April 4, 2014
WWE Studios Announces Partnership on New "Term Life" Movie with Actor Vince Vaughn
WWE Studios (NYSE:WWE) and PalmStar Media Capital have entered into a co-production/co-financing agreement on the Vince Vaughn feature TERM LIFE. TERM LIFE is currently in production and will be distributed domestically by Universal Pictures. WWE Studios will leverage its extensive multi-platform reach to help promote the film, slated for a 2015 release.
Peter Billingsley directs from a screenplay by A.J. Lieberman who wrote the original graphic novel that he created with Nick Thornborrow. Billingsley and Vaughn previously worked on Universal's "Couples Retreat" which made $172 million worldwide,
Nick Barrow (Vaughn) plans and sells heists to the highest bidder, but when his latest job goes horribly wrong he finds himself hunted by everyone he knows - mob bosses, contract killers and dirty cops. With no way out, Nick does the only thing he can think of to help his estranged daughter Cate - he takes out a life insurance policy on himself with her as the beneficiary. It's a great plan until he finds out the policy doesn't take effect for twenty-one days. Now Nick is forced to take Cate on the run and keep them both alive while trying to be a father for the very first time.
"We are excited to partner with PalmStar Media on this tremendous project," said WWE Studios President Michael Luisi. Term Life's dynamic story and stellar cast make for exactly the type of movie that WWE Studios seeks to deliver to audiences everywhere."
PalmStar’s CEO Kevin Frakes added: “I am beyond pleased to be working with WWE Studios. They’ve made smart choices in their motion picture partnerships and of course the audience they are able to deliver is perfect for this movie."
"Term Life" is produced by Vince Vaughn, Micah Mason and Victoria Vaughn for Wild West Picture Show Productions, Kevin Frakes of PalmStar Media Capital and WWE Studios president Michael Luisi.
Bradley Buchanan, SVP of Business Affairs, negotiated the deal on behalf of WWE Studios and Jonathan Gardner of Cohen Gardner LLP negotiated the deal on behalf of PalmStar.
April 3, 2014
WWE Hall Of Famer Says HHH Is The Best Wrestler Today, Will Be Surprised If Daniel Bryan Wins
WWE Hall of Famer Harley Race recently spoke with Steven Muehlhausen of BetweenTheRopes.com. Race says he would be surprised if Daniel Bryan wins the WWE World Heavyweight Title at WrestleMania XXX:
"Well if he (Bryan) does, it'll surprise me. Just being able to talk a great match and performing great matches six/seven nights a week is a different ballgame because it is a different time."
Race also says Triple H is the best wrestler in the world today:
"Right now, I'd have to say Hunter because I watched his style, he's a lot of mind and he took it and put it to a frame that became his. He's just good at what he does."
New Details And Photo Of WWE's Monopoly Game, WWE Expanding Board Game Offerings
The new WWE Monopoly game will be released this week and retails for $39.99. The game board will feature 22 Superstars in place of properties with the train stations being replaced with Royal Rumble WrestleMania, SummerSlam and Survivor Series. The set also includes six collectible game tokens and Vince McMahon's face on the front of the Monopoly money.
ToyNews-Online.biz reports that WWE is looking to expand its board game offerings and is working on new ideas. Below is a photo of the set:
Triple H On Which 'Mania Match He's Looking Forward To, Where He Keeps His Shovel, MMA, Kofi, More
Triple H took part in a Twiiter Q&A today. Here are some highlights:
What other WrestleMania match he's looking forward to: Taker vs Brock. Having been in the ring with both, it will be a war!
If he gets nervous before matches: Absolutely. If you aren't nervous, you don't care...
Where he keeps his shovel: Under my mattress. Just next to my big bag of gold...
If he ever considered MMA: no, while I like it and respect what they do, sometimes the story lines are silly.
His biggest WWE career regret: Nothing. Everything I've done good or bad has let to today.
