As reported earlier, WWE’s 2009 financial results revealed that the most recent Survivor Series PPV was down a sharp 26%
During an investor conference call this morning, WWE Chairman & CEO Vince McMahon revealed that after 23 years, the Survivor Series PPV concept has come to an end and will not be used again. McMahon stated:
“We think that Survivor Series is obsolete, as far as that title is concerned. It was something that worked many, many years ago, in terms of a creative standpoint, various teams competing. That really is not advantageous as the consumer now looks as what actually they are buying. And it’s such a broad … Survivor Series yes, many years ago, was one of the original four pay-per-views, but it’s outlasted its usage and it is one of the things in terms of re-branding, this year and going forward, that will be re-branded. No longer will we have that title, Survivor Series.”
WWE Survivor Series debuted back in 1987 and for many years featured primarily team elimination matches. The show had lost much of its identity in recent years and will likely be replaced next year with a new gimmick-themed event.
With the release of WWE’s fourth quarter 2009 financial data earlier today, we have details on the performance of the company’s four Q4 PPVs. For the three months ending December 31, 2009, WWE’s PPV revenue rose from $15.9 million in 2008 to $16.3 million in 2009.
The overall increase in Q4 PPV buys is attributed to a the success of WWE’s new gimmick-themed PPVs, which out-performed their 2008 counterparts. However, this year’s Survivor Series took a sharp hit, which kept the revenue increase to only $400,000 for the quarter over 2008.
Here’s the data:
Hell in a Cell did 283,000 buys, up 7% from No Mercy 2008 (261,000).
Bragging Rights did 181,000 buys, up 15% from Cyber Sunday 2008 (153,000).
Survivor Series totally bombed. The show did 235,000 buys, down 26% from 2008 (319,000)
Tables, Ladders & Chairs did 228,000 buys, up 15% from Armageddon 2008 (193,000).
World Wrestling Entertainment has released its financial results for the final quarter and entire year of 2009.
To view a PDF file of the complete report from corporate.wwe.com, click here. From the report:
WWE® Reports 2009 Fourth Quarter Results For the year, Net Income Increases 11%
STAMFORD, Conn., February 11, 2010 – World Wrestling Entertainment, Inc. (NYSE:WWE) today announced financial results for its fourth quarter ended December 31, 2009. Revenues totaled $117.3 million as compared to $125.4 million in the prior year quarter. Operating income was $17.8 million as compared to $23.3 million in the prior year quarter. Net income was $11.2 million, or $0.15 per share, as compared to $13.6 million, or $0.18 per share, in the prior year quarter.
“We concluded a strong year with solid performance in the fourth quarter, which was highlighted by 7% growth in Adjusted EBITDA. For the quarter, we generated revenue growth and improved margins in our live event, pay-per-view, and television businesses,†stated Vince McMahon, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer. “For the full year, we achieved a 13% increase in Adjusted EBITDA.   The results reflected the significant improvements we have made in productivity and a heightened fiscal discipline, which we intend to sustain going forward. The increased operating leverage we have established will enable us to drive greater profits as revenue growth returns. We are confident in our ability to achieve our targeted earnings growth.†The WWE business outlook targets average annual earnings growth of 15% to 20% over the 2009- 12 period.
Summary Results for the Twelve Months Ended
Total revenues through the year ended December 31, 2009 were $475.2 million as compared to $526.5 million in the prior year. Operating income for the current year was $77.1 million versus $70.3 million in the prior year. Net income was $50.3 million, or $0.68 per share, as compared to $45.4 million, or $0.62 per share, in the prior year. EBITDA was $91.6 million for the current year as compared to $83.4 million in the prior year. Current year expenses included the benefit of $8.3 million in tax credits associated with our television and digital media production, an increase of $7.4 million in bad debt expense related to a prior business partner and a $2.2 million restructuring charge associated with a 10% reduction in staff. As previously disclosed, the prior year results included the recognition of a $6.4 million advance related to a multi-year contract with a book publisher, an expense of $3.5 million associated with our McMahon’s Million Dollar Mania brand awareness campaign and a $1.9 million charge for our film See No Evil. Excluding these items, Adjusted EBITDA was $92.9 million for the current year as compared to $82.4 million in the prior year. (See Schedule of Adjustments in Supplemental Information)
Credit to the Pro Wrestling Torch for some of the information used in this report:
Though they may be big stars on television and draw relatively high ratings, that doesn’t necessarily translate into big checks for the stars of TNA’s Knockouts division.
In light of Awesome Kong’s contractual dispute with TNA Wrestling, multiple sources have noted that the average pay for a female performer in the organization is between $200 to $400 per appearance. However, it’s widely assumed that Christy Hemme and Lisa Marie Varon (a/k/a Tara) make more money due to their past ties with World Wrestling Entertainment with sources believing that Kong makes slightly more than $400 per shot, which is considered a “high end salary” in the No. 2 wrestling organization in the world.
It’s interesting to note that a female performer who made the “high end salary” of $400, exclusively appeared on television, and appeared on every single television event held over the course of a calender year would only garner $26,000 at most. Although, that number comes in before one figures in road expenses, wardrobe expenses and taxes. Regarding travel, TNA solely covers airfare, leaving talent to cover the rest including lodging. Also note, there is no downside guarantee, thus meaning talent only get paid when they are used.
With that being said, TNA holds live events most weeks and permits talent to seek independent bookings, thus allowing them to garner more money. Furthermore, television exposure greatly increases a wrestler’s booking fee, most especially for talent previously not seen on national television.
Regarding Kong, she has asked for a raise on several occasions but company officials have apparently not honored her request despite her lofty standing on television. Kong reportedly blew up last spring when she found out that then newcomer Brutus Magnus was being paid more than her.
It was reported recently that Kong has regularly vented backstage about the company spending frivolously on newcomers. Since then, multiple sources have confirmed that she was very upset with Ric Flair’s wife being treated to limousine service on the company’s dime at a recent show. TNA never grants limo service to its female performers.
It is believed that Kong has several years remaining on her contract with TNA. She refused to appear on the company’s recent UK tour and at time it was widely assumed that she was upset with Bubba the Love Sponge’s controversial remarks concerning the country of Haiti. However, multiple sources say the issue has since been resolved and that her ongoing problems with the organization are related to pay.
The primary reason Gail Kim left TNA for World Wrestling Entertainment was due to the significant discrepancy between the amount of money being offered by both companies. According to multiple sources, Kim did not want to leave TNA, but felt she had no choice but to bolt for WWE due to the massive difference in pay.
Hulk Hogan was a recent guest on the Monday Night Mayhem radio show. Hosts Big Mosh, Blade, Todd Vincent, Chaz spoke to the Nature Boy about a number of topics and you can listen to an audio clip (MP3) of the entire interview at MondayNightMayhem.com. Here are the highlights of what Hogan said about:
How He & Bischoff’s Experience in WCW Will Help Them In TNA: “It’s not a cookie-cutter thing…you just lock down like you did when you ran against Vince with Ted Turner. I thought that would work just to work it in and make a crack, but things are different than they two-three months ago because of the economy. When you figure in the networks & the head of Viacom, and they’re watching the minute by minute numbers for 18-34, it’s not like you could just plug in the old NWO and do it like we did when we punked Vince out. It’s ever-changing moving parts, so we did learn from our mistakes; like when you get successful sometimes, you can get too full of yourself. Believe me, we are so grateful to be working with Dixie, we are so grateful to be with TNA, such a young company that’s got ‘more moves than a bowl of Jello.’ It’s not a public company where you gotta’ sit down with people to talk about votes & what we aren’t going to do. We don’t have a bunch of people that don’t know the wrestling business running the company. We have learned from our mistakes, and we are learning, almost like on the job training, because some of the stuff that worked two weeks ago, didn’t work last week, so we’re digging in and have our ears & eyes to the ground.”
When TNA iMAPCT! Will Move To Monday Nights: “All week we have been getting good news, and we are pushing hard in that direction. There’s stuff that’s already been scheduled, there’s budgeting issues, there’s shows for the new season, so it’s not like ‘Ok, let’s go live on Monday nights.’ Nothing is that easy. A lot of the fans, a lot of the ‘smart marks’ are saying we should go live Monday nights. They have no idea what it entails, I’m just now having people set me down after 30 years of wrestling and go ‘Guy, you know what it’s all about.’ Now you’re dealing with the network and the way the audience flips & changes…it’s almost like that metal that comes out of ‘The Terminator.’ Right when you think you have it figured out, it starts to mold, and manipulate, and shape. Pushing hard for Mondays, trying to get there, a lot of variables, but it looks much better than it did yesterday.”
If He’ll Wrestle In TNA: “I learned one thing in Australia, and that was I shouldn’t be in the ring anymore. The way my body is beat up, I was definitely on a wing & a prayer in Australia. I just needed to air my shorts out after the crazy divorce & legal stuff. If you could imagine jumping out of a plane without a parachute and know hopefully that you are going to land safely & being naked…that’s how it was in Australia. I needed to get out of the house, get back in the ring, and feel that love & that crazy vibe even if I was dragging a leg or limping around. I found out in Australia that me wrestling in a ring in not the place to be, so if I was to wrestle in TNA, the hardest part of my night is walking down that ramp and staying straight-faced, because my back, and my hips, and legs hurt so much. If you watch closely, I’m doing a bit of a shuffle out there, so if I was crazy enough to wrestle in that ring, they might be using a broom & a dustpan to sweep out the ring at the end of the match, so not anticipating going in the ring.”
John Cena Saying He’s Wasting His Time in TNA: “John’s doing what he’s gonna’ do take care of his family, true to his paycheck. We see John Cena all the time at the (Tampa Bay) Rays games with me & Brian Knobbs when we’re up in the box. He’s just doing what he has to do to cover his ass brother. You never know, one day John Cena may be working for me. Vince McMahon could be working for me…who knows?”
Big Changes & New Talent In TNA: “I’ve got all kinds of people from the WWE calling me, wanting to hang out, wanting to talk, wanting to fell me out. This thing is really going down. I mean whether you like it or not, I’m not looking for the players like back in the day. When I was running, we had these crazy big contracts, these big money contracts, but times have changed. At the end of the day, I’m looking for these guys who want to help me build a company. I’m looking for these guys that invest their hearts & their souls like Samoa Joe said…’whatever it takes.’ Like AJ Styles said, ‘whatever it takes, with no limitations.’ Those are the type of guys I’m looking for to build this company and step in. Jeff Hardy, Rob Van Dam, if (John) Cena wants to play that game down the road, he can get real. I’m looking for guys who can get real with me & not a bunch of posers.”
Vince Russo: “My mother told me if you can’t say something good, don’t say nothing at all. Sometimes you have to look at the big picture, and sometimes if things get real nasty, you don’t want to step in shiznit, you want to step over it. Because I’m getting along with TNA right now, I’m not saying I get along with Vince Russo. I’m not saying I get along with everybody, but the big picture is for me to make a left-handed, back handed comment about this situation right now, I haven’t read his book, and I didn’t hear the radio interview. But all I know is if you’re gonna’ tell the truth, you gotta’ tell all the truth, not just part of it, and that’s all I’m gonna say.”
Hulk Hogan was a recent guest on the Monday Night Mayhem radio show. Hosts Big Mosh, Blade, Todd Vincent, Chaz spoke to the Nature Boy about a number of topics and you can listen to an audio clip (MP3) of the entire interview at MondayNightMayhem.com. Here are the highlights of what Hogan said about:
How He & Bischoff’s Experience in WCW Will Help Them In TNA: “It’s not a cookie-cutter thing…you just lock down like you did when you ran against Vince with Ted Turner. I thought that would work just to work it in and make a crack, but things are different than they two-three months ago because of the economy. When you figure in the networks & the head of Viacom, and they’re watching the minute by minute numbers for 18-34, it’s not like you could just plug in the old NWO and do it like we did when we punked Vince out. It’s ever-changing moving parts, so we did learn from our mistakes; like when you get successful sometimes, you can get too full of yourself. Believe me, we are so grateful to be working with Dixie, we are so grateful to be with TNA, such a young company that’s got ‘more moves than a bowl of Jello.’ It’s not a public company where you gotta’ sit down with people to talk about votes & what we aren’t going to do. We don’t have a bunch of people that don’t know the wrestling business running the company. We have learned from our mistakes, and we are learning, almost like on the job training, because some of the stuff that worked two weeks ago, didn’t work last week, so we’re digging in and have our ears & eyes to the ground.”
When TNA iMAPCT! Will Move To Monday Nights: “All week we have been getting good news, and we are pushing hard in that direction. There’s stuff that’s already been scheduled, there’s budgeting issues, there’s shows for the new season, so it’s not like ‘Ok, let’s go live on Monday nights.’ Nothing is that easy. A lot of the fans, a lot of the ‘smart marks’ are saying we should go live Monday nights. They have no idea what it entails, I’m just now having people set me down after 30 years of wrestling and go ‘Guy, you know what it’s all about.’ Now you’re dealing with the network and the way the audience flips & changes…it’s almost like that metal that comes out of ‘The Terminator.’ Right when you think you have it figured out, it starts to mold, and manipulate, and shape. Pushing hard for Mondays, trying to get there, a lot of variables, but it looks much better than it did yesterday.”
If He’ll Wrestle In TNA: “I learned one thing in Australia, and that was I shouldn’t be in the ring anymore. The way my body is beat up, I was definitely on a wing & a prayer in Australia. I just needed to air my shorts out after the crazy divorce & legal stuff. If you could imagine jumping out of a plane without a parachute and know hopefully that you are going to land safely & being naked…that’s how it was in Australia. I needed to get out of the house, get back in the ring, and feel that love & that crazy vibe even if I was dragging a leg or limping around. I found out in Australia that me wrestling in a ring in not the place to be, so if I was to wrestle in TNA, the hardest part of my night is walking down that ramp and staying straight-faced, because my back, and my hips, and legs hurt so much. If you watch closely, I’m doing a bit of a shuffle out there, so if I was crazy enough to wrestle in that ring, they might be using a broom & a dustpan to sweep out the ring at the end of the match, so not anticipating going in the ring.”
John Cena Saying He’s Wasting His Time in TNA: “John’s doing what he’s gonna’ do take care of his family, true to his paycheck. We see John Cena all the time at the (Tampa Bay) Rays games with me & Brian Knobbs when we’re up in the box. He’s just doing what he has to do to cover his ass brother. You never know, one day John Cena may be working for me. Vince McMahon could be working for me…who knows?”
Big Changes & New Talent In TNA: “I’ve got all kinds of people from the WWE calling me, wanting to hang out, wanting to talk, wanting to fell me out. This thing is really going down. I mean whether you like it or not, I’m not looking for the players like back in the day. When I was running, we had these crazy big contracts, these big money contracts, but times have changed. At the end of the day, I’m looking for these guys who want to help me build a company. I’m looking for these guys that invest their hearts & their souls like Samoa Joe said…’whatever it takes.’ Like AJ Styles said, ‘whatever it takes, with no limitations.’ Those are the type of guys I’m looking for to build this company and step in. Jeff Hardy, Rob Van Dam, if (John) Cena wants to play that game down the road, he can get real. I’m looking for guys who can get real with me & not a bunch of posers.”
Vince Russo: “My mother told me if you can’t say something good, don’t say nothing at all. Sometimes you have to look at the big picture, and sometimes if things get real nasty, you don’t want to step in shiznit, you want to step over it. Because I’m getting along with TNA right now, I’m not saying I get along with Vince Russo. I’m not saying I get along with everybody, but the big picture is for me to make a left-handed, back handed comment about this situation right now, I haven’t read his book, and I didn’t hear the radio interview. But all I know is if you’re gonna’ tell the truth, you gotta’ tell all the truth, not just part of it, and that’s all I’m gonna say.”
— Once again, Shawn Michaels is planning on taking time off following WrestleMania. He will then return in August in time for SummerSlam.
— It would appear that World Wrestling Entertainment has parted ways with developmental women’s wrestler Jenny Quinn (a/k/a Penny Cash) as her photo has been removed from Florida Championship Wrestling’s roster page.
Quinn is a Tampa-based model the company signed in 2008. She tore her anterior cruciate ligament last May and had just recently returned to action.
— Tickets for the SmackDown taping on April 6th in Chicago go on sale February 20th at 11 a.m. (Thanks to Devin Cutting)
(credit to the Wrestling Observer for some of the information used in this report)
— Universal Studios has updated the TNA schedule on their website. Here are the changes and additions:
* The TNA tapings in early March have been moved back to March 8th & 9th, so the live special on March 1st appears to be off.
* The TNA taping on March 24th has been canceled.
* TNA will be holding tapings on April 5th, 6th, 19th & 20th.
(Thanks to Devin Cutting)
— Angelina Love posted a note on her MySpace account today making it perfectly clear that she does not have an account on Twitter. She wrote:
I’ve made this a status update before, but I guess people didn’t read it right or didn’t see it because I’m still getting messages & questions about this……..
I DO NOT HAVE A TWITTER ACCOUNT!!!!
I DO NOT HAVE A TWITTER ACCOUNT!!!!
If you are twatting with someone who says they are Angelina Love, Angel Williams or Lauren Williams (or any mix of those names) you are twatting with a poser! I have no plans to get a Twitter account either so I hope that clears it up.
— Samoa Joe, Hernandez and Sylvan Grenier headline for Top of he World Wrestling on Mar. 5 at the Pierre Charboneau Center in Montreal.
TMZ.com caught up with Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson this week and asked the former WWE superstar who owns the rights to his signature catch phrases, such as “Do you Smell What The Rock is Cookin.”Johnson said he shares ownership of the phrases with World Wrestling Entertainment. They also share ownership of the the name “The Rock,” as well.
The camera guy then got a little fresh with People’s Champ and asked him why he used to wear “panties” in the ring. Johnson clarified that he wore “trunks” and that maybe it was just him dreaming of The Rock wearing panties. He then got into his $180,000+ Bentley coupe.
