WWE Closes the World

[Guest subliminal_animal]

I hope some smart wrestling fans call the conference and drill Linda again like last time. That was great.

What did they ask?

[Guest subliminal_animal]

Haw haw.

 

Damn, and I was looking forward to an order of Rocky's Mountain Oysters, or a piece of Stacy's Choice Rump Roast.

Drumsticks or a leg of lamb would've been more likely. That way they could get two of the females on the same type of food, as they could do rack of lamb, too.

 

What a lame joke.

[Guest The Hollywood Fashion Plate]

I ate at the Nitro Grill in 4/00, just after Spring Stampede and Ruschoff took over. I loved the place, the costumes and pics all over the wall kept me occupied until the food came (which took surprisingly long for us being the only ones in the restaurant). The HoganBurger (bacon cheeseburger) was huge and delicious. They had a steel cage set up as one of the dividing walls, and four corners/ropes/turnbuckles set up near the big screen. Some of my favorite pics of my Vegas vacation are of me posing on the turnbuckles holding a replica US Title. I'm so glad I bought the 32oz. mug from there when I had the chance.

 

(One thing that always got me, though, is that the place was not well lit at all. There was like one light on near our table and the rest of the place was almost totally dark. Go figure.)

[Zetterberg is God 0]

WWE announced results for its fiscal quarter, third quarter 2003 results, today. It announced total revenues of $95.6 million, down from $100.2 million in the same period 2002. The operating loss was $26.7 million versus operating income of $8.5 million last year. Much of the loss was due to a $32.9 million charge of "goodwill and other long-lived assets at The World." Without that one-time charge and two other smaller charges ($1.5 million for a legal settlement and $1.0 million for early termination of a lease agreement), operating income would have $8.8 million, above last year's total.

 

The World lost approximately $18.3 million from May 3, 2000 to January 24, 2003, and the press statement says they saw no indication such losses would end anytime soon.

 

"We are reallocating resources to the continued growth of our global business, rather than focusing on a single, site-specific and local project," said Linda McMahon, Chief Executive Officer. "We will build shareholder value by continuing to create WWE branded products and programming which we can distribute on a worldwide basis. Moreover, we will immediately eliminate operating losses which have continued to grow since the acquisition of the facility and which are estimated to be approximately $9.5 million for this fiscal year."

 

Other Key Figures:

 

Total Revenues same quarter 2003 vs. 2002: $95.6, down from $100.2

 

Live and Televised Entertainment: $71.0 million, down from $73.4 million

 

Live Event revenues: $16.2 million, up from $15.3 million (which includes 79 events this year compared to 61 last year; attendance was 373,900 compared to 446,500 last year; average U.S. ticket price went up approximately 20 percent to $40.90).

 

PPV revenues: $21.1 million, down from $23.8 million (despite the price going up from $29.95 to $34.95).

 

PPV domestic buys: 1.3 million, down from 1.6 million.

 

TV rights fees: $16.2 million, increased 25 percent due to two TV specials, an executive producer fee for Heldorado starring Rock, rights fees for Tough Enough, and increased international rights fees.

 

TV ad revenue: $17.5 million, down from $21.3 million.

 

Branded merchandise: $24.6 million, down from $26.8 million.

 

Licensing revenues: $8.4 million, up 9 percent due to book and video game revenues (Hollywood Hulk Hogan reached #13 on The New York Times Best Sellers List; WWE SmackDown! Shut Your Mouth for Playstation 2 was among the top ten best selling Playstation 2 games for the month of December).

 

Merchandise revenues: $5.0 million, compared to $7 million last year.

 

Publishing revenues: $4.2 million, same as last year.

 

Home video revenue: $2.7 million, up from $2.6 million.

 

The World revenues: $2.8 million, down 28 percent.

 

Bigger Picture

 

For the first three quarters of fiscal 2003 compared to the first three quarters 2002:

 

Total Revenues: $276.5 million, down from $289.0 million.

 

For the complete statement, visit WWEcorporate.com.

 

© Copyright 2003 by PWTorch.com

[Guest HartFan86]

Heh, if they had the choice...they WOULDN'T be posting THOSE figures. If the brand extentsion would of been working, the house show revenues would be up by 50% from last year.

 

And that's a total shame about the World. Seemed like a good place.

[Zetterberg is God 0]

Live Event revenues: $16.2 million, up from $15.3 million (which includes 79 events this year compared to 61 last year; attendance was 373,900 compared to 446,500 last year; average U.S. ticket price went up approximately 20 percent to $40.90).

That says it all. More events than last year and attendance was still down. The only way they made more money was because of the increased event numbers and increased ticket prices.

[Guest BoboBrazil]

I hope some smart wrestling fans call the conference and drill Linda again like last time. That was great.

What did they ask?

From Linda's last conference call:

 

- A question was asked about the dwindling house show attendance, the repetitive programming, the storylines like the necrophilia angle, and Triple H's influence on the creative end of the company due to his relationship with Stephanie McMahon. Linda said Triple H is a "relatively new" boyfriend for Stephanie McMahon, and does not have influence because of that relationship. She put him over as a major star for them. Linda said they have new storylines, pointing out Scott Steiner being the subject of a bidding war between the shows, and the return of Shawn Michaels.

 

The person asking the question said it appeared WWE was turning into WCW at the end, in terms of small house show attendance. Linda said house shows have dropped because of the brand extension, but they will rebuild it as they increase the quality of the storylines on the two shows. The person asking then pointed out that relying on Shawn Michaels, who is at the end of his career, can't work in the long run. Linda retorted that the building of new stars is methodical, and will take time.

[Guest HartFan86]

So Linda avoided the necrophila question. Don't blame her.

[Guest TheArchiteck]

Hah, I don't think it's a right way to answer that.

You just sort of let it pass you by.

[Guest HartFan86]

Yeah, she's got no fucking excuse for the booking team to be thinking of that angle, let alone DOING it.

 

I hope we read news articles soon saying "Austin snaps at Booking Meeting; Geriwitz sent to hopsital" because he should do it because no one else will.

[Guest Jobber of the Week]

I hope we read news articles soon saying "Austin snaps at Booking Meeting;

I thought we wanted all the wrestlers out of the booking room? Last I checked, so did Austin.

 

Or is it only the ones we like?

[Guest HartFan86]

I hope we read news articles soon saying "Austin snaps at Booking Meeting;

I thought we wanted all the wrestlers out of the booking room? Last I checked, so did Austin.

 

Or is it only the ones we like?

You guys may have said that, but I don't recall I did. My opinion...I want HHH out...I don't mind about other guys (Austin, Rock, etc.) You know, people who know about the business and make smart business decisions, unlike HHH. If HHH is out, that means Steph will just speak for him and her decisions will go over fine. That's why someone like an Austin needs to be in there saying "No, we aren't doing that because...." and "We should do this because..."

 

Problem isn't the wrestlers in my opinion, it's people who abuse power and don't do what's good for the business. Having a world title presented to yourself, going over the whole company, having just terrible and pointless storylines, and only jobbing to your friends is an abuse of power. HHH and/or Steph needs to get out and Steph aint going anywhere.

 

Edit: Typo.

[Guest IB2BLACK]

What about wrestlers walking out for 6 months? Is that good for business? Let's not make Austin a saint. I don't recall him putting anyone over either, in 2001 & 2002.

[Guest HartFan86]

What about wrestlers walking out for 6 months? Is that good for business? Let's not make Austin a saint. I don't recall him putting anyone over either, in 2001 & 2002.

Yeah, the Rock shouldn't be walking out for all this time. He should just pick wrestling or Hollywood.

 

Hey, I'm not saying Austin walking out was the right thing. But were you in his position? Uh, no.

 

And you want to talk about what's good for business? Hey, it may just be me, but if I'm Steve Austin and I'm wrestling Scott Hall at the biggest PPV in a midcard match when I should be in the main event...I think that's not good for business. He was just doing what he thought was right on the first walkout, and on the 2nd one they didn't realize what his issues were, he officially said "Fuck This." Right thing to do? Not at all. He should of told them way before the weekend of the Atlanta Raw was over that "If I'm not happy, I'm not showing up." as opposed to 2 hours or whatever it was before the show "I aint showing up."

 

Not putting anyone over in 2001? Uh, HELLO? Does his feud with Kurt Angle in the summer of 2001 not mean anything to you? That was the best thing to happen to Angle's carrer AND EVEN ANGLESAULT WILL AGREE ON THIS! Just because he doesn't job the blowoff match doesn't mean he doesn't put someover. Ditto with Benoit in 2001 before Benoit broke his neck. Benoit was starting to get the most babyface of his WWF carrer, at tha time. And also, he wasn't SUPPOSE to put anyone over because Vince gave him that long ass title reign and if he had been putting people over crazy, then it would of made him look weak.

[Guest teke184]

Does anyone else want to start a chorus of "It's the end of The World as we know it?"

[Guest IB2BLACK]

Hartfan, at WM you had Rock vs. Hogan & HHH vs Jericho. how can Austin be involved in any of these matches? Who's spot was he gonna take?

[Guest AndrewTS]

From Linda's last conference call:

 

- A question was asked about the dwindling house show attendance, the repetitive programming, the storylines like the necrophilia angle, and Triple H's influence on the creative end of the company due to his relationship with Stephanie McMahon. Linda said Triple H is a "relatively new" boyfriend for Stephanie McMahon, and does not have influence because of that relationship. She put him over as a major star for them. Linda said they have new storylines, pointing out Scott Steiner being the subject of a bidding war between the shows, and the return of Shawn Michaels.

 

The person asking the question said it appeared WWE was turning into WCW at the end, in terms of small house show attendance. Linda said house shows have dropped because of the brand extension, but they will rebuild it as they increase the quality of the storylines on the two shows. The person asking then pointed out that relying on Shawn Michaels, who is at the end of his career, can't work in the long run. Linda retorted that the building of new stars is methodical, and will take time.

 

Lies, bullshit, and "miscalculations."

 

Man, HHH sure kept up his massive drawing power, eh? Oh, and boy-howdy weren't Michaels and Steiner great to bring back?

 

Weeeee toooooold theeeem sooooo.

[Guest HartFan86]

Hartfan, at WM you had Rock vs. Hogan & HHH vs Jericho. how can Austin be involved in any of these matches? Who's spot was he gonna take?

Should of been HHH vs. Austin. That was the money match, more so then Jericho. Hell, they foreshadowed that feud since the Benoit/Jericho vs. Austin/HHH tag match when HHH tore his quad. And remember the Rumble? Once again, all signs were go for that, but who knows why HHH faced Jericho (One can think it's HHH's ego, which is probably the case), but HHH/Austin and Rock/Hogan were the ways to go.

[Guest RenegadeX28]

What the hell! This isn't a good move by the WWE to get fans approval in the tri-state area. I always wanted to go to The World, but now, it closes. Forget about me meeting any WWE stars now. Also, a lot of fans who watch WWE PPVs there are now screwed.

 

Well, at least the WWE won't be cutting back and forth to The World during WWE programming.

[Guest Jobber of the Week]

[JasonX 0]

Not putting anyone over in 2001? Uh, HELLO? Does his feud with Kurt Angle in the summer of 2001 not mean anything to you? That was the best thing to happen to Angle's carrer AND EVEN ANGLESAULT WILL AGREE ON THIS! Just because he doesn't job the blowoff match doesn't mean he doesn't put someover.

Fuck no. The only time Austin was putting Angle over was when they were doing the ambiguously gay duo gimmick. Austin fucking buried Angle 12 feet under the ground and then pissed on the grave.

 

Every time Anglesault bitches about Brock "burying" Angle he's further showing his ignorance as Austin buried Angle worse than Brock ever could. Fuck, Austin buried Angle worse than HHH did cause at least Angle was salvagable after HHH fucked him over....

[Guest Sakura]

The meanings of the words "buried" and "squashed" are now completely dead at this forum from being overused so much. EVERYTHING is a squash. "Buried" is now just another word for "lost a feud" or even "lost a ppv match".

[Guest IB2BLACK]

Don't forget the term 'putting over", that is way misused.

[Guest jester]

Well...Damn where does RVD host at now? The Lucky Go Around Bar in Shelbyville, Nowhere?

Nah, he'll still be hosting PPVs from the World.

 

Standing in a boarded up, dusty building where some bums have fallen asleep.

 

"Dude, this sucks. And I don't think the office likes me much."

[Guest teke184]

*Finds it ironic that a few weeks ago, when they started reducing the amount of talent at house shows, they decided they'd have a different wrestler at The World every day until further notice*

[Guest HartFan86]

Not putting anyone over in 2001? Uh, HELLO? Does his feud with Kurt Angle in the summer of 2001 not mean anything to you? That was the best thing to happen to Angle's carrer AND EVEN ANGLESAULT WILL AGREE ON THIS! Just because he doesn't job the blowoff match doesn't mean he doesn't put someover.

Fuck no. The only time Austin was putting Angle over was when they were doing the ambiguously gay duo gimmick. Austin fucking buried Angle 12 feet under the ground and then pissed on the grave.

You must of missed Summerslam, Unforgiven 2001, the Raw 2 weeks after Unforgiven 2001, and the Raw in February 2002 for the Number one contendership for the title.....all great matches that Austin helped Angle look great. Don't forget Angle's match with Austin in early 2001 on Raw.

 

Name me one match that was good for HHH vs. Angle. Try it. Rumble 2001? Pointless feud, boring match.

[Guest HartFan86]

Don't forget the term 'putting over", that is way misused.

So let me ask you, sir, what is your definiation of putting over? Just curious.

[Guest godthedog]

Not putting anyone over in 2001? Uh, HELLO? Does his feud with Kurt Angle in the summer of 2001 not mean anything to you? That was the best thing to happen to Angle's carrer AND EVEN ANGLESAULT WILL AGREE ON THIS! Just because he doesn't job the blowoff match doesn't mean he doesn't put someover.

Fuck no. The only time Austin was putting Angle over was when they were doing the ambiguously gay duo gimmick. Austin fucking buried Angle 12 feet under the ground and then pissed on the grave.

 

Every time Anglesault bitches about Brock "burying" Angle he's further showing his ignorance as Austin buried Angle worse than Brock ever could. Fuck, Austin buried Angle worse than HHH did cause at least Angle was salvagable after HHH fucked him over....

that's kind of funny, cause most people tend to back up claims like that with, you know, actual arguments.

[cawthon777 0]

Not putting anyone over in 2001? Uh, HELLO? Does his feud with Kurt Angle in the summer of 2001 not mean anything to you? That was the best thing to happen to Angle's carrer AND EVEN ANGLESAULT WILL AGREE ON THIS! Just because he doesn't job the blowoff match doesn't mean he doesn't put someover.

Fuck no. The only time Austin was putting Angle over was when they were doing the ambiguously gay duo gimmick. Austin fucking buried Angle 12 feet under the ground and then pissed on the grave.

 

Every time Anglesault bitches about Brock "burying" Angle he's further showing his ignorance as Austin buried Angle worse than Brock ever could. Fuck, Austin buried Angle worse than HHH did cause at least Angle was salvagable after HHH fucked him over....

I didn't see a disclaimer that you were talking about the Austin / Angle feud from 2001 that occured in Bizzaro Land. If that's the case, I can't comment because I didn't see those. If, however, you were talking about the feud that took place in this universe then I'm gonna have to call you on a few things.

 

Let's have a little refresher course here ...

 

July 01. Invasion. Austin is the #1 babyface and Angle is arguably #2. Austin punks Angle, costs the WWF the match. Austin becomes the #1 heel, Angle becomes the #1 babyface. Angle goes on to rape every Alliance member he steps in the ring with on his way to Austin.

 

August 01. Summer Slam. Austin / Angle is the show stopper. Both men beat the tar out of each other. There's blood, there are tons of near falls, and there's a very well worked match. Angle has the match won but Nick Patrick makes the DQ. Angle is screwed out of the title and is even more over with the crowd (if it could have been argued he wasn't before the bout).

 

September 01. Unforgiven. Pittsburgh. Days after 9-11. Austin gives Angle the biggest win of his career in front of a hometown patriotic crowd.

 

In addition to giving the rub to Angle, which cannot be denied, 2001 was the year of Austin working with those under the glass ceiling. He started the year against Angle on Raw in a very good world title match, marred only by Triple H's interference. Following WrestleMania there was the brief feud with the Hardy Boyz. Then there was Chris Jericho and Chris Benoit - who he worked against in each man's respective hometown and made them even more of a hometown hero than before. Even worked a world title match against the likes of Spike Dudley. Not bad, huh?

 

As far as Austin with booking power, that's debatable. If his interview in Raw magazine is any indication, he has a very firm grasp of the problems going on in the WWE today and why they continue to occur. He doesn't kid himself about the shelf life of Stone Cold and is aware his career is winding down. If he takes a light schedule then I have little problem with him working behind the scenes as long as he can get people over - which he already has from an in-ring standpoint.

[Guest teke184]

The only problem I have with Austin-Angle 2001 is how Angle's brief title reign was booked, but I'm sure that was Vince's doing and not Austin's.

 

If not for 9-11, Angle wouldn't have even won the belt. I can't help but say he'd be better off if that had happened considering the only people he beat while champ were a then-heatless Booker T and Shane McMahon.