Random thoughts while battling an eye infection that has returned after an almost 3 year absence (Credit: JR's Blog)
I’m taking powerful eye drops (a form of a steroid…gasp) every hour that I am awake that should have me good to go by Monday night’s big 3 hour RAW, that will most certainly have Wrestlemania 24 implications. I’m just thankful I’m not driving from Oklahoma to Milwaukee this week or that would be an adventure.
I’m looking forward to seeing our old pal Gordon "Red" Batty and his son in Milwaukee. Red is the equipment manager for the Green Bay Packers and is honoring me with a signed Brett Favre Packers jersey that we will hang in our newest J.R.’s Family Bar-B-Q, which we hope opens in mid April even though my money is on May 1.
Speaking of Favre, did you see the Sports Illustrated piece comparing #4 to the "Nature Boy" this week. Fun piece and it was obvious the author was a Flair fan at some point in his life. Of course, the expected and obligatory dig from the legit sports guy was present but all in all it was a fun read. Check it out on SI.com.
Wrestling lost one of its classiest and toughest competitors this week with the passing of Don Curtis. Don was a great collegiate wrestler and football player and is one of the very few men I have never heard his peers say one negative word about. In the wrestling business that is virtually an impossibility, with all the jealousy and insecurities that often times exist in the old locker room. Don and Mark Lewin made a superb tag team and Don eventually became Eddie Graham’s promoter in Jacksonville for many years. Don was a bona fide credit to the business and if wrestling had more men in it like Don Curtis it would be much better off.
Pet Peeve of the Week…..no time limits for the vast majority of wrestling matches. Time limits make the sports entertainment presentations have a little more "sport" to them and add to the sense of urgency. Point made…soap box stored.
I get asked questions all the time from wannabe wrestlers about how to go about training. There are several good schools that offer legit training, but one suggestion is to investigate www.OVWrestling.com and contact Danny Davis in Louisville. Danny is producing two TV shows a week in addition to all the in ring training and Davis is one of the best, most honest guys around.
One of my favorites, Larry King, will have a Wrestlemania themed show next week on CNN featuring Vince McMahon, John Cena, Floyd Mayweather, Jr., and Chris Jericho, who could well steal the show. I’m kinda surprised that the King of Talk did not request Maria considering her Playboy cover is every where as we speak and Larry’s fondness for lovely ladies. Larry was known to be quite the ladies man in his day and his former makeup artist in Atlanta and former WWE Superstar, Terri Runnels, has shared many a hilarious story on the talk master.
John Legend will sing "America the Beautiful" at Wrestlemania 24 which could have eliminated the ultra talented legend from being on Lilian Garcia’s Christmas card list. :)
Wrestlemania will be "Posse Central" with the likes of "Money" Mayweather, 50 Cent, John Legend, Kim Kardashian (Reggie Bush??), and one of our all time favorites, Snoop Dogg. WM24 catering should be an interesting place to hang.
Just thinking out loud here, but if Kim Kardashian, reality TV star, were a wrestler would she use the "Stink Face" as her finishing maneuver? She has the equipment for it, not that it’s a bad thing by any stretch of the imagination.
Have you caught "The Dirt Sheet" starring John Morrison and The Miz on www.wwe.com lately? It has been entertaining and it wouldn’t hurt my feelings to see it make its way to ECW TV. I wish Morrison and Miz would be traded to RAW.
I received a wonderful signed copy of Bret Hart’s autobiography and it is definitely a "must read," just as most sane people have said. I don’t do book reviews per se, but this is one helluva read and I have much admiration and respect for Bret for his tireless efforts in telling a thorough and honest story. If you are a fan of wrestling to any degree, this is one book I strongly suggest you read. Chris Jericho’s is another. I am looking forward to getting some tights, etc from Bret to frame and hang in our new restaurant. It is great seeing "The Hitman" making appearances at fan conventions on occasion, which is an indicator that he is feeling better. I really miss seeing Bret wrestle I can tell you that.
I spoke with the Rock recently about the hiring of the new Athletic Director at Rock’s alma mater, the University of Miami, where the Great One has donated a ton of cash to help endow scholarships and improve the athletic facilities. My friend Kirby Hocutt, formerly here at Oklahoma, is the new head honcho at "The U" which should make every alum very happy. Rock is jacked about being a part of the WWE HOF Ceremony on Saturday March 29. I am not a TV programmer, but I can’t see how the entire HOF Ceremony shouldn’t be televised as it can’t be any worse than the never ending story known as the Academy Awards Show. Perhaps next year MyNetworkTV, Sci Fi, or USA will step up to the plate and cover the bulk of the festivities. ESPN does a nice job covering the Pro Football Hall of Fame so why not the WWE HOF becoming a major TV event?
As we mentioned here several weeks ago it should come to no one’s surprise that Bobby Lashley is training to compete in the MMA and will be a viable commodity for some MMA organization to bid for and Lashley using TNA as a little leverage for a big money MMA deal is predictable, but smart. Bobby’s MMA window is closing as he isn’t a kid fresh out of college and he needs to hit for a big lick of cash sooner than later in MMA. Pro wrestling will always be there if and when Lashley decides to go back into the ring. Lashley is an intense and gifted athlete whose skills and comfort level may well be best suited for MMA and I wish him well. I like it that he is taking his time, training, and allowing the offers to be fielded as they come. Lashley should have plenty of suitors.
It would be nice to see some fireworks between Mayweather, Jr. and the Big Show Monday night at their weigh in on RAW. This concept might be risky, because I don’t think "Money" has totally gotten just how powerful the 400 plus pound Big Show is and the fact that Floyd is going to scoop into WM24, make a HUGE payday and bolt while Show is going to stay in the WWE for the foreseeable future and continue to earn a living. I have known wrestlers in the past who would "go into business for themselves" in matters such as this to protect their individual persona’s. The problem is if Show manhandles "Money" prior to WM24 would Floyd want any more on March 30? Floyd has not endeared himself to the WWE locker room or so it seems. I could be wrong on that assessment, but that’s one man’s opinion.
Finally, last week the Mrs. and I lost our 18 year old cat Molly that we nicknamed "Molly 3:16′ after she "kicked out" of an illness many years ago. We adopted Molly when she was 7, while living in Connecticut. With my corporate work load and travel schedule, Molly was my wife’s constant pal and kept her company while I was away. I never liked cats before we gave Molly a home, as growing up with a redneck, hardass father we were not allowed to have any pets in the house. Molly won me over and it was heart breaking to have to put her down after she suffered what is thought to be a series of strokes. I realize that in today’s world of controversial feedback from fans that this subject will likely be lampooned which is fine. I felt like I owed it to my wife Jan, Molly and all our friends and the wrestlers that had visited our home over the years that Molly entertained to mention her passing.
Thanks for checking out our site and for doing a little business with us in our never closed on line store. Don’t be afraid to bring any J.R.’s Family Bar-B-Q signs to TV events as "baby needs new shoes". Yes, this site is an infomercial waiting to happen, but we hope we provide enough infotainment to keep everyone happy. If our gratuitous plugs anger some of you then by all means avoid this site like the plague and continue to send your heavy handed feedback to other wrestling websites. For the other wrestling sites that help us promote our Bar-B-Q business via this site we are very grateful. Also please keep your questions and comments coming as we are doing our best to keep up with the new Q&A section of our site. There’s our webmaster and yours truly currently working on the site so it is easy to see that we can get a little behind from time to time and it is physically impossible to answer all the questions we receive, but we will continue to do our best. We have several specials in our store and are selling more Bar-B-Q Sauce, Beef Jerky and our soon to be famous "I’ve Got Big Nuts" T shirts, ready to ship asap.
Boomer Sooner!
J.R.
Media Man Australia Profiles
J.R.
WWE
WrestleMania
Sunday, March 09, 2008
WWE Saturates The Marketplace, by Linda Haugsted -- Multichannel News, 3/10/2008
Aerial advertising, TV commercials, video-on-demand snippets, direct mail, bus wraps, in-store toy displays, radio promotions, even a sweepstakes for a customized motorcycle: It will be hard for viewers to ignore the fact that Wrestlemania 24 will be held March 30 in Orlando, Fla.
World Wrestling Entertainment is adding more elements each year in order to top the previous year’s buy-rate. The goal now: to beat the 1.2 million buys recorded for the 2007 event.
Continued, growing interest is primed by the stories created for the wrestlers, stunts (such as last year’s “feud” between Vince McMahon and Donald Trump) and marketing, said WWE executive vice president of marketing Geof Rochester.
This year’s “stunt” is a match between welterweight boxer Floyd Mayweather Jr. and 7-foot-tall WWE wrestler Big Show.
The marketing is massive and multi-layered, he said.
Affiliates including DirecTV, Dish Network, Comcast, Time Warner Cable, Charter Communications, Cox Communications and Cablevision Systems have signed up for a promotional campaign that will result in one viewer winning a custom-built WWE motorcycle from Orange County Choppers.
Subscribers in participating systems will be targeted with 2 million direct-mail pieces. Rochester called that a 30% increase in mail over last year.
Guides and bill ads will reach 9 million homes; cross-channel spots will air in 10 million homes. The effort will be supported in 30 markets with radio promotions.
Charter and Comcast will boost visibility in some of their markets by participating in WWE’s Community Champions, where cause-related activists will be nominated for a chance for a trip to Orlando for the wrestling event.
The market around the Citrus Bowl will be especially saturated. DirecTV’s new blimp will hover over three NASCAR races this month, showing 2-minute clips, six times per hour. Also, local affiliate Bright House Networks helped WWE gain access to 70,000 local hotel rooms to offer three-minute promotions for the event.
The partners also worked together to rent a patch of land near the Orlando airport so arriving planes will see the WWE logo depicted on the plot, Rochester said.
In all, WWE will try 40 to 50 tactics to spread the word.
Media Man Australia Profiles
WrestleMania
WWE
Foxtel
Main Event TV
Aerial advertising, TV commercials, video-on-demand snippets, direct mail, bus wraps, in-store toy displays, radio promotions, even a sweepstakes for a customized motorcycle: It will be hard for viewers to ignore the fact that Wrestlemania 24 will be held March 30 in Orlando, Fla.
World Wrestling Entertainment is adding more elements each year in order to top the previous year’s buy-rate. The goal now: to beat the 1.2 million buys recorded for the 2007 event.
Continued, growing interest is primed by the stories created for the wrestlers, stunts (such as last year’s “feud” between Vince McMahon and Donald Trump) and marketing, said WWE executive vice president of marketing Geof Rochester.
This year’s “stunt” is a match between welterweight boxer Floyd Mayweather Jr. and 7-foot-tall WWE wrestler Big Show.
The marketing is massive and multi-layered, he said.
Affiliates including DirecTV, Dish Network, Comcast, Time Warner Cable, Charter Communications, Cox Communications and Cablevision Systems have signed up for a promotional campaign that will result in one viewer winning a custom-built WWE motorcycle from Orange County Choppers.
Subscribers in participating systems will be targeted with 2 million direct-mail pieces. Rochester called that a 30% increase in mail over last year.
Guides and bill ads will reach 9 million homes; cross-channel spots will air in 10 million homes. The effort will be supported in 30 markets with radio promotions.
Charter and Comcast will boost visibility in some of their markets by participating in WWE’s Community Champions, where cause-related activists will be nominated for a chance for a trip to Orlando for the wrestling event.
The market around the Citrus Bowl will be especially saturated. DirecTV’s new blimp will hover over three NASCAR races this month, showing 2-minute clips, six times per hour. Also, local affiliate Bright House Networks helped WWE gain access to 70,000 local hotel rooms to offer three-minute promotions for the event.
The partners also worked together to rent a patch of land near the Orlando airport so arriving planes will see the WWE logo depicted on the plot, Rochester said.
In all, WWE will try 40 to 50 tactics to spread the word.
Media Man Australia Profiles
WrestleMania
WWE
Foxtel
Main Event TV
Friday, March 07, 2008
Top 5 WrestleManias - #4, By ERIC GARGIULO - phillyBurbs.com
The countdown to the biggest show of the year in pro wrestling is on. WrestleMania is to pro wrestling what championship games are for professional sports. No matter how may pay-per-views the WWE may hold in a year, WrestleMania is always the biggest. In counting down to the big event, I will take a look at my top five WrestleMania shows of all time.
The criteria in determining the top five is a little complex. For one, I look at historical significance. The first WrestleMania is historic as the original and gets high consideration on that alone. Other WrestleMania shows may be historic for crowd attendance, availability, a particular point in wrestling history, matches, appearances, or a variety of other reasons.
There are a lot of great matches from WrestleMania but only a few are the greatest. It is common for a terrible WrestleMania to be looked upon far more favorably years later due to one great match. One great match can make a WrestleMania and put the show in the history books forever.
Star power is the third component to the mix. The power of the stars may be just as much about wrestling star power as it is power from the outside world. There is a big difference in a WrestleMania stacked with great stars as opposed to a show without a Randy Savage, Hulk Hogan, Roddy Piper, Steve Austin, The Rock, Bret Hart, etc. One doesn’t make a show, but a collection of stars is something that can truly make a WrestleMania special.
4 – WrestleMania XXI “WrestleMania Goes Hollywood” 04/03/05 Los Angeles, C.A.
WrestleMania 21 took place at the Staples Center in Los Angeles, CA. This was the fifth WrestleMania to take place in the Southern California region. WM 21 was the fastest sellout in company history. Tickets for this show sold out in less than one minute. WrestleMania also generated a 2.46 buyrate, which is the largest in WrestleMania history.
This show was built around one match with one of the biggest undercards in WrestleMania history. As a package, this was truly a super show and something for everyone. However, the WWE title match between Batista and Triple H was the showcase. Some will argue that the WWE have not booked an angle so well since this feud.
Batista won the Royal Rumble, thus giving him a shot at the champion. The speculation following the Rumble would be whether Batista would use the opportunity to challenge Triple H or SmackDown’s champion, JBL. The answer would come during one of the greatest angles in Raw history. It would be Triple H getting the thumbs down and a beating by Batista. The match was on and it was signed for WrestleMania 21.
The match was better than anyone had expected. The match was so good, that subsequent rematches made this one of the most successful series of matches in company history. Batista would beat Triple H for the WWE title on this night. A Batista Bomb ended a bloody war between these two. Even after a war, these two still couldn’t steal the show.
Kurt Angle and Shawn Michaels would wrestle for the first-time in what would be a dream match for wrestling fans. The match started with an angle at the Royal Rumble and would blossom into one of the greatest matches in WrestleMania history. Fans expected a lot from two guys as athletic and exciting as these two, and they got it. Kurt Angle made Shawn Michaels tap out in the first of what would turn into a trilogy. Kurt Angle said it best the next week on SmackDown. Angle claimed he was arrested after the match by the cops for stealing the show.
WrestleMania 21 was also the coming out party for John Cena. Cena took his next step on the ladder to greatness. At WrestleMania 20, Cena was in SmackDown’s semi-main event beating the Big Show for the U.S. title. This year he was in the SmackDown main-event challenging JBL for the WWE world title. The two had a very good match which was mostly Cena taking a beating. However, a lucky FU and a 1-2-3 later and Cena was now the world champion.
Randy Orton would also take his place in the spotlight with a big WrestleMania match. The self-proclaimed legend killer took his shot against the Undertaker. The match was special because the Undertaker wrestled on SmackDown, while Orton wrestled on Raw. The match was seen as an inter-promotional dream match as both wrestlers would attack each other on one another’s shows in some great angles.
Orton gave the Undertaker a hell of a match. A great WrestleMania moment came from this match when Orton slid out of a Tombstone and hit the RKO for a close 3 count. Old school fans got a nice surprise at WM 21. Orton’s father, Cowboy Bob Orton did a run-in and nailed the Undertaker with the infamous cast. This would not be enough to keep the dead man down. Undertaker reversed Orton’s own Tombstone to go 13-0 at WrestleMania.
Other notables from the show included the return of two of the four men involved in the main-event of the first WrestleMania. Both Hulk Hogan and Roddy Piper made appearances on the show. Akebono and the Big Show also wrestled in the first (& hopefully last) Sumo Match on a WrestleMania. Edge won the first-ever Money in the Bank match which earned him a title shot. Edge would wait almost one year before using the shot and defeating John Cena for the WWE title.
WrestleMania 21 truly moved the ladder for several superstars within the WWE. The impact of this WrestleMania continues to be felt today in the WWE. Without this WrestleMania, it is arguable whether the faces of the WWE would look different today. The torch was passed at WrestleMania 21 to John Cena, Batista, Randy Orton, and Edge. If not for WrestleMania 21, the fabulous four may look differently in today's WWE. The legacy of this WrestleMania is one that will last forever.
Complete Results…
Booker T won a “battle royal.” Also in the match were: Akio, Danny Basham, Doug Basham, Rob Conway, Simon Dean, Spike Dudley, Sho Funaki, Sylvan Grenier, Charlie Haas, John Heidenreich, Hardcore Holly, Hurricane, Mark Jindrak, Orlando Jordan, Paul London, Chris Masters, Maven, Nunzio, William Regal, Luther Reigns, Rhyno, Rosey, Scotty Too Hotty, Gene Snitsky, Yoshihiro Tajiri, Tyson Tomko, Val Venis, and Viscera.
Rey Mysterio pinned Eddie Guerrero (12:39).
Edge beat Chris Benoit, Christian, Chris Jericho, Kane, and Shelton Benjamin (15:17) in a “money in the bank ladder” match.
Hulk Hogan attacks Muhammad Hassan & Khosrow Daivari after they had attacked Eugene.
The Undertaker pinned Randy Orton (14:14).
WWE Women’s Champ Trish Stratus pinned Christy Hemme (4:11).
Kurt Angle beat Shawn Michaels (27:25) via submission.
“Piper’s Pit” with Steve Austin and Carlito.
Akebono beat The Big Show (1:02) in a “sumo” match.
John Cena pinned John Bradshaw Layfield (11:26) to win the WWE Title.
Hall of Fame Introduction: Nikolai Volkoff, The Iron Sheik, Jimmy Hart, Bob Orton Jr., Paul Orndorff, Roddy Piper, & Hulk Hogan.
Batista pinned Triple H (21:34) to win the World Title.
Order the WrestleMania XXI “WrestleMania Goes Hollywood” DVD by clicking here.
Eric Gargiulo writes about pro wrestling, MMA and more in his blog, The Camel Clutch. He can be reached by e-mail at egargiulo@phillyburbs.com. Eric's "Pro Wrestling Radio" airs on WBCB 1490 AM every Saturday from 12:05-1PM/EST and can be heard live online at http://www.wbcb1490.com
Media Man Australia Profiles
WrestleMania
WWE
The countdown to the biggest show of the year in pro wrestling is on. WrestleMania is to pro wrestling what championship games are for professional sports. No matter how may pay-per-views the WWE may hold in a year, WrestleMania is always the biggest. In counting down to the big event, I will take a look at my top five WrestleMania shows of all time.
The criteria in determining the top five is a little complex. For one, I look at historical significance. The first WrestleMania is historic as the original and gets high consideration on that alone. Other WrestleMania shows may be historic for crowd attendance, availability, a particular point in wrestling history, matches, appearances, or a variety of other reasons.
There are a lot of great matches from WrestleMania but only a few are the greatest. It is common for a terrible WrestleMania to be looked upon far more favorably years later due to one great match. One great match can make a WrestleMania and put the show in the history books forever.
Star power is the third component to the mix. The power of the stars may be just as much about wrestling star power as it is power from the outside world. There is a big difference in a WrestleMania stacked with great stars as opposed to a show without a Randy Savage, Hulk Hogan, Roddy Piper, Steve Austin, The Rock, Bret Hart, etc. One doesn’t make a show, but a collection of stars is something that can truly make a WrestleMania special.
4 – WrestleMania XXI “WrestleMania Goes Hollywood” 04/03/05 Los Angeles, C.A.
WrestleMania 21 took place at the Staples Center in Los Angeles, CA. This was the fifth WrestleMania to take place in the Southern California region. WM 21 was the fastest sellout in company history. Tickets for this show sold out in less than one minute. WrestleMania also generated a 2.46 buyrate, which is the largest in WrestleMania history.
This show was built around one match with one of the biggest undercards in WrestleMania history. As a package, this was truly a super show and something for everyone. However, the WWE title match between Batista and Triple H was the showcase. Some will argue that the WWE have not booked an angle so well since this feud.
Batista won the Royal Rumble, thus giving him a shot at the champion. The speculation following the Rumble would be whether Batista would use the opportunity to challenge Triple H or SmackDown’s champion, JBL. The answer would come during one of the greatest angles in Raw history. It would be Triple H getting the thumbs down and a beating by Batista. The match was on and it was signed for WrestleMania 21.
The match was better than anyone had expected. The match was so good, that subsequent rematches made this one of the most successful series of matches in company history. Batista would beat Triple H for the WWE title on this night. A Batista Bomb ended a bloody war between these two. Even after a war, these two still couldn’t steal the show.
Kurt Angle and Shawn Michaels would wrestle for the first-time in what would be a dream match for wrestling fans. The match started with an angle at the Royal Rumble and would blossom into one of the greatest matches in WrestleMania history. Fans expected a lot from two guys as athletic and exciting as these two, and they got it. Kurt Angle made Shawn Michaels tap out in the first of what would turn into a trilogy. Kurt Angle said it best the next week on SmackDown. Angle claimed he was arrested after the match by the cops for stealing the show.
WrestleMania 21 was also the coming out party for John Cena. Cena took his next step on the ladder to greatness. At WrestleMania 20, Cena was in SmackDown’s semi-main event beating the Big Show for the U.S. title. This year he was in the SmackDown main-event challenging JBL for the WWE world title. The two had a very good match which was mostly Cena taking a beating. However, a lucky FU and a 1-2-3 later and Cena was now the world champion.
Randy Orton would also take his place in the spotlight with a big WrestleMania match. The self-proclaimed legend killer took his shot against the Undertaker. The match was special because the Undertaker wrestled on SmackDown, while Orton wrestled on Raw. The match was seen as an inter-promotional dream match as both wrestlers would attack each other on one another’s shows in some great angles.
Orton gave the Undertaker a hell of a match. A great WrestleMania moment came from this match when Orton slid out of a Tombstone and hit the RKO for a close 3 count. Old school fans got a nice surprise at WM 21. Orton’s father, Cowboy Bob Orton did a run-in and nailed the Undertaker with the infamous cast. This would not be enough to keep the dead man down. Undertaker reversed Orton’s own Tombstone to go 13-0 at WrestleMania.
Other notables from the show included the return of two of the four men involved in the main-event of the first WrestleMania. Both Hulk Hogan and Roddy Piper made appearances on the show. Akebono and the Big Show also wrestled in the first (& hopefully last) Sumo Match on a WrestleMania. Edge won the first-ever Money in the Bank match which earned him a title shot. Edge would wait almost one year before using the shot and defeating John Cena for the WWE title.
WrestleMania 21 truly moved the ladder for several superstars within the WWE. The impact of this WrestleMania continues to be felt today in the WWE. Without this WrestleMania, it is arguable whether the faces of the WWE would look different today. The torch was passed at WrestleMania 21 to John Cena, Batista, Randy Orton, and Edge. If not for WrestleMania 21, the fabulous four may look differently in today's WWE. The legacy of this WrestleMania is one that will last forever.
Complete Results…
Booker T won a “battle royal.” Also in the match were: Akio, Danny Basham, Doug Basham, Rob Conway, Simon Dean, Spike Dudley, Sho Funaki, Sylvan Grenier, Charlie Haas, John Heidenreich, Hardcore Holly, Hurricane, Mark Jindrak, Orlando Jordan, Paul London, Chris Masters, Maven, Nunzio, William Regal, Luther Reigns, Rhyno, Rosey, Scotty Too Hotty, Gene Snitsky, Yoshihiro Tajiri, Tyson Tomko, Val Venis, and Viscera.
Rey Mysterio pinned Eddie Guerrero (12:39).
Edge beat Chris Benoit, Christian, Chris Jericho, Kane, and Shelton Benjamin (15:17) in a “money in the bank ladder” match.
Hulk Hogan attacks Muhammad Hassan & Khosrow Daivari after they had attacked Eugene.
The Undertaker pinned Randy Orton (14:14).
WWE Women’s Champ Trish Stratus pinned Christy Hemme (4:11).
Kurt Angle beat Shawn Michaels (27:25) via submission.
“Piper’s Pit” with Steve Austin and Carlito.
Akebono beat The Big Show (1:02) in a “sumo” match.
John Cena pinned John Bradshaw Layfield (11:26) to win the WWE Title.
Hall of Fame Introduction: Nikolai Volkoff, The Iron Sheik, Jimmy Hart, Bob Orton Jr., Paul Orndorff, Roddy Piper, & Hulk Hogan.
Batista pinned Triple H (21:34) to win the World Title.
Order the WrestleMania XXI “WrestleMania Goes Hollywood” DVD by clicking here.
Eric Gargiulo writes about pro wrestling, MMA and more in his blog, The Camel Clutch. He can be reached by e-mail at egargiulo@phillyburbs.com. Eric's "Pro Wrestling Radio" airs on WBCB 1490 AM every Saturday from 12:05-1PM/EST and can be heard live online at http://www.wbcb1490.com
Media Man Australia Profiles
WrestleMania
WWE
WrestleMania attracts Snoop Dogg - Reuters/Hollywood Reporter - 6th March 2008
LOS ANGELES (Hollywood Reporter) - Musicians Snoop Dogg and John Legend, and actress Raven-Symone will be involved in World Wrestling Entertainment's annual WrestleMania XXIV extravaganza later this month as it continues to attract celebrities in guest roles.
The March 30 pay-per-view event at the Citrus Bowl in Orlando will also feature boxer Floyd Mayweather in a match with 7-foot, 399 pounds wrestler Big Show.
Legend will kick off the event by singing "America the Beautiful." Snoop Dogg will serve as celebrity ring announcer for a "BunnyMania" match featuring female wrestlers who have appeared in Playboy.
Raven-Symone, who stars in the upcoming comedy "College Road Trip," will host a wish-granting event as well as a "Bacon, Bagels and Biceps" brunch during WrestleMania weekend.
Reuters/Hollywood Reporter
Media Man Australia Profiles
WrestleMania
WWE
LOS ANGELES (Hollywood Reporter) - Musicians Snoop Dogg and John Legend, and actress Raven-Symone will be involved in World Wrestling Entertainment's annual WrestleMania XXIV extravaganza later this month as it continues to attract celebrities in guest roles.
The March 30 pay-per-view event at the Citrus Bowl in Orlando will also feature boxer Floyd Mayweather in a match with 7-foot, 399 pounds wrestler Big Show.
Legend will kick off the event by singing "America the Beautiful." Snoop Dogg will serve as celebrity ring announcer for a "BunnyMania" match featuring female wrestlers who have appeared in Playboy.
Raven-Symone, who stars in the upcoming comedy "College Road Trip," will host a wish-granting event as well as a "Bacon, Bagels and Biceps" brunch during WrestleMania weekend.
Reuters/Hollywood Reporter
Media Man Australia Profiles
WrestleMania
WWE
Sunday, March 02, 2008
The Softer Side of Wrestling’s Showman Extraordinaire, By ELIZABETH MAKER - The New York Times - 2nd March 2008
MANY words come to mind when describing Vince McMahon, chairman of World Wrestling Entertainment Inc., but for the millions who watch him on television, as he hurls insults and lewd taunts at the wrestlers or the audience, “marshmallow” is probably not one of them.
But that’s how Linda McMahon, his wife of 41 years, sees him: “He’s a marshmallow, a real pushover, a total sweetheart.”
It was Valentine’s Day, and Mr. McMahon had just delivered a bouquet of yellow roses to his wife, the company’s chief executive, at her office in the 114,300-square-foot W.W.E. headquarters in Stamford. “This is the side of Vince McMahon that most people don’t know,” she said. “But I guess that’s good; people love to hate him.”
Mr. McMahon, 62, a two-time world champion wrestler and third-generation wrestling promoter, is better known as the broad-shouldered, insult-spewing narrator in the ring. On this day, he smiled at his wife and spoke softly about the success of his family and his multimillion-dollar business.
Just two days before the interview in his offices, the publicly traded company announced revenues of $485 million in 2007.
Mr. McMahon credits his wife and his 600 employees for the company’s success.
“It’s a team, and we all go by the motivation that we’re here to put a smile on people’s faces,” he said.
The company plans to break ground this summer on a $70 million project that will almost triple its 39,000-square-foot television studio here.
The studio just completed a $20 million upgrade that allows high-definition programming for its three shows: Monday night’s “Raw” on the USA network; Friday night’s “Smackdown” on the CW; and Tuesday night’s “Extreme Championship Wrestling” on the Sci Fi Channel.
How such a boorish blend of athleticism and absurd acting added up to Mr. McMahon’s financial success can perhaps best be explained by someone who knows the formula well, the real estate mogul Donald Trump, who appeared with Mr. McMahon last year in W.W.E.’s “Battle of the Billionaires.”
“People love this stuff, and it’s all because of Vince McMahon and his vision,” Mr. Trump said in a telephone interview. “He also has the very rare combination of being a great manager and a great salesman.”
When they filmed the show, Mr. Trump said he was impressed with Mr. McMahon’s “acute attention to detail.”
“I watched the way he handled the crew and the cameras and the most incredible technology you’ve ever seen,” he said. “I watched the way he carried every single detail out to perfection.”
Mr. McMahon was introduced to the business of wrestling as entertainment at age 12, when he met his father, Vincent J. McMahon, for the first time. His father, who had left when Vince was a baby, owned the Capital Wrestling Corporation, which was created a generation before by his father, Jess McMahon.
