member Erika Nardini and Los Angeles Lakers owner Jeannie Buss, who had previously worked with WOW – Women of Wrestling. When asked about empowering women, McMahon said: “As a mother to three daughters, I am passionate about empowering and showing young girls and women that there are no boundaries to what you can do or be. Empowering women begins impactful, meaningful conversations.”

WWE Confirms Reason For Zelina Vega's Release

WWE confirmed to Sports Illustrated that Zelina Vega (Thea Trinidad) was terminated on Friday for breaching her contract.

The "final straw" was considered to be Vega opening an OnlyFans account, despite WWE's edict on third-party platforms. Her account featured exclusive videos and photos of "cosplays, lingerie, swimsuits and more," for $30 a month. In September, WWE Superstars were told they would have to close down accounts on sites, like Cameo and Twitch — even if they were using their real names and avoided any affiliation with WWE.

Vega was reportedly very vocal about keeping her Twitch account, but according to the SI report, WWE upper management felt she "boxed them into a difficult situation" by sticking with her third-party platforms. WWE had said previously talent would be fined, or potentially released, if they didn't adhere to their demands.

This, of course, has brought on the debate of how WWE treats its talent, as they are currently classified as independent contractors. That conversation has grabbed not only the attention of Andrew Yang, but, SAG-AFTRA President Gabrielle Carteris, who sent Wrestling Inc. a statement this morning in regards to the possibility of working with wrestlers:

"Wrestling is as much about media as it is sports, and we are going to directly engage with members of this profession to help find ways for them to protect themselves," Carteris wrote. "As more people reinvest in unions, and as more working people are harassed by employers who don't want to protect them, SAG-AFTRA is committed to doing what we can to help professional wrestlers secure the protections they deserve."

Carteris also personally reached out to Vega on social media after Zelina's "I support unionization" tweet picked up steam.

The 18th annual WWE Tribute to the Troops will air on FOX

The 18th annual WWE Tribute to the Troops will air on FOX on Sunday, December 6, adjacent to Sunday’s regional NFL broadcasts. Viewers with an NFL matchup airing at 1:00 PM ET can watch WWE Tribute to the Troops at 4:30 PM ET; viewers with an NFL matchup airing at 4:05 PM ET can watch the special at 3:00 PM ET. The event will take place inside the state-of-the-art WWE ThunderDome™, and include servicemen and women and their families from Marine Corps Air Station New River, US Army Post Fort Hood, U.S. Navy Aircraft Carrier USS John C. Stennis (CVN 74), Naval Air Station Fallon and Naval Air Weapons Station China Lake.

“Supporting the United States military year-round is an essential part of FOX Sports’ mission, and partnering with WWE on their Tribute to the Troops is an incredible extension of this ongoing commitment,” said Eric Shanks, Chief Executive Officer & Executive Producer, FOX Sports.

“This is a unique time and we look forward to providing our troops and their families with an interactive experience that only WWE can deliver as we celebrate our servicemen and women with millions of our fans watching at home on FOX,” said Vince McMahon, WWE Chairman & CEO.

In what is considered TV’s most patriotic and heartwarming show of the year, WWE began Tribute to the Troops in 2003 to honor our servicemen and women and their families and thank them for their continued sacrifice to our country. In addition to the event, WWE will also be hosting virtual meet and greet sessions with WWE Superstars and military members.

Marine Corps Air Station New River in North Carolina is home to Marine Aircraft Groups 26 and 29, Headquarters and Support squadron, and several premiere training units. New River also serves as the East Coast’s only rotary wing and tiltrotor Air Station, with approximately 8,000 Marines, Sailors and civilian employees.

With more than 37,000 active duty Soldiers and Airmen assigned to the post along with more than 100,000 family members, Fort Hood in Texas is the largest active duty armored post in the United States Armed Forces and trains an additional 22,000 Reserve Soldiers annually.

Naval Air Weapons Station China Lake in Ridgecrest, CA, covers more than 1.1 million acres and is known for research, development and testing of some of the world's most cutting-edge weapons, including the Sidewinder & Tomahawk.

In the coming weeks, WWE will announce celebrity guests from the world of sports and entertainment that will take part in the Tribute to the Troops broadcast on FOX.

WWE Announces The Undertaker's Final Farewell For Survivor Series

Undertaker's Final Farewell will take place at Survivor Series on Sunday, November 22 at 7 pm ET streaming live around the world on WWE Network, capping off The Phenom's legendary 30-year career.

One of the most iconic Superstars in WWE history and a pop culture phenomenon, Undertaker made his WWE debut at Survivor Series on November 22, 1990. From his debut with Brother Love to his critically-acclaimed match vs. AJ Styles® at this year's WrestleMania®, Undertaker has participated in some of the greatest matches in history against Hall of Famers such as Hulk Hogan, Ric Flair®, Triple H®, Shawn Michaels® and Mick Foley®; had multiple WWE Championship reigns; and held an unmatched and astounding undefeated streak at WrestleMania that lasted 21 years.

As part of Undertaker's Final Farewell and 30th anniversary, WWE is celebrating "30 Years of the Deadman" throughout November, including recently debuted documentaries "Meeting The Undertaker" and "WWE Untold: The Phenom and The Legend Killer" on WWE Network as well as "The Mortician: The Story of Paul Bearer" premiering this Sunday, November 8 and "Brothers of Destruction," which premiered in October at the Austin Film Festival, and will stream on WWE Network on Sunday, November 15. In addition, Undertaker will be a special guest on "Steve Austin's Broken Skull Sessions" immediately following Survivor Series.

Activation will also include special Undertaker photo galleries, video highlights and features on WWE.com, Undertaker Tik Tok Challenge, Instagram filter and Snapchat lens, two exclusive product opportunities with Funko only available at Amazon, feature space in 2,300 Walmarts including an exclusive Mattel action figure, national media appearances including The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon and blocks of primetime programming from WWE's distribution partners around the world dedicated to Undertaker.

In addition to Undertaker's Final Farewell, WWE Survivor Series is the one night of the year where Raw® squares off against SmackDown®. Current matchups are highlighted by: WWE Universal Champion Roman Reigns® taking on WWE Champion Randy Orton®; Raw Women's Champion Asuka® vs. SmackDown Women's Champion Sasha Banks®; Raw Tag Team Champions The New Day® against SmackDown Tag Team Champions The Street Profits®; United States Champion Bobby Lashley® vs. Intercontinental Champion Sami Zayn®; as well as men's and women's 5-on-5 Survivor Series Elimination matches.

Triple H Receives Gift From Black Sabbath

Triple H received a gift from Black Sabbath and WWE had a camera there to capture his reaction. He said that growing up Black Sabbath was one of the most influential bands of his childhood, and he was blown away to receive the gift.

While flipping through a large book full of band photos, news clippings, and other pieces of history, Triple H said “I can’t wait to look through this” when he has more time.

source: ringsidenews.com

Details on Stephanie McMahon’s Expanded Role in WWE

Stephanie McMahon has some new responsibilities in WWE, as revealed in the Q3 earnings call on Thursday. Vince McMahon said during the financial results call that McMahon, who has been serving as Chief Brand Officer, had new responsibilities within the company.

PWInsider reports that McMahon is now responsible for Global Sales and Partnerships within WWE. That includes overseeing sponsorships and other corporate relationships. John Brody was previously in charge of those responsibilities and is still with WWE but now reports to Vince McMahon. Stephanie took over the responsibilities in August, according to the report.

WWE NXT Halloween Havoc Won Viewership Over AEW Dynamite This Week

The numbers are in for this week's Wednesday Night action-packed night of pro-wrestling from WWE and AEW.

AEW Dynamite drew 781,000 viewers, which is up on last week's 753,000 viewers. WWE NXT's Halloween Havoc drew 876,000 viewers, which is up on the 644,000 viewers the week previous, according to Showbuzz Daily.

This is the first time since July 8th that NXT had a higher viewership than Dynamite.

In terms of demos, AEW Dynamite took the win with with the 18-49 demographic drawing a 0.32 rating, 12th best among original cable, up on NXT's 0.25 rating in that same demo, which sat at 21st best on cable.

In the 18-49 demographic, AEW Dynamite won again with a 0.32 rating, 12th best among original cable, and up on NXT's 0.25 rating which was 21st best on cable.

source: showbuzz daily

WWE Signs "Groundbreaking New Deal" With Netflix For Vince McMahon Project

WWE has confirmed that a new film on WWE Chairman & CEO Vince McMahon is in the works.

Nick Khan, WWE's new President & Chief Revenue Officer, noted during today's Q3 2020 earnings call that WWE has signed a "groundbreaking new deal" with Netflix. WWE is selling the multi-part documentary that will cover Vince's life.

The deal is groundbreaking because it is one of the highest-budgeted documentaries in Netflix history, according to Khan.

There's no word yet on the documentary title or release date. Khan noted that Bill Simmons will executive produce the project, while Chris Smith, who directed Netflix's Fyre Fest documentary, will produce along with WWE Studios.

This Vince documentary is not the same biopic that was first revealed back in 2017. That project was apparently nixed. Titled "Pandemonium," the movie was expected to star Bradley Cooper as Vince. Tristar Pictures was to release the movie. The original plan was to film the movie in the spring of 2018, but that depended on several factors. The "Pandemonium" script was written by Craig A. Williams back in 2015, but it underwent several changes after WWE Studios got involved. John Requa and Glenn Ficarra were set to direct the movie, while Zaftig Films' Charlie Gogolak was to serve as executive producer. Aperture Entertainment's Adam Goldworn was to produce the movie, along with WWE Studios. The latest update on Pandemonium came in January 2019 when it was reported that a new draft of the movie had been completed and sent to WWE executives, including McMahon, for feedback. There was still no confirmation on Cooper accepting the role, but he had been waiting for an updated version of the script in 2018, and then was planning to make his decision. That January 2019 update stated that while the filming date of spring 2018 had passed, the project was still being actively worked on. It looks like "Pandemonium" is no more.

Vince McMahon And WWE Executives Talk COVID-19, WWE NXT And Triple H, Saudi Arabia, More

WWE Chairman & CEO Vince McMahon, Chief Financial Officer Kristina Salen, and SVP Financial Planning & Investor Relations Michael Weitz are hosting a Third Quarter 2020 Earnings call today from WWE headquarters in Stamford, CT. You can check out coverage of this evening's press release at this link. Below are highlights from the call: Weitz opens the call and welcomes everyone, going over the usual intro. Vince took over and said he's never felt as confident as he does right now with the upper management team WWE has.

 It's extraordinary what the team has done for the business. He touted the new energy and vibrancy, and optimism. In regards to where they can go in the future, this is a fun and exciting place to be. He praised new WWE President & Chief Revenue Officer Nick Khan for what he's done to help the company, and revealed that Chief Brand Officer Stephanie McMahon has taken on more responsibilities, praising her. Vince said he really feels great about the new WWE management team. Vince didn't get into the numbers, but says he just wanted to share how he feels about the current management team. He hands it over to Khan. Khan talks about his background since he's fairly new to the company. He mentions being an usher at WrestleMania 9 in Las Vegas. Khan says they are working to develop new WWE Studios content, including Total Bellas season 6 to premiere in November, and A&E's "Quest for Lost WWE Treasures" that will be hosted by Triple H and Stephanie McMahon. This show will take viewers on the ultimate hunt to find some of WWE's most iconic lost memorabilia. This furthers the relationship with A&E. He mentions A&E has also ordered more episodes of the "Biography" documentaries.

Khan then announces that they have reached a groundbreaking new deal with Netflix, selling them a multi-part documentary on the life of Vince McMahon. This is one of the highest-budgeted documentaries in Netflix history. Bill Simmons will executive produce. Chris Smith, who directed Netflix's Fyre Fest documentary, will produce the Vince project, along with WWE Studios. Khan noted that they are still working on the alternate version of WWE Network but are unable to say when that will be ready. WWE Network subscriptions are up during the pandemic. Khan announces a 2021 event with Sony in India that will primarily feature Indian talent. It will air on Sony in India and will also be distributed here in the United States. Khan then introduces Stephanie. 