Bret Hart spoke to Alez Marvez of Scrippsnews.com this week in a lengthy interview discussing his return to World Wrestling Entertainment. He says his parents and Owen Hart would say “hell froze over” if they were still around to see him return to WWE after a 14 year absence.
Hart teased that his current storyline with Vince McMahon would culminate with a match at WrestleMania. Despite the stroke he suffered back in 2002 and the fact that McMahon is 64 years old, he can still move around well enough to put on a good match.
“I’ll never put on the performance I want to have, but I’ll be able to do enough to entertain and give a good show. I’m very careful about what I do and allow myself to do and what can be done to me. WWE has gone through great effort to ensure all that and make sure I’m comfortable with everything.”
One thing he was unsure of when considering a return to WWE was how his past issues with Shawn Michaels would come into play.
“When I came back, I didn’t know if the whole thing with Shawn would erupt again. The truth is, Shawn has been real good with the whole thing. You can tell this is a weight lifted off his back, my back and I think even Vince to a certain degree. It feels like a new start.”
The Montreal Screwjob was a long time ago, but the situation set off such shock waves in the industry that even today, many fans can’t tell what aspects of his current WWE run are part of the storyline.
“I’m trying to turn a negative into a positive. I think this is good for wrestling fans. I know for a lot people this whole thing seems quite real. If I can deliver realism in today’s wrestling, I’ll think I’ve done a good job.”
– WWE officials are impressed with Vance Archer as his push is expected to continue.
– Former WCW World Heavyweight Champion Ron Simmons’s name has been discussed for induction into this year’s WWE Hall of Fame class. He worked what was billed as his retirement match this past weekend in Cedartown, Georgia. The standout collegiate athlete will be inducted into the Georgia Sports Hall of Fame on Feb. 20.
– Tommy Dreamer posted a blog on WWE Universe in which he offered additional comments on ECW’s final television shows:
“Some people are happy, some people are sad about ECW going off the air,” Dreamer wrote. “The Original die hard ECW fans knew it wasn’t the same. That Original ECW was a magical time in wrestling and can never be duplicated. If you go back in the archives of my blogs,you can read many opinions of those days.
“I think the new ECW had some great expectations, but had some extreme shoes to fill in. Let us not pass negative judgement on the show. As a fan I have enjoyed many moments of ECW TV( except for anything involving Abraham Washington or (Vladimir) Koslov no offense). To read the full blog, visit WWE.com.
– WWE officials are impressed with Vance Archer as his push is expected to continue.
– Former WCW World Heavyweight Champion Ron Simmons’s name has been discussed for induction into this year’s WWE Hall of Fame class. He worked what was billed as his retirement match this past weekend in Cedartown, Georgia. The standout collegiate athlete will be inducted into the Georgia Sports Hall of Fame on Feb. 20.
– Tommy Dreamer posted a blog on WWE Universe in which he offered additional comments on ECW’s final television shows:
“Some people are happy, some people are sad about ECW going off the air,” Dreamer wrote. “The Original die hard ECW fans knew it wasn’t the same. That Original ECW was a magical time in wrestling and can never be duplicated. If you go back in the archives of my blogs,you can read many opinions of those days.
“I think the new ECW had some great expectations, but had some extreme shoes to fill in. Let us not pass negative judgement on the show. As a fan I have enjoyed many moments of ECW TV( except for anything involving Abraham Washington or (Vladimir) Koslov no offense). To read the full blog, visit WWE.com.
The one and only Ric Flair was a guest on the Monday Night Mayhem radio show this week.Hosts Big Mosh, Blade, Todd Vincent, Chaz spoke to the Nature Boy about a number of topics and you can listen to an audio clip of the entire interview at MondayNightMayhem.com. Here are the highlights of what Flair said about:
His experience in TNA thus far: “When you said I was having more fun, that is a true statement. When I’m having fun, I’m better at this business than anybody actively in this business today, and I’m having a lot of fun. With me, I’ve had a phenomenal career, I never took the business seriously until about 1989 or 1990, and even then I was having fun, but it got to be business, and I didn’t understand that.”
“I’m having a ball with TNA, and I was a little hesitant, not because of anyone from TNA, I think Dixie Carter is phenomenal…it was leaving home again. After all those years with WCW to go the WWE, it was just hard because I spent 25 years of my life waving the banner of the NWA/WCW, and it was a difficult decision to make. But I’m having a ball, I love the people I work with, I love the role I have, and I really like this thing with AJ and I, and I think it’s gonna’ be a really big factor professional wrestling business.”
AJ Styles’ Potential: “It’s funny, because I think he’s gonna’ be a phenomenal champion, but no one person in this day and age can take a company to the next level. It takes a bunch of people…and not just the people in the ring. It takes people on the Creative Team, it takes the ownership group. It’s just so many equations that fit into that word next level. Certainly AJ will fulfill everything they ask of him and be a huge part of their success, but I don’t wanna’ say that AJ can turn the company around by himself. With me with him, it’s almost a done deal.”
Coming Out of Retirement & TNA Holding Him Back: “When Hulk called me about Australia, I thought ‘why not man?’ I feel good. I’m not hurtin’, I feel like a million bucks, I work out everyday. I’ve got too much energy to be sitting around at home…Ask my wife? Way too much energy…But I felt great so when the opportunity came around, I kinda’ just went ‘Let’s do it.’ And then from there, it evolved to this, but my legacy (after meeting Dixie Carter and being there for two tapings), will be enhanced by being there, and I’ll guarantee you that. And if I haven’t shown you guys that in the last couple of weeks, something’s wrong, because I’m juts getting going. They still got me on a muzzle up there, but when I get going and when they turn me loose in TNA, then we’ll really get going.”
Whether He’d Be a Booker In TNA:“I have no interest in being part of any of the storylines or creative. If they ask me a question, I’m gonna’ give them an straight answer, because I know a straight answer would be perceived as something I really feel. I don’t get involved in anyone else’s business. I’m there primarily the role is with AJ, to make our part of the show the very best it can be, and he and I will compete together against everyone else on that show…That’s how I live my whole life.”
The one and only Ric Flair was a guest on the Monday Night Mayhem radio show this week.Hosts Big Mosh, Blade, Todd Vincent, Chaz spoke to the Nature Boy about a number of topics and you can listen to an audio clip of the entire interview at MondayNightMayhem.com. Here are the highlights of what Flair said about:
His experience in TNA thus far: “When you said I was having more fun, that is a true statement. When I’m having fun, I’m better at this business than anybody actively in this business today, and I’m having a lot of fun. With me, I’ve had a phenomenal career, I never took the business seriously until about 1989 or 1990, and even then I was having fun, but it got to be business, and I didn’t understand that.”
“I’m having a ball with TNA, and I was a little hesitant, not because of anyone from TNA, I think Dixie Carter is phenomenal…it was leaving home again. After all those years with WCW to go the WWE, it was just hard because I spent 25 years of my life waving the banner of the NWA/WCW, and it was a difficult decision to make. But I’m having a ball, I love the people I work with, I love the role I have, and I really like this thing with AJ and I, and I think it’s gonna’ be a really big factor professional wrestling business.”
AJ Styles’ Potential: “It’s funny, because I think he’s gonna’ be a phenomenal champion, but no one person in this day and age can take a company to the next level. It takes a bunch of people…and not just the people in the ring. It takes people on the Creative Team, it takes the ownership group. It’s just so many equations that fit into that word next level. Certainly AJ will fulfill everything they ask of him and be a huge part of their success, but I don’t wanna’ say that AJ can turn the company around by himself. With me with him, it’s almost a done deal.”
Coming Out of Retirement & TNA Holding Him Back: “When Hulk called me about Australia, I thought ‘why not man?’ I feel good. I’m not hurtin’, I feel like a million bucks, I work out everyday. I’ve got too much energy to be sitting around at home…Ask my wife? Way too much energy…But I felt great so when the opportunity came around, I kinda’ just went ‘Let’s do it.’ And then from there, it evolved to this, but my legacy (after meeting Dixie Carter and being there for two tapings), will be enhanced by being there, and I’ll guarantee you that. And if I haven’t shown you guys that in the last couple of weeks, something’s wrong, because I’m juts getting going. They still got me on a muzzle up there, but when I get going and when they turn me loose in TNA, then we’ll really get going.”
Whether He’d Be a Booker In TNA:“I have no interest in being part of any of the storylines or creative. If they ask me a question, I’m gonna’ give them an straight answer, because I know a straight answer would be perceived as something I really feel. I don’t get involved in anyone else’s business. I’m there primarily the role is with AJ, to make our part of the show the very best it can be, and he and I will compete together against everyone else on that show…That’s how I live my whole life.”
— Chris Jericho’s Fozzy album, Chasing the Grail, failed to crack Billboard’s Top 200 chart in its first week of release.
Despite a heavy promotional push which included Martyr No More being used as one of the official theme songs for this year’s Royal Rumble pay-per-view, the album sold a mere 2,200 copies in the United States in its first week out.
On a positive note, it ranked sixth in sales on the Top New Artist Albums (Heatseekers) chart, which lists the best-selling albums by new and developing artists, defined as those who have never appeared in the Top 100 of the Billboard 200.