“The first time I went to a live match with him, I knew this would be my life,” Vince McMahon said. “The roar of the crowd, the energy — I was hooked. My dad didn’t want me to work in the wrestling business; he wanted me to be an accountant.”
Vince McMahon bought the business in 1982, and, after several name changes, created W.W.E., putting other wrestling promoters out of business along the way.
He moved the company from Massachusetts to Greenwich, “mainly because anyone can go to New York City, but I didn’t want to be a little fish,” he said. “I wanted to make a statement. I thought, what better place than Greenwich, with all the blueblood personalities and the cachet that wasn’t normally associated with wrestling?” By 1990, the headquarters had outgrown its space in Greenwich and was moved to its current address in Stamford.
Mr. McMahon also shifted W.W.E.’s focus to have more exaggerated story lines. “We coined the term ‘sports entertainment,’ ” he said. “People love it because it’s an escape from the drudgery and stress of their regular lives. They get charged by the action and the humor, and caught up in the drama, like a soap opera or reality show.”
Mr. McMahon grew up in North Carolina “with my mother and a variety of stepfathers.” He and his wife met in church in North Carolina, when she was 16 and he was 13.
Now, in his downtime, Mr. McMahon just wants to stay home, at the couple’s $40 million mansion on 10 acres in Greenwich’s back country, and play with his three grandchildren and his 140-pound mastiff, Rumpus.
He has also involved W.W.E. in many charitable causes, from promoting literacy in public schools and granting wishes to terminally ill children, to visiting American troops in the Middle East and encouraging young people to vote through the “Smackdown Your Vote!” campaign.
“I’ve always been a fighter, I’ve always been determined to win,” Mr. McMahon remarked, rubbing his jaw. “But there’s a feeling you get when you’re giving, when you’re doing something to really help people. It’s sort of the greatest victory there is.”
Media Man Australia Profiles
Vince McMahon
World Wrestling Entertainment
MANY words come to mind when describing Vince McMahon, chairman of World Wrestling Entertainment Inc., but for the millions who watch him on television, as he hurls insults and lewd taunts at the wrestlers or the audience, “marshmallow” is probably not one of them.
But that’s how Linda McMahon, his wife of 41 years, sees him: “He’s a marshmallow, a real pushover, a total sweetheart.”
It was Valentine’s Day, and Mr. McMahon had just delivered a bouquet of yellow roses to his wife, the company’s chief executive, at her office in the 114,300-square-foot W.W.E. headquarters in Stamford. “This is the side of Vince McMahon that most people don’t know,” she said. “But I guess that’s good; people love to hate him.”
Mr. McMahon, 62, a two-time world champion wrestler and third-generation wrestling promoter, is better known as the broad-shouldered, insult-spewing narrator in the ring. On this day, he smiled at his wife and spoke softly about the success of his family and his multimillion-dollar business.
Just two days before the interview in his offices, the publicly traded company announced revenues of $485 million in 2007.
Mr. McMahon credits his wife and his 600 employees for the company’s success.
“It’s a team, and we all go by the motivation that we’re here to put a smile on people’s faces,” he said.
The company plans to break ground this summer on a $70 million project that will almost triple its 39,000-square-foot television studio here.
The studio just completed a $20 million upgrade that allows high-definition programming for its three shows: Monday night’s “Raw” on the USA network; Friday night’s “Smackdown” on the CW; and Tuesday night’s “Extreme Championship Wrestling” on the Sci Fi Channel.
How such a boorish blend of athleticism and absurd acting added up to Mr. McMahon’s financial success can perhaps best be explained by someone who knows the formula well, the real estate mogul Donald Trump, who appeared with Mr. McMahon last year in W.W.E.’s “Battle of the Billionaires.”
“People love this stuff, and it’s all because of Vince McMahon and his vision,” Mr. Trump said in a telephone interview. “He also has the very rare combination of being a great manager and a great salesman.”
When they filmed the show, Mr. Trump said he was impressed with Mr. McMahon’s “acute attention to detail.”
“I watched the way he handled the crew and the cameras and the most incredible technology you’ve ever seen,” he said. “I watched the way he carried every single detail out to perfection.”
Mr. McMahon was introduced to the business of wrestling as entertainment at age 12, when he met his father, Vincent J. McMahon, for the first time. His father, who had left when Vince was a baby, owned the Capital Wrestling Corporation, which was created a generation before by his father, Jess McMahon.
“The first time I went to a live match with him, I knew this would be my life,” Vince McMahon said. “The roar of the crowd, the energy — I was hooked. My dad didn’t want me to work in the wrestling business; he wanted me to be an accountant.”
Vince McMahon bought the business in 1982, and, after several name changes, created W.W.E., putting other wrestling promoters out of business along the way.
He moved the company from Massachusetts to Greenwich, “mainly because anyone can go to New York City, but I didn’t want to be a little fish,” he said. “I wanted to make a statement. I thought, what better place than Greenwich, with all the blueblood personalities and the cachet that wasn’t normally associated with wrestling?” By 1990, the headquarters had outgrown its space in Greenwich and was moved to its current address in Stamford.
Mr. McMahon also shifted W.W.E.’s focus to have more exaggerated story lines. “We coined the term ‘sports entertainment,’ ” he said. “People love it because it’s an escape from the drudgery and stress of their regular lives. They get charged by the action and the humor, and caught up in the drama, like a soap opera or reality show.”
Mr. McMahon grew up in North Carolina “with my mother and a variety of stepfathers.” He and his wife met in church in North Carolina, when she was 16 and he was 13.
Now, in his downtime, Mr. McMahon just wants to stay home, at the couple’s $40 million mansion on 10 acres in Greenwich’s back country, and play with his three grandchildren and his 140-pound mastiff, Rumpus.
He has also involved W.W.E. in many charitable causes, from promoting literacy in public schools and granting wishes to terminally ill children, to visiting American troops in the Middle East and encouraging young people to vote through the “Smackdown Your Vote!” campaign.
“I’ve always been a fighter, I’ve always been determined to win,” Mr. McMahon remarked, rubbing his jaw. “But there’s a feeling you get when you’re giving, when you’re doing something to really help people. It’s sort of the greatest victory there is.”
Media Man Australia Profiles
Vince McMahon
World Wrestling Entertainment
WWE stars make film crossover - Hollywood's new leads may be found in the ring,
by Marc Graser - Variety - 29th Feb 2008
With Hollywood gearing up to launch "Thor," and reboot "Conan the Barbarian" and "He-Man and the Masters of the Universe" as potential new franchises, the big question is, who do producers cast?
The wiry or geeky stars of "The Matrix," "Spider-Man," "Transformers" or upcoming "Wanted" just won't be able to pull off playing a muscled-up Norse god who wields a massive hammer. No, not even Shia LaBeouf.
And that has the biz quickly realizing it's short on uber-buff action stars, with Arnold Schwarzenegger and Sylvester Stallone out of contention, and even Dwayne Johnson dropping "The Rock" alter ego as he slims down and turns his attention to comedies.
So when World Wrestling Entertainment announced last week a first-look distribution deal with 20th Century Fox for a slate of pics, the timing couldn't have been better.
Its 150-person roster is made up of charismatic, overly-muscled athletes who don outrageous costumes and are embroiled in storylines that could out-soap any sudser on daytime TV. And they're only eager to make the leap to movies.
Some like John Cena, "Stone Cold" Steve Austin and Glen "Kane" Jacobs already have made the transition in three pics -- "See No Evil," "The Marine" and "The Condemned" -- that WWE has developed, financed and produced since forming its film division in 2002.
Its fourth pic, also to star Cena, is "12 Rounds," an actioner that bows in 2009 under the Fox Atomic label. The production, with Renny Harlin at the helm, begins this month in New Orleans.
The idea is that theatrical releases will bolster WWE's lucrative DVD business, and increase interest in the company's half-billion-dollar-a-year-business of live events like Wrestlemania, pay-per-view and TV broadcasts, its websites, as well as videogames, music, and sales of other merchandise, including a growing book biz.
Bringing the tough guy back to the bigscreen hasn't been an easy task, however.
"The Marine," WWE Films' biggest success to date, only earned $23 million at the box office. The other two releases collected a combined $26 million in coin worldwide.
WWE says the problem was that it focused on making movies that went after a hard R rating -- violent horror or action pics that would appeal to the males that make up much of the company's fanbase.
But then Stamford, Conn. execs started paying attention to the types of people who fill arenas to watch its events or tune in to its shows like USA's "Monday Night Raw" and "Smackdown" (which recently moved from the CW to MyNetworkTV) -- kids, women and families.
Its target may be 18- to 24- year-old males, but the core aud is actually a broader 12-24 age range, with the rest made up of families. Women make up 30% of its viewership.
Because of that, WWE will now focus on a slate of PG-13 pics that could include broad comedies.
"There's no reason why, going forward, we couldn't do a ‘Game Plan' type of film," says Michael Lake, prexy of WWE Films, and former head of production at Village Roadshow, who took the post in October, and reworked the company's development slate and tossed out proejcts.
"We had to refocus where we wanted to go," he says. "There's a strong audience base that is ready for movies that star our guys. A lot of our audience is in the PG-13 area."
Vince McMahon, the colorful chairman of WWE says, "The films we're going to make are fun. Everything we do is about selling fun. We put smiles on people's faces. Everything we do is about doing that."
Upon taking the job, Lake says he immediately began screentesting wrestlers and realized "there's a real depth of talent we can use. We want to fashion movies to fit their personalities."
WWE plans to release one pic per year in theaters at a pricetag of $20 million or less and up to four direct-to-DVD titles made for around $5 million each.
All will star WWE athletes, and each pic would be heavily promoted across the company's media properties.
"These guys are action stars already," Lake says. "People still want solid action heroes."
The company has proved successful at creating a crossover star with Johnson launching his film career as a WWE wrestler.
To replicate that kind of success, the company has been pushing its wrestlers outside of the ring in unusual ways.
Its female fighters, known as the Divas, recently appeared on Bravo's "Project Runway." WWE stars also turned up on NBC's "The Apprentice" and "Deal or No Deal," ABC's "Extreme Makeover: Home Edition," "Dancing With the Stars" and "Fast Cars and Superstars."
"At the end of the day, we want to be present where our customers are," says Geof Rochester, WWE's exec VP of marketing. "If we can lend our brand and participate in a fun and interesting way, we'll do it. We're looking for things that are family friendly, fun and positions our superstars in the appropriate light. We don't take ourselves too seriously."
It can't. Not when its wrestlers go by names like Undertaker, spit out bites of apples like Carlito or when its chairman body slams an Irish midget named Hornswoggle, otherwise known as Little Bastard.
McMahon describes WWE's productions as "producing the Olympics on Broadway," or the last real variety show left on television.
"For us, it's all about our superstars," Rochester says. "They are our intellectual capital. That's what attracts fans to the product."
What could also attract fans is scripted TV, another area, in addition to films, that WWE will pursue, as a way to "establish these guys not to our audience so much but to outside audiences," Lake says.
McMahon says WWE's athletes would lend themselves well to films or script TV shows.
"First and foremost, they're performers and some of them secondarily are athletes," McMahon says. "They're really both, but the emphasis is on entertainment. Producers are often overwhelmed with how cooperative our guys are, how prepared they they are. They've been indoctrinated in how to be performers, especially in front of a live audience, which is a tremdendous advantage. The only thing they have to do is bring down their emotions a bit."
WWE needs to try something new to keep existing fans interested and attract new ones.
Company's facing some fierce competition from mixed martial arts and leagues like the Ultimate Fighting Championship and Intl. Fight League that are amassing millions of new fans each year and stealing viewers away from WWE.
"We're not worried about UFC," Rochester says. "We're an entertainment product. There's room for everybody. Our brand has been around for over 50 years and we'll be around for another 50."
Yet WWE is in expansion mode, especially overseas in markets like Latin America (it's been courting Hispanic viewers with wrestlers like Rey Mysterio and Batista). It's also going after China heavily with "the same brand, same characters, same product," Rochester says. "It translates well and travels well."
Says McMahon, "We like to think of WWE as America's greatest export. It's understood in any language. The largess, the grandeur, the spectacular nature of our brand plays well everywhere. It really says Americana. It's Western culture. It's like the old Wild West stuff."
Further marketing efforts include WWE's website with 17 million uniques per month, with fans logging on to access exclusive videos and other content. It's also on YouTube, Facebook and MySpace.
Additionally, it will launch animated, web-based programming aimed at 6- to 8-year-olds in order to compete with Disney, Nickelodeon and Cartoon Network.
"You have to reinvent yourself over and over," McMahon says. "We've always have the creative ability to do that. You change with the times. Our audience is a very active and vocal focus group. They vote with their wallets. If they don't like what they're being presented, they don't come. You have to judge their reactions."
The reactions to its films so far has been a learning lesson, McMahon says.
"We're going to have a much greater Hollywood business," he says. "We're looking forward to learning from everyone out there. That will allow us to have better writers, better scripts."
Media Man Australia Profiles
WWE
WWE Films
by Marc Graser - Variety - 29th Feb 2008
With Hollywood gearing up to launch "Thor," and reboot "Conan the Barbarian" and "He-Man and the Masters of the Universe" as potential new franchises, the big question is, who do producers cast?
The wiry or geeky stars of "The Matrix," "Spider-Man," "Transformers" or upcoming "Wanted" just won't be able to pull off playing a muscled-up Norse god who wields a massive hammer. No, not even Shia LaBeouf.
And that has the biz quickly realizing it's short on uber-buff action stars, with Arnold Schwarzenegger and Sylvester Stallone out of contention, and even Dwayne Johnson dropping "The Rock" alter ego as he slims down and turns his attention to comedies.
So when World Wrestling Entertainment announced last week a first-look distribution deal with 20th Century Fox for a slate of pics, the timing couldn't have been better.
Its 150-person roster is made up of charismatic, overly-muscled athletes who don outrageous costumes and are embroiled in storylines that could out-soap any sudser on daytime TV. And they're only eager to make the leap to movies.
Some like John Cena, "Stone Cold" Steve Austin and Glen "Kane" Jacobs already have made the transition in three pics -- "See No Evil," "The Marine" and "The Condemned" -- that WWE has developed, financed and produced since forming its film division in 2002.
Its fourth pic, also to star Cena, is "12 Rounds," an actioner that bows in 2009 under the Fox Atomic label. The production, with Renny Harlin at the helm, begins this month in New Orleans.
The idea is that theatrical releases will bolster WWE's lucrative DVD business, and increase interest in the company's half-billion-dollar-a-year-business of live events like Wrestlemania, pay-per-view and TV broadcasts, its websites, as well as videogames, music, and sales of other merchandise, including a growing book biz.
Bringing the tough guy back to the bigscreen hasn't been an easy task, however.
