08 December 2012

WWE News: Yahoo - WWE - Rolling Stones PPV; WWE Network news update, WWE Studios...

WWE News: Yahoo - WWE - Rolling Stones PPV; WWE Network news update; 2013 WWE Studios movie releases; Wrestling and movie connection; Dwayne "The Rock" Johnson thoughts...

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World Wrestling Entertainment, Inc. : Yahoo! Brings Fans the Exclusive Global Online Live Stream of the Rolling Stones 50TH Anniversary Concert on December 15...

Yahoo! Inc. and WWE® (NYSE: WWE) today announced the exclusive global online live stream of the Rolling Stones 50th anniversary concert, an historic pay-per-view special that will take place on Saturday, December 15 at 9 p.m. ET/ 6 p.m. PT on Yahoo! Music (http://music.yahoo.com).

Rolling Stones at London's O2 arena. Opening night of the Stones '50 and Counting' tour on November 25, 2012. Credit: Brian Rasic

Rolling Stones fans can come to Yahoo! for historic footage including past concerts, band interviews and backstage access. Beginning at 8:30 p.m. ET/ 5:30 p.m. PT on December 15, fans can watch an exclusive special entitled Countdown to the Rolling Stones, featuring pre-show activities and a countdown of the 10 greatest Rolling Stones moments of all-time.

The Rolling Stones concert is the latest in a series of exclusive special music events accessible to millions of viewers on Yahoo! From concerts such as the Clinton Foundation 10th Anniversary and iHeart Radio festival, to red carpet premieres for "Twilight: Breaking Dawn" and "The Hunger Games," Yahoo! brings our users their latest entertainment obsessions and their time-honored favorites, across computers and mobile devices.

"The Rolling Stones' music has crossed generations and the world and Yahoo! is excited to bring this very special music event to our global audience," said Erin McPherson, Vice President and Head of Yahoo!'s video and originals. "The Rolling Stones are living legends, and we are honored that the band and WWE chose us to be a part of their 50th anniversary celebration."

"We are pleased to partner with Yahoo!, a global leader in digital media, to bring the Rolling Stones pay-per-view online to millions across the world," said Vince McMahon, Chairman and CEO, WWE. "Our partnership will create unprecedented reach for this historic event."

WWE, the world's pre-eminent provider of pay-per-view programming, in partnership with Dainty Group and Endemol, will distribute the pay-per-view event globally. For additional information on how to watch the pay-per-view event in your market, please visit www.rollingstones.com/watch. And the Official Rolling Stones app is now available on the App Store http://bit.ly/UaJTNQ.

WHAT: Yahoo! Music (http://music.yahoo.com) to host the exclusive pay-per-view live stream of the Rolling Stones' 50th Anniversary concert from The Prudential Center.

WHEN: Saturday, December 15, 2012, at 9 p.m. ET / 6 p.m. PT.

WHERE: Concert to be streamed globally on Yahoo! Music (http://music.yahoo.com).

About WWE

WWE, a publicly traded company (NYSE: WWE), is an integrated media organization and recognized leader in global entertainment. The company consists of a portfolio of businesses that create and deliver original content 52 weeks a year to a global audience. WWE is committed to family-friendly entertainment on its television programming, pay-per-view, digital media and publishing platforms. WWE programming is broadcast in more than 145 countries and 30 languages and reaches more than 600 million homes worldwide. The company is headquartered in Stamford, Conn., with offices in New York, Los Angeles, Miami, London, Mumbai, Shanghai, Singapore, Istanbul and Tokyo.

Additional information on WWE (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/.

About Yahoo!

Yahoo! is focused on making the world's daily habits more inspiring and entertaining. By creating highly personalized experiences for our users, we keep people connected to what matters most to them, across devices and around the world. In turn, we create value for advertisers by connecting them with the audiences that build their businesses. Yahoo! is headquartered in Sunnyvale, Calif., and has offices located throughout the Americas, Asia Pacific (APAC) and the Europe, Middle East and Africa (EMEA) regions. For more information, visit the pressroom (pressroom.yahoo.net) or the company's blog (yodel.yahoo.com).

Trademarks: All WWE programming, talent names, images, likenesses, slogans, wrestling moves, trademarks, logos and copyrights are the exclusive property of WWE and its subsidiaries. All other trademarks, logos and copyrights are the property of their respective owners.


WWE Network: CFO reveals why WWE is pushing forward with Network plans...

WWE CFO George Barrios talked in-depth about why WWE decided to push forward with WWE Network plans during a presentation at the 40th Annual UBS Global Media conference in New York this week.

"We just believe there is too much there potentially not to keep pushing at it," Barrios said after acknowledging industry resistance to some of the Network models. "The drag on earnings is painful. It's painful to investors. It's painful to us but we just believe payoff could be too large so we are going to continue to push on that."

Barrios stressed throughout the presentation that WWE believes the more content they produce, the more revenue they can generate in the long-term because "the value of content is being driven up by the proliferation of distribution outlets."

In WWE's case, distribution would include a future Network, standard TV & PPV outlets, YouTube, Hulu, WWE App, and any other way consumers can consume video content.

"Wherever the video is being monetized, we see that the real opportunity," Barrios said. "We see growth there. Very high operating margins because we create our content once and then monetize it in a variety of those different platforms and also we have the ability to mine a significant library."

One of the library-related initiatives is creating new TV shows based on the existing content, such as turning the Monday Night Wars into a new series updated for this decade. Barrios revealed that the show is currently in production and will examine 2000-2001 leading up to WWE buying out WCW to "win the war."

"So we have done a good job but really we have only skimmed that library. So as we started thinking about best ways to monetize and there is different ones, there is big output deals you could sign is one example, the network, just we kept coming back to that as being the biggest bang for the buck. Now we don’t view the network as a catalog network. There will be powerful, compelling exclusive original content that will be the core because otherwise people aren’t going to either watch it in the numbers you want or pay for it if you go that model.

But we can wrap around some very fresh, compelling content that’s created from our 100,000 hour library. So for example, one of the shows that’s in production right now and it's tested really, really well in our focus group is the Monday Night Wars. It will be an episodic series, number of episodes be determined but somewhere between 10 to 15 episodes that looks at the year 2000 and 2001 battle between Ted Turner and Vince McMahon when they were on competing networks fighting for audience.

So there are some really cool things going on in the ring but there are some really interesting things going on outside the ring that would appeal to a slightly different audience and the lapse fan I talked about before, one of the kernels that we found was that the lapse fan really would be into reliving that a little bit. Especially parents with their kids on what to be able to talk to their kids about things that they were seeing and watching and so on.

So we think the network allows you to take thousand hours of the program which is a lot but it gives us that opportunity to own our content and also maximize significant amount of it. So that’s where that came from. It’s the ability mine that catalog in a fresh new way and also put new content out there."


Wrestling Legend Jake "The Snake" Roberts's talks life in DDP "Accountability Crib?...

Newsday's Josh Stewart filed a report on following around Jake Roberts for 24 hours as Roberts attempts to get in-shape and clean up his life inside the "Accountability Crib" hosted by Diamond Dallas Page. The following are five new things learned about Roberts and the house based on Stewart's report.

Former WCW wrestler Glacier is also staying at the house attempting to become a instructor for DDP's "DDP Yoga" program. A frequent visitor is former WWE wrestler Sinn Bodhi, who was also Roberts's personal babysitter during a recent booking in Las Vegas. “I’m in Vegas drinking water,” Roberts quipped recalling his night inside a Vegas club. “I’ve ruined my life."

Filmmaker Steve Yu, who is documenting Roberts's attempt at recovery, estimates the full recovery process will take one year.

Roberts has bone spurs in his left shoulder that will eventually require surgery. Currently, the injury slows him down during his daily DDP Yoga exercises.

Roberts received a phone call from one of his old drug dealers on Thanksgiving Day. "I told him the bad news,” Roberts said of trying to clean up. “Well, the good news for me.”

-- Roberts is on speaking terms with three of his eight children. After having a conversation with them about his recovery on Thanksgiving, Roberts noted, "They told me how proud they were of me" before pausing to compose himself. http://www.newsday.com/24-hours-in-diamond-dallas-page-s-accountability-crib-with-jake-the-snake-roberts-1.4289421


2013 WWE Studios movie releases; Wrestling and movie connection; Dwayne Johnson thoughts...




WWE Studios has released the full line-up of their 2013 movie releases, some of which will be theatrical releases and others will be straight-to-DVD.

If the last few years of WWE Studios flicks are anything to go by, it will be a mixed bag, but the good news is that there should be one or two gems and pleasant surprises in there... not just B and C grade stuff. Wrestling fans... you got to wonder what it would take for 'The Rock' to sign up to Vince McMahon's WWE Studios - even for 1 or 2 films. Maybe the answer is more money than McMahon is currently willing to offer 'The Great One'. Speaking of The Rock, be sure to check out 'The Hero' when it finally hits television. Time will tell if it finally makes it to Rupert Murdoch influenced Foxtel, but it stands to reason if the public let Foxtel know they want more of 'The Rock', it may help achieve the positive result that fans are looking for.

The following is the 2013 WWE Studios movie schedule:

- "No One Lives" (Jan. 2013): WWE star in supporting role is Brodus Clay. - "Dead Man Down": WWE star in supporting role is Wade Barrett. - "Marine 3: Homefront": WWE star in the leading role is The Miz. - "12 Rounds 2: Reloaded": WWE star in the leading role is Randy Orton. - "The Hive": WWE star in a supporting role is David Otunga, plus Halle Berry in a leading role. - "Leprechaun: Origins": WWE star in the leading role is Hornswoggle. - 2014: Scooby-Doo themed movie when "Scooby Do and the Gang go to WrestleMania."

Keep checking the WWE Studios Facebook and Media Man network www.mediamanint.com for updates.


WWE Title reigns...

Wrestler - days holding title * Diesel - 358 * Hulk Hogan - 364 * Randy Savage - 371 * CM Punk – 380 plus * John Cena - 380 * Pedro Morales – 1,027 * Bruno Sammartino – 1,237 * Hulk Hogan – 1,474 * Bob Backlund – 2,135 * Bruno Sammartino – 2,809


TNA Wrestling Signs Deal To Release Lottery Cards...

TNA Wrestling has signed a contract with MDI Entertainment to offer lottery cards featuring the wrestling organization's biggest stars. The following press release was issued Tuesday.

MDI Secures IMPACT WRESTLING Superstars and Experiential Prizes for Exciting New Instant Games

MDI Entertainment, LLC, a subsidiary of Scientific Games Corporation, has signed an agreement with TNA Entertainment, LLC, dba IMPACT WRESTLING, to offer lotteries branded instant games featuring some of the biggest names and most recognizable imagery in professional wrestling today.

The agreement makes the names and likenesses of more than a dozen wrestling superstars, as well as the logos, marks and artwork of IMPACT WRESTLING, available to lotteries worldwide.

Stars like Hulk Hogan, Kurt Angle, Sting, Jeff Hardy, Matt Morgan and Bobby Roode are included, and can be used on instant tickets and promotional materials, as well as in television and radio commercials. They also are available for personal appearances and public service announcements to promote the good causes lottery games support.

"We are extremely pleased to have secured this license, and to be able to give lotteries so many noteworthy options to promote games associated with it," said Steve Saferin, President, Properties Group and Chief Creative Officer for Scientific Games.

"In addition to providing the biggest names in wrestling today, IMPACT WRESTLING is offering extraordinary marketing support and incredible prize opportunities. This gives lotteries a chance to reach and inspire wrestling fans – including the often elusive 18-34 age group – in very powerful ways."

IMPACT WRESTLING President Dixie Carter stated, "Working with MDI provides a new marketing platform for IMPACT WRESTLING to connect with our fans through the state lottery programs. Our fans avidly invest in our superstars as they appear on SPIKE TV every Thursday and travel the country on the IMPACT WRESTLING LIVE WORLD TOUR."

IMPACT WRESTLING will work with MDI and lotteries to create 2nd Chance prizes that can include merchandise and trips where winners will be treated to a live taping of the IMPACT WRESTLING television show, a backstage tour and a chance to meet wrestling talent. "IMPACT WRESTLING" is a weekly, two-hour show appearing during prime time on SPIKE TV.

A "Contract-for-a-Day" prize also can be created, in which the winner will be given the trip, plus an on-camera cameo role to be included in an IMPACT WRESTLING pay-per-view live show.


Triple H Doesn't Want Sting To Re-Sign With TNA...

Triple H is apparently among many that are hoping that Sting might pass on renewing with TNA when his contract expires at the end of the year. According to a source, WWE would like to present Sting with a multi-faceted licensing deal which would include incorporating him into their Mattel deal and home videos. It would also likely include an induction into the WWE Hall of Fame.

Signing Sting to a deal is apparently not a high priority for Vince McMahon, whereas Triple H is said to hold Sting in high regard.

Triple H has also been pursuing wrestling legend Bruno Sammartino for the WWE Hall of Fame, but its unclear at this point if Bruno is going to sign on this year, or any other.


John Cena takes over Saturday morning on The CW: * WWE U.S report - not relevant for Australian television...

Members of the Cenation: fetch your remotes, set your alarm clocks and be sure to tune in to "Cena Saturday"!

Iconic WWE Superstar John Cena will host Vortexx on The CW on Saturday, Dec. 8 from 8:30 a.m. to 10:30 a.m. ET. Watch the 10-time WWE Champion introduce exciting kids' programs like "Justice League" and "Iron Man" before he steps in the ring to face Heath Slater on WWE Saturday Morning Slam at 10 a.m. With hours of action-packed children's television programming, special profiles on the Cenation leader and much more, "Cena Saturday" simply can't be missed!

Saturday, Dec. 8 is your only chance to see John Cena host Vortexx, but check out all the thrilling shows that you can watch on The CW this and every Saturday morning.

7:00 a.m. - 7:30 a.m. (Educational and Informational Hour) — "Cubix" In a world full of robots, an ingenious young boy named Connor and his miraculous transforming robot Cubix must combine forces, along with the help of their human and robot pals, to save the day when the evil Dr. K plots to steal the mysterious power source known as Solex.

