WWE Daily

7-ELEVEN AND PEPSI MAX SIZZLE AT WWE®’S SUMMERSLAM®
July 29, 2009
STAMFORD, CT, July 29, 2009– World Wrestling Entertainment® announced today its partnership with two national, blue-chip brands, 7-Eleven and Pepsi Max, as sponsors of the 2009 SummerSlam® pay-per-view on Sunday, August 23, at the Staples Center in Los Angeles. As presenting partner of SummerSlam, 7-Eleven will conduct a nationwide storefront branding campaign in August promoting SummerSlam and featuring WWE® Superstars John Cena®, Triple H®, Edge®, Undertaker® and WWE Diva Kelly Kelly™ on five collectible Super Big Gulp beverage cups.

Kicking off at midnight on July 31 and running throughout August, more than 5,400
7-Eleven locations nationwide will feature WWE and SummerSlam-branded products such as the “SuperSlam Sub” and the “3-Count Meal Deal,” store-front and window signs, various food and beverage dispensers, and point-of-sale displays. A WWE-produced television ad featuring WWE Diva Kelly Kelly will debut on Monday Night Raw® and also air on various sports programs. 7-Eleven also will run corresponding digital and print media campaigns on WWE’s website, WWE.com, which generates more than 14 million monthly unique visitors worldwide and in WWE Magazine, read by more than 4.6 million readers each month.

As a participating partner, Pepsi Max will also play an integral role in this year’s SummerSlam activities. On August 22-23, the Pepsi Max FANtasy tour truck will stop at SummerSlam Axxess, WWE’s fan festival in the Nokia Plaza at LA Live, and visitors will be treated to free samples of Pepsi Max. In addition, Pepsi Max will promote an online sweepstakes, hosted on WWE.com, where fans can register to win a trip to WrestleMania® XXVI in Glendale, Arizona.

“WWE’s new partnership with both 7-Eleven and Pepsi Max demonstrates the power of the WWE brand as an exciting entertainment property that offers ‘one-stop shopping’ access to fully integrated campaigns that efficiently reach our millions of fans,” said Brian Kalinowski, Executive Vice President, Digital Media, WWE. “WWE is looking forward to celebrating our second largest pay-per-view of the year, SummerSlam, with 7-Eleven and Pepsi Max.”

SummerSlam will be seen in more than 100 countries and 12 languages.

Additional information on World Wrestling Entertainment, Inc. (NYSE: WWE) can be found at wwe.com and corporate.wwe.com. For information on our global activities, go to www.wwe.com/worldwide/.

World Wrestling Entertainment has sent out the press release this morning on announcing their new Executive Vice President in charge of WWE Studios:

PAVONE TO HEAD WWE STUDIOS
June 15, 2009

STAMFORD, Conn., June 15, 2009 – World Wrestling Entertainment, Inc. has named Mike Pavone as Executive Vice President of WWE Studios. In his new role, Pavone will lead WWE Studios’ theatrical releases, direct-to-DVD movies, series and reality programming and report directly to WWE Chairman Vince McMahon.

Pavone brings with him more than 18 years of experience in the film and television industry having worked as a writer, producer, director and actor. His projects include such notable titles as: The Client (CBS), Prison Break (FOX), High Incident with Steven Spielberg (ABC), Jack & Jill (WB), Against The Grain (NBC), Street Time (Showtime), The Blue Wall (Disney), Northmen for Warner Bros. and Seven Men from Now for Beacon Films.

Since 2008, Pavone has been a strategic consultant to WWE’s Creative Writing department, collaborating on the company’s top-rated, signature television programs, “Monday Night Raw®” and “Friday Night SmackDown®”.

“Mike brings a great combination of both filmed entertainment and television experience to his new role. We are confident that he can expand the breadth and depth of opportunities for WWE Studios,“ said Vince McMahon.

Pavone holds a BA in Film and Television Production from California State University at Sacramento and currently resides in Santa Rosa, California.

Additional information on World Wrestling Entertainment Inc (NYSE: WWE) can be found at wwe.com and corporate.wwe.com. For information on our global activities, go to http://www.wwe.com/worldwide/.

WWE issues press release on double booking for the Pepsi Center in Denver next Monday, May 25th.

WWE VS. NBA
May 18, 2009

STAMFORD, Conn., May 18, 2009 – World Wrestling Entertainment®’s live, internationally televised broadcast, WWE Monday Night RAW®, (USA Network, 9:00 PM ET) to take place at the Pepsi Center in Denver next Monday, May 25th is in jeopardy of being cancelled by the Denver Nuggets. The WWE and Denver Nuggets are currently at an impasse in resolving a scheduling debacle by the team and the Pepsi Center. A sell-out crowd is expected to attend the WWE show at the same time the Denver Nuggets are slated to square off against the Los Angeles Lakers for Game 4 of the NBA Western Conference Finals. WWE has held the May 25th date with the Pepsi Center since August 15, 2008.

“Even though the Denver Nuggets had a strong team this year and were projected to make the playoffs, obviously Nuggets and Pepsi Center owner Stan Kroenke did not have enough faith in his own team to hold the May 25th date for a potential playoff game,” said WWE Chairman Vince McMahon.

Media Contacts:
Robert Zimmerman
203-359-5131
robert.zimmerman@wwecorp.com

Kevin Hennessy
203-352-8657
kevin.hennessy@wwecorp.com

Adam Hopkins
203-352-8675
adam.hopkins@wwecorp.com

Investor Contact:
Michael Weitz
203-352-8642
michael.weitz@wwecorp.com

WWE has issued the Macho Madness-Macho Madness - The Randy Savage Ultimate Collection 3-Disc DVD Package at WWESHOP EXCLUSIVE.

Usually the package contains an t-shirt, but WWE decided not to issue one.

Package Includes:Macho Maddness - The Randy Savage Ultimate Collection DVD, WWE The Main Event Book, and the WWE Raw/Smackdown/WWE 3 Rubber Bracelets.

WWE will not be manufacturing or distributing any “Macho Man” Randy Savage-related t-shirts in conjunction with their new WWE DVD release, “Macho Madness - The Randy Savage Ultimate Collection.”

The reason given, according to the webmaster of MachoMadness.com, the official website for Randy Savage, is that WWE does not want fans wearing merchandise with his trademark likeness appearing on their television shows.

Glamazon bETH pHOENIX, at HER BEST

World Wrestling Entertainment issued the following press release today:

ARMY NATIONAL GUARD ROLLS WITH WWE®

Stamford, CT, March 16, 2009 – World Wrestling Entertainment, Inc® and the Army National Guard have announced that it will be the presenting sponsor of the 25th Anniversary of WrestleMania® and WrestleMania Axxess. Set to take place at Reliant Stadium in Houston, Texas on Sunday, April 5, the Army National Guard will utilize the partnership with WWE to enhance their recruiting and activation goals for 2009.

The presenting sponsorship provides the Army National Guard maximum exposure through combined promotional outreach to WWE’s more than 15 million weekly viewers nationwide on television, publishing and digital platforms leading up to the 25th Anniversary of WrestleMania.

“WWE is proud to partner with such a significant and renowned organization like the Army National Guard. We know that they will be well received by the WWE Universe,” said Donna Goldsmith, COO of World Wrestling Entertainment.

“We are extremely thrilled to work with WWE and tap into the millions of loyal and passionate fans. This is a great opportunity for our recruitment and activation outreach,” said LTC Joseph Day, Chief Army National Guard Marketing and Advertising.

The Army National Guard will present “The Combat Zone” at WrestleMania Axxess taking place on Thursday, April 2 through Sunday, April 5 at the Reliant Center in Houston, Texas. The Army National Guard’s “Combat Zone” includes interactive and other exhibit elements such as an obstacle course, helicopters, a virtual shooting range, and more, all designed to educate and build interest in the Army National Guard.

For the live 25th Anniversary of WrestleMania event, the Army National Guard will have a large presence throughout the stadium. Fans from 23 countries and all 50 states are scheduled to attend the milestone event in Houston, Texas.

WWE’s annual pop culture extravaganza will be seen by millions more in 100 countries worldwide. A global phenomenon, last year hundreds of national, local and regional media outlets from around the world reported on WrestleMania XXIV in Orlando, Florida.

Additional information on World Wrestling Entertainment, Inc. (NYSE: WWE) can be found at wwe.com and corporate.wwe.com. For information on our global activities, go to http://www.wwe.com/worldwide/

The following press release is from WWE.com:

WWE® FRIDAY NIGHT SMACKDOWN® MAKES TV HISTORY
March 10, 2009

Stamford, CT - March 10, 2009 – WWE® Friday Night SmackDown celebrates its 500th episode on Friday, March 20 at 8PM ET/7PM CT on MyNetworkTV with a theme centered around “SmackDown 500 – Road to WrestleMania.” By accomplishing this in 10 years, SmackDown becomes the fastest weekly episodic to reach this milestone in United States primetime broadcast television history.

Greg Meidel, President of MyNetworkTV stated: “We are thrilled to celebrate this and future milestones with World Wrestling Entertainment®. As demonstrated by the network’s continued record breaking ‘SmackDown’ viewership, the road to the 25th Anniversary of WrestleMania is clearly traveling right through MyNetworkTV.”

Friday Night SmackDown debuted on August 26, 1999 and has been watched more than 2.6 billion times by viewers in the U.S. Since Friday Night SmackDown joined MyNetworkTV in October 2008, it is the most watched broadcast television program on Friday nights among Males age 50 and younger. SmackDown dominates the 18-49 demographic and has been instrumental in the success of each of the networks that have aired the program.

Friday Night SmackDown can be seen every Friday night at 8PM ET on MyNetworkTV.

The following press released was issused today via WWE:

WWE®: Male Ratings Champ
February 2, 2009

STAMFORD, CT – February 2, 2009 – World Wrestling Entertainment®’s television programming is number one among males on all of broadcast television on Friday nights; number one among males on all of cable television on Monday Nights; and number one among male viewers on Sci-Fi.

* Friday Night SmackDown® on MyNetworkTV (8:00 PM ET/PT) is the number one program Friday nights on broadcast television among males under the age 50, especially the key M12-17 and M18-34 demos

* Monday Night RAW® on the USA Network (9:00 PM ET) is the number one entertainment program on primetime cable among male viewers (M2+), including M18-34, M18-49 and M25-54

* ECW® (9:00 PM ET, Tuesdays) is the number one program on Sci Fi among male viewers (M2+) including M12-17, M18-34, M18-49 and M25-54

For advertisers looking to reach the male demographic, WWE’s male dominance is the reason why it is considered the best value in entertainment.

-Presale tickets for WWE’s Hall of Fame 2009 being held in Houston, Texas are NOW on Sale. This years Hall of Fame event is scheduled for April 4, 2009 live at the Toyota Center! You can purchaes toyu ticket HERE, the pre-sale password is “LEGEND”

-PWInsider reports: that WWE laid off close to 10% of their office staff at corporate headquarters in Stamford, CT this morning. There were layoffs from the television, WWE.com and office divisions with more releases expected for tomorrow. The reason for the layoffs is due to the economy.

WWE has issued this press release this morning:

WGN America Enters WWE® Ring
December 19, 2008

STAMFORD, Conn. / NEW YORK, NY, December 19, 2008 – World Wrestling Entertainment® and WGN America have reached an agreement to create a new weekly, one hour prime time series entitled, “WWE Superstars” that will debut in April 2009.

Details will be forthcoming.

WGN America is a broad entertainment network and destination for audiences across America. It is America’s #1 superstation. Part of Tribune Broadcasting Company, WGN America is nationally distributed via cable, satellite and telco with entertainment programming consisting of cable exclusives, first-run programs, blockbuster movies and live sports. www.wgnamerica.com

Additional information on World Wrestling Entertainment Inc (NYSE: WWE) can be found at wwe.com and corporate.wwe.com. For information on our global activities, go to http://www.wwe.com/worldwide/Media

-WWE is holding a Raw/ECW house show at Madison Square Garden on Sunday December 28.

-JOHN CENA vs. CHRIS JERICHO STEEL CAGE MATCH FOR THE WORLD HEAVYWEIGHT CHAMPIONSHIP

-RAW SIX MAN TAG TEAM MATCH
Batista/Rey Mysterio/ Kofi Kingston vs. Randy Orton/Cody Rhodes/Manu

-Shawn Michaels vs. Kane.

-William Regal vs. C.M. Punk for the Intercontinental Title.

-Matt Hardy vs. Jack Swagger for the ECW Title.

Also 20 other WWE Raw and ECW superstars in action featuring: JBL, WWE Women’s Champion Beth Phoenix, Mark Henry, World Tag Team Champions The Miz and John Morrison, Cryme Tyme, Santino Marella, Kelly Kelly, Finlay w/ Hornswoggle and many more.

PWInsider reports: Attorneys representing Jamal Grinnage and Eric Murray, members of the hip hop group The M.O.P., informed the United States District Court of New York on December 3 that on behalf of their clients they were voluntarily dropping their clients lawsuit against John Cena, World Wrestling Entertainment, Sony Music, Stephanie Music (WWE’s music publishing company) and other entities. Judge Leonard B. Sand signed off on the dismissal on December 8. The M.O.P. group had filed a lawsuit against Cena and WWE stating they were upset over the company sampling their song “Ante Up” for Cena’s theme song “My Time is Now.” They had been requesting damages over the use of the song on TV, PPV, DVDs, CDS and ringtones. There was no indication given why the lawsuit was suddenly dropped.

-TNA superstars LAX: Hernandez and Homicide, have signed new deals with the company. The new deals are for an three-years, this will LAX with the promotion through 2011.

-WWE Taps Zimmerman To Head PR
December 17, 2008

STAMFORD, Conn., December 17, 2008 – World Wrestling Entertainment®, Inc. has named Robert Zimmerman as Vice President, Public Relations and Corporate Communications. In his new role, Zimmerman will be a strategic member of WWE’s management team, and oversee business, consumer, financial, and trade press relations and strategy.

Zimmerman brings with him 17 years of experience having worked for Dan Klores Communications and Edelman Public Relations Worldwide, among others. He has spearheaded corporate activities, media affairs and crisis management for such well-known brands and personalities as Michael Eisner and his new media studio, Vuguru; Howard Stern; Sean “Diddy” Combs; The Wall Street Journal Weekend Edition; Ziff Davis Media; Donatella and Allegra Versace; Bill Hemmer; CKX; and Bill O’Reilly.

From 1998 to 2004, Zimmerman served as spokesperson for FOX News. As its Vice President of Media Relations, he developed and oversaw press strategies that supported corporate initiatives for the company’s cable news channel, talent, international expansion, radio and Internet properties.

As reported last week WWE/John Cena are in an lawsuit with The Royalty Network Inc surrounding the intellectual property of John Cena’s “It’s My Time” entrance music. Now TMZ is reports that an ’90s hard-core rap group M.O.P. say John Cena and the WWE stolen one of their songs.

Jamal Grinnage and Eric Murray — that’s Lil’ Fame and Billy Danze says that John Cena’s song, “Time Is Now,” resembles the same as their number 1 heavy hit single hit “Ante Up.” You can view it here and see the legal documents>>>>

-WWE issued this press release today on WWE Smackdown smashed tv ratings on MyNetworkTV:

MyNetworkTV® Body Slams Previous Ratings Record
October 6, 2008

NEW YORK – MyNetworkTV was the king of the ring on Friday night as the most viewers in the history of the network tuned-in for the two-hour all-star debut of “WWE Friday Night SmackDown” announced Greg Meidel, president of MyNetworkTV. The network premiere also delivered the most M18-34 (1.2) and M18-49 (1.3) viewers in MNT history, as “WWE Friday Night SmackDown” won the night in the coveted M18-34 demo, besting the closest broadcast network competitor by +33%.

3.2 million total viewers (P2+) (1.9 HH rtg) tuned-in to the MyNetworkTV telecast of “WWE Friday Night SmackDown.” The Superstar-studded premiere garnered MyNetworkTV a 217% ratings increase in HH and 233% in A18-49 over the same Friday last year.

In making the announcement, Meidel stated, “The all-star kick-off of ‘WWE Friday Night SmackDown,’ on its new home on MyNetworkTV was a knockout. We look forward to the edge of your seat storylines and Superstar matches that the WWE has in store this season.”

For the first time ever on broadcast television, it was a night of Champion vs. Champion including a “Triple Threat Match” between WWE Champion Triple H®, World Heavyweight Champion Chris Jericho®and ECW®Champion Matt Hardy™ with Triple H coming out on top.

Geof Rochester, Executive Vice President of Marketing for WWE, added, “Friday’s ratings performance was just further evidence that WWE builds networks having been a ratings driver for Spike TV, CW and UPN in the past.”

“WWE Friday Night SmackDown” is presented on Friday nights at 8 PM (ET/PT) on MyNetworkTV.

About MyNetworkTV®

MyNetworkTV is a primetime general entertainment broadcast television network. Reaching over 97% of the country and targeted to Adults 18-49, MyNetworkTV provides its affiliates 12 hours of diverse programming Monday through Saturday, including “Celebrity Exposé,” Langley Productions’ “Jail” and “Street Patrol” and debuting in October 2008, “Magic’s Biggest Secrets Finally Revealed,” “The Tony Rock Project” and “WWE Friday Night SmackDown®.” For more information, please visit www.mynetworktv.com.

WWE Signs New Home Entertainment Distribution Deal For South America September 22, 2008

Synergex Corporation is the new distributor of WWE home entertainment products in Brazil, Colombia, Peru, Chile and Argentina, under a new three-year exclusive agreement.

Synergex will provide packaging localization, sales, marketing, and logistics services for WWE documentaries, career profiles and match compilations focusing on top WWE stars of the past and present, as well as WWE’s complete pay-per-view event line-up, highlighted by its annual WrestleMania pop culture extravaganza. “This agreement supports WWE’s international expansion push into Latin America, and gives us local expertise to distribute our home entertainment productions and increase our retail presence,” said Joel Satin, WWE Vice President, Home Entertainment & Books.

WWE Expands Board
August 7, 2008
STAMFORD, Conn., August 7, 2008 - World Wrestling Entertainment Inc. (NYSE:WWE) today announced it has expanded its Board of Directors to 10 members with the addition of Kevin Dunn, Frank A. Riddick, III and Jeffrey R. Speed.In accordance with his previously announced plans, Robert Bowman has resigned from the Board.

Riddick will now chair the Company’s Audit Committee. Other members of the committee will be Speed and current Board members David Kenin and Michael Solomon.

“These three outstanding executives bring extensive operating experience and financial acumen to our expanded Board of Directors,” said WWE Chairman Vince McMahon. “With their addition, we enhance our ability to meet the challenges of continued global expansion and to capitalize on the future opportunities for our company and brand.”

Dunn has served as WWE’s Executive Vice President, Television Production, since July 2003. In his current position running WWE’s pivotal television business, he manages WWE’s television and production facilities, including a team of approximately 165 people that produce five hours of fresh, prime time television programming each week for U.S. networks and nine hours of original programming for markets in 130 countries, as well as content for DVDs, pay-per-views, and video on demand.

Riddick is a consultant to TowerBrook Capital Partners, L.P. (“TowerBrook”), a New York and London – based private equity firm. Riddick is a director of GrafTech International Ltd. Prior to joining TowerBrook, he served as President and Chief Executive Officer of Formica Corporation, a manufacturer of surfacing materials used in countertops, cabinets, and flooring from January 2002 to April 2008. He served as President and Chief Operating Officer of Armstrong Holdings, Inc. from 2000 to 2001 and as Chief Financial Officer at Armstrong and its subsidiaries from 1995 to 2000.

Speed has served as Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer for Six Flags, Inc., the world’s largest regional theme park operator, since April 2006. Prior to joining Six Flags, Mr. Speed spent approximately 13 years with The Walt Disney Company, most recently serving from 2003 until 2006 as Senior Vice President and Chief Financial Officer for Euro Disney SAS, the publicly-traded operator of the Disneyland Resort Paris, which is the number one tourist destination in Europe.