She talks about her role with the company and how everything they do is under the WWE Universe. She touts how WrestleMania 36 went from being sold out at Raymond James Stadium, to the "new normal" on a closed-set at the WWE Performance Center. Along with RAW and SmackDown, they experimented with new ways on the closed set but that wasn't good enough so they launched WWE ThunderDome, which made their shows feel alive again. They saw an increase in RAW and SmackDown ratings with the ThunderDome. She touts how they transformed the Performance Center arena into the Capitol Wrestling Center, the return to WWE NXT UK with BT Sports Studios in London. She mentioned how the production teams from Orlando, Stamford and London are working together, and praised the efforts. She also touted more than 50 billion video views on YouTube, and WWE changing their digital strategy, which led to more engagement. Stephanie also talked about how the company has been doing WWE Community virtual visits during the COVID-19 pandemic, partnering with UNICEF for their kids program and others. WWE's advertising campaigns and sponsor partnerships are outpacing industry standards and recent trends. Stephanie also touted recent celebrity involvement and how top brands continue to partner with WWE during the pandemic. She said WWE remains bullish, for 2021 and beyond, when it comes to growth, expansion, partnerships and everything else. New Chief Financial Officer Kristina Salen took over next and went over numbers from today's press release. WWE is evaluating their strategies for 2021 but the pandemic leaves a lot of uncertainty. She said RAW and SmackDown viewership improved from July - September, despite major sports competition. She said WWE can't say when ticketed live events will return at this point, but their intention is to return to live events as quickly and safety as possible. WWE anticipates Q4 2020 will have lower revenues than the same period in 2019. Part of the blame goes to the fact that they have no Saudi Arabia event in the quarter like they did in Q4 2019. WWE did not buy back any stock in Q3 under the buyback program, but they may in the future. It's now time for the Q&A portion of the call. They were asked about ratings and if there are any firm plans to improve them, and if ratings staying where they are will hurt negotiations for rights fees when they come back around. Vince said they have more fans than they've ever had but total audience is much bigger than just the TV audience. You can't just "hang your hat" on TV viewership being down. Vince mentioned how WWE is never off the air. You might say viewership is down but the overall viewership and engagement needs to be considered. WWE is doing everything they can to improve. The ThunderDome brought some fans back, but they want better execution of the creative, and better writing overall. Khan said TV in general has lost viewers but WWE viewership has not, overall. Consumption of WWE content is significantly up. WWE remains confident that TV rights fees will also go up. He touted how WWE topped the NHL Stanley Cup viewership in the key demographic, and they also did well against the Los Angeles Lakers playing at the end of the NBA season. They were asked about the MENA (Middle East & North Africa) TV rights and Vince said they are still negotiating them, and are still in contact with the Saudis. Vince said it will happen, but he doesn't know when. They were asked about potential WWE Network changes and they are open to anything except the sale of the Network, including licensing. WWE is in constant talks about possibly licensing the Network domestically and internationally. They are also constantly working on international ideas for content. The idea is to develop local content for international territories. There are currently no plans to add advertising to the WWE Network free version but this could change. Stephanie noted that they are testing different technologies that can be applied to different strategies. Salen noted that they are waiting for the return of live events and touring. They still have some employees who are furloughed, which makes for short-term financial cuts, but they are hoping to bring some of those employees back by the end of the year. In regards to if they will have no live events in 2021 or maybe for half of the year and if they will run the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia next year, Salen said they have not commented on the 2021 OIBDA (Operating Income Before Depreciation and Amortization) but they are diligently working on 2021 financial and operational plans with the executive team, noting that she and Khan are still getting settled into the job. She said they will have an update on the strategic focus for 2021 the next time they meet with investors. Regarding the India event planned for 2021, they are seeking the right talents and the right structure so that the event makes sense for all parties involved. This will be with Sony in India. Khan noted that ratings in October have held up despite a "cluttered" fall TV season. When asked if there is anything that NXT does that could be used to improve RAW or SmackDown, Khan praised the blue and red brands for how they have held up. Vince was asked what he and the company needs to see before they are willing to bring fans back to events amid the pandemic. The call President Trump held earlier this year with sports league bosses was mentioned. Vince said he was on that call but that was the extent of his discussions with Trump on the matter. When the coronavirus eases up and it's safe for fans and talents, that's all he can say for now in regards to when fans will be allowed back like normal. They were asked about WWE NXT and the length of the deal with the USA Network. Khan gave props to Triple H and his team, and touted the NXT Halloween Havoc ratings for last night. He said they are comfortable with the position they have with USA, and are enjoying the relationship with the network. The platform has led to many eyeballs on the talent. They don't typically discuss the length of TV deals unless their partners are on board with them doing so, but they feel like this deal is certainly long enough for them to have a long runway for Triple H and his team to grow the product as they have been doing. Khan said they feel good about all three products and how they are headed in the right direction.

WWE Hosting Mandatory Counseling Session To Promote Healthy Relationships

WWE is making an effort to ensure their talent keep healthy relationships in their personal lives.

According to Dave Meltzer in the latest Wrestling Observer Newsletter, WWE will be hosting a mandatory counseling session (via streaming) on the subject of keeping healthy relationships. It was noted that the meetings are a push to change the culture in the wrestling business in the wake of the Speaking Out movement, with Total Life Counseling presenting a “mandatory session for all talent on that subject.”

The first meeting on October 28 will be the main presentation to all talent, with subsequent sessions being available for individual talents to ask questions in smaller “breakout” groups.