7:30 a.m. - 8:00 a.m. (Educational and Informational Hour) — "Rescue Heroes" The Rescue Heroes are a crack team of international emergency response professionals who travel the globe to help those in danger. Equipped with the latest up-to-the-minute knowledge, high-tech hardware and cutting-edge technology, they are dedicated to promoting safety and saving lives everywhere.

8:00 a.m. - 8:30 a.m. — "Power Rangers: Lost Galaxy" The massive spaceship Terra Venture represents mankind's greatest accomplishment as it traverses the galaxy. When this tremendous achievement is threatened by dangerous aliens, led by the insect-like villain Scorpius and his daughter Trakeena, a new team of Power Rangers from different walks of life unite to become the Galaxy Rangers in a saga that will take them to undiscovered worlds and even other galaxies.

8:30 a.m. - 9:00 a.m.— "Yu-Gi-Oh! ZEXAL" Yuma Tsukumo is a young duelist who strives to become the Duel Masters champion. During a duel with a school bully, a mysterious spirit called Astral appears before him, and helps him to win. Astral explains to Yuma he is searching for his lost memories, which have been transformed into 99 Xyz Monsters cards called Numbers and have been scattered across the globe. To recover his memories, Astral teams up with Yuma to retrieve the Numbers cards. Using the powers of Zexal, the two must compete with Numbers Hunters, who seek to claim the Numbers cards for themselves to destroy Astral's home world.

9:00 a.m. - 9:30 a.m. — "Iron Man: Armored Adventures" Tony Stark, teenage heir to a billion-dollar corporation, must take on the mantle, and formidable armor, of Iron Man when his father mysteriously disappears. Along with his teenage friends, James Rhodes and Pepper Potts, Iron Man must save the world from a multitude of villains and balance the pressures of teenage life with the duties of being a superhero.

9:30 a.m. - 10:00 a.m. — "Justice League Unlimited" The "founding members" of the Justice League, Superman, Batman, Wonder Woman, Flash, Martian Manhunter, Green Lantern and Hawkgirl continue to defend the planet from every known threat. Along the way, they are aided by a large number of other superheroes from the DC Universe, including Aquaman, Black Canary, Captain Marvel, Supergirl and more. Not only does the League clash with their famous nemeses, like Brainiac, Lex Luthor, Mantis and many others, but also the building tensions between the Justice League and a secret government agency known as Project Cadmus brings heightened conflict to a series where every child's favorite superheroes are called to action.

10:00 a.m. - 10:30 a.m. — "WWE Saturday Morning Slam" "WWE Saturday Morning Slam" packs the riveting in-ring action, the larger-than-life WWE Superstars and WWE’s kid-friendly entertainment into the fastest, most energy-filled half-hour on television. WWE Superstar profiles, behind-the-scenes footage and an exclusive WWE match every week will all combine to make "WWE Saturday Morning Slam" the perfect destination for the youngest viewers in the WWE Universe.

10:30 a.m. - 11:00 a.m. — "Dragon Ball Z Kai" The epic adventure continues as the famous martial artist Goku and his son Gohan are shocked when they learn that Goku belongs to an alien race called the Saiyans, who are bent on destroying the Earth. Father and son travel the galaxy, battling Saiyans and other enemies in their heroic attempt to save the world from total destruction.

11:00 a.m. - 11:30 a.m. — "Yu-Gi-Oh! Classic" "Yu-Gi-Oh!" tells the tale of Yugi Moto, a young boy who solves an ancient artifact known as the Millennium Puzzle, causing his body to play host to a mysterious spirit. Yugi and his friends love playing the card game Duel Monsters, and with the help of his doppelganger, Yugi becomes the most famous duelist in the world. When Yugi learns that the spirit inside his puzzle is actually an unnamed pharaoh from Egyptian times, he and his friends attempt to help the pharaoh regain his memories.

11:30 a.m. - 12:00 p.m. — "Yu-Gi-Oh! ZEXAL"


WWE World RAW Tour: Tours Australia in July 2013...

Presented by: WWE & Dainty Group

WWE’s unique brand of action packed entertainment is returning to Australia with WWE RAW.

Fans will be able to see all their favorite WWE Superstars and Divas including John Cena®, CM Punk™, Ryback™, Rey Mysterio®, The Miz™, Dolph Ziggler™, Kofi Kingston™, Zack Ryder™, Eve™, R-Truth™, AJ™ and many more*. * Line-up subject to change

TOUR DATES*: Friday 26 July - Rod Laver Arena Melbourne Saturday 27 July - Allphones Arena Sydney Sunday 28 July - Brisbane Entertainment Centre Monday 29 July - Adelaide Entertainment Centre Tuesday 30 July - Perth Arena


*Special thank you to WWE, Pro Wrestling Torch, Wrestling Inc, Jim Ross and Google News for assistance and references in compiling this news report.

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