Chasing the Grail was released on Jan. 26 via Australia’s Riot! Entertainment.
— In statistic news, Shawn Michaels’ six eliminations in this year’s Royal Rumble match gives him 37 for his career, beating the record of 36 set by “Stone Cold” Steve Austin. Undertaker remains at 35, while Kane now has 34 with Triple H in fifth place at 26. For most time spent in the Rumble over the course of a career, the top three spots remain the same, but the numbers have changed with Triple H at 231:12, Shawn Michaels at 213:34 and Kane at 173:46.
— WWE plans on pushing this year’s WrestleMania festivities harder this year. The mindset is to keep the talent busy and have so many activities for fans that they don’t attend the Ring of Honor and Dragon Gate shows.
(credit to the Wrestling Observer for the information used in this report)
— Chris Jericho’s Fozzy album, Chasing the Grail, failed to crack Billboard’s Top 200 chart in its first week of release.
Despite a heavy promotional push which included Martyr No More being used as one of the official theme songs for this year’s Royal Rumble pay-per-view, the album sold a mere 2,200 copies in the United States in its first week out.
On a positive note, it ranked sixth in sales on the Top New Artist Albums (Heatseekers) chart, which lists the best-selling albums by new and developing artists, defined as those who have never appeared in the Top 100 of the Billboard 200.
Chasing the Grail was released on Jan. 26 via Australia’s Riot! Entertainment.
— In statistic news, Shawn Michaels’ six eliminations in this year’s Royal Rumble match gives him 37 for his career, beating the record of 36 set by “Stone Cold” Steve Austin. Undertaker remains at 35, while Kane now has 34 with Triple H in fifth place at 26. For most time spent in the Rumble over the course of a career, the top three spots remain the same, but the numbers have changed with Triple H at 231:12, Shawn Michaels at 213:34 and Kane at 173:46.
— WWE plans on pushing this year’s WrestleMania festivities harder this year. The mindset is to keep the talent busy and have so many activities for fans that they don’t attend the Ring of Honor and Dragon Gate shows.
(credit to the Wrestling Observer for the information used in this report)
— Hulk Hogan claimed this past week on The Bubba the Love Sponge Show that he would be turning heel soon. He also said he doesn’t want daughter Brooke to become a wrestling character.
— Eric Bischoff recently came up with the idea of a ranking system for top title contenders in order to justify title shots. Fans can check out the ratings system on TNA’s Against All Odds countdown show on DirecTV.
— Starting with Sunday’s Against All Odds pay-per-view, TNA will be putting all pay-per-view events live on the company’s web site at a cost of $14.95.
(credit to the Wrestling Observer for the information used in this report)
— Hulk Hogan claimed this past week on The Bubba the Love Sponge Show that he would be turning heel soon. He also said he doesn’t want daughter Brooke to become a wrestling character.
— Eric Bischoff recently came up with the idea of a ranking system for top title contenders in order to justify title shots. Fans can check out the ratings system on TNA’s Against All Odds countdown show on DirecTV.
— Starting with Sunday’s Against All Odds pay-per-view, TNA will be putting all pay-per-view events live on the company’s web site at a cost of $14.95.
(credit to the Wrestling Observer for the information used in this report)
— There are conflicting stories on Melissa Anderson’s (a/k/a Alissa Flash) recent departure from TNA Wrestling.
It’s being said that she was frustrated with the company not using her on a regular basis. There are also multiple accounts on whether she asked for her release or if the organization made a decision to let her go. Furthermore, some feel her departure from TNA was related to Awesome Kong’s dispute with the company, seeing how they are close.
Anderson parted ways with the organization on Jan. 21, 2010.
— Former TNA announcer Lauren Brooke recently took part in an interview with women’s wrestling website RedHotDivas.com. When asked whether she ever considered lacing up the boots, Brooke responded: “No I really didn’t. I honestly believe that no one could just START wanting to be a wrestler at 27 years old, train for a year and go out there and show any quality. You need years to be as good as the Taylor Wilde’s and Gail Kim’s out there…and it would be an insult if I thought I could just.. “pull that off.”
She also reveals whether she was ever asked to take part in a lesbian storyline with Taylor Wilde, her favorite wrestler to work with, how she would like to be remembered by wrestling fans, and much more. You can read the interview in its entirety at the following link.
(credit to the Pro Wrestling Torch for some of the information used in this report)
— There are conflicting stories on Melissa Anderson’s (a/k/a Alissa Flash) recent departure from TNA Wrestling.
