News for the 23rd- 30th December

[Stephanie McMahon's sidekick!]

Here's the first part of an interview with Linda McMahon:

Linda Speaks On WWE's Future, XFL/Divas, WWE Cartoons, more
December 23, 2002

The following is an article from the Hartford Courant:

Linda McMahon wanted to be a pediatrician when she grew up.

But instead of keeping kids fit and administering booster shots, she's keeping beefy wrestlers in the ring and trying to boost revenues for Stamford-based World Wrestling Entertainment.

For more than 20 years, Linda McMahon, 54, a trim, soft-spoken North Carolina native, has worked alongside her husband, Vince McMahon, WWE chairman, turning what was a small live-show production company into an internationally known and frequently controversial wrestling entertainment powerhouse.

Controversy, however, doesn't bother Linda McMahon, the chief executive officer, as long as it doesn't soil the company's name on Wall Street, she said.

But this has been a rough year even for a tough executive. Revenues are down, television viewers are declining, the stock price has fallen and red ink splashed in the second quarter ended Oct. 25.

And WWE has been body slammed by lawsuits and alleged embezzlement from the company.

In October, Linda fired WWE's chief financial officer and chief marketing officer, saying the company needed a change.

Through it all, however, Linda remains positive and focused on the future.

"We are in the rebuilding process," she said, citing strategies to boost TV ratings, expand overseas and launch a film division.

The company is projecting revenues this year of $385 million to $395 million - down about 8 percent from last year and down 15 percent from their $456 million peak two years ago.

WWE stock has fallen about 30 percent this year - hovering between $8 and $9 in recent months. That is about half its $17 initial offering price in October 1999.

The company reported a $1.6 million net loss for the second quarter ended Oct. 25, down from net income of $4.8 million in the same period a year earlier.

Faced with a lawsuit from the World Wildlife Fund, the company changed its name in May from the World Wrestling Federation - WWF - to the WWE. Publicly, the company used humor in handling the name change - its ads said it was time to "get the `F' out." But Linda acknowledges the lawsuit cost the company both time and money.

And that battle hasn't ended. The Switzerland-based conservation organization is seeking $90 million in damages from the company for using the WWF name. This fight may go to the mat, she said.

In October, the company paid $13 million to settle a lawsuit filed by the talent agency William Morris Inc. over commissions.

WWE also lost more than $10 million on its $40 million, 600-seat theme restaurant "The World" in New York's Times Square. The restaurant's general manager is awaiting trial on charges he embezzled $400,000.

Viewership of WWE programs on broadcast television and pay-per-view slid after the company split its wrestling talent into two different rings - "SmackDown!" and "Raw."

Average viewership for "Raw" on the TNN network Mondays and "SmackDown!" on UPN Thursdays has slid about 20 percent, from 4.4 million households last year to 3.6 million.

That's a slew of problems in one year. But Linda waves most of it off, looking toward the future.

The company expected that splitting television wrestling into two shows with new plot lines would take time to develop. Once it does, she said, the separate shows will enable the company to increase viewership, attendance at live events, revenues and merchandising opportunities.

Between "Raw" and "Smackdown!," WWE is planning 350 live events in fiscal 2003.

"The goal is to make viewers watch on both Monday and Thursday nights," Linda said. "It's a process of changing viewing habits. We knew when we undertook this it wasn't going to be easy. We figured it would take 12 to 18 months, so I feel we are on pace. It's starting to get some traction."

[Stephanie McMahon's sidekick!]

Part 2:

The McMahons also expect to boost revenues with sales of a WWE-themed wireless phone, more live events overseas and development of additional entertainment productions, including movies and television cartoons.

In July, the company opened a Los Angeles office to develop WWE Films, naming producer Joel Simon president of the division.

Citing the success of wrestling star "The Rock" as an actor in the film "The Scorpion King," Linda said the new division will create television shows and feature films with WWE superstars targeted to WWE fans as well as the general public.

She said the company is also developing animated programming and hopes to have the cartoons on the air within 18 months, though it doesn't have a network contract yet.

The WWE is doubling its number of international events in the 2003 season with eight overseas tours. WWE Superstars will hold shows in Australia, Brazil, Chile, England, France, Germany, Italy, Japan, Mexico, Scotland, Singapore, Africa, Thailand, Korea and Tokyo. The shows in Tokyo and Korea sold out within hours.

Revenues from international tours leaped 42 percent in 2002. The company wants to increase that segment's contribution to total revenues from 5 percent to 10 percent.

"We've done a very good job of building our brand identity. Our potential for growth is so strong around the world, we've only scratched the surface," Linda said.

Next month, WWE and Single Touch Interactive are introducing a wireless phone that will give WWE fans access to the company's web content. Fans will even be able to set their phones to ring the tune of their favorite superstar's entrance music.

With all these initiatives, the company's goal is to generate $500 million in annual revenues and $100 million in cash flow.

Linda acknowledges the pressure the company faces from shareholders since it went public. But she said going public has brought a greater degree of respect to the company.

"I think it is a good place to be," she said. "The benefits are you are looked at differently. Everything is wide open. We now have currency, our stock, for growth and acquisitions and a cash chest."

And the company has certainly seen hard times before.

In 2001, it lost $5.7 million on its XFL football league, which quickly folded. In 1999, female wrestler Nicole Bass filed a sexual harassment lawsuit against the company, although WWE won the case.

In 1993, Vince McMahon and the company were indicted on six steroid-related charges. Five of them ultimately were dismissed, and Vince was found innocent of the sixth at trial.

Linda said that year was the toughest she ever faced because her husband's freedom and reputation were at stake.

She said the company would continue to fight allegations that would damage its corporate reputation, such as the one brought by Bass.

And she said she and Vince do not consider the XFL a failure.

"It was quite an accomplishment for the company to announce and then have [teams] on the field in a year," she said. She blamed the league's failure on the lack of sufficient practice time before the season's start and fans' confusion about the non-traditional rules used in XFL gaames.

The XFL experience hasn't made the company adverse to risks, she said. Indeed, this year, the WWE has taken heat for its controversial story lines for "Raw" and "SmackDown!"

In a September broadcast, a wrestler groped a supposed female corpse. And the WWE magazine covers that feature bikini-clad wrestlers have been criticized as exploitative.

"The worse thing would be if there was no reaction," Linda said. "If we create controversy with a story line, that's fair game. We want people talking about us."

She also defended the sexual appeal of female wrestlers promoted on WWE magazine covers and the WWE's special "Divas" magazine issue.

"We are an entertainment company, and the Divas issue is no different than the Sports Illustrated bikini issue," Linda said. "Sexuality does play a part in our content ... but our females are powerful and strong."

She still remembers when it was virtually unheard of to be a woman involved in any aspect of the wrestling business. She said when Vince founded the company in 1980, she rarely went backstage at events. Linda, who has a paralegal background, spent most of her time working on licensing and direct mail ventures and writing and editing the magazines.

Now, however, her daughter, Stephanie, who is the company's director of television writing, is also in the ring. Her son, Shane, is also involved as president of media content development. Linda said that while she and Vince never pushed the children into the business, she's glad they became part of the company.

"They bring issues to the table," she said. "They are the bright new, young minds."

[Stephanie McMahon's sidekick!]

Kidman Upset With Torrie, Scott Steiner's Attitude, & More

The following news is derived and re-written from the Torch Newsletter.

Prior to the decision being made, a big circle of wrestlers on the RAW side were hoping Scott Steiner would end up on the SmackDown! brand. Apparently, many were not liking the idea of someone else coming in and leapfrogging them to work with Triple H right off the bat. In addition to that, Scott Steiner already has the reputation in the WWE locker room of having an attitude and possibly being someone difficult to work with.

Billy Kidman isn't the biggest fan of the current lesbian angle between his fiance' Torrie Wilson and Dawn Marie. He hasn't been speaking against it too much, or it would be back to Velocity for a while if history is any indication, but it's obvious that he isn't crazy about the idea.

[Stephanie McMahon's sidekick!]

Stephanie McMahon/Lesbian Skit, Heyman, & More

The following news is derived and re-written from the Torch Newsletter.

Paul Heyman has been working with Big Show very closely in recent weeks. In addition to agreeing to work house show dates in Big Show's corner to help his live act, Heyman has said to have taken on a more "hands-on" approach as it relates to working with Big Show backstage. It has been said that Heyman's influence has changed Big Show's locker room demeanor for the better. Big Show has always been considered a nice guy, although at times immature, but now is said to be fitting in with the boys in the locker room better than ever.

Paul Heyman hasn't had much involvement with the talent in WWE lately as far as help with directing promos and other backstage vignettes. Heyman still writes the shows and is as outspoken as ever during production meetings, but carries himself backstage as if he were just an on-air talent, not part of management.

Stephanie McMahon produced the hotel room angle between Dawn Marie and Torrie Wilson on SmackDown! Other than her and the two diva's, the only people in the room were camera operators. Vince McMahon and Paul Heyman didn't have their fingerprints on that one, although they were part of the creative process (more McMahon than Heyman).

[Stephanie McMahon's sidekick!]

Hogan/Goldberg, Bischoff, Royal Rumble

The recently taped Hulk Hogan interviews for TSN's "Off The Record" will be airing tomorrow night and Thursday night at 6 PM EST. Those involved with the production of the first one feel it was somewhat of a weak interview, with Hogan evading many questions. Reports, however, claim that he did speak on Goldberg being too green during his first run. In the second interview, Hogan apparently was less defensive and spoke on his relationships with Bret Hart and Randy Savage, among other things.

Royal Rumble is being officially called a sell-out, however, I was able to find a single ticket in the worst section of the arena on Ticketmaster.com. Regardless, WWE should be happy with the sales for Rumble.

The following is the cable RAW preview for tonight:

"What does Eric Bischoff want for Christmas?"

[Stephanie McMahon's sidekick!]

Goldberg Confirms Interest In WWE Deal, Shoots On Russo

Thanks To George Farmer for the following notes:

This week, the incredible Bill Goldberg joined the No Holds Barred radio show and here are the highlights.

He opened the show by talking about his streak of 173-0 and how he was in the right place at the right time. He put over Hulk Hogan as a big help and a big reason the streak happened. He said anytime he is in the ring with Hogan, it is a pleasure.

He called Vince Russo a joke and had no confidence in him booking him in matches. He hoped to get his hands on him.

He is enjoying acting very much and his wrestling in Japan. He has a 13 month contract in Japan and only has to wrestle 7 times. He feels it keeps his mind and body fresh. He feels the fans appreciate seeing him more because it is not on a weekly basis.

He admitted to having discussions with the WWE and hinted perhaps he will be at WrestleMania 19. He admitted to wanting to work with the Rock, Steve Austin, The Undertaker and Kurt Angle. He did say a lot of obstacles had to be overcome to for him to be at Mania 19. He talked about the backstage politics in the WWE and how he does not get involved in politics. He knows how he would deal with Triple H if he tried the backstage games.

Goldberg said he lays down for absolutely nobody.

He mentioned he is happy right now acting and is not searching for work but admitted he misses the big time and anything can happen.

[Stephanie McMahon's sidekick!]

Batista In Hawaii, Big Show News, WWE Holiday Vacation

The following are excerpts from a WWE.com article:

With the completion of Sunday's SmackDown! taping (which will air this Thursday on UPN), the World Wrestling Entertainment Superstars are enjoying 10 full days off.

The Superstars spend practically the entire year on airplanes and in hotel rooms and rental cards. Ironically, the only time that they're not on the road is the busiest travel period of the year. Indeed, when other people in North America are traveling the most, the Superstars are traveling the least.

So Matt Hardy can enjoy his just-completed, newly constructed house in North Carolina.

And the Big Show can lose money to his brother-in-law.

"I'm doing cardio and beating my brother-in-law in golf every day," he said of his vacation. The latter part of his statement was sarcastic. "My brother-in-law is a lot better golfer than me; he's probably going to kick I disagree. And he's probably going to want to play for money, so I have a feeling I'm going to be hitting the ATM after every game."

Other Superstars who plan to spend quiet time with their families -- although not necessarily lose money to them -- include Jamal, Kurt Angle, D-Von Dudley, B-2 and Rikishi.

Other Superstars seemingly can't bear being off the road for 10 days, and they'll be traveling for pleasure. Lilian Garcia, for one, said she's going to Canada to ski.

Chris Jericho also plans to spend part of his vacation skiing. He'll be traveling all over Canada to hang out with friends and family.
"Even though I'm off, I'll still be on the road," he said. "But it's OK because I'll have a nice vacation."

Then there are Superstars who don't have 10 days off. As part of the WWE announce team, Lita and Tazz will spend at least part of their vacation at the WWE television studio in Stamford, Conn. And Tazz has other items on his agenda.

McMahon will head to Albuquerque, N.M., on Jan. 2 for the live SmackDown! that night. The RAW crew returns to the road the same day; they'll be performing back-to-back nights (July 2 and 3) in Honolulu.

In fact, many RAW Superstars are planning to head to Hawaii early to spend some downtime in the 50th state. They include Stacy Keibler, Tommy Dreamer, Goldust, Bubba Ray Dudley and Batista.

"I'm very excited," said Batista, who has never been to Hawaii. "I'm taking my wife, and we're going to go skydiving."

[Stephanie McMahon's sidekick!]

Hulk Hogan Comments On The Rock, Insults Foley & More

I just watched Hulk Hogan on "Off The Record" here in Canada.

He talked about Mick Foley and why he, at 49, can still wrestle but Mick can't. He said, and I qoute, "I don't have to prostitute my body like Mick did when he's going through glass and off of cages. When he was eating M & M's and cheeseburgers, I was training in the gym."

Hogan said he would bring back Steve Austin if he was Vince and he thought one of the reasons Austin left might be having Debra working with him. He said that when he goes to work for thee or four days and comes home, his wife and kids treat him like a king and that time apart is a good thing.

He says The Rock was smart to go into movies because when he did, Stallone and Arnold were still young and now they are old, so basically Rock can make a name for himself with all of them going away. He said that guys in the back say bad stuff about Rock but they don't understand what he's going through, but Hogan does.

Merry Christmas everyone.

[Stephanie McMahon's sidekick!]

Steve Austin's WWE Return, Hogan Trashes Austin, more

WWE is still hoping to make a deal with Steve Austin that would allow him to return in time for Royal Rumble. WWE uses its Royal Rumble and WrestleMania PPVs as a way to kick off the new year with a bang, and erase any woes from the past year. Thus, WWE could stand to make good money off WrestleMania, one of the main reasons both Goldberg and Steve Austin are in high demand by WWE officials. As for Austin, although nothing has been confirmed yet, the original plan was for him to start a program with Triple H, leading to a RAW main event between the two at Mania. However, with his expressed disinterest in working RAW with Triple H, WWE may (once again, not confirmed) change that plan if Austin were to agree to a return deal.

Hulk Hogan, in part one of his interview on "Off The Record", stated that if he was having huge difficulties with WWE's creative direction (as Austin apparently was), he'd pass the torch and move on. Hogan stated that the roster made Austin what he is, because any talent could easily have no-sold the Stunner.

[Stephanie McMahon's sidekick!]

Monday Night Football/WWE, Rock Reference On Jerry Springer, & More

Thanks to reader Greg for sending along the following:

Just thought I'd pass on a little note. This morning while getting ready to go out of town for Christmas, we had the Jerry Springer Show on, and a girl in the audience was making a comment to the panel, a girl was sleeping with her step brother and she had a fiance who was fairly muscular. The girl in the audience asked her why she was sleeping with Rikishi when she had The Rock at home. Pretty funy stuff, got a good laugh from Jerry and the audience. For the remainder of the show the audience referred to the fiance as The Rock.

Thanks to reader Mike Dotsol for the following:

People just don't learn. Al Micheals of the Monday Night Football broadcast team was interviewing Kobe Bryant during halftime of the Steelers v. Bucs game and asked him about the fight between Rick Fox and that guy from the Sacramento Kings and asked if it was "a knock-off of the World Wrestling Federation". Do people still call it the AFL? Get with the times Micheals.

[Stephanie McMahon's sidekick!]

WWE Backstage News, Y2J Update, New WWE Star

- The word going around backstage is that everyone within the WWE is very please with the up and coming WWE Diva, Gail Kim. Gail has been wrestling house shows and dark matches for the past few weeks, and apparently has been impressing everyone. There was talk of debuting her at WWE Armageddon, but WWE decided to hold off, and groom her to becoming even better.

- Rumor is going around that Chris Jericho is reportedly upset with his current role, taking part in tag team competition. He should go back to a full time singles role in the next few months.

- Hogan's appearances with Michael Landsberg on "Off The Record" will air tonight and tomorrow, check local listings for the full information.

[Stephanie McMahon's sidekick!]

Steve Austin's First Interview, Lawler/Andy Kaufman, More

The Associated Press recently ran a story on the Jerry Lawler/Andy Kaufman incident on David Letterman's show many years ago. CNN, FOX News Channel, Univision, among others are outlets that picked up on the story. Apparently, the mainstream media weren't aware that the entire thing between Lawler/Kaufman was nothing more than a worked storyline for pro wrestling. Despite that being revealed on "Man On The Moon" when Jim Carrey did the movie on the life of Andy Kaufman, apparently the mainstream media weren't aware it was a work until Jerry Lawler's book came out recently.

According to iWon.com's "Celebrity Gossip" page, Steve Austin will be a guest on "Wise Guys, Black Guys and Rabbis" radio show hosted by Aaron Braunstein on 620 AM tonight at midnight. I haven't been able to confirm the radio appearance, but if he does happen it will be Austin's first interview (unless you count reporters asking for comments outside a courthouse) since the assault incident with his wife Debra several months ago. If anyone is familiar with the aforementioned show, check it out and send us a report after it's over.

[Stephanie McMahon's sidekick!]

Official WWE.com RAW Preview - Best Of 2002!

The following is from WWE.com:

Best of WWE 2002 ... this Monday night on RAW!

The last RAW of 2002 is actually a joint production of RAW and SmackDown!, featuring the best matches from both those shows, as well as from WWE pay-per-views, throughout the year! Catch it this Monday night on the new TNN at 9/8 CT.

Who could forget The Rock battling Hollywood Hulk Hogan at WrestleMania X8? Relive "Icon vs. Icon" this Monday night!

You'll also see another unforgettable battle from the following month's pay-per-view, Backlash, when Kurt Angle stepped into the ring against Edge.

The show will also feature arguably the greatest matches of 2002 from RAW (TLC IV from Oct. 7 in Las Vegas) and SmackDown! (the Ladder Match between Edge vs. Eddie Guerrero from Sept. 26 in San Diego). Undertaker vs. Jeff Hardy in a Ladder Match on the July 1 episode of RAW from Manchester, N.H., was also a match-of-the-year candidate, and you'll see that as well.

This year's SummerSlam was possibly the greatest in the entire history of the August pay-per-view tradition. We've got three of the outstanding matches from the event: Rey Mysterio vs. Kurt Angle, Triple H vs. Shawn Michaels in a Street Fight, and The Rock vs. Brock Lesnar for the WWE Championship.

Don't miss RAW when it kicks off at 9/8 CT on the new TNN!

[Stephanie McMahon's sidekick!]

Bret Hart Speaks On Appearing At RAW 10th Anniversary

The Following News Is From Bret Hart's Official Newsletter:

Bret Hart was in Florida on business, December 18th and decided to attend an NHL game between the Florida Panthers and the Toronto Maple Leafs. Bret was given an impromptu invitation to drop the puck. At first Bret respectfully declined since he doesn't feel ready to make public appearances as he is still recovering from his stroke and isn't at 100%. But Bret gave in to the motivation pursuations of both teams, who told him they respected that he could walk out there under his own power not even six months after a stroke which had completely paralyzed the entire left side of his body.

Bret also commented on the WWE 10th Anniversary, saying that he hasn't been contacted by WWE, and has no interest in ever taking part with the organization again.

[Stephanie McMahon's sidekick!]

Steve Austin Appearance Being Heavily Promoted, UPN/Smackdown

Apparently, it was reported on Tuesday's "Hollywood Insider" that UPN is looking to redevelop to attract young, ethnic male, and female viewers to its shows. It also said that shows like SmackDown and Buffy The Vampire Slayer, despite traditionally being huge ratings grabbers for UPN, are not guaranteed a renewal when their contracts end later in 2003. Nevertheless, SmackDown is still UPN's top show.

Thanks to Barry Levy for the following:

While at the Meriden Square Mall in Connecticut, finishing my holiday shopping, there were posters all around the place that were not there earlier this weekend for a "WWE Superstar Stone Cold Steve Austin" autograph signing on Saturday, January 25th. They have had lots of other WWE signings in the Mall before, but never with this kind of promotion.