"The Marine," WWE Films' biggest success to date, only earned $23 million at the box office. The other two releases collected a combined $26 million in coin worldwide.
WWE says the problem was that it focused on making movies that went after a hard R rating -- violent horror or action pics that would appeal to the males that make up much of the company's fanbase.
But then Stamford, Conn. execs started paying attention to the types of people who fill arenas to watch its events or tune in to its shows like USA's "Monday Night Raw" and "Smackdown" (which recently moved from the CW to MyNetworkTV) -- kids, women and families.
Its target may be 18- to 24- year-old males, but the core aud is actually a broader 12-24 age range, with the rest made up of families. Women make up 30% of its viewership.
Because of that, WWE will now focus on a slate of PG-13 pics that could include broad comedies.
"There's no reason why, going forward, we couldn't do a ‘Game Plan' type of film," says Michael Lake, prexy of WWE Films, and former head of production at Village Roadshow, who took the post in October, and reworked the company's development slate and tossed out proejcts.
"We had to refocus where we wanted to go," he says. "There's a strong audience base that is ready for movies that star our guys. A lot of our audience is in the PG-13 area."
Vince McMahon, the colorful chairman of WWE says, "The films we're going to make are fun. Everything we do is about selling fun. We put smiles on people's faces. Everything we do is about doing that."
Upon taking the job, Lake says he immediately began screentesting wrestlers and realized "there's a real depth of talent we can use. We want to fashion movies to fit their personalities."
WWE plans to release one pic per year in theaters at a pricetag of $20 million or less and up to four direct-to-DVD titles made for around $5 million each.
All will star WWE athletes, and each pic would be heavily promoted across the company's media properties.
"These guys are action stars already," Lake says. "People still want solid action heroes."
The company has proved successful at creating a crossover star with Johnson launching his film career as a WWE wrestler.
To replicate that kind of success, the company has been pushing its wrestlers outside of the ring in unusual ways.
Its female fighters, known as the Divas, recently appeared on Bravo's "Project Runway." WWE stars also turned up on NBC's "The Apprentice" and "Deal or No Deal," ABC's "Extreme Makeover: Home Edition," "Dancing With the Stars" and "Fast Cars and Superstars."
"At the end of the day, we want to be present where our customers are," says Geof Rochester, WWE's exec VP of marketing. "If we can lend our brand and participate in a fun and interesting way, we'll do it. We're looking for things that are family friendly, fun and positions our superstars in the appropriate light. We don't take ourselves too seriously."
It can't. Not when its wrestlers go by names like Undertaker, spit out bites of apples like Carlito or when its chairman body slams an Irish midget named Hornswoggle, otherwise known as Little Bastard.
McMahon describes WWE's productions as "producing the Olympics on Broadway," or the last real variety show left on television.
"For us, it's all about our superstars," Rochester says. "They are our intellectual capital. That's what attracts fans to the product."
What could also attract fans is scripted TV, another area, in addition to films, that WWE will pursue, as a way to "establish these guys not to our audience so much but to outside audiences," Lake says.
McMahon says WWE's athletes would lend themselves well to films or script TV shows.
"First and foremost, they're performers and some of them secondarily are athletes," McMahon says. "They're really both, but the emphasis is on entertainment. Producers are often overwhelmed with how cooperative our guys are, how prepared they they are. They've been indoctrinated in how to be performers, especially in front of a live audience, which is a tremdendous advantage. The only thing they have to do is bring down their emotions a bit."
WWE needs to try something new to keep existing fans interested and attract new ones.
Company's facing some fierce competition from mixed martial arts and leagues like the Ultimate Fighting Championship and Intl. Fight League that are amassing millions of new fans each year and stealing viewers away from WWE.
"We're not worried about UFC," Rochester says. "We're an entertainment product. There's room for everybody. Our brand has been around for over 50 years and we'll be around for another 50."
Yet WWE is in expansion mode, especially overseas in markets like Latin America (it's been courting Hispanic viewers with wrestlers like Rey Mysterio and Batista). It's also going after China heavily with "the same brand, same characters, same product," Rochester says. "It translates well and travels well."
Says McMahon, "We like to think of WWE as America's greatest export. It's understood in any language. The largess, the grandeur, the spectacular nature of our brand plays well everywhere. It really says Americana. It's Western culture. It's like the old Wild West stuff."
Further marketing efforts include WWE's website with 17 million uniques per month, with fans logging on to access exclusive videos and other content. It's also on YouTube, Facebook and MySpace.
Additionally, it will launch animated, web-based programming aimed at 6- to 8-year-olds in order to compete with Disney, Nickelodeon and Cartoon Network.
"You have to reinvent yourself over and over," McMahon says. "We've always have the creative ability to do that. You change with the times. Our audience is a very active and vocal focus group. They vote with their wallets. If they don't like what they're being presented, they don't come. You have to judge their reactions."
The reactions to its films so far has been a learning lesson, McMahon says.
"We're going to have a much greater Hollywood business," he says. "We're looking forward to learning from everyone out there. That will allow us to have better writers, better scripts."
Media Man Australia Profiles
WWE
WWE Films
Thursday, February 28, 2008
Mayweather wrestles for $21m - HeraldSun.com.au - 27th February 2008
MANAGER Leonard Ellerbe has defended a decision to have his unbeaten boxer, Floyd Mayweather, take part in a professional wrestling program in Florida next month.
Mayweather, considered by some to be the best pound-for-pound fighter in the world, claims to have been offered $US20 million ($21.45 million) to take part in Wrestlemania XXIV on March 30 in Orlando, Florida.
The unbeaten World Boxing Council welterweight champ will battle 2.1 metre World Wrestling Entertainment star "Big Show".
Mayweather will be conceding around 113kg to the wrestling giant but Ellerbe says the move is all about underlining Mayweather's credentials as an entertainer rather than just a boxer, just as he did when the champion appeared on "Dancing With The Stars" in November.
"This is a tremendous, tremendous event, it's entertainment," said Ellerbe.
"Like anything, it's also a business and it's my responsibility to continue to expand his fanbase and take the Mayweather brand to another level."
Mayweather's manager insisted the diversion to the scripted-WWE event had nothing to do with helping to promote the boxer's proposed rematch with Oscar De La Hoya this September.
Ellerbe dismissed the suggestion that Mayweather was risking an injury that could derail his plans for an even bigger payday.
Media Man Australia Profiles
WrestleMania
WWE
Boxing
MANAGER Leonard Ellerbe has defended a decision to have his unbeaten boxer, Floyd Mayweather, take part in a professional wrestling program in Florida next month.
Mayweather, considered by some to be the best pound-for-pound fighter in the world, claims to have been offered $US20 million ($21.45 million) to take part in Wrestlemania XXIV on March 30 in Orlando, Florida.
The unbeaten World Boxing Council welterweight champ will battle 2.1 metre World Wrestling Entertainment star "Big Show".
Mayweather will be conceding around 113kg to the wrestling giant but Ellerbe says the move is all about underlining Mayweather's credentials as an entertainer rather than just a boxer, just as he did when the champion appeared on "Dancing With The Stars" in November.
"This is a tremendous, tremendous event, it's entertainment," said Ellerbe.
"Like anything, it's also a business and it's my responsibility to continue to expand his fanbase and take the Mayweather brand to another level."
Mayweather's manager insisted the diversion to the scripted-WWE event had nothing to do with helping to promote the boxer's proposed rematch with Oscar De La Hoya this September.
Ellerbe dismissed the suggestion that Mayweather was risking an injury that could derail his plans for an even bigger payday.
Media Man Australia Profiles
WrestleMania
WWE
Boxing
MyNetworkTV Wins Cage Match for WWE SmackDown
World Wrestling Entertainment Ratings Monster Has New Broadcast Home, By Alex Weprin - Broadcasting & Cable - 26th Feb 2008
World Wrestling Entertainment announced that MyNetworkTV will become the broadcast home of WWE SmackDown beginning this fall.
As a result of the agreement, SmackDown will return to many of its former UPN affiliates, which make up an important portion of MNT. Those former UPN affiliates are where the show's ratings and popularity grew.
“The momentum at MyNetworkTV continues with this major acquisition. We have demonstrated tremendous growth, and this partnership with WWE, the premier sports-entertainment franchise in the world, is a perfect fit for our viewers, advertisers and affiliates,” MyNetworkTV president Greg Meidel said in a statement.
SmackDown had been a staple on The CW and, previously, UPN, since 1999. The negotiating window between The CW and WWE expired Jan. 31, leading to WWE shopping SmackDown to other networks.
WWE programming is a consistent ratings-getter, with its flagship cable show, WWE Monday Night Raw, at the top of the cable ratings charts nearly every week for USA Network.
MyNetworkTV has grown in the ratings as it has debuted more original programming, such as John Langley's Jail and Celebrity Expose. Despite the growth, the network has lagged behind its competitors during primetime.
By acquiring Smackdown, which is a ratings juggernaut in the 18-49 demo that MyNetworkTV is trying to reach, and launching more original programming, such as the upcoming Flavor Flav comedy Under One Roof, the network could become a serious challenger to the CW.
WWE chairman Vince McMahon alluded to the ratings his programs bring when making the announcement. “We have an unmatched record of delivering ratings success to each and every network partner we’ve worked with in our long and storied history,” McMahon said. “We fully intend to bring that same level of success to MyNetworkTV.”
Media Man Australia Profiles
WWE
News Corp
World Wrestling Entertainment Ratings Monster Has New Broadcast Home, By Alex Weprin - Broadcasting & Cable - 26th Feb 2008
World Wrestling Entertainment announced that MyNetworkTV will become the broadcast home of WWE SmackDown beginning this fall.
As a result of the agreement, SmackDown will return to many of its former UPN affiliates, which make up an important portion of MNT. Those former UPN affiliates are where the show's ratings and popularity grew.
“The momentum at MyNetworkTV continues with this major acquisition. We have demonstrated tremendous growth, and this partnership with WWE, the premier sports-entertainment franchise in the world, is a perfect fit for our viewers, advertisers and affiliates,” MyNetworkTV president Greg Meidel said in a statement.
SmackDown had been a staple on The CW and, previously, UPN, since 1999. The negotiating window between The CW and WWE expired Jan. 31, leading to WWE shopping SmackDown to other networks.
WWE programming is a consistent ratings-getter, with its flagship cable show, WWE Monday Night Raw, at the top of the cable ratings charts nearly every week for USA Network.
MyNetworkTV has grown in the ratings as it has debuted more original programming, such as John Langley's Jail and Celebrity Expose. Despite the growth, the network has lagged behind its competitors during primetime.
By acquiring Smackdown, which is a ratings juggernaut in the 18-49 demo that MyNetworkTV is trying to reach, and launching more original programming, such as the upcoming Flavor Flav comedy Under One Roof, the network could become a serious challenger to the CW.
WWE chairman Vince McMahon alluded to the ratings his programs bring when making the announcement. “We have an unmatched record of delivering ratings success to each and every network partner we’ve worked with in our long and storied history,” McMahon said. “We fully intend to bring that same level of success to MyNetworkTV.”
Media Man Australia Profiles
WWE
News Corp
MyNetworkTV to air 'WWE SmackDown', By Georg Szalai - The Hollywood Reporter - 27th Feb 2008
News Corp.'s MyNetworkTV will be the new home of World Wrestling Entertainment's "WWE SmackDown" starting in the fall after the sports entertainment powerhouse's show ends its run on the CW Network.
Industry observers have in recent weeks increasingly expected a deal with MyNet, but WWE management had said as recently as two weeks ago that various networks were in the running. The two parties made things official Tuesday morning.
"This is a big, bold franchise with huge awareness in the marketplace," MyNet president Greg Meidel said, noting that the deal came together quickly. "The brand is recognized by both men and women (in the key demos of) 18-34 and 18-49, so it will give us a huge locomotive to drive our schedule and build it out at a much faster rate."
Meidel said "SmackDown" will remain a two-hour program, airing on Thursday or Friday night. That means the series will displace one of the network's two movie nights, which could move to Saturday.
"SmackDown" has for nine years been one of the most popular programs among males on broadcast TV and one of the top 10 English-language primetime programs among Latino households.
Said WWE chairman Vince McMahon, "We have an unmatched record of delivering ratings success to each and every network partner we've worked with in our long and storied history."
Meidel noted that the series previously aired on several News Corp.-owned stations when they were UPN affiliates, before that network merged with WB Network to form the CW.
"We have a real history of selling and monetizing 'SmackDown,' " he said. "This was driven by our interest not only as a network but also as a stations owner."
MyNet also is no stranger to fight-themed programming. It had a relationship with the International Fight League for a two-hour block featuring mixed martial arts programming, which debuted in March but disappeared from the schedule several weeks ago. Meidel said the IFL programming had a more narrow audience appeal than "SmackDown."
The "SmackDown" news follows on the heels of MyNet's 13-episode order for its first sitcom, the Flavor Flav starrer "Under One Roof." Meidel said he is looking at a "very aggressive development slate for fall" that could include more scripted projects.
Kimberly Nordyke reported from Los Angeles; Georg Szalai reported from New York.
Media Man Australia Profiles
WWE
News Corp
News Corp.'s MyNetworkTV will be the new home of World Wrestling Entertainment's "WWE SmackDown" starting in the fall after the sports entertainment powerhouse's show ends its run on the CW Network.
Industry observers have in recent weeks increasingly expected a deal with MyNet, but WWE management had said as recently as two weeks ago that various networks were in the running. The two parties made things official Tuesday morning.
"This is a big, bold franchise with huge awareness in the marketplace," MyNet president Greg Meidel said, noting that the deal came together quickly. "The brand is recognized by both men and women (in the key demos of) 18-34 and 18-49, so it will give us a huge locomotive to drive our schedule and build it out at a much faster rate."
Meidel said "SmackDown" will remain a two-hour program, airing on Thursday or Friday night. That means the series will displace one of the network's two movie nights, which could move to Saturday.
"SmackDown" has for nine years been one of the most popular programs among males on broadcast TV and one of the top 10 English-language primetime programs among Latino households.
Said WWE chairman Vince McMahon, "We have an unmatched record of delivering ratings success to each and every network partner we've worked with in our long and storied history."
Meidel noted that the series previously aired on several News Corp.-owned stations when they were UPN affiliates, before that network merged with WB Network to form the CW.
"We have a real history of selling and monetizing 'SmackDown,' " he said. "This was driven by our interest not only as a network but also as a stations owner."
MyNet also is no stranger to fight-themed programming. It had a relationship with the International Fight League for a two-hour block featuring mixed martial arts programming, which debuted in March but disappeared from the schedule several weeks ago. Meidel said the IFL programming had a more narrow audience appeal than "SmackDown."
The "SmackDown" news follows on the heels of MyNet's 13-episode order for its first sitcom, the Flavor Flav starrer "Under One Roof." Meidel said he is looking at a "very aggressive development slate for fall" that could include more scripted projects.
Kimberly Nordyke reported from Los Angeles; Georg Szalai reported from New York.