Outsider to win the Andre The Giant Memorial Battle Royal: keep your eyes on @TrueKofi
Where was his first date with Stephanie McMahon: Production meeting. Where all good romances start. #Stars4Kids
April 2, 2014
WWE Working on Streaming & Monitoring What Network Users Are Viewing
Variety has a new article up on the WWE Network and WrestleMania XXX. WWE's Michelle Wilson notes that they continue to put a lot of resources into the technical side to make sure fans have a great viewing experience for WrestleMania.
The article notes that WWE has been keeping a close eye on what people are watching on the Network and so far, most viewers are splitting their time between new series like WWE Countdown and old footage in the vault. They noted that anything that airs live gets a good audience, the RAW pre-show and post-shows do well and as WrestleMania XXX approaches, the older WrestleMania events have been popular.
Former WWE Creative Member Talks Triple H Trolling Internet Fans
Former WWE creative team member Andrew Goldstein spoke with Gary Cantrell of Morelikeradio.org. Below is a highlight:
"Super smart move. Especially if Triple H actually wins which i don't think is going to happen but lets just play out that scenario. Let's say Triple H beats Daniel Bryan. It's the most epic trolling of wrestling nerds of all time. They would be dangling a carrot in front of every smart wrestling fan and pulling it away. I would like it just for that reason. The other thing, playing that scenario out. Triple H wins, he gets put in the match. How cool is the 3 guys from Evolution in one match? As triple threats go, i wouldn't mind seeing that match."
April 1, 2014
Paul Heyman Comments On If He thinks CM Punk Will Return To The WWE
"You know, there were only three people in the room that night, and that was CM Punk, Vince McMahon and Triple H, and none of the three have talked about it. So whether CM Punk will ever or won’t ever appear in WWE again is truly only known by the three people that were in the room on that given evening. Anything else that is stated about it is merely speculation."
Lanny Poffo Talks Bad Blood Between Vince McMahon and Randy Savage, Possible HOF Induction
The Tampa Tribune has a new article up looking at the much-speculated on relationship between WWE and Randy Savage before his death and why he hasn't been inducted into the Hall of Fame yet.
Savage's brother Lanny Poffo says it's because of bad blood between Savage and Vince McMahon. The Tribune sent a list of Poffo's claims to WWE but they declined comment. “I cannot prove a thing,” Poffo said. “You can take my word for it or not.”
Poffo says the feud between Savage and Vince began in 1987 when WWE held an "old timers" event and did not include Savage's father Angelo Poffo. Savage reportedly asked Vince if his father could participate but Poffo says he was told no. “Randy didn’t ever forgot that,” Poffo said. “My father deserved to be in that match.”
Poffo then says Savage was offended when Vince felt Savage's best years were behind him and pulled him from the ring to put him on commentary. “He thought he still had a lot of good years in the ring left in him,” Poffo said. Savage was also bothered by the skits that WWE did with The Nacho Man. Poffo says he wasn't too offended by the skits until he saw one that insinuated Miss Elizabeth fooled around with Hulk Hogan.
His brother says Savage never forgave WWE for the tasteless skit and went online to make a video with some negative comments about Stephanie McMahon in the early 2000's. “I’m sure the video angered McMahon,” Poffo said. Vince reportedly contacted Savage with an offer to induct him into the Hall of Fame in 2010 but Savage would only accept it if his father and brother were inducted alongside him but WWE declined. “He wanted the Poffo family to go in,” Poffo said. “He knew it would mean a lot to my dad.”
Shortly after WWE declined to induct the family, Savage's father passed away. Poffo said WWE never called to offer condolences. “It was about respect to our family. Randy was furious,” said Poffo. “He told me if anything ever happened to him, he should not be put into the Hall of Fame unless it was as the Poffo family.”
Savage died unexpectedly one year later. Poffo says WWE never offered personal condolences to his family. In 2012, WWE called Poffo to ask about posthumously inducting Savage. “They again did not say they were sorry for my father or brother’s passing, even though they had the chance” he said. “I told them that I would honor my brother’s wishes and only say yes if the entire Poffo family was inducted.”
Poffo says he has now softened his stance on the induction and is offering an olive branch. “This is for the fans,” Poffo said. “They want to honor Randy and see him get his respect. So if the WWE wants Randy in the Hall of Fame but not my father or me, they should do it. Unless they call my mother and offer their condolences, I will not be there.”
March 31, 2014
Divas Championship Match Stipulation Explained
Vickie Guerrero announced on WWE Raw that the "Vickie Guerrero Invitational" at WrestleMania XXX will be a one fall match. The diva who is able to get a pinfall will become WWE Divas Champion. AJ Lee will defend the championship against 12 other Divas.
Jim Ross Comments on his Relationship with WWE
Jim Ross has updated the Q&A section on jrsbarbq.com and responded to a comment where a fan hoped that JR being invited to the WWE Hall of Fame ceremony meant his issues with the company were being resolved and that he may do some work for the WWE Network. Ross replied:
"There's nothing unresolved. My relationship with WWE is exactly what we want it to be. I'm staying very busy and doing something for WWE Network on an ongoing basis would be challenging. They've moved on and so have I with no regrets."
WWE Network Is Loud Introduction to the Video Streaming Ring
When listing the visionary media moguls of the digital age, Vince McMahon, the professional wrestling impresario, might not immediately come to mind.
Yet Mr. McMahon and his company, World Wrestling Entertainment, have positioned themselves on the cutting edge of Internet television with the WWE Network, a new subscription-only streaming video service. Introduced in February, the network broadcasts the pro wrestling extravaganzas that were once available only on cable and satellite television.
Shares of the WWE, a publicly traded company based in Stamford, Conn., have more than tripled over the last year with the introduction of the subscription network and takeover rumors. Mr. McMahon, 68, controls the company, and his ambitious WWE Network could be his final act in charge, industry watchers say.
Photo
Hulk Hogan, left, and Muhammad Ali as a guest referee in 1985. Pro wrestling’s stars have long influenced broadcasting. Credit WWE
“If he changed how pro wrestling and sports entertainment were broadcast forever, I don’t think there’s a better way to go out,” said Brandon Stroud, a wrestling commentator and editor at the sports site With Leather...More?
source: nytimes.com
Professional Bodybuilder Describes Grueling Tryouts Experience at WWE Performance Center
WWE held tryouts at the Performance Center in Orlando earlier this month. The tryouts were led by Bill DeMott, Norman Smiley, Matt "Tensai" Bloom, Billy Gunn, Dean Malenko and William Regal. Bodybuilder Matt Dawson, who measured in at 6′ 2 3/4″ and 282lbs, wrote the following on JTStrong.com about the grueling experience:
"Incredible experience, but the most difficult thing I have EVER done, as far as athletics go.
I arrived in Orlando on Wednesday evening. Met my roommate and several others who were attending the camp at the car rental place inside the airport. We got our car and headed back to the hotel to unpack. Several of us then went out to eat, and turned in pretty early, as we knew we were about to go through hell.
Hell just might be an understatement. We arrived to the WWE Performance Center at 7:30am, as we did not want to be late for the 8am start time. We checked in and immediately had full physicals to ensure we were all healthy enough for the camp. I measured in at 6′ 2 3/4″ and 282lbs. I was the second largest athlete there. There was somebody they brought in from Russia who was at least 6’4″ and 320lbs.
There was 30 of us in total. 20 of the guys were experienced “professional” style wrestlers, who have been doing this type of wrestling for years and years (some as long as 10 years). They were professional wrestlers from Japan, and various countries around Europe, as well as the US. These are the people who have worked their entire lives and are 100% dedicated for the sole purpose of making it into the WWE. Almost all of them have impressive amateur athletic backgrounds, from All State and All American amateur wrestlers, football, track and field and other athletic endeavors. Several of them even majored in theater while in college for the sole purpose of trying to make it into the WWE.
The other 10 of us were referred to as “athletes.” We have no “professional” style wrestling experience at all, but all have extremely various athletic backgrounds ranging from former NFL football players, All American amateur wrestlers, bodybuilders, powerlifters, Olympic bobsledders, All American college football players and even All American gymnasts.
I was extremely impressed with the coaches, as they knew ALL of us right when we walked in. They definitely did their homework as they knew our entire athletic backgrounds and all of our previous experiences. For all you wrestling fans, the coaches were Bill Demott, William Regal, Billy Gunn, Dean Malenko, Normal Smiley, Matt Bloom (Prince Albert) and several others.
Anyways, day 1 and 2 were broken down into two, 3 hour training sessions, with a 90 minute lunch break or so. After all the physicals were complete they immediately began our training which consisted of 3 hours of pure, 100% conditioning. This certainly isn’t my forte, as all my training for the past 15 years has been geared towards lifting maximal weights, and no conditioning work longer than 30 second bursts. There were 3 wrestling rings set up and we went nonstop from one ring to the other to the other doing various wrestling style conditioning drills. Let me emphasize that this was 3 hours of practically non stop conditioning with various rolls, jumps, flips, slams, updowns etc… I thought I was going to die at least 5 times, but I never quit or gave up. I couldn’t believe the extent that they pushed us, as this was by far the hardest thing I have ever done athletically. I would rather go through 2 months of college football 2-a-days then experience another 3 days of this. Brutal is an extreme understatement.
After each and every training session I honestly didn’t know if i was going to survive. Every single muscle, joint, tendon, and ligament was screaming.
Day 3 was a bit easier as it was the final day, and we only had one session, half of it consisting of doing our “promos” and photoshoots. I did my promo as a crazy school teacher who was fed up with children who were spoiled, parents who don’t discipline their children, and kids running the show while the parents sit back, hopeless and afraid to set rules and guidelines for their kids. Apparently it went extremely well, as everybody was super impressed with the promo I gave….little did they know it wasn’t that far off of what I truly believe anyways!
At the end of the camp, the coaches gave us a great speech. Basically they all said that this was one of the best camps they have ever had (they hold 3 camps per year). Nobody quit, and we all powered through the training. They knew all of our backgrounds and knew many of us were not designed for that crazy level of conditioning. They simply wanted to weed us out, see who was tough enough, and who wouldn’t quit. The WWE is a great company, and they took very good care of us while we were down there. I was totally impressed with the professionalism and dedication of the WWE. They said they will let us know, one way or another, if they want to offer us a contract or not within 6-8 weeks.
All in all it was an amazing experience, but an experience I never want to repeat. I have an entire new respect for all the WWE superstars, and the brutal training they put their bodies through day in and day out."
March 30, 2014
March 28, 2014
WrestleMania XXX Press Conference Set for NYC
WrestleMania Week officially kicks off with the WrestleMania 30 Press Conference, broadcast live on WWE Network this Tuesday at 11:00 a.m. ET from the Hard Rock Café in New York City. Vince McMahon, Stephanie McMahon, Triple H, Hulk Hogan, Batista, Randy Orton, Daniel Bryan, John Cena, Alberto Del Rio, Mark Henry, Big Show, The Great Khali, Michael Cole and the cast of Total Divas will be appearing
March 27, 2014
WWE NXT Stars Announced for WrestleMania XXX Axxess
WWE has announced the following NXT appearances for WrestleMania XXX Axxess:
Thursday, April 3
6 p.m.–8 p.m. — Adrian Neville, Paige
8 p.m.–10 p.m. — Cesaro, Charlotte, Sami Zayn
Friday, April 4
6 p.m.–8 p.m. — Bo Dallas, Adam Rose, William Regal
8 p.m.–10 p.m. — Big E, Sasha Banks, Tyler Breeze
Saturday, April 5
8 a.m.–10 a.m. — Damien Sandow, Konnor, Viktor
10 a.m.–12 p.m. — Paige, Aiden English, Mason Ryan
Saturday, April 5
1 p.m.–3 p.m. — Mojo Rawley, Sylvester Lefort, Dusty Rhodes
3 p.m.–5 p.m. — Bo Dallas, CJ Parker, Bayley
Saturday, April 5
6 p.m.–8 p.m. — Corey Graves, Colin Cassidy, Charlotte
8 p.m–10 p.m. — Emma, Baron Corbin, Alexa Bliss, Tye Dillinger
Sunday, April 6
8 a.m.–10 a.m. — Jason Jordan, Troy McClain, William Regal
10 a.m.–12 p.m. — Adrian Neville, Sasha Banks, Alexander Rusev, Lana
12 p.m.–2 p.m. — Konnor, Viktor, Adam Rose, Sami Zayn
WWE Releases The Original Sin Cara from His Contract
From WWE.com:
WWE has come to terms on the release of Luis Ignacio Urive Alvirde effective on March 26, 2014. We wish Luis the best of luck in his future endeavors.