It’s being said that she was frustrated with the company not using her on a regular basis. There are also multiple accounts on whether she asked for her release or if the organization made a decision to let her go. Furthermore, some feel her departure from TNA was related to Awesome Kong’s dispute with the company, seeing how they are close.
Anderson parted ways with the organization on Jan. 21, 2010.
— Former TNA announcer Lauren Brooke recently took part in an interview with women’s wrestling website RedHotDivas.com. When asked whether she ever considered lacing up the boots, Brooke responded: “No I really didn’t. I honestly believe that no one could just START wanting to be a wrestler at 27 years old, train for a year and go out there and show any quality. You need years to be as good as the Taylor Wilde’s and Gail Kim’s out there…and it would be an insult if I thought I could just.. “pull that off.”
She also reveals whether she was ever asked to take part in a lesbian storyline with Taylor Wilde, her favorite wrestler to work with, how she would like to be remembered by wrestling fans, and much more. You can read the interview in its entirety at the following link.
(credit to the Pro Wrestling Torch for some of the information used in this report)
— Former WWE wrestler Johnny Stamboli, who wrestled as Rellik during his previous stint in TNA, inquired about returning to the organization as part of a tag team with Chuck Palumbo, but company officials were said to not be interested. Alongside Nunzio, Stamboli and Palumbo worked together as a tag team in World Wrestling Entertainment as “The F.B.I.” — Full Blooded Italians. The partnership ended when both Stamboli and Palumbo were released from their WWE contracts on November 4, 2004.
— Regarding Scott Steiner’s departure from TNA Wrestling this past week, his contract expired and he wasn’t offered a new contract. He is now accepting independent bookings through wrestling representative Bill Behrens and is also available for teaming with his brother, Rick Steiner, as the Steiner Brothers. Those interesting in booking “Big Poppa Pump” can contact Behrens at [email protected].
— Ric Flair is looking to open a gym and wrestling school in his hometown of Charlotte, North Carolina. He owned several Gold’s Gyms years ago, and when he sold them, he had a non-compete clause which ran out at the end of last year.
(credit to the Pro Wrestling Torch and Wrestling Observer for the information used in this report)
— While nothing has been official been said by either party, the belief is that Awesome Kong has been talked into staying with TNA.
Kong requested her release from the organization following a backstage altercation with Bubba the Love Sponge a few weeks ago. Though it should be noted that she was reportedly upset with her pay as well. (source: Wrestling Observer Newsletter)
— Velvet Sky and Madison Rayne of “The Beautiful People” recently took part in a photo shoot for FHM in the U.K., which is their equivalent of Maxim. This should be high profile exposure for TNA since it’s the No. 2 selling men’s magazine in the country.
— Today is reigning TNA Women’s Knockout Champion Tara’s birthday. The five-time champion turns 39 years old.
(credit to the Wrestling Observer for some of the information used in this report)
— While nothing has been official been said by either party, the belief is that Awesome Kong has been talked into staying with TNA.
Kong requested her release from the organization following a backstage altercation with Bubba the Love Sponge a few weeks ago. Though it should be noted that she was reportedly upset with her pay as well. (source: Wrestling Observer Newsletter)
— Velvet Sky and Madison Rayne of “The Beautiful People” recently took part in a photo shoot for FHM in the U.K., which is their equivalent of Maxim. This should be high profile exposure for TNA since it’s the No. 2 selling men’s magazine in the country.
— Today is reigning TNA Women’s Knockout Champion Tara’s birthday. The five-time champion turns 39 years old.
(credit to the Wrestling Observer for some of the information used in this report)
— Kurt Angle is looking to reduce his schedule with TNA.
— Lacey Von Erich will be making her TNA live event debut at this week’s shows in Virginia. She will be teaming up with fellow “Beautiful People” members Velvet Sky and Madison Rayne to take on Tara and Angelina Love in 3-on-2 Handicapped matches. Also note, these shows will mark as Love’s return to TNA house shows.
— As a reminder, this month’s edition of TNA Epics airs tomorrow evening directly following iMPACT!. Sting will be the show’s focus.
(credit to the Wrestling Observer for some of the information used in this report)
— Next week’s RAW guest host Jerry Springer says was drinking when he agreed to host the show. During a media conference call to promote the appearance, Springer says that he used to be a wrestling fan as a kid, but doesn’t keep up with the product much anymore.
“I’m looking forward to doing it though you know how opposed I am to fighting on television,” he said. “These are all professionally trained people. You have that. Other than that, entertainment is entertainment whether you’re an athlete or a singer. You have your moment when you’re on stage, or in a ring, or on a ballfield. It’s that moment where you have to be really, really focused. You have to perform.”
To read a full transcript of the conference call, visit RealityWanted.com.