Media Man Australia Profiles
WWE
News Corp
Friday, February 01, 2008
Ric Flair's Opponent for WWE WrestleMania Determined, by Elizabeth Anderson - National Ledger - 31st January 2008
According to a report on leading pro wrestling news site Wrestling News Desk WWE has made an unusual decision regarding Ric Flair's opponent for Wrestlemania XXIV, which is scheduled to be the final match for the aging Nature Boy. World Wrestling Entertainment Chairman Vince McMahon has approved a pitch from The Heart Break Kid Shawn Michaels to wrestle Flair on March 30th as part of WWE's biggest annual event.
"This is a rather risky move," stated Wrestling News Desk.com editor Matthew Cooper, "the talk among the creative team was for Mr. Kennedy to be Flair's last opponent and get the huge boost by retiring Flair."
***
But with Michaels looking at a Wrestlemania without a high profile match for himself, the D/X founder figured the Flair match would have huge emotion. Under the condition of anonymity, a high ranking WWE official told Wrestling News Desk, "Shawn retiring Flair is something that could get Shawn booed, but Vince figures the crowd will give Flair this huge emotional standing ovation, and it doesn't matter if they're WHOOOING or crotch chopping during the match. All the focus will be on Flair after it's over."
The plan seems to be Edge defending the World Title against Undertaker, with the legendary 'Taker's Wrestlemania undefeated streak on the line, and either John Cena vs HHH; or Cena vs HHH vs Orton in a three way for the WWE Title. No word yet on whether Hulk Hogan will be participating in this year's Mania, but in an interesting indication of Hogan's longevity, more people have been asking about Hogan than about Stone Cold Steve Austin.
***
"Cena's return has put Wrestlemania into everyone's consciousness," stated Cooper, "and the Flair match promises to be the most emotional one of the evening. Shawn Michaels is smart for wanting to be Flair's opponent. HBK has placed himself right in the spotlight again."
Media Man Australia Profiles
WWE
WrestleMania
Ric Flair
Shawn Michaels
Local pro wrestler's toughest foe may be fellow Tar Heel Vince McMahon
American flags and two-by-fours, by Megan Stein - The Indy Weekly - 30th January 2008
On the rainy Sunday evening before New Year's Eve, tucked away in Raleigh's RBC Center arena, an estimated 5,000 rollicking, patriotic, oft-conservative lovers of professional wrestling sit with their cameras accessible and overpriced beer cups steady. Holding signs that read "FU," "You Suck," "Woooooo" and "Hooooooo," the fans quiet as the lights dim, eager to see which WWE "Raw Live" Superstar will appear first.
World Wrestling Entertainment is the leading purveyor of the strange combination of buffoonery, kitsch and muscle-bound athleticism known as professional wrestling. Billionaire chairman and N.C. native Vince McMahon—240 pounds of muscle, wrestling experience and business savvy—commands it with an iron fist. Poised to decipher sports entertainment for me is wrestling expert and Chapel Hill resident Ted Hobgood, a friend and former co-conspirator of tonight's World Championship challenger, WWE superstar Jeff Hardy.
WWE
American flags and two-by-fours, by Megan Stein - The Indy Weekly - 30th January 2008
On the rainy Sunday evening before New Year's Eve, tucked away in Raleigh's RBC Center arena, an estimated 5,000 rollicking, patriotic, oft-conservative lovers of professional wrestling sit with their cameras accessible and overpriced beer cups steady. Holding signs that read "FU," "You Suck," "Woooooo" and "Hooooooo," the fans quiet as the lights dim, eager to see which WWE "Raw Live" Superstar will appear first.
World Wrestling Entertainment is the leading purveyor of the strange combination of buffoonery, kitsch and muscle-bound athleticism known as professional wrestling. Billionaire chairman and N.C. native Vince McMahon—240 pounds of muscle, wrestling experience and business savvy—commands it with an iron fist. Poised to decipher sports entertainment for me is wrestling expert and Chapel Hill resident Ted Hobgood, a friend and former co-conspirator of tonight's World Championship challenger, WWE superstar Jeff Hardy.
Hardy, born and raised in Cameron, 50 miles southwest of Raleigh, is the local favorite. In 1992 Hobgood—armed with a master's degree in popular culture and a thesis on wrestling (entitled "I'm Gonna Kick Yer Butt: Competitive Dramatics and the Professional Wrestling Interview Segment")—first encountered Jeff and his brother Matt in Southern Pines at their independent wrestling match. With $5 tickets and backyard announcers, Jeff and Matt wrestled on a ring built by laying wood over a trampoline and covering it with a blue tarp. "The ring bowed in the middle and looked like a swimming pool," Ted remembers.
Despite the brothers' clumsy concoction of painted tattoos, ski masks, sweat pants and tennis shoes, Ted was amazed by what he saw. "Matt had a move called the '450' or the 'Phoenix Splash' where ... you climb up on the rope and jump off and do a somersault in mid-air and then another half somersault and you lay out and splash on top of [your opponent]. At that point there were only two people in the world doing that move, and here's this 17-, 18-year-old kid doing this from bum-fuck N.C."
Hobgood began working with them—designing their costumes, logos and posters and announcing their shows. In line to become tobacco farmers, the brothers instead formed their own wrestling group—called OMEGA (Organization for Modern Extreme Grappling Arts)—before taking off with WWE careers, first as the "Hardy Boyz" tag team and then as solo wrestlers.
Finally, the speakers blare Jeff Hardy's name and the crowd erupts. Jeff enters and takes the mic. Dressed in loose-fitting jeans and a black tank top, he has two layers of sliced pantyhose on his arms, black fingernails, a beard with lightning bolts carved out of it, purple streaks in his medium-length black hair, and tattoos (real) covering his arms and neck. "Greetings, home!" he bellows.
Jeff announces that he won't wait until the scheduled time for his match and challenges his opponent, second-generation WWE Superstar Randy Orton, to fight now. "Randy, get your arrogant ass out here," Jeff yells. Six-foot four, 245 pounds, Orton stalks into the arena, sporting AC/DC trunks (the manlier word for "panties"). People on the floor lean against red-shirted security guards to get a better look. The crowd boos—though one woman and her daughter, seated in the $60 floor seats, sport a "We *Heart* You Orton" sign. As the match warms up, Hardy slings his tank top into the crowd.
A surprisingly short time later—after a rapid sequence of lead reversals—Orton ends the match with his signature "RKO" move, a backward jump at the opponent's neck that ends in a face slam. The crowd audibly deflates.
Despite—or, according to Hobgood, due to—Jeff's local tie, the big man upstairs (McMahon, that is) made the call that Orton would be the night's WWE World Champion. The smaller matches are determined by road agents backstage (themselves former wrestlers), but McMahon decides the big matches. "Vince McMahon's idea is that if the hometown person loses then the crowd will want to come back later," explains Hobgood, adding that the tactic usually just disappoints. Later, we texted Matt Hardy, who was backstage, and discovered that the match was cut short because Orton had been injured in a recent match.
He insists that professional wrestling isn't fake, stating that the wrestlers (for the most part) are skilled athletes. "[They] are always hurting. The level of pain they're in on any given day is more than you and I as normal human beings could take. You and I would be at home screaming for orange juice and pain killers." Even the ring's springboard ropes—made with steel cables—can injure the untrained.
This is the world that Jeff Hardy has dedicated his life to. Behind us, fanatics yell in Southern drawls at the "bad guys" of the match—inevitably the foreign wrestlers, who exaggerate their foreignness. "Speaka English, spaghetti eater," they yell to Italian wrestler Santino Marella. "No Commies in America" to the Russian Vladimir Kozlov. When a wrestler with an accent takes the mic, the crowd relentlessly taunts "What!?! What?!?" at every pause—referencing the annoying tactic originally used by "Stone Cold" Steve Austin. When the Diva Tag Team comes out, the yelling turns to misogynistic mocking—"What's the screaming for? You ain't having sex with nobody." Throughout the night the crowd chants "USA! USA!"—a mantra that culminates with the entrance of "Hacksaw" Jim Duggan in the fourth match when he runs out waving an American flag and his trademark two-by-four (symbolizing American hard work).
It is a world, though, that Hobgood maintains holds a unique appeal. At one point, when wrestler Hardcore Holly is histrionically breaking free of an opponent's hold, arms shaking for added effect, the quick-to-insult fans behind us murmur in all seriousness, "Look at that strength."
"You lose yourself in it," Hobgood explains, adding that to see their wrestling heroes from pay-per-view in real life is "magical" for kids.
Other fans take a less storybook approach. During the third match, between the rigid wrestlers Snitsky and Drew McEntyre, I hear a man taunt, "You hit like a girl!" "Durn right," says his friend.
On Sunday, Jan. 27, Hardy and Orton had a rematch in New York's Madison Square Garden. Orton won the bout and retained the WWE Championship.
WWE
WWE SmackDown anchor's next stop? (Credit: New York Daily News) - 31st January 2008
Media Man Australia Profiles
WWE
PHILADELPHIA - The TV news anchor fired after her skirmish with New York City cops has been offered a job with World Wrestling Entertainment, a Web site reported Wednesday.
Stunning brunette Alycia Lane, 35, has been offered an on-camera job for WWE, her disk jockey boyfriend, Chris Booker, said on his radio show, according to Philly.com.
But WWE did not confirm that, the Web site noted.
In another development, the anchor's lawyer said in court papers that Lane would sue Philadelphia's KYW-TV over her Jan. 7 dismissal.
The job reportedly paid $700,000 a year.
Lane's arrest last month capped a string of public embarrassments for the newswoman, who shed tears on-air with "Dr. Phil" McGraw over her divorce and sent photos of herself in a bikini to NFL Network anchor Rich Eisen.
Eisen's wife intercepted the pictures and reported Lane to gossip columnists.
Lane faces an April 3 hearing in the assault on a female police officer in Manhattan, a charge she denies.
Cops said she yelled, "I am a reporter, you ... dyke."
Lane's lawyer Paul Rosen did not immediately return a phone message yesterday.Media Man Australia Profiles
WWE
WWE — the sweatiest ticket in town, by Richard Smart - The Japan Times - 1st February 2008
The hard-punching, head-crunching stars of World Wrestling Entertainment are in Tokyo mid-February for the WWE Royal Rumble tour. OK, so this spectacle — currently known as "sports entertainment" and televised to millions worldwide — has its naysayers. After all, when midgets get the living daylights kicked out of them by 2-meter-tall blokes who make Arnold Schwarzenegger in his heyday look like chubby Oscar-winning actor Philip Seymor Hoffman, it's safe to say that what you are watching is not 100 percent for real.
The hard-punching, head-crunching stars of World Wrestling Entertainment are in Tokyo mid-February for the WWE Royal Rumble tour. OK, so this spectacle — currently known as "sports entertainment" and televised to millions worldwide — has its naysayers. After all, when midgets get the living daylights kicked out of them by 2-meter-tall blokes who make Arnold Schwarzenegger in his heyday look like chubby Oscar-winning actor Philip Seymor Hoffman, it's safe to say that what you are watching is not 100 percent for real.
But that is just the point. Around 15 years ago Vince McMahon — the owner of WWE and, at least in character, the organization's version of J.R. Ewing from the TV series "Dallas" — announced that the WWF (as it was then called) was fixed. And so, on with the show.
Since then, American wrestling has gone from absurdity to absurdity. Of the current roster of "Superstars" (wrestlers to those not caught up in the WWE hype), two stand out as particularly strange.
The Great Khali is a 217-cm, 190-kg giant who perhaps more than any other wrestler personifies the freakish standards of the WWE. The catch? He has a growth hormone disorder that is causing his head and hands to expand while eating away at his legs. Now at age 35, he is not likely to see his 50th birthday.
Then there's Hornswoggle, otherwise known as "Little Bastard." At 128 cm and 54 kg, his main story line revealed that he is Vince McMahon's bastard child. A few months ago, in one of the most surreal matches of all time, Hornswoggle fought the Great Khali.
Add to these wrestlers the diva Candice Michelle, veterans such as Triple H and Shawn Michaels — fresh from the "Royal Rumble" pay-per-view event, and undoubtedly carrying fresh grudges and new story lines — and a crowd whose pack mentality and eccentric behavior is any sociologist's wet dream, and you have an event so surreal that it just might be worth going to see.
WWE Royal Rumble Tour arrives at Ariake Coliseum on Feb. 11 and Nippon Budokan on Feb. 12. Tickets cost ¥3,000-¥20,000 and are available from all regular ticket outlets.
Media Man Australia Profiles
Thursday, January 31, 2008
NEP Supershooters & Screenworks Build HD Future for WWE(R) On the Air and In the Arena - Press Release - 29th January 2008 (Credit: CNNMoney.com - PR Newswire)
Media Man Australia Profiles
World Wrestling Entertainment
PITTSBURGH, Jan. 29 /PRNewswire/ -- One of America's great entertainment stars just got brighter. NEP Supershooters and Screenworks have been working with World Wrestling Entertainment(R) for over a year on creating a new HD experience for fans at home and at WWE events around the country.
The NEP Systems Integration team and WWE management joined forces to custom design and build the new High Definition Remote Television Production home for WWE. The two new double expando units dubbed Red and Black were built to specifications as outlined by WWE's Mike Grossman, Duncan Leslie and Marty Pingree. They include a spacious new main production control room equipped with Grass Valley Kalypso switcher, 6 EVS Servers, 11 Sony HD Cams and 2 SRW VTR's along with technical management, video and graphics areas. The production will include 10 or more Sony HD camera systems for each event as determined by WWE. The second unit contains an enhanced audio production area with Calrec Alpha and Omega audio consoles, a control room for internet content production, and a storage area for equipment. The units were used for the new WWE HD telecasts across its multiple platforms including NBC Universal's USA Network for "Monday Night RAW(R)" on January 21 and on the CW for "Friday Night SmackDown(R)" on January 25.
"WWE challenged us with creating a mobile production facility with the express purpose of bringing the best possible HD experience to their fans and viewers and NEP has delivered. This is a one of a kind unit that houses the most sophisticated sports telecast equipment out there today and we are proud to launch WWE into a new era of its growth," said NEP Broadcasting Chief Technology Officer George Hoover.
In addition, NEP Screenworks has completed the design and build out of the new, in-arena HD screen experience for WWE, including a new Christie Digital projector and a massive Screenworks designed screen system including BARCO Mitrix low resolution LED sticks and LED curtain.
"We've had a long relationship with WWE and they are great partners who want the best for their millions of fans. The new screen systems we created with WWE will bring the fans at the arenas even closer to the action," said Screenworks President Tom McCracken. "Our team was there at the premiere on January 21, and will be for each event throughout the years to come. It's a whole new experience."
"The move to high-definition programming is another step in WWE's ongoing mission to provide fans with the most engaging, exciting product possible," said Mike Grossman, WWE Senior Vice President, Television Operations. "This upgrade is the first of many technological advances for our brand in 2008. NEP Supershooters and Screenworks have created an equipment set that has exceeded our expectations and that will provide our viewers with a spectacular HD viewing experience."