Multiple wrestlers across several different promotions have been accused of sexual assault and misconduct in recent months, including “Gentleman” Jack Gallagher and Ligero, who have all been released since the respective allegations against them first surfaced. More recently, Candy Cartwright (Samantha Tavel) filed lawsuits against multiple parties after making allegations that Matt Riddle had sexually assaulted her. Tavel is suing Riddle, WWE, EVOLVE/WWN and EVOLVE’s Gabe Sapolsky for $10 million each. Last month, Riddle filed a defamation civil suit against Cartwright for the allegations made against him hours after he voluntarily dropped the restraining order request made against her.

AEW Dynamite And WWE NXT Both Drop In Viewership This Week

The viewership numbers are in for Wednesday’s AEW Dynamite and WWE NXT.

Dynamite drew 753,000 viewers on TNT, while NXT drew 644,000 viewers on the USA Network, according to Showbuzz Daily.

Last week’s Dynamite drew 826,000 viewers, while NXT drew 651,000.

WWE Set For Huge Financial Win In CTE Case, Judge Issues Order Against Attorney

Wrestling Inc. has learned that yesterday the United States Court of Appeals for the Second Court rejected attorney Konstantine W. Kyros' appeal in his recent court room loss to WWE. Over the past six years Kyros has represented several former WWE talents alleging that WWE was not transparent regarding it's knowledge about CTE damage to it's performers.

Kyros' failing to appeal the recent verdict against him will mean that he has to pay WWE for their legal fees and other troubles. We are told that WWE is seeking around $560,000 but that the amount will increase to include the costs of the hearing, which must be held in order for the court to establish the amount it will order him to pay. Those issues appear to have been fully briefed and the court will now set a hearing date.

If Kyros attempts to appeal the order WWE would likely insist he post a bond ensuring payment. The only route Kyros has left to appeal would be to ask the United States Supreme Court to hear the case, which could happen but seems very unlikely. The next thing that will happen after the second circuit issues its mandate in seven days will be the sanctions hearings to determine how much he must pay WWE

Wrestling Inc. has also learned that the judge issued an order specifically for the purpose of protecting the public from Kyros. The order requires him to send an opinion explaining his dishonest behavior to all his existing wrestler clients and any that contact him in the future. In a recent Wrestling Inc. interview WWE council Jerry McDevitt alleged that Kyros' had plagiarized much of his suit based on a similar one filed against the NFL.

"Kyros got caught in the last lawsuit basically plagiarizing from the lawsuit of the NFL allegations, the allegations that were made against the NFL that resulted in the case being successful against them where the NFL, unlike the WWE, had made various public statements and actually published articles in scientific literature and magazines and whatnot sort of downplaying, if you will the effects of concussions," McDevitt explained. "And Roger Goodell had allegedly made various statements that were alleged in the complaint against the NFL. All Kyros did was he gets ahold of the NFL complaint, and he literally just changes where the complaint would say, 'Roger Goodell said the following, concussions don't cause any long-term damage, and it's safe to go back to work on a day you get a concussion.' He would just change that to say a WWE representative had said that.

"Just flat-out make up false things like that. The kind of stuff lawyers don't do, and we brought that to the court's attention and multiple other violations of his. And he was as a result of his misconduct, sanctioned three different times by the federal judge up there that had control of the case. And is now facing sanctions orders of what we say is going to make him required to pay us hundreds of thousands of dollars in legal fees."

WWE Issues Statement On Reported Lawsuit Filed By Matt Riddle's Accuser Candy Cartwright

Samantha Tavel, a.k.a. Candy Cartwright, has filed a civil lawsuit against Matt Riddle, WWE, and former EVOLVE owner Gabe Sabolsky, which was first reported by the Chicago Sun Times.

According to court documents acquired by Fightful, Tavel is seeking $10 million dollars per defendant for actual damages, damages from emotional distress, punitive damages, attorney's fees, and costs.

Fightful noted that the suit alleges that Riddle committed a series of assaults against Tavel from 2017 through January 2020. She alleges that Riddle first sexually assaulted her in April of 2017 in a parking lot following an EVOLVE show. She claims that Riddle bragged about the incident with Sapolsky and two others from WWE who "tacitly approved" of the assault.

According to the Chicago Sun Times, after leaving an EVOLVE event on May 19, 2018, Tavel - who was in a relationship with Riddle at the time - said that Riddle forced her to perform oral sex on him on a bus with other wrestlers. Tavel says that she was not comfortable doing the act with other wrestlers on the bus and said, "No." Tavel claims that Riddle then put his hands on her neck and said, "What if I just made you?"

"I never thought he would do anything to hurt me and, in that moment, I was terrified," Tavel said at a news conference on Thursday.

