WWE is the third company listed in a USA Today website piece on the most unusual public companies. Check out the list at USAToday.com.
May 12, 2014
WWE cracks the list of USA Today's "most unusual public companies"
Rumor Mill - TNA's Production Crew Reportedly Threatens to Walk Out During Last Week's Impact Tapings
There were major concerns about money at this past week's set of TNA Impact Wrestling tapings in Orlando, specifically with the production crew.
People in production were upset about being behind on pay and it was said that if they weren't caught up on pay by a certain point, they were going to walk out in the middle of last week's sets of tapings.
These threats clearly made their way back to TNA management as checks were issued to people and everything cooled off. There was a 24-hour period where there was a lot of tension backstage.
May 11, 2014
Rumor Mill - WWE Staying with NBC Universal?
There are people in the TV industry who believe a new TV deal has already been cut between WWE and NBC Universal. WWE may be waiting to allow NBCU to announce the new deal at their upfronts this coming Thursday in New York City. For the past few years, NBCU has held their cable upfront parties separately but this year will be holding one mega-event for all 17 of their channels including the USA Network, Bravo, E!, Oxygen and others.
New List of Shows WWE Network Is Considering - Several Types of Reality TV, News Shows, More
WWE officials are considering several new types of shows for the WWE Network. Courtesy of WrestlingDVDNews.com, below is a list of shows that WWE recently gauged fan interest on:
• News (Comedic): News show about all things WWE. Presented with a comedic slant like the Daily Show with Jon Stewart or The Colbert Report.
* News (Serious): A news show about all things WWE. Presented with a more serious approach like ESPN’s SportsCenter.
* Documentary: New additions to the existing documentary line-up, such as Journey to WrestleMania: Daniel Bryan. In-depth programs about WWE related topics, similar to HBO’s Hard Knocks, or Mike Tyson: Undisputed Truth.
* In-Ring: New additions to the existing in-ring show line-up, such as RAW, Main Event, and NXT.
* Game Shows: Superstars hosting, or being involved in, WWE-themed game shows in which fans compete for cash prizes like on Cash Cab, Jeopardy!, and Family Feud.
* Talk Shows: Intimate and exclusive interviews with Superstars, Legends and Divas in a Late Show with David Letterman or Tonight Show format and similar to Real Sports with Bryant Gumbel.
* Animated: New additions to the existing animated programming line-up, such as Slam City.
* Reality: Docu-series: Unscripted reality shows that explore the daily lives of Superstars, like seen on Total Divas or similar to Deadliest Catch or Dog The Bounty Hunter.
* Reality: Lifestyle: Reality shows that explore the lifestyle of a Superstar, like foods they crave and places they like to travel. Similar to Diners, Drive-Ins and Dives, or Anthony Bourdain: Parts Unknown.
* Reality: Competition (In-Ring): “In-ring” competition shows, like Tough Enough. The new season of Tough Enough has been confirmed for the Network and begins filming soon at the WWE Performance Center.
* Reality: Competition (Outside The Ring): Competition shows that have Superstars, Divas and Legends competing against each other outside the ring like on Amazing Race or Shaq Vs.
* Reality: Buying/Selling: Reality shows looking at collecting habits of Superstars, or buying and selling pop culture memorabilia or antiques, like on Pawn Stars or American Pickers.
* Reality: Survival: Reality shows featuring Superstars, Divas, and Legends attempting to survive in the wild, like on Dude You’re Screwed, or Survivorman.
* Reality: Prank Shows: Reality shows featuring Superstars, Divas and Legends “punking” and pranking each other like on Punk’d or Impractical Jokers.
May 10, 2014
8 Reasons Triple H Is The Greatest Wrestler Of All Time
Seriously y’all, I know I say this about a lot of guys, but Triple H is the greatest professional wrestler of all time. Yes, just last week I said it was Greg “The Hammer” Valentine, and before that I was kind of really into Cesaro, but I’ve finally come around to the truth: Triple H really is the King of Kings.
What’s that you say? You’d like to read a list of eight reasons why Triple H is the greatest professional wrestler of all time? Well, you sir, happen to be in luck…
YOU’RE GETTING WORKED, BRO
One of the biggest knocks on Triple H these days is the idea that he’s holding down Daniel Bryan, putting his friends in advantageous positions and generally using his power as a high-ranked WWE official in an unscrupulous manner. To all of this I say, “GOOD,” and also add in a hearty “YOU’RE GETTING WORKED, BRO!”
Triple H is a heel authority figure involved in a storyline about a really popular wrestler being kept down by the man, so the fact that people are upset about Triple H “burying” Daniel Bryan means, you guessed it, that the whole thing is working exactly like it’s supposed to.
NXT
Hey, you like NXT, right? It’s short, to-the-point, has a bunch of wacky gimmicks, lets you watch the future stars of Raw and SmackDown, and has given you rad wrestlers like The Shield, The Wyatt Family and Big E Langston. Go ahead and direct your “thank yous” to Mr. Helmsley.
Since taking a more managerial role in WWE, one of Triple H’s priorities has been finding and developing the next generation of WWE talent, and by all accounts, he’s done a pretty stellar job, leading to a more stacked main roster than we’ve seen in years. Hell, even Sin Cara has magically put on weight, gotten a tattoo and stopped blowing spots.
HE HUNG AROUND
Stone Cold is doing the best podcast pretty much ever, The Rock is flexing and starring in movies, HBK is tracking and killing every living creature on Earth as his bloodthirsty hunter god intended, Mick Foley is a comedian, Chris Jericho is picking up where 1988 Iron Maiden left off and to the best of my understanding, The Hitman is the most dominant warlord in the nightmarish apocalyptic landscape that is western Canada (not totally sure on that one).
Aside from the Undertaker, who wrestles, on average, 1.6 matches/year, Triple H is the only top-level Attitude Era star who’s still performing with the company. Given the type of punishment these guys receive on a nightly basis, it’s a huge achievement to be the last one standing, and really speaks to Trips’ longevity and adaptability.
FRIENDS WITH LEMMY
As much as I love a lot of it, let’s be honest with one another, shall we? Most wrestling entrance themes are lousy and age terribly. Triple H bucks that trend by having had not one, not two, but three unique songs from speed metal pioneers Motörhead. They are, of course, The Game, Line in the Sand and the best of them all, King of Kings.
How did the former Connecticut Blueblood get so many custom Motörhead songs? Oh, well, it’s because he just so happens to be pals with the bands iconic lead singer and bassist, Lemmy Kilmister. How good of friends are they? So good that Lemmy even let Triple H borrow his signature friendly mutton-chops look.
TOUGH AS A TWO DOLLAR STEAK
Triple H is not just, in Good Ol’ JR’s words, as tough as a two dollar steak, he’s tougher than leather, as tough as nails and a slew of other down home cliches your grandfather used to say about your grandmother.
I could have probably filed this in as a subsection of HE HUNG AROUND, but I don’t really know this CMS that well, and besides: The dude tore his left quadricep muscle completely off the bone, but still had Chris Jericho lock him into the Walls of Jericho. He’s had other gnarly injuries too, but he always comes back as good as ever, usually with a totally bitchin video package of him training.
PUTS GUYS OVER
Here’s another one of people’s big knocks on Triple H — The idea that he doesn’t ever put anyone over and that he’s more inclined to “bury” someone than shine them up all pretty. First off, a loss doesn’t equal a burial, with many losses engineered to have the loser come out looking – if not as good as the winner – better than they looked before. Second off, how about back-to-back losses to the Undertaker at WrestleMania?
That’s not enough for you? How about tapping out to John Cena at WrestleMania 22, instantly making the Commander of the Chain Gang a tip-top-level talent? And even though he beat guys like Randy Orton and Sheamus at WrestleMania, both of them remain top-tier guys in their own right, benefiting greatly from their programs with The Game. Does Triple H put over everyone? No, and he shouldn’t, because if he lost to everyone, the losses would stop meaning anything, and after all, the dude’s a top-level talent. If you’re not getting that by now, go get yourself a glass of water, then come back and start this list again.
LATIN
Triple H has the neatest gimmick pretty much hands down. He’s not just the asskicker who wears a leather jacket AND a denim vest (two distinct layers of badassery), but he also intermittently does a Conan (barbarian not late night) thing, lugs around a sledgehammer presumably to murder his opponents with, and on top of all of that, plasters Latin all over his t-shirts.
Wrestling t-shirts, like wrestling entrance themes, usually stink – they’re a blend of early 90s graphic design and cast-off Affliction-style tribal work. But add a badass phrase in Latin and I’m completely sold. At one point, one of his shirts translated to “Let them hate so long as they fear,” which is a quote from Caligula. Caligula, dog, CALIGULA. If you don’t get why that’s amazing, go read a book, then give yourself a wedgy for being both stupid and a newly-minted book-reading nerd.
HE CAN WORK
I left this for last because it’s the most important. For all the accusations of nepotism and political opportunism, there’s only one thing you really need to know about Triple H: Dude can work a match.
Triple H is an amazing worker, able to sell well enough to get any crowd behind him, and vicious enough to get his heat at absolutely all costs. His matches are like a wrestling history lesson, as he picks some of the best parts of ring greats like Ric Flair, Harley Race and Killer Kowalski. Most telling however, are the opinions of his peers, all of whom rank Triple H amongst some of the finest workers they’ve ever stepped in the ring with.
source: guyism.com
Stephanie McMahon Speaks At The White House
Stephanie McMahon was in the West Wing of The White House today to speak. Brad Jenkins, Associate Director in The Office of Public Engagement at The White House, tweeted the following about her appearance:
"WWE's @StephMcMahon stopped by the West Wing to share her public engagement brilliance. Incredible."
Stephanie tweeted and thanked Brad for discussing "what's best for business."
May 7, 2014
Triple H Purchases Wrestling Memorabilia
Triple H recently paid big money for some old wrestling posters and memorabilia from collectors. WWE has also purchased some items from Charlie Thesz, Lou Thesz's widow.
May 6, 2014
May 5, 2014
May 4, 2014
Ric Flair Update
PWInsider is reporting that WWE has an offer out to Ric Flair to return as a regular character on TV and go back on the road full-time. It apparentle was was a Triple H call.
According to WWE sources, Flair was told that as long as he handled some of his personal matters that would keep him from going on the road, he would be back.
One WWE source believed that the company needs Flair to undergo a series of medical testing before they will allow him to go back on the road, noting that the company is even more cautious now following Jerry Lawler's heart attack in November 2012.
Flair still has an outstanding warrant out in North Carolina related to a civil matter with his ex-wife Jacqueline as well. WWE is taping TV in Greensboro, NC on 5/13. It could be that WWE wants Flair to get that matter squared away so there are no restrictions on where he can appear, especially since he's always been a huge draw in North Carolina after decades of being a celebrity in Charlotte.
Flair, as of this morning, is not scheduled for the Extreme Rules PPV. He is flying out of Los Angeles following a signing appearance and heading home to Atlanta, GA.
May 3, 2014
Rumor Mill - Original WWE Payback Plans for Daniel Bryan, Batista Turns Down Match, Why He's Leaving
Batista isn't booked for any WWE shows after tomorrow's Extreme Rules pay-per-view. His last night for the time being is scheduled to be the pay-per-view or RAW on Monday night.
We knew that Batista would be taking some time off to promote Marvel's Guardians of the Galaxy but nobody expected it to come this quick. Word is that WWE wanted to do Batista vs. Daniel Bryan for the WWE World Heavyweight Title at June's Payback pay-per-view but Batista turned it down. Batista felt that him losing to someone smaller than him, after he tapped out to him at WrestleMania XXX and right before he's going to appear in a big summer blockbuster movie, wouldn't be a good fit for him and would not be a good way for fans to remember him until he returns again.
The plan was for Batista to work through Payback and then take some time off but since he turned it down, he's finishing up early because it was said that WWE has nothing else for him. No word yet on what this means for Evolution. Batista is still expected back for SummerSlam.
No Excuses
Midnight squats......@DeFrancosGym #noexcuses pic.twitter.com/33GRhxIzcc
— Triple H (@TripleH) May 2, 2014Rumor Mill - WWE Planning To Sign Bill Goldberg Before WrestleMania 31
F4WOnline.com is reporting that WWE is currently setting up plans to get Bill Goldberg signed to some sort of deal with the company way before WrestleMania 31.
The current plan is to have Goldberg signed and used in the WWE 2K15 video game, which is set to release in the fall. Officials are trying to make this plan similar to what they did with Ultimate Warrior last year, as they promoted him heavily.