About NEP Broadcasting
NEP Broadcasting is the leading international provider of outsourced teleproduction services vital to the delivery of live sports and entertainment events. Serving the world's premiere broadcast networks and production companies, NEP provides state-of-the-art facilities, engineering expertise and technical management to support telecasts of major events and programs around the globe. With more than 500 employees worldwide, including the finest engineering and technical management in the field, NEP Broadcasting is proud to serve networks, producers and organizations through services provided by its six specialized divisions: Supershooters, Denali, Visions, Screenworks, Studios and Roll to Record along with mobile facility services provided by New Century Productions. For more information on NEP, please visit our website at http://www.nepinc.com.
About WWE
World Wrestling Entertainment Inc. is an integrated media and entertainment company headquartered in Stamford, Conn., with offices in New York, Los Angeles, Chicago, London, Shanghai, Tokyo, Sao Paulo, Toronto and Sydney. We are listed on the New York Stock Exchange under the symbol WWE. Additional information on World Wrestling Entertainment, Inc. can be found at http://www.wwe.com and http://corporate.wwe.com. For information on our global activities, go to http://www.wwe.com/worldwideMedia Man Australia Profiles
World Wrestling Entertainment
Wednesday, January 02, 2008
WWE 2008 DVD Release schedule - PhillyBurbs.com - 31st December 2007
Media Man Australia Profiles
WWE
The WWE released their list of scheduled DVD releases for 2008. Keep in mind that this is all subject to change. However, an early look reveals some surprises, some obvious choices, some expensive collections, a lot of nostalgia, and maybe the biggest surprise of all.
The WWE will be producing documentaries on some of the current superstars. The list includes Triple H, John Cena, and Edge. All of the DVDs should contain some great matches from the three over the course of their careers. The Edge DVD in particular should be a must-buy for the TLC matches that will likely be included.
Every year the WWE showcases a historic superstar that is not necessarily on their roster. Bret Hart, Hulk Hogan, and the Ultimate Warrior have all been spotlighted whether they wanted to participate in the documentary or not. In 2008 WWE will be going down two roads that nobody had expected. For the first time one of their biggest stars ever will be acknowledged by the company. The other is a superstar that has never wrestled for the WWE and currently wrestles for their competition.
“Macho Man” Randy Savage has been persona non grata with Vince McMahon and the WWE since he left for WCW. The Savage mystery has been one that is talked about quite a bit by people within the wrestling industry. Vince McMahon seems to forgive everyone he has had any heat with, if it can benefit his company. At one time Hulk Hogan, Bret Hart, Eric Bischoff, Jesse Ventura, and Roddy Piper were some of Vince’s biggest enemies. Yet when the dust settles, Vince always does what is good for business and buries the hatchet.
Randy Savage is one of the biggest stars that the WWE ever had. Randy Savage still has a lot of fans and there has been a demand for Savage to return to the WWE for quite some time. Rumor has it that Vince hates Savage so much that every time Savage’s name has been suggested for the Hall of Fame, Vince gives a dirty look and changes the subject. It is well known that it is never a good idea for any WWE employee to bring up the name Randy Savage in Vince McMahon’s presence.
There are some really juicy rumors as to Vince hates Savage with such a passion. Since nobody has ever confirmed any of those rumors it would be unfair for me to write about them. If true, you could almost understand and admire Vince for putting business second to his own feelings and morality.
It is unclear whether the DVD is the first step to an open door for the former WWF World Heavyweight Champion. I can guarantee you that there are a lot of fans out there that would love to see Savage back in the WWE culture. A Hall of Fame induction is long overdue for such an important part of company history.
WWE will also be releasing a DVD spotlighting former WCW World Champion and current TNA star, Sting. This is a strange one as I have no idea why the WWE would want to promote the biggest star of their rival. All the WWE has to do is wait a few years for Sting to retire and I am sure they could get him to be a part of a DVD. Doing it now makes me wonder if Sting really is going to re-sign with TNA after all.
Other highlights include DVDs on the Hardys, the Rock, “Stone Cold” Steve Austin, “Mr. Perfect” Curt Hennig, a 20-disc Summerslam anthology, and the best of Starrcade.
WWE has done a great job of assorting a collection that appeals to everyone. It is no coincidence that quite a bit of the DVDs will be marketed towards their nostalgia fans. Even the ex-WCW/NWA fans that have disappeared may have to come out hiding for these DVDs. 2008 looks like it is going to be a great and an expensive year for WWE DVD fans.
Eric Gargiulo writes about pro wrestling, MMA and more in his blog, The Camel Clutch. He can be reached by e-mail at egargiulo@phillyburbs.com. Eric's "Pro Wrestling Radio" airs on WBCB 1490 AM every Saturday from 12:05-1PM/EST and can be heard live online at http://www.wbcb1490.comMedia Man Australia Profiles
WWE
Wednesday, November 07, 2007
Press Release
5th November 2007
WWE® SmackDown® vs. Raw® 2008 Kicks off Global Marketing Campaign on WWE® Monday Night RAW®
Multi-million Dollar Effort for Pre-eminent Fighting Video Game Franchise Supports Upcoming Simultaneous Release on Seven Platforms
AGOURA HILLS, Calif.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--THQ Inc. (NASDAQ:THQI) and JAKKS Pacific, Inc. (NASDAQ:JAKK) today announced that the WWE® SmackDown® vs. Raw® 2008 global marketing campaign, aimed at highlighting the franchise’s debut on the WiiTM home video game system, the Nintendo DS™ and the PLAYSTATION®3 computer entertainment system, will kick off tonight on Monday Night RAW®. The campaign is a multifaceted, multi-million dollar global marketing effort to support the biggest SmackDown vs. Raw launch in the franchise’s nine year history. WWE SmackDown vs. Raw 2008 is scheduled for simultaneous release on the Xbox 360® video game and entertainment system from Microsoft, PLAYSTATION 3 system, PlayStation®2 computer entertainment system, PSP® (PlayStation®Portable) system, the Wii and Nintendo DS, plus wireless devices, on November 9, 2007 across Europe, Australia and New Zealand; and on November 13, 2007 across North America.
“The exciting and frenetic atmosphere of Monday Night RAW provides the perfect stage from which to launch our WWE SmackDown vs. Raw 2008 global marketing campaign,” said Bob Aniello, senior vice president, worldwide marketing, THQ. “This comprehensive worldwide effort will show fans how their love of wrestling can find intense new outlets through this year’s SmackDown vs. Raw debut on Wii, Nintendo DS and the PLAYSTATION 3 system. Each platform provides unique fighting experiences that will bring fans closer than ever to their favorite Superstars.”
“The WWE SmackDown vs. Raw 2008 global marketing campaign is the most comprehensive effort to date for the SmackDown vs. Raw franchise,” said Nelo Lucich, vice president of interactive, JAKKS Pacific. “We are excited by the unique game play delivered across an impressive seven systems and look forward to the upcoming launch of this year’s game.”
The cross platform marketing strategy for WWE SmackDown vs. Raw 2008 also includes:
A global TV campaign in eight different countries, including advertising, broadcast and event sponsorships.
Print advertising in consumer publications and holiday buyer guides, including a Nintendo-specific campaign.
A comprehensive online campaign including advertising, a demo campaign via Xbox Live® Marketplace for the Xbox 360, as well as the annual roster reveal and daily Superstar profiles campaign on IGN.
A worldwide gaming tournament where top SmackDown vs. Raw gamers will win the opportunity to compete at the 6th Annual THQ Superstar Challenge in Orlando, FL, which kicks off WrestleMania® 24 weekend
First-ever launch event for the franchise at Toys”R”Us Times Square, including an appearance and autograph signing by WWE Superstar Rey Mysterio®
Retailer-specific promotions including Superstar appearances, exclusive gift with purchase opportunities, co-marketing with WWE DVD and more
Wireless promotions through major carriers
More information about WWE SmackDown vs. Raw 2008 can be found at www.smackdownvsraw.com and www.thq.com.
About World Wrestling Entertainment, Inc.
World Wrestling Entertainment, Inc. is an integrated media and entertainment company headquartered in Stamford, Conn., with offices in New York, Los Angeles, Toronto and London. Additional information on the company can be found at wwe.com and corporate.wwe.com. Information on television ratings and community activities can be found at parents.wwe.com.
About THQ Inc.
THQ Inc. (NASDAQ: THQI) is a leading worldwide developer and publisher of interactive entertainment software. The company develops its products for all popular game systems, personal computers and wireless devices. Headquartered in Los Angeles County, California, THQ sells product through its global network of offices located throughout North America, Europe and Asia Pacific. More information about THQ and its products may be found at www.thq.com and www.thqwireless.com. THQ, THQ Wireless and their respective logos are trademarks and/or registered trademarks of THQ Inc.
About JAKKS Pacific, Inc.
JAKKS Pacific, Inc. (NASDAQ: JAKK) is a multi-brand company that designs and markets a broad range of toys and consumer products. The product categories include: Action Figures, Art Activity Kits, Stationery, Writing Instruments, Performance Kites, Water Toys, Sports Activity Toys, Vehicles, Infant/Pre-School, Plush, Construction Toys, Electronics, Dolls, Dress-Up, Role Play, and Pet Toys and Accessories. The products are sold under various brand names including JAKKS Pacific®, Play Along®, Flying Colors®, Creative Designs International™, Road Champs®, Child Guidance®, Pentech®, Trendmasters®, Toymax®, Funnoodle®, Go Fly a Kite®, Color Workshop®, JAKKS Pets™ and Plug It In & Play TV Games™. JAKKS and THQ Inc. participate in a joint venture that has worldwide rights to publish and market World Wrestling Entertainment video games. For further information, visit www.jakks.com.
Trademarks: All World Wrestling Entertainment programming, talent names, images, likenesses, slogans, wrestling moves, and logos are the exclusive property of World Wrestling Entertainment, Inc. ECW is a trademark owned by WWE Libraries, Inc. ECW is a trademark owned by WWE Libraries, Inc. All other trademarks, logos and copyrights are the property of their respective owners.
Microsoft, Xbox, Xbox 360, Xbox Live, the Xbox logos, and the Xbox Live logo are either registered trademarks or trademarks of Microsoft Corporation in the U.S. and/or other countries.
"PlayStation", "PS" Family logo and "PSP" are registered trademarks of Sony Computer Entertainment Inc. Memory Stick Duo™ may be required (sold separately).
Wii and Nintendo DS are trademarks of Nintendo.
The statements contained in this press release that are not historical facts may be “forward-looking statements” within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. These forward-looking statements are based on current expectations, estimates and projections about the business of THQ Inc. and its subsidiaries (collectively referred to as “THQ”), including, but not limited to, expectations and projections related to the marketing campaign for WWE SmackDown vs. Raw 2008, and are based upon management’s current beliefs and certain assumptions made by management. Such forward-looking statements are subject to risks and uncertainties that could cause actual results to differ materially from those expressed or implied by such forward-looking statements, including, but not limited to, business, competitive, economic, legal, political and technological factors affecting our industry, operations, markets, products or pricing. Readers should carefully review the risk factors and the information that could materially affect THQ’s financial results, described in other documents that THQ files from time to time with the Securities and Exchange Commission, including its Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q and Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal period ended March 31, 2007, and particularly the discussion of risk factors set forth therein. Unless otherwise required by law, THQ disclaims any obligation to update its view on any such risks or uncertainties or to revise or publicly release the results of any revision to these forward-looking statements. Readers are cautioned not to place undue reliance on these forward-looking statements, which speak only as of the date of this press release.
This press release may contain forward–looking statements (within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995) that are based on current expectations, estimates and projections about JAKKS Pacific's business based partly on assumptions made by its management. These statements are not guarantees of future performance and involve risks, uncertainties and assumptions that are difficult to predict. Therefore, actual outcomes and results may differ materially from what is expressed or forecasted in such statements due to numerous factors, including, but not limited to, those described above, changes in demand for JAKKS' products, product mix, the timing of customer orders and deliveries, the impact of competitive products and pricing, and difficulties with integrating acquired businesses. The forward-looking statements contained herein speak only as of the date on which they are made, and JAKKS undertakes no obligation to update any of them to reflect events or circumstances after the date of this release.
Contacts
THQ/Media RelationsJaime Jensen, 818-871-5111
or
THQ/Investor RelationsJulie MacMedan, 818-871-5125orJAKKS Pacific/Media RelationsGenna Rosenberg, 310-455-6235
gennar@jakks.net
or
World Wrestling Entertainment, Inc.Kevin Hennessy, 203-352-8657
kevin.hennessy@wwecorp.com
5th November 2007
WWE® SmackDown® vs. Raw® 2008 Kicks off Global Marketing Campaign on WWE® Monday Night RAW®
Multi-million Dollar Effort for Pre-eminent Fighting Video Game Franchise Supports Upcoming Simultaneous Release on Seven Platforms
AGOURA HILLS, Calif.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--THQ Inc. (NASDAQ:THQI) and JAKKS Pacific, Inc. (NASDAQ:JAKK) today announced that the WWE® SmackDown® vs. Raw® 2008 global marketing campaign, aimed at highlighting the franchise’s debut on the WiiTM home video game system, the Nintendo DS™ and the PLAYSTATION®3 computer entertainment system, will kick off tonight on Monday Night RAW®. The campaign is a multifaceted, multi-million dollar global marketing effort to support the biggest SmackDown vs. Raw launch in the franchise’s nine year history. WWE SmackDown vs. Raw 2008 is scheduled for simultaneous release on the Xbox 360® video game and entertainment system from Microsoft, PLAYSTATION 3 system, PlayStation®2 computer entertainment system, PSP® (PlayStation®Portable) system, the Wii and Nintendo DS, plus wireless devices, on November 9, 2007 across Europe, Australia and New Zealand; and on November 13, 2007 across North America.
“The exciting and frenetic atmosphere of Monday Night RAW provides the perfect stage from which to launch our WWE SmackDown vs. Raw 2008 global marketing campaign,” said Bob Aniello, senior vice president, worldwide marketing, THQ. “This comprehensive worldwide effort will show fans how their love of wrestling can find intense new outlets through this year’s SmackDown vs. Raw debut on Wii, Nintendo DS and the PLAYSTATION 3 system. Each platform provides unique fighting experiences that will bring fans closer than ever to their favorite Superstars.”
“The WWE SmackDown vs. Raw 2008 global marketing campaign is the most comprehensive effort to date for the SmackDown vs. Raw franchise,” said Nelo Lucich, vice president of interactive, JAKKS Pacific. “We are excited by the unique game play delivered across an impressive seven systems and look forward to the upcoming launch of this year’s game.”
The cross platform marketing strategy for WWE SmackDown vs. Raw 2008 also includes:
A global TV campaign in eight different countries, including advertising, broadcast and event sponsorships.