Hunicio has been portraying Sin Cara since December of 2013.
WWE Hiring Jonathan Coachman for a WWE Network Talk Show?
WWE looks to be either close to or has just signed a new deal with former announcer and current ESPN personality Jonathan Coachman. The two sides have been discussing a part-time gig where Coach would keep his ESPN job but would do in-studio wrap-arounds for WWE. One idea thrown out would be for him to host a WWE talk show for the WWE Network.
March 26, 2014
Ring of Honor Wrestlers Work WWE Tryout
Prowrestling.net reports that Ring of Honor stars Kevin Steen, ACH and Roderick Strong participated in a WWE tryout at the WWE Performance Center in Orlando last week. Regarding Steen, his ROH contract expires in June and he's been telling people he isn't planning on re-signing, though he is open to working for them as a free agent.
Associate Professors Conduct Study on Female Characters in WWE
According to The Wrestling Observer, University of Windsor Associate Professors Betty Barrett and Dana Levin conducted a study on how female characters are portrayed in WWE, following Linda McMahon's claims that WWE had "cleaned up" its product and made it more family friendly by making it TV PG.
The study concluded that McMahon was not telling the truth when she made the claim, as Barrett told The Windsor Star WWE continues to portray women in relationships as inferior to men, as psychos, gold diggers, cougars or vengeful scorned crazies.
Barrett admitted that she is a wrestling fan, and she also admitted that male characters in WWE aren't portrayed all that well either. But she said that even though WWE portrays females as they do, the characters work.
The difference, however, is that other TV shows which portray women similarly to WWE do not aim their product at younger kids. Adults know what's real and what is not, but with children, often times they're more unsure as to what is and is not real in the world of WWE.
Vince McMahon's Over-The-Top Move: Why The Billionaire CEO Is Betting Big On The New WWE Network
Forbes has a really good interview up with Vince McMahon. Here are some quotes:
His wealth:
“I don’t consider myself a rich person,” he says in a rare moment of modesty. “I know that I am, but it’s not like I belong to any country clubs. I have a car that goes very fast and a motorcycle that goes extraordinarily fast,” he said of his Bentley and a Boss Hoss 502. “I love speed. Beyond that, I don’t really have anything in common with anyone in Greenwich except zeros. Normally I do not like rich people.”
A McMahon running the company when he's no longer able to:
“I would like to see a degree of that. I just think as times go on, things will evaporate. Eventually Uncle Sam sees the benefit. You can’t do anything without Uncle Sam taking a huge bite of it.”
Will he ever be satisfied by his success?
“I have a voracious appetite, for life and everything in it. To a certain extent I will die a very frustrated man because I didn’t do this or accomplish that.”
From left, Chief Financial Officer George Barrios; Chief Revenue & Marketing Officer Michelle D. Wilson; Vince McMahon, Stephanie McMahon; Paul Levesque.
Read the full article here.
March 25, 2014