Tavel's attorney, John Chwarzynski, said that the incident was one of the "multitude of sexual assaults committed by Matt Riddle against my client, Candi Cartwright."

"The WWE has painted a picture over the course of the years that female performers are to comply with certain rules," Chwarzynski said. "The WWE, since its inception, has hyper-sexualized female performers and they've profited from male aggression against these female performers."

According to the Chicago Sun Times story, Tavel claims that EVOLVE terminated her in January after she refused to continue to perform "forced sexual acts" on Riddle.

Cartwright first made the allegations against Riddle in June. Riddle admitted that they had an affair, but denied any allegations of sexual assault. In September, Riddle dropped a petition for a restraining order against Tavel. Riddle announced on September 17th that he would be filing a civil suit against Tavel, however the suit has yet to be filed.

WWE Performance Center Is Now Known As The Capitol Wrestling Center, Triple H Comments

Triple H held a media call earlier this week and teased a "game changing" look and feel at tonight's NXT TakeOver: 31.

"So this Sunday's TakeOver will have a very unique look and feel, something totally different that hasn't been done so far," Triple H said. "You'll find out more on Sunday, but it will be very unique, and I think hopefully, at least for us, game changing."

It was later reported WWE was moving all NXT tapings — including tonight's TakeOver — from the NXT Arena on the campus of Full Sail University in Winter Park, Florida to the WWE Performance Center in Orlando, Florida. Since RAW and SmackDown headed to the Amway Center (WWE ThunderDome) that left the WWE PC available for NXT.

Sports Illustrated is reporting the Performance Center has a newly remodeled TV set, and will now be known as the Capitol Wrestling Center. This is a tribute the the Capitol Wrestling Corporation, founded by Jess McMahon in 1953 and run by Vincent J. McMahon.

"It's a historic callback to where this all began," Triple H said about the new name. "We gutted the Performance Center and it's now rebuilt, so it feels like we're going back to the beginning. To me, it feels like we're going back to 1953. Just like then, we're doing something different and new, taking the business to a whole new level.

"The Capitol Wrestling Center captures the feel and the vibe of NXT. We will have all the bells and whistles of the ThunderDome, but we'll keep that NXT feel. It's edgier, darker and raw — you're walking into the ultimate heavy metal soundstage."

Along with the virtual fans, there will be fans in attendance in a limited capacity of around 100 people at tonight's show.

"There will be a contingent of fans in attendance, some of which will be talent, others will be friends and family and some will be fans," Triple H stated. "We will take every safety precaution that there is. All of this was signed off by our medical staff. Everybody that walks in the building will be PCR tested, take a questionnaire and be medically screened. There will be plexiglass pods with fans that are in groups, and the groups will vary in size. Everyone will wear masks, and each group will never be near anyone else."

Triple H also noted there was talk of running NXT at the ThunderDome, but he was resistant as he wanted NXT to keep its own unique feel. The move to the Capitol Wrestling Center does not mean WWE's relationship with Full Sail has ended.

"We are not severing our relationship with Full Sail," Triple H confirmed. "I'm very proud of all we've done there. This move is the right decision for us from a tech standpoint, but I look forward to returning there soon and the partnership remains strong."

The TakeOver Pre-Show begins at 6:30 pm ET with the main card starting at 7 pm ET.

Arn Anderson Reveals What It Was Like Working With Triple H Backstage, More

During the latest edition of his “ARN” podcast, Arn Anderson commented on what it’s like to work with Triple H backstage, Vince McMahon, and more. You can check out some highlights from the podcast below:

On working with Triple H: “He’s following the lead of his father-in-law. He’s putting forward the policies that Vince has laid out. I think he speaks well, I think he has a good grasp on the business. But I’ve always dealt with him – that’s the one blessing I’ve had, no one has asked me or have I volunteered to be in those meetings where they involve just the business end of what we do. Mine was always matches – setting up matches, setting up angles because he and I think a lot alike. I think he’s a bit of a throwback as far as his work back to an 80s style of worker……he’s a guy that could’ve fit in the 80s as far as how he works. He’s not a big high-spot guy and all that stuff. So I dealt with him more on the mechanics of matches and things like that. Sometimes he would ask my opinion on stuff.”

On whether Triple H could succeed Vince McMahon as chairman of WWE: “I think he’s always been in his mind, and maybe it was the plan of the company for him to one day take over the leadership of the company. You’ve got Shane and Steph who would probably fall in line – if you really broke it down – ahead of him I would think since they are Vince’s kids. But who knows? Steph has her job as far as the branding and Shane does his thing. I don’t know how it’s lined up, and you’ll never know until the issue arises and who exactly will run the company.”

(h/t – 411 Wrestling)

Triple H and Others Set For New York Comic Con Panel

NYCC has announced that Triple H, Drew McIntyre, and Zelina Vega will discuss some of Monday Night RAW’s biggest moments in a panel on October 9th at 12:30PM EST. Here is the official description:

“Join WWE Superstar Zelina Vega, Hall of Famer Paul “Triple H” Levesque and WWE Champion Drew McIntyre as they talk about their love, passion and experience of some the most kickass moments from across nearly 3 decades of Monday Night RAW! From larger than life Superstars, limitless athleticism and unequaled drama RAW has made USA Network the destination to see good and evil do battle live 52 weeks a year. Moderated by WWE correspondent Charly Caruso.”

Rumor Mill - Information On Cancelled NXT Concept

In a report by Fightful Select, it was revealed that there was originally plans for an NXT Underground long before RAW Underground was a thing. Apparently, the segment would have been different from what RAW Underground eventually became.

It was apparently going to use talent who wasn't being utilized at the time, as well as outside wrestlers with promotions WWE is partnered with (such as EVOLVE.)

The show was in it's planning stages as late as last month, and apparently a pilot was shot in the Performance Center, but some people were not happy with the concept. Eventually, the idea was scrapped.

Source: Fightful.com

WWE Taking Over Talents' Twitch Accounts In Four Weeks

Wrestling Inc. has learned that Vince McMahon sent an email to talent this week reminding them that they have until this Friday, October 2nd, to sever any unauthorized business relationships with third parties. It was noted that talent who fail to comply could be fined, suspended or terminated. 

As Wrestling Inc. first exclusively reported in September, McMahon issued an edict instructing talent that they can no longer engage with third parties. The company later clarified the edict, stating that talent could maintain Twitch and YouTube accounts under their real names, however they would still need to inform the company of those accounts. Wrestling Inc. has also learned that talent were told this week that the company will be taking control of their Twitch accounts in four weeks. WWE will own those accounts, however talent will receive a percentage of the revenue, which counts against their downside guarantees.

Former Democratic Presidential candidate Andrew Yang openly criticized the edict when it was first revealed last month, and said that he would take action if Joe Biden were to be elected President. Yang spoke with Wrestling Inc. recently about why he feels that WWE has been able to get away with some of their labor practices. 

 

"A lot of it is that wrestlers are afraid to speak out, and I've had wrestlers past and present reach out to me and say that Vince has been getting away with exploitation of wrestlers calling them independent contractors while controlling their activities for years and years," Yang said. "A lot of it is just that they are a quasi-monopoly, and wrestlers fear that if they do try and unionize or organize in any way that Vince doesn't like, that it will never work again."

Stephanie McMahon Ranks Second On Forbes List Of The World's Most Influential CMOs

WWE Chief Brand Officer Stephanie McMahon has been ranked #2 on the Forbes list of the World's Most Influential CMOs (Chief Marketing Officers).

The 2020 report is the 8th annual list from Forbes. The list uses date from news reports, websites and social networks to measure influence. 427 global CMOs were eligible for consideration this year. The assessed time period was from February 15 to June 30, 2020.

Stephanie ranked #2, under Phil Schiller, who is the Senior Vice President of Worldwide Marketing for Apple.

Forbes wrote the following about McMahon on the list:

McMahon is an outspoken and highly visible executive at WWE, a company in an industry often mired in controversy. The daughter of WWE CEO Vince McMahon, she is a former WWE Superstar herself, and she's a big proponent of WWE Superstars growing their own brands via social media. She has also championed women's equality in the WWE.

This year she spoke out about making the events that went on during the pandemic safe for fans and Superstars. In June she also reportedly shared what she and the company are doing to eliminate racial inequality on The Female Quotient—and partnered with FQ founder Shelley Zalis to create a discussion series called "Women in the Business of Sports."

Below is WWE's congratulatory announcement on McMahon making the list:

Stephanie McMahon named World's No. 2 Most Influential CMO

Stephanie McMahon has been named to Forbes' list of the world's Most Influential Chief Marketing Officers.

The WWE Chief Brand Officer is No. 2 on the annual list of the top 50 CMOs around the world who are redefining industries and creating a more diverse and equitable future within business, culture and society.

"[S]he's a big proponent of WWE Superstars growing their own brands via social media," Forbes wrote. "She has also championed women's equality in the WWE."