Print advertising in consumer publications and holiday buyer guides, including a Nintendo-specific campaign.
A comprehensive online campaign including advertising, a demo campaign via Xbox Live® Marketplace for the Xbox 360, as well as the annual roster reveal and daily Superstar profiles campaign on IGN.
A worldwide gaming tournament where top SmackDown vs. Raw gamers will win the opportunity to compete at the 6th Annual THQ Superstar Challenge in Orlando, FL, which kicks off WrestleMania® 24 weekend
First-ever launch event for the franchise at Toys”R”Us Times Square, including an appearance and autograph signing by WWE Superstar Rey Mysterio®
Retailer-specific promotions including Superstar appearances, exclusive gift with purchase opportunities, co-marketing with WWE DVD and more
Wireless promotions through major carriers
More information about WWE SmackDown vs. Raw 2008 can be found at www.smackdownvsraw.com and www.thq.com.
About World Wrestling Entertainment, Inc.
World Wrestling Entertainment, Inc. is an integrated media and entertainment company headquartered in Stamford, Conn., with offices in New York, Los Angeles, Toronto and London. Additional information on the company can be found at wwe.com and corporate.wwe.com. Information on television ratings and community activities can be found at parents.wwe.com.
About THQ Inc.
THQ Inc. (NASDAQ: THQI) is a leading worldwide developer and publisher of interactive entertainment software. The company develops its products for all popular game systems, personal computers and wireless devices. Headquartered in Los Angeles County, California, THQ sells product through its global network of offices located throughout North America, Europe and Asia Pacific. More information about THQ and its products may be found at www.thq.com and www.thqwireless.com. THQ, THQ Wireless and their respective logos are trademarks and/or registered trademarks of THQ Inc.
About JAKKS Pacific, Inc.
JAKKS Pacific, Inc. (NASDAQ: JAKK) is a multi-brand company that designs and markets a broad range of toys and consumer products. The product categories include: Action Figures, Art Activity Kits, Stationery, Writing Instruments, Performance Kites, Water Toys, Sports Activity Toys, Vehicles, Infant/Pre-School, Plush, Construction Toys, Electronics, Dolls, Dress-Up, Role Play, and Pet Toys and Accessories. The products are sold under various brand names including JAKKS Pacific®, Play Along®, Flying Colors®, Creative Designs International™, Road Champs®, Child Guidance®, Pentech®, Trendmasters®, Toymax®, Funnoodle®, Go Fly a Kite®, Color Workshop®, JAKKS Pets™ and Plug It In & Play TV Games™. JAKKS and THQ Inc. participate in a joint venture that has worldwide rights to publish and market World Wrestling Entertainment video games. For further information, visit www.jakks.com.
Trademarks: All World Wrestling Entertainment programming, talent names, images, likenesses, slogans, wrestling moves, and logos are the exclusive property of World Wrestling Entertainment, Inc. ECW is a trademark owned by WWE Libraries, Inc. ECW is a trademark owned by WWE Libraries, Inc. All other trademarks, logos and copyrights are the property of their respective owners.
Microsoft, Xbox, Xbox 360, Xbox Live, the Xbox logos, and the Xbox Live logo are either registered trademarks or trademarks of Microsoft Corporation in the U.S. and/or other countries.
"PlayStation", "PS" Family logo and "PSP" are registered trademarks of Sony Computer Entertainment Inc. Memory Stick Duo™ may be required (sold separately).
Wii and Nintendo DS are trademarks of Nintendo.
The statements contained in this press release that are not historical facts may be “forward-looking statements” within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. These forward-looking statements are based on current expectations, estimates and projections about the business of THQ Inc. and its subsidiaries (collectively referred to as “THQ”), including, but not limited to, expectations and projections related to the marketing campaign for WWE SmackDown vs. Raw 2008, and are based upon management’s current beliefs and certain assumptions made by management. Such forward-looking statements are subject to risks and uncertainties that could cause actual results to differ materially from those expressed or implied by such forward-looking statements, including, but not limited to, business, competitive, economic, legal, political and technological factors affecting our industry, operations, markets, products or pricing. Readers should carefully review the risk factors and the information that could materially affect THQ’s financial results, described in other documents that THQ files from time to time with the Securities and Exchange Commission, including its Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q and Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal period ended March 31, 2007, and particularly the discussion of risk factors set forth therein. Unless otherwise required by law, THQ disclaims any obligation to update its view on any such risks or uncertainties or to revise or publicly release the results of any revision to these forward-looking statements. Readers are cautioned not to place undue reliance on these forward-looking statements, which speak only as of the date of this press release.
This press release may contain forward–looking statements (within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995) that are based on current expectations, estimates and projections about JAKKS Pacific's business based partly on assumptions made by its management. These statements are not guarantees of future performance and involve risks, uncertainties and assumptions that are difficult to predict. Therefore, actual outcomes and results may differ materially from what is expressed or forecasted in such statements due to numerous factors, including, but not limited to, those described above, changes in demand for JAKKS' products, product mix, the timing of customer orders and deliveries, the impact of competitive products and pricing, and difficulties with integrating acquired businesses. The forward-looking statements contained herein speak only as of the date on which they are made, and JAKKS undertakes no obligation to update any of them to reflect events or circumstances after the date of this release.
Contacts
THQ/Media RelationsJaime Jensen, 818-871-5111
or
THQ/Investor RelationsJulie MacMedan, 818-871-5125orJAKKS Pacific/Media RelationsGenna Rosenberg, 310-455-6235
gennar@jakks.net
or
World Wrestling Entertainment, Inc.Kevin Hennessy, 203-352-8657
kevin.hennessy@wwecorp.com
Sunday, November 04, 2007
Chris Benoit drugs 'unusual' amongst WWE wrestlers, by Howard Kotton - Herald Sun - 4th November 2007
The recent death of World Wrestling Entertainment superstar Chris Benoit has forced the organisation into damage control again about alleged drug abuse among its performers.
Benoit strangled his wife Nancy and son Daniel, 7, and placed bibles beside their bodies before hanging himself from a cable on one of his weights machines in June.
Police have said anabolic steroids and other prescription drugs were found inside the house.
Claims of illicit drug use in professional wrestling have been around for many years.
William Regal, who is general manager on the WWE's RAW program, is keen to dispel the widely-held belief that professional wrestlers are nothing more than drugged-up lunatics.
"We have strict (drug) testing going on," Regal said.
"It's just unfortunate that everybody is jumping on the bandwagon and making us out to be the creatures that we're not."
Regal, 39, said WWE's popularity had not been affected by the murder-suicide in Georgia.
"Nobody in the WWE could have helped what happened to change the unfortunate ending to Chris Benoit's life and his family's life," Regal said.
"If anybody would have known any different, we would have helped him.
"There have been a lot of live events since that tragedy and the same amount of people are coming in. "They're sticking by us because they know this is not the norm."
Regal, from Blackpool in England, has done it all in professional wrestling since starting out as a teenager in the UK.
He has held numerous championships and wrestled all over the world. He has lived in the US for the past 14 years, but said he has never felt at home there.
He has been to Melbourne, Sydney and Brisbane and admits he feels more comfortable in Australia than his adopted home.
"I'm a big Australian fan," he said. "It's the only place outside of England I've gone to that I've felt at home in."
Regal breeds lizards as a hobby and is fascinated by Australian reptiles. "You've got the best lizards in the world," he said.
He said the audience at the Rod Laver Arena this weekend should expect a hell of a show.
"People come to our shows knowing that we're going to entertain them and ultimately give everybody something that they can enjoy and go home happy," he said.
"You're going to get every able-bodied RAW superstar there and we're going to have a lot of fun and hopefully everybody else will as well."
The recent death of World Wrestling Entertainment superstar Chris Benoit has forced the organisation into damage control again about alleged drug abuse among its performers.
Benoit strangled his wife Nancy and son Daniel, 7, and placed bibles beside their bodies before hanging himself from a cable on one of his weights machines in June.
Police have said anabolic steroids and other prescription drugs were found inside the house.
Claims of illicit drug use in professional wrestling have been around for many years.
William Regal, who is general manager on the WWE's RAW program, is keen to dispel the widely-held belief that professional wrestlers are nothing more than drugged-up lunatics.
"We have strict (drug) testing going on," Regal said.
"It's just unfortunate that everybody is jumping on the bandwagon and making us out to be the creatures that we're not."
Regal, 39, said WWE's popularity had not been affected by the murder-suicide in Georgia.
"Nobody in the WWE could have helped what happened to change the unfortunate ending to Chris Benoit's life and his family's life," Regal said.
"If anybody would have known any different, we would have helped him.
"There have been a lot of live events since that tragedy and the same amount of people are coming in. "They're sticking by us because they know this is not the norm."
Regal, from Blackpool in England, has done it all in professional wrestling since starting out as a teenager in the UK.
He has held numerous championships and wrestled all over the world. He has lived in the US for the past 14 years, but said he has never felt at home there.
He has been to Melbourne, Sydney and Brisbane and admits he feels more comfortable in Australia than his adopted home.
"I'm a big Australian fan," he said. "It's the only place outside of England I've gone to that I've felt at home in."
Regal breeds lizards as a hobby and is fascinated by Australian reptiles. "You've got the best lizards in the world," he said.
He said the audience at the Rod Laver Arena this weekend should expect a hell of a show.
"People come to our shows knowing that we're going to entertain them and ultimately give everybody something that they can enjoy and go home happy," he said.
"You're going to get every able-bodied RAW superstar there and we're going to have a lot of fun and hopefully everybody else will as well."
Woman behind U.S. banking rumble - Financial Post - 2nd November 2007
CIBC World Markets analyst Meredith Whitney
Duncan Mavin, Financial Post
Published: Friday, November 02, 2007
CIBC World Markets analyst Meredith Whitney, an outspoken television pundit who is married to a professional wrestler, delivered a body slam to the U.S. banking sector this week that has sent stocks reeling in markets around the world.
The champion stock-picker even talks a bit like Rowdy Roddy Piper.
"No one had the moxie to put in print, what I put in print," Ms. Whitney said yesterday.
She had earlier hit Citigroup with a downgrade when it was already hurting from weak profits.
"Is Citigroup's dividend safe?" she demanded in a tough report that followed a 57% drop in third-quarter earnings at the world's largest bank.
Ms. Whitney said Citigroup, one of the world's largest banks, is US$30-billion short of enough capital to keep up with payments to shareholders and its plans for growth during the current credit crunch.
Bank stocks fell sharply. Her report triggered the steepest tumble in Citigroup shares since September 2002, and it's not done falling yet, according to Ms. Whitney.
U.S. stocks were dragged down, with the Standard & Poor's 500 Index losing 2.6% on Thursday, destroying $369-billion in market value.
In Canada and elsewhere, bank stocks also fell. Canadian Imperial Bank of Commerce, Ms. Whitney's own employer, has seen 4% slashed off its stock price since her report was issued.
The CIBC analyst said yesterday that she has been inundated with attention from media and investors since making the call in a report issued in New York on Wednesday evening.
A spokesman for CIBC in Toronto said the bank has also had a high number of requests to get in touch with Ms. Whitney or to see her report.
"It's a very controversial call despite being a very straightforward call," Ms. Whitney said in an interview.
"I took this extremely seriously. The report is very thorough. But in my 14 years as an analyst this is the most straightforward call that I've made. It's black and white."
Despite her assuredness, the downgrade is widely seen as bold move. But as a regular guest on Fox News, Ms. Whitney has made a name for herself with forthright views.
On a Fox panel discussing the U.S. sub-prime mortgage crisis in July, she said, "I don't feel sorry for the teacher who's making $40,000 a year who squeezed herself into a $2-million dollar home and can't afford it."
On the same show, the 37-year old analyst said, "You have to have creative destruction to have a capitalist society. You have to let people fail."
Those words could also now be ringing in the ears of Citigroup chief executive Charles Prince, whom Ms. Whitney blames for the bank's declining fortunes.
"There's no question he has to leave,'' said the New York-based analyst.
Ms. Whitney is currently number two in Forbes magazine's ranking of capital markets analysts. She graduated with honors from Brown University in Providence, Rhode Island, and married John "Bradshaw" Layfield in Key West in 2005.
Mr. Layfield is a former World Wrestling Entertainment Inc. champion and author of "Have More Money Now: A Common Sense Approach to Financial Management."
Known to his fans as JBL, Mr. Layfield apparently models his character after J.R. Ewing from the television show Dallas. His signature wrestling move is the 'Clothesline From Hell,' and his WWE Smack Down website profile warns, "Never challenge John Bradshaw Layfield to a street fight -- especially on Wall Street, or when he's offering valuable investment pointers to help bulk up your portfolio."
Like his wife, Mr. Layfield is a regular contributor to Fox News.
Ms. Whitney said her twenty-three page report on Citigroup which downgraded the bank from 'sector perform' to 'sector underperform' has been vindicated by an 11% drop in the company's stock price in the past two days.
"I had a lot of support [before issuing the report] from my firm and I've got a good track record. I lay the case out, they think about it and they trust me."
Analysts in the U.S. tend to be more aggressive with their ratings than their counterparts here in Canada, said Mario Mendonca, financial services analyst at Genuity Capital Markets in Toronto.
It is very unusual for Canadian bank analysts to give bank stocks a "sell" recommendation, though Mr. Mendonca was among a handful of his peers who did downgrade Bank of Montreal earlier this year. When he switched his recommendation on the stock to "sell" from "hold" based, the reaction to his downgrade was mixed.
"If you don't downgrade you are criticized for being too soft on the banks and if you do downgrade then people say you are wrong and missing the point of bank stocks," he said.
Meanwhile some observers in the U.S. have reacted in opposition to Ms. Whitney's report.
David Hilder, an analyst at Bear Stearns & Co., wrote in a note that "concerns about Citigroup's capital position and dividend policy raised by a competitor are over-stated."
Mr. Hilder, based in New York, maintained his 'outperform' rating on Citigroup and said the shares may climb to US$58 by the end of next year.
Anton Schutz, who oversees US$270-million as president of Mendon Capital Advisors in Rochester, New York, said the bank has too much cash to cut its payout.
"I don't believe that to be true, that they will need to cut the dividend," said Mr. Schutz, who owns Citigroup shares and said he has been buying as prices declined. "There's no doubt that there's a lot of uncertainty here, but overall this company generates a ton of capital and can certainly weather a storm."
Financial Post with files from Bloomberg News
CIBC World Markets analyst Meredith Whitney
Duncan Mavin, Financial Post
Published: Friday, November 02, 2007
CIBC World Markets analyst Meredith Whitney, an outspoken television pundit who is married to a professional wrestler, delivered a body slam to the U.S. banking sector this week that has sent stocks reeling in markets around the world.
The champion stock-picker even talks a bit like Rowdy Roddy Piper.
"No one had the moxie to put in print, what I put in print," Ms. Whitney said yesterday.
She had earlier hit Citigroup with a downgrade when it was already hurting from weak profits.
"Is Citigroup's dividend safe?" she demanded in a tough report that followed a 57% drop in third-quarter earnings at the world's largest bank.
Ms. Whitney said Citigroup, one of the world's largest banks, is US$30-billion short of enough capital to keep up with payments to shareholders and its plans for growth during the current credit crunch.
Bank stocks fell sharply. Her report triggered the steepest tumble in Citigroup shares since September 2002, and it's not done falling yet, according to Ms. Whitney.
U.S. stocks were dragged down, with the Standard & Poor's 500 Index losing 2.6% on Thursday, destroying $369-billion in market value.
In Canada and elsewhere, bank stocks also fell. Canadian Imperial Bank of Commerce, Ms. Whitney's own employer, has seen 4% slashed off its stock price since her report was issued.
The CIBC analyst said yesterday that she has been inundated with attention from media and investors since making the call in a report issued in New York on Wednesday evening.
A spokesman for CIBC in Toronto said the bank has also had a high number of requests to get in touch with Ms. Whitney or to see her report.
"It's a very controversial call despite being a very straightforward call," Ms. Whitney said in an interview.
"I took this extremely seriously. The report is very thorough. But in my 14 years as an analyst this is the most straightforward call that I've made. It's black and white."
Despite her assuredness, the downgrade is widely seen as bold move. But as a regular guest on Fox News, Ms. Whitney has made a name for herself with forthright views.
On a Fox panel discussing the U.S. sub-prime mortgage crisis in July, she said, "I don't feel sorry for the teacher who's making $40,000 a year who squeezed herself into a $2-million dollar home and can't afford it."
On the same show, the 37-year old analyst said, "You have to have creative destruction to have a capitalist society. You have to let people fail."
Those words could also now be ringing in the ears of Citigroup chief executive Charles Prince, whom Ms. Whitney blames for the bank's declining fortunes.
"There's no question he has to leave,'' said the New York-based analyst.
Ms. Whitney is currently number two in Forbes magazine's ranking of capital markets analysts. She graduated with honors from Brown University in Providence, Rhode Island, and married John "Bradshaw" Layfield in Key West in 2005.
Mr. Layfield is a former World Wrestling Entertainment Inc. champion and author of "Have More Money Now: A Common Sense Approach to Financial Management."
Known to his fans as JBL, Mr. Layfield apparently models his character after J.R. Ewing from the television show Dallas. His signature wrestling move is the 'Clothesline From Hell,' and his WWE Smack Down website profile warns, "Never challenge John Bradshaw Layfield to a street fight -- especially on Wall Street, or when he's offering valuable investment pointers to help bulk up your portfolio."
Like his wife, Mr. Layfield is a regular contributor to Fox News.
Ms. Whitney said her twenty-three page report on Citigroup which downgraded the bank from 'sector perform' to 'sector underperform' has been vindicated by an 11% drop in the company's stock price in the past two days.
"I had a lot of support [before issuing the report] from my firm and I've got a good track record. I lay the case out, they think about it and they trust me."
Analysts in the U.S. tend to be more aggressive with their ratings than their counterparts here in Canada, said Mario Mendonca, financial services analyst at Genuity Capital Markets in Toronto.
It is very unusual for Canadian bank analysts to give bank stocks a "sell" recommendation, though Mr. Mendonca was among a handful of his peers who did downgrade Bank of Montreal earlier this year. When he switched his recommendation on the stock to "sell" from "hold" based, the reaction to his downgrade was mixed.
"If you don't downgrade you are criticized for being too soft on the banks and if you do downgrade then people say you are wrong and missing the point of bank stocks," he said.
Meanwhile some observers in the U.S. have reacted in opposition to Ms. Whitney's report.
David Hilder, an analyst at Bear Stearns & Co., wrote in a note that "concerns about Citigroup's capital position and dividend policy raised by a competitor are over-stated."
Mr. Hilder, based in New York, maintained his 'outperform' rating on Citigroup and said the shares may climb to US$58 by the end of next year.
Anton Schutz, who oversees US$270-million as president of Mendon Capital Advisors in Rochester, New York, said the bank has too much cash to cut its payout.
"I don't believe that to be true, that they will need to cut the dividend," said Mr. Schutz, who owns Citigroup shares and said he has been buying as prices declined. "There's no doubt that there's a lot of uncertainty here, but overall this company generates a ton of capital and can certainly weather a storm."
Financial Post with files from Bloomberg News
Thursday, September 06, 2007
Chris Benoit death leads to steroid crackdown - news.com.au - 2nd September 2007
WORLD Wrestling Entertainment has suspended 10 of its most popular stars for violations of a policy that tests for steroids and other drugs.
WWE said yesterday that it issued suspension notices based on information from the prosecutors investigating illegal steroid sales.
The clamp-down on performance enhancing drugs - which are believed to be widely used by wrestlers to bulk up - was prompted by the murder-suicide of star Chris Benoit.Benoit killed his fellow-wrestler wife and seven-year-old son before hanging himself in June, in a murder-suicide believed prompted by his prolonged steroid use.He and several other WWE wrestlers had been clients of Signature Pharmacy of Orlando, Florida.Under a WWE drug-testing policy introduced last year, wrestlers face a 30-day suspension without pay for a first violation, a 60-day suspension for a second violation and dismissal for a third.
The company has about 160 wrestlers, and they are tested at least four times a year.Actor and former wrestler Dwayne "The Rock" Johnson said yesterday he hopes the company continues to lay the smackdown on performers who are using muscle-building drugs.Sports Illustrated's website listed 14 wrestlers who were sent drugs through the mail. Three of those performers - Benoit, Eddie Guerrero and Brian Adams - are dead. Ten are still with the WWE, which is facing congressional scrutiny following Benoit's death.Johnson said he wasn't happy to hear that the industry in which he thrived before shifting his acting skills to Hollywood still struggles with steroids.
"These guys have to be armed with the knowledge and understanding of how bad these drugs are and the dangers of mixing these drugs with the lifestyles they lead," he said.Johnson wrestled in the WWE earlier this decade at the same time as Benoit."I was blown away," Johnson said of the tragedy.
"I had a chance to work with Chris on many occasions. He was a great guy and I knew his wife very well. "The guy I knew wasn't the guy who committed these heinous crimes.
"I've stopped trying to figure it out because Chris had wiring that allowed him to do that where anybody who was sane couldn't fathom doing that.
WORLD Wrestling Entertainment has suspended 10 of its most popular stars for violations of a policy that tests for steroids and other drugs.
WWE said yesterday that it issued suspension notices based on information from the prosecutors investigating illegal steroid sales.
The clamp-down on performance enhancing drugs - which are believed to be widely used by wrestlers to bulk up - was prompted by the murder-suicide of star Chris Benoit.Benoit killed his fellow-wrestler wife and seven-year-old son before hanging himself in June, in a murder-suicide believed prompted by his prolonged steroid use.He and several other WWE wrestlers had been clients of Signature Pharmacy of Orlando, Florida.Under a WWE drug-testing policy introduced last year, wrestlers face a 30-day suspension without pay for a first violation, a 60-day suspension for a second violation and dismissal for a third.
The company has about 160 wrestlers, and they are tested at least four times a year.Actor and former wrestler Dwayne "The Rock" Johnson said yesterday he hopes the company continues to lay the smackdown on performers who are using muscle-building drugs.Sports Illustrated's website listed 14 wrestlers who were sent drugs through the mail. Three of those performers - Benoit, Eddie Guerrero and Brian Adams - are dead. Ten are still with the WWE, which is facing congressional scrutiny following Benoit's death.Johnson said he wasn't happy to hear that the industry in which he thrived before shifting his acting skills to Hollywood still struggles with steroids.
"These guys have to be armed with the knowledge and understanding of how bad these drugs are and the dangers of mixing these drugs with the lifestyles they lead," he said.Johnson wrestled in the WWE earlier this decade at the same time as Benoit."I was blown away," Johnson said of the tragedy.
"I had a chance to work with Chris on many occasions. He was a great guy and I knew his wife very well. "The guy I knew wasn't the guy who committed these heinous crimes.
"I've stopped trying to figure it out because Chris had wiring that allowed him to do that where anybody who was sane couldn't fathom doing that.
Wednesday, June 27, 2007
WWE Shocked At Latest Developments In Benoit Tragedy, Concerned By Sensationalistic Reporting - 26th June 2007
STAMFORD, Conn., June 26, 2007 – World Wrestling Entertainment is stunned and saddened by the details released by local authorities concerning the double homicide-suicide involving Chris Benoit, his wife, Nancy, and his son, Daniel.
However, WWE is concerned with the sensationalistic reporting and speculation being undertaken by some members of the media following the press conference held by the Fayette County Sheriff’s Department and the District Attorney. During the press conference, the investigating authorities made the following points, all of which run contrary to the media speculation that "roid rage" was a factor in the senseless murders and suicide:
- The authorities stated that all drugs found in the house were believed to be legal prescriptions.
- Steroids were not, and could not, be related to the cause of death (asphyxiation). Authorities had no factual basis to speculate as to Benoit’s state of mind, and rightly did not do so.
- Toxicology tests have not even been completed, so there is no current evidence that Benoit even had steroids or any other substance in his body. In that regard, on the last test done on Benoit by WWE's independently administered drug testing program, done on April 10, 2007, Benoit tested negative.
- The physical findings announced by authorities indicate deliberation, not rage. The wife's feet and hands were bound and she was asphyxiated, not beaten to death. By the account of the authorities, there were substantial periods of time between the death of the wife and the death of the son, again suggesting deliberate thought, not rage. The presence of a Bible by each is also not an act of rage.
- WWE strongly suggests that it is entirely wrong for speculators to suggest that steroids had anything to do with these senseless acts, especially when the authorities plainly stated there is no evidence that Benoit had steroids in his body, pending the toxicological reports, and that they had no evidence at this time as to the motive for these acts.
WWE is continuing to monitor the ongoing investigation being conducted by local authorities.
-30-
Media Contact: Gary Davis, (203) 353-5066
Jennifer McIntosh, (818) 269-5621(cell)
WWE Superstar Chris Benoit Found Dead - 25th June 2007
STAMFORD, Conn., June 25, 2007 – World Wrestling Entertainment was informed today by authorities in Fayette County, Ga., that WWE Superstar Chris Benoit, his wife, Nancy, and his son were found dead in their home. Authorities are investigating, but no other details are available at this time.
Instead of its announced programming for tonight on USA Network, WWE will air a three-hour tribute to Chris Benoit.
Chris was beloved among his fellow Superstars, and was a favorite among WWE fans for his unbelievable athleticism and wrestling ability. He always took great pride in his performance, and always showed respect for the business he loved, for his peers and towards his fans. This is a terrible tragedy and an unbearable loss.
WWE extends its sincere condolences and prayers to the surviving members of the Benoit family and their loved ones in this time of tragedy.
-30-
Media Contact: Gary Davis, (203) 353-5066
Kevin Hennessy, (203) 352-8657
Friday, April 13, 2007
Sunday, March 04, 2007
World Wrestling Federation News Media
We have updated the Media Man Australia WWE Profile
Jimmy "Superfly" Snuka profile
Jimmy Snuka interview
"Rowdy" Roddy Piper profile
"Dr Death" Steve Williams profile
We received some awesome WWE merchandise in the mail including the WWE Viva Las Divas DVD
WWE Magazine have contacted us!
As always, the best place to read about the WWE is on the WWE official website. Also check out the WWE Corporate website.
We have updated the Media Man Australia WWE Profile
Jimmy "Superfly" Snuka profile
Jimmy Snuka interview
"Rowdy" Roddy Piper profile
"Dr Death" Steve Williams profile
We received some awesome WWE merchandise in the mail including the WWE Viva Las Divas DVD
WWE Magazine have contacted us!
As always, the best place to read about the WWE is on the WWE official website. Also check out the WWE Corporate website.
Monday, November 28, 2005
Media Man Australia would like to publicly thank the following people for their support in our dealings with the WWE
Jake "The Snake" Roberts
Bobby Riedel
Ted DiBiase
Evan Ginzburg
Johnny Valiant
Vince McMahon
John "Vulcan" Seru
Greg Stekker
Steve "Crusher" Rackman
George "The Animal" Steel
Walter "Killer" Kowalski
Les Thatcher
Ric Drasin
Companies
WWE
NWA
Electric Artists
Jakks Pacific
Ringpost Productions
Jacobsen Entertainment
Radio 2UE
Australian Broadcasting Corporation
In addition, we would like to remeber the WWE superstars who are no longer with us. Eddie Guerrero recently passed away. Visit the WWE tributue to Eddie.
Best Regards
Greg Tingle
Director
Media Man Australia
Jake "The Snake" Roberts
Bobby Riedel
Ted DiBiase
Evan Ginzburg
Johnny Valiant
Vince McMahon
John "Vulcan" Seru
Greg Stekker
Steve "Crusher" Rackman
George "The Animal" Steel
Walter "Killer" Kowalski
Les Thatcher
Ric Drasin
Companies
WWE
NWA
Electric Artists
Jakks Pacific
Ringpost Productions
Jacobsen Entertainment
Radio 2UE
Australian Broadcasting Corporation
In addition, we would like to remeber the WWE superstars who are no longer with us. Eddie Guerrero recently passed away. Visit the WWE tributue to Eddie.
Best Regards
Greg Tingle
Director
Media Man Australia
Wrestling Media Update
Wrestling Media Blog
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Greg Tingle
Director
Media Man Australia
Wrestling Media Blog
Media Man Australia - Wrestling Directory
World Wrestling Entertainment official website
World Wrestling Entertainment corporate website
Media Man Australia company website
Best Regard
Greg Tingle
Director
Media Man Australia
Monday, August 29, 2005
Media Man Australia Promoters WWE SummerSlam 2005
We were delighted to help promote World Wrestling Entertainment SummerSlam 2005, which came about via the approach from Electric Artists.
This compliments the other work we have done for the WWE over the years, including positive mention on ABC Radio, 2UE Radio, 5AA, 6PR and others.
People still rave about Steve "Crusher" Rackman being profiled on ABC Mondo Thingo, as part of the segment on wrestlers who made it in the movies, along with The Rock and Hulk Hogan.
Australian Pro Wrestling Directory
Media Man Australia - Wrestling Directory
Thank you for your support.
Greg Tingle
Director
Media Man Australia
We were delighted to help promote World Wrestling Entertainment SummerSlam 2005, which came about via the approach from Electric Artists.
This compliments the other work we have done for the WWE over the years, including positive mention on ABC Radio, 2UE Radio, 5AA, 6PR and others.
People still rave about Steve "Crusher" Rackman being profiled on ABC Mondo Thingo, as part of the segment on wrestlers who made it in the movies, along with The Rock and Hulk Hogan.
Australian Pro Wrestling Directory
Media Man Australia - Wrestling Directory
Thank you for your support.
Greg Tingle
Director
Media Man Australia
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