Thursday, January 27, 2011

NEW PPV STANDARDS INTRODUCED

WWE’s Senior Vice President of Partner Sales Joe DelGrosso said at the webinar that WWE would not be cutting back from 13 pay-per-view events a year and that is the “new standard.” He noted that this will be the “minimum” going forward, implying that more pay-per-view events may be added in the future.

DIVA SEARCH IS COMING BACK

World Wrