Nick Khan Heading From CAA To WWE In Powerhouse Move

Nick Khan, the powerful CAA agent, is leaving the agency to take a senior role at WWE. CAA’s former co-head of television has been named President & Chief Revenue Officer of WWE, reporting directly to Chair & CEO Vince McMahon. Khan replaces WWE’s former co-Presidents George Barrios and Michelle Wilson, who left the company in January. A formal announcement will be made later today.

Khan joins the WWE at a time when its business is challenged: Ratings are soft and the pandemic restrictions have brought its live events business to a standstill. In a phone interview, Khan did not talk about specific plans he has for the job. “The first thing I want to do is figure out where the bathrooms are,” he joked. “We all have a lot of ideas in our head. It might be a little premature to share them in terms of when we are going to execute those.”

Khan joined CAA in '12 and quickly became one of the most powerful talent agents in the business, representing on-air personalities like Kirk Herbstreit, Colin Cowherd, Mike Greenberg and Jalen Rose. CAA agents Matt Kramer and Tom Young will take on new roles as co-heads of the agency’s sports broadcasting division. In his CAA role, Khan also represented organizations like WWE, SEC and Top Rank Boxing in their media-rights deals. It was his work in securing WWE’s most recent deals with Fox and USA Network that opened McMahon’s eyes to the possibility of hiring Khan. “While representing WWE at CAA, he was instrumental in transforming our business model by securing domestic media rights increases of 3.6x over our previous agreements,” McMahon said in a prepared statement.

Khan referred to WWE as a “family business” that made him feel comfortable. He referenced a small 50th birthday party he and his wife, IVETTE, were invited to at Paul “Triple H” Levesque’s house last summer. “We looked around the room and said, ‘It’s really kind of them to consider us friends,’” he said. “For a family-run business -- albeit a publicly traded one -- it just felt right. At that moment, I started thinking, ‘I wonder if there’s something bigger and better to do with them.’”

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Dwayne Johnson Buys XFL for $15 Million With Redbird Capital as Partner

The XFL has been sold to a group that includes former WWE star Dwayne “The Rock’’ Johnson, giving the bankrupt football league the kind of star power that may draw even non-sports fans. Variety’s sister site Sportico first reported the news.

Johnson, an actor and producer who played college football at the University of Miami, teamed up with Gerry Cardinale’s RedBird Capital to buy the league just hours before a planned auction was scheduled to begin.

They paid $15 million, splitting it evenly. Johnson’s business partner, Dany Garcia, who is also his ex-wife, will be a stakeholder as well.

RedBird has made a litany of sports-related investments, including some with ties to the National Football League and its players.

The presence of Johnson, meantime, continues pro wrestling’s involvement in the spring football league, which was founded—and funded—by WWE Chairman and Chief Executive Officer Vince McMahon.

The XFL filed for bankruptcy in April after the COVID-19 pandemic prompted the cancellation of its inaugural season, which got off to a promising start in terms of television audience. The league had a broadcast agreement with Fox.

With live sports a reliable vehicle to deliver ratings, there’s a good chance a number of traditional TV networks—and perhaps streaming companies—would seek to add the XFL to their portfolios. Besides the league, networks would likely seek a tie-up with Johnson, who is the executive producer of “The Titan Games,’’ a sports competition reality series on NBC.

The XFL is the latest sports-related move for Cardinale and RedBird, which recently bought French soccer team Toulouse. In addition, Cardinale—along with Oakland A’s executive Billy Beane—created a special purpose acquisition company, or SPAC, that’ll focus on buying companies in sports, media and data analytics.

The private equity firm is also an investor in the YES Network, the regional sports network that shows New York Yankees games, as well as On Location Experiences, which is partly owned by the NFL, and also OneTeam Partners, a tie-up that includes the unions that represent MLB and NFL players.

In its bankruptcy filing, Alpha Entertainment, the XFL’s parent, listed the league with assets and liabilities in the range of about $10 million to $50 million.

McMahon announced the XFL’s reboot in 2018, and spent two years developing the eight-team league.

The XFL drew more than 3 million viewers in its first week. The audience was about half that number in its fifth and final week before the shutdown.

The original XFL, created in 2001 in partnership with NBC, folded after one season.

XFL President Jeffrey Pollack oversaw the sale process for the league.

source: varity.com

Vince McMahon On AEW Ratings Rebounding While RAW And SmackDown Drop, Paul Heyman, Triple H

WWE Chairman & CEO Vince McMahon commented on AEW vs. WWE NXT, Paul Heyman being dismissed from his creative job, and Triple H working creative during WWE's Second Quarter 2020 earnings call with investors from this evening.

Vince took the loaded call from Brandon Ross of Lightshed Partners. Ross asked Vince why he thinks WWE NXT and AEW Dynamite have bounced back from the initial COVID-19 shock better than RAW and SmackDown have, if Triple H could help in an elevated creative role on RAW and SmackDown given his NXT success, why why he fired Paul Heyman from the RAW Executive Director job and if firing Heyman means that Vince has abandoned the strategy he spoke about during the Q1 call in January, where he indicated that they had to be patient with the plan to get over new talents on the main roster.

"That was a lot," Vince first responded to the question. He took the NXT - AEW question and said they are looking to make RAW and SmackDown have a more youthful feel. "I think some of those are new. It's something that's new, and what have you, and it's up to us to make RAW and SmackDown feel more youthful. That is where we're going."

Vince then commented on the strategy that he firs talked about during the Q1 call in April, where he said they are working on building new main roster Superstars, and that it will take some time to get them over. He did not directly answer if Heyman's creative dismissal means a change in direction when it comes to getting over new stars.

"As far as continuing on, acting on what's new and building and characters, you always have to build new characters. Constantly," Vince said.

Regarding Triple H possibly taking on an "elevated role" with the RAW and SmackDown creative teams, based off his success on the NXT brand, Vince noted that he already helps out.

"As far as Paul Levesque helping out on RAW and SmackDown, that happens," Vince said. "It's 'all hands on deck' in terms of all that we do."

Finally, Vince commented on Heyman's work in creative. While he will remain with the company as an on-air talent, Heyman was released from his role as RAW Executive Director on June 11 of this year, one year after he was hired for the role. Vince briefly spoke on Heyman but said he did a good job.

"As far as Paul Heyman's concerned, he did a very good job in terms of creativity," Vince said.

Triple H On If AEW Is Taking WWE's Market Share

At the latest WWE stockholder's meeting, Triple H addressed the current state of NXT.

On the topic of AEW and ratings, Triple H talked about the internal focus WWE has on their product. When asked if AEW is taking some of WWE's market share, he said they are focused on the development of their stars and talent and reiterates their long-term approach.

"To me, there's a moment in time when you begin something and it's very exciting and it's fresh and there's some interest in it, certainly, but it's a big world," Triple H stated. "We continue to be focused on our product, continue to be focused on the development of our stars and our performers and as Vince said earlier, we have a very long track record of doing this incredibly successfully for many, many, many years, and we will continue to do so."


credit Wrestling Inc. for the transcription

WWE Sinking Popularity Called Out By Top Media Outlet And Media Research Firm

The decline in WWE's popularity was the subject of a story by top media outlet Variety, as well as Lightshed Partners, which is a top technology, media and telecommunications research firm.

Variety noted the company's consistent decline in popularity and Vince McMahon continually coming up with excuses like top stars being absent, the surge of new talent and needing to have better storylines. Lightshed took a look at WWE stock this week and noted that they could not recommend a buy right now because of "too many critical questions surrounding the company," mainly WWE's creative direction and whether there will be a significant rebound in their TV ratings, even in a post-coronavirus world.

"Instead of focusing on the long-term health of the company and building a product that audiences want to watch, both McMahon and investors have put all their eggs in the TV revenue basket," Gavin Bridge wrote on Variety.

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Triple H: No One Is Allowed To Enter A WWE Closed Set Without A Negative COVID-19 Test

WWE has not taken a full week off of producing content since the start of the global Coronavirus pandemic. Throughout the time that has elapsed since March when the pandemic began, Florida, where WWE films most of its content, has become a bit of an epicenter for the pandemic. As such, WWE has had to ensure the safety of its staff and performers and Paul Levesque aka Triple H continues to Champion the forward-thinking efforts of WWE and their partners. During The WWE annual shareholders meeting (via Brandon Thurston of Wrestlenomics), Triple H opened up about WWE testing procedure and how serious the promotion takes the COVID-19 threat.

 “Obviously, as Vince mentioned earlier, the health and safety of our performers, employees, and crew are the company’s top priorities,” began Levesque. “And since the beginning of this around mid-March we have been producing content on closed sets with only essential personnel in attendance and following guidelines set forth by our medical team in conjunction with state and local officials and the CDC. The protocol for these closed sets are extraordinary and include heightened safety and sanitizing during use, long-duration electrostatic and anti-microbial sprays and coatings, pandemic level cleanings, and disinfecting between and after our events.” Levesque continued, “As it relates to our talent, production, crew, and employees, we conduct COVID-19 testing in advance of any TV or content production, using polymerase chain reaction, or PCR, testing, which is the most statistically valid, the highest level of accuracy test available today. No one is allowed to enter a WWE closed set without a negative COVID-19 test. Once on set individuals must wear masks when talent are not performing social distancing and sanitize where appropriate. In the event of a positive test result, individuals must self-quarantine for a minimum of 14 days, will not be cleared to work until they are symptom-free and test negative. Extensive contact tracing is done following any positive test. Individuals possibly exposed are identified in quarantine appropriately. “

And this process is constantly being updated. We’re looking at this every day. Our medical staff working with state and local officials, as I mentioned, and the CDC, to reflect the most current data and medical recommendations available.”

Triple H And WWE Partner With Motörhead For New Line Of Products

WWE Hall of Famer Triple H has partnered with Motörhead for a new line of products, including a limited-edition vinyl album, apparel, and more.

The line officially launched today, on The Game's 51st birthday. Triple H was close with Motörhead frontman Lemmy Kilmister, who passed away in 2015.

Below is WWE's full announcement on the new line.

Triple H and Motörhead join forces for unique product line

Not every WWE Superstar becomes synonymous with a heavy metal band, but Triple H isn't every WWE Superstar.

Throughout his remarkable 25-year tenure in WWE, The King of Kings has won 14 world championships, engaged in countless five-star classics and led unforgettable groups such as D-Generation X, Evolution and The Authority to enormous success.

And he accomplished most of that while entering the squared circle to the headbanging sounds of Motörhead, including timeless tunes such as "The Game," "King of Kings" and "Line in the Sand."

Now, Triple H and Motörhead are once again together in the form of this new product line, available at WWE Shop. Among the smorgasbord of must-have products, the WWE Universe can find a limited-edition vinyl album of Motörhead's "Evolution of the Game," snug hooded sweatshirts, and eye-catching T-shirts to celebrate Triple H's birthday in style!

Don't miss your chance to rep one of the greatest and most accomplished Superstars in WWE history and one of the most influential heavy metal bands at the same time!

Happy Birthday Triple H

Paul Michael Levesque
July 27, 1969

Monday Night's RAW Draws Lowest Viewership Of All Time

This past Monday's edition of WWE Raw, featuring a Women's Tag Team Championship main event, drew it's lowest viewership in the history of it's 27 years as a television show at 1.56 million viewers.

Below is the hour-wise breakup of viewers for RAW:

Hour 1: 1.70 million viewers (last week: 1.70 million)

Hour 2: 1.60 million viewers (last week: 1.75 million)

Hour 3: 1.50 million viewers (last week: 1.61 million)

Triple H Reveals NXT's Storyline Strategy For The Rest Of 2020

Triple H outlined what NXT's approach to storytelling will be for the foreseeable future during a new interview with Yahoo! Sports.

According to 'The Game', the creative nucleus in charge of NXT programming believe they need to be a "little careful with how heavy" they get with current angles and storylines. This is a direct response to the ongoing health pandemic sweeping the globe, and it shows that Trips (and others) are aware of what fans need.

They need "to tune it out, tune into WWE and just have some fun for a little bit".

Triple H said it's "easy to lose perspective" sometimes, if only because WWE operations never stop for a breather. However, he's dedicated to ensuring that NXT acts as escapism to anyone currently affected by the pandemic, and thinks that's important right now.

WWE's Executive Vice President of Global Talent Strategy & Development also said that more throwbacks in the mould of NXT's In Your House and Great American Bash tributes could be coming. He didn't, however, specify which old shows the brand might use.

Triple H Reveals How Proud He Is of the Growth of the WWE Women’s Divisions

WWE executive Triple H shared a message on Twitter today, praising the WWE women’s roster on the fifth anniversary of the WWE Women’s Evolution. You can check out that tweet below. As previously reported, WWE has dubbed this week as “Women’s Evolution Week,” celebrating the fifth anniversary of the Women’s Evolution or Revolution.

Triple H wrote, “Cannot overstate how proud I am to see the growth in the #WWERaw, #Smackdown, and #WWENXT Women’s divisions. It took legends, hall of famers, and women from every generation to get where it is today. Excited to watch you all inspire the next generation. #WomensEvolution”

Washington Redskins Changing Team Name

Statement From The Washington Redskins Football Team

On July 3rd, we announced the commencement of a thorough review of the team's name. That review has begun in earnest. As part of this process, we want to keep our sponsors, fans and community apprised of our thinking as we go forward.

Today, we are announcing we will be retiring the Redskins name and logo upon completion of this review.

Dan Snyder and Coach Rivera are working closely to develop a new name and design approach that will enhance the standing of our proud, tradition rich franchise and inspire our sponsors, fans and community for the next 100 years.