Furthermore, WWE wants to promote it at SummerSlam and continue to market and build the signing of Goldberg all the way until WrestleMania 31, which could be a match and/or a Hall of Fame induction.
WWE Purchases More Classic Wrestling Footage
WWE recently purchased a library of Mid-Atlantic Wrestling footage shot in Virginia at ringside next to the ring announcer, from Jim Crockett Promotions events. The footage was filmed by George Pantas, as he revealed in the Norfolk Navy Flagship. The footage includes what may be the only complete match on tape featuring Ric Flair vs. Buddy Rogers.
Rumor Mill - WWE Officials Considering a Significant Change to NXT Tapings
WWE officials have been talking about making the NXT TV tapings at Full Sail University bi-weekly instead of monthly so the last episode of the taping isn't a month old by the time it airs.
This potential change has to do with NXT's popularity increasing thanks to the WWE Network, but also has to do with continuity issues when they have to insert new segments, such as JBL stripping Paige of her NXT Women's Title last week.
Rumor Mill - Details Revealed on WWE Tough Enough Returning
WWE Tough Enough is returning this year on the WWE Network and will reportedly be filmed at the Performance Center with NXT talents who aren't regulars on TV. It's said that this season will be very different from past seasons and it's also scheduled to be one of four reality TV shows for the Network in 2015 with Legends House and two other shows that haven't been announced yet.
Video: Shawn Michaels has some fun impersonating Hulk Hogan on Raw, before their match at SummerSlam
During Shawn Michaels' Q&A in Manchester earlier this week, he noted that it was Stephanie McMahon who helped him write the Larry King skit about Hulk Hogan in 2005, which you can watch above.
May 1, 2014
WWE Conference Call Highlights: New TV Deal Update, Tough Enough Returning, Total Divas & WWE Studios News, 2nd Quarter Losses Expected
WWE held a conference call for its first quarter financials this morning, and it was hosted by Michael Weitz, George Barrios and Vince McMahon. The following are some highlights from the call:
-Vince said that with Network subscriptions and PPV buys, WrestleMania 30 did over 1 million buys, and the launch of the Network has been well received by fans and industry experts.
-Vince said WWE will be announcing a new TV deal in several weeks, and the company is currently negotiating in India.
-Barrios said WWE maintains the belief that the Network will hit 1 million subscriptions by the end of the year, and 2 to 3 million as the Network grows.
-Barrios said Tough Enough will be coming to the Network, but he did not specify whether or not it will be new seasons of the show, or archives of past seasons.
-TV revenue was up thanks mostly to Total Divas. WWE Studios revenue was up mostly thanks to The Call. Scooby-Doo and Oculus are delivering strong performances that are in line with expectations.
-Live event revenue was up from the previous year's quarter due in part to a rise in ticket prices and new VIP packages.
-They expect a $7-$10 million loss for the second quarter of this year.
Musician Behind Wyatt Family Theme Talks Playing WrestleMania XXX, Meeting Bray Wyatt, WWE Discovering His Music & More
Mark Crozer, the musician behind the Wyatt Family entrance theme "Live in Fear", recently did an interview with JourneyofaFrontman.com.
How WWE and Bray Wyatt ended up finding his music:
"Ages ago, between 1999 and 2000, I found out about this idea that you could, as an independent artist, get your music into TV shows. It was the organization called Taxi based in LA. I joined and it was completely new to me. I put that and other songs into this one music library and I guess they had a deal with another library that was servicing the WWE. Bray Wyatt was searching for a song for his theme music and he came across my song. I think he spent six hours or so listening to songs, that’s what he told me. And when he heard mine, right away, he just thought it was gonna be good for his character. They tried it out and it worked. And that was that."
Playing live at WrestleMania XXX:
They asked me to do it. I’d really been following the whole Bray Wyatt development over the last couple years. I knew that there was a good chance that he was gonna do Wrestlemania this year. I’d heard that they’d had bands occasionally to perform. I e-mailed my guy at WWE around Christmas time saying, “I’d love to do it.” And then they got in touch with me a couple months later to ask me to play.
Check out the complete interview featuring Mark's thoughts on meeting Bray Wyatt, the evolution of his character, how his song is being used in wrestling and a lot more.
WWE Beats Out NCAA, Nike and Visa For Webby Award
WWE today announced the WWE App won the fan-voted People's Voice Award in the Sports Mobile & Apps category, as a part of the 18th Annual Webby Awards. WWE will be honored at the Webby Awards ceremony on Monday, May 19, at Cipriani Wall Street in New York City.
The Webby People's Voice Awards are selected by Internet users from more than 200 countries worldwide. With more than 11 million downloads in 220 countries, the WWE App beat out The Nike SB App, Visa 360 Cam and NCAA March Madness Live 2013 for the highly coveted fan award.
The WWE App offers fans live and original programming as well as the vast on-demand library found on WWE Network. Delivering a revolutionary second screen experience during its flagship television programs, Monday Night Raw® and SmackDown®, the app also includes live match continuation during TV commercial breaks, backstage content, live polls, photos and exclusive information on WWE Superstars and Divas.
April 30, 2014
Rumor Mill - Certain People Trying To Run Brisco's Recruits Out Of WWE Developmental?
WWE officials recently issued a directive to NXT staff regarding the treatment of some of Gerald Brisco's wrestling recruits. There had been a feeling that Brisco would sign guys with good looks, personality and skills, but when they got to Orlando at the Performance Center, certain people (possibly trainers) working for developmental would try and run them off because they didn't like shooters around.
WWE Under Investigation for “Potential Securities Laws Violations”; Official Statement Issued by WWE
According to Shareholdersfoundation.com, WWE is currently being investigated by an unnamed law firm for "potential securities laws violations."
The law firm is investigating whether or not a series of statements made by World Wrestling Entertainment regarding its business, its prospects and its operations were materially false and misleading at the time they were made.
Shareholders Foundation is a portfolio monitoring site that alerts stock holders when a company in which they own stock is under investigation, and although the site did not reveal the name of the law firm investigating WWE, they did note to stock holders that some type of investigation is currently underway.
WWE has issued the following statement regarding the Shareholders Foundation report:
“The claim that Shareholders Foundation is allegedly investigating has absolutely no substance or merit.”
Huge Pro Wrestling NOAH Superstar Leaves
KENTA announced today at a press conference at the NOAH offices that he will be having his final show being on 5/17.
KENTA is the biggest name in NOAH, and has had a WWE tryout week in January. The belief in Japan is that he is WWE/NXT-bound, at the Press Conference he said the following;
"There is only one life, and it is now or never to try something new in a different environment,"
If you didn't know, KENTA was trained by his name-sake, legendary Kenta Kobashi, and had outstanding matches back in 2005/2007 in Ring Of Honor with the likes of WWE Champion Daniel Bryan, Samoa Joe and Seth Rollins. While having won pretty much everything in NOAH and being #22 on the PWI Top 500 last year.
WWE Releases NXT Wrestlers & Divas
PWInsider reports that WWE released the following NXT wrestlers this afternoon:
* Mason Ryan, former Nexus member who last lost to Tyson Kidd on NXT TV
* Shaul Guerrero, known as Raquel Diaz. She is the daughter of Eddie and Vickie Guerrero. This was her second run in WWE developmental.
* Danny Burch, a UK talent who had been signed since 2011.
* Oliver Grey, a UK talent, who just returned from a knee injury after being out for a while. He last lost to Camacho on NXT TV.
* Sarah Backman, a professional arm wrestling champion from Sweden, who was signed in March of 2013. She was recently re-named Shara in NXT. Backman requested and received her release several days ago.
April 29, 2014
WWE Announces Ten Most-Watched WWE Network Shows from This Past Week
Courtesy of WWE, below are the top 10 most-watched shows on the WWE Network from the past week:
1. Legends House, Episode 2
2. RAW Pre-show
3. Legends House, Episode 1
4. WrestleMania XXX
5. RAW Backstage Pass
6. WWE Main Event
7. WWE Slam City
8. WWE Hall of Fame
9. Ultimate Warrior: Ultimate Legend
10. WWE NXT
April 27, 2014
April 25, 2014
Top WWE executive involved with WWE Network leaves
Perkins Miller, who was WWE's Executive Vice Presidnet of Global Digital Media and a big part of the launch of the WWE Network, has left the company to go work for the NFL to take on a role as Chief Digital Officer. The NFL plans to launch a new serviced called NFL Now that will be very similar to the WWE Network that Miller will be part of.
source: sports business daily
Oderint Dum Metuant: Let Them Hate As Long As They Fear