McMahon joins senior leaders from from Apple, Google, Microsoft, Proctor & Gamble and more on the prestigious list.

Join WWE in congratulating Stephanie on this honor!

Triple H On If He Had Creative Input Into Retribution's Debut

During today's media call, Triple H was asked about Retribution's recent RAW debut, and how much input he and NXT wrestlers have into how they will debut when they move to the main roster for RAW or SmackDown. "Wait a minute, you're saying that some of the people in Retribution came from NXT? Geez, I gotta pay more attention to this stuff," Triple H joked. Triple H continued and revealed that he has no creative say-so into what happens after a NXT Superstar is called to the main roster. He noted that the RAW and SmackDown creative teams take over once a call-up happens.

"We have conversations around who will go where, when," he said. "An example of, 'Hey, this person, we have an interest in them. They reach out to us, we have an interest in them. Great, I can write them out of stuff and get them to you by this period of time. Excellent,' and we go from there. "Where it goes from there, at this point in time, I don't have any say on, or anything else. It really goes to those creative teams. I get the call, whether it's from RAW, whether it's from SmackDown, or whether it's somebody that kind of has oversight of both, and we sit down, we have meetings around who goes where, when, and really that's it. You know, sometimes those calls are reversed as well. That's sort of the process, but the creative teams of those brands are controlling what happens to those talent. They might ask me, 'Hey, can this person handle this or can they handle that?,' Because they're maybe not as familiar with them as I may be, but it really doesn't go a whole lot further than that."

Rumor Mill - Triple H and Stephanie McMahon Main Roster Presence Reduced Lately

Triple H and Stephanie haven’t been at the main roster TV shows in a while, outside of Triple H’s 25-year celebration and similar events. The pandemic has WWE creative down to smaller, focused teams, which is why Shane McMahon has been more involved with RAW creative. Bruce Prichard is still Vince’s right-hand man. Triple H has been mostly focused with running NXT.

Vince McMahon And Triple H Take Major Fire In New Animated Series

The Good Brothers have a lot of irons in the fire right now. They are getting their own comedy variety special on AXS TV, and an animated series also seems to be in development. The Gimmicks is coming, but we haven’t been told much about it yet. We do know Karl Anderson, Luke Gallows and more will be a part of the show. The trailer for the new series also took some major shots at Vince McMahon and Triple H. This trailer not only features Triple H seeming like a sniveling kiss-up to McMahon, but he also plays the role of a literal footstool. Vince McMahon was furious about a bunch of “losers” and “nobodies” trying to do their own thing as well.

NZO is also a part of The Gimmicks. His character is named “Esteban Apples” which keeps his “EA” initials. It seems like The Gimmicks is going to take some serious shots at the pro wrestling business and Vince McMahon is not excluded. If this trailer is any indication of things The Gimmicks will make the shots that Being The Elite takes at WWE look like nothing. You really need to see this for yourself.

WWE Issues Statement On Latest COVID-19 Outbreak, Virus Reportedly Spreads After Talent Throws Party

There has been a recent COVID-19 outbreak in WWE NXT and at the WWE Performance Center, which led to changes on Wednesday's TV show. It's been reported that the outbreak may have started with a WWE Performance Center Coach, but that was not confirmed. In an update, PWInsider now reports that there was no training in Florida on Thursday, and there's no word yet on when training will resume.

It's believed among several sources that this coronavirus outbreak started after a NXT wrestler threw a party that other trainees attended. There have been a number of positive tests this week, among trainees and staff members. It was noted that talents have been advised to sequester themselves. WWE issued the following statement on this latest COVID-19 outbreak in NXT: "As part of ongoing testing protocols, WWE completed its second round of weekly COVID-19 testing on Tuesday. Individuals that tested positive will quarantine for 14 days, receive medical care, and then will only be cleared when they are symptom-free and test negative. Additionally, extensive contact tracing has taken place and other individuals have been placed in 14-day quarantine, and will then only be cleared after they test negative."

Next week's Takeover go-home edition of NXT TV is taped on Wednesday, so the next live NXT event will be the Takeover event on Sunday, October 4. This gives the company 9 days from today to see if talents who missed this week's tapings will be free & clear to return to work. It was reported earlier this week, via Wrestling Observer Radio, that some main roster workers had gotten sick due to this latest outbreak in NXT, and that RAW and SmackDown plans could be impacted. PWInsider reports that as a safeguard to prevent further spread of the virus, talents and staff working at the Performance Center or on NXT tapings will not be allowed to work RAW or SmackDown tapings at the Amway Center in Orlando until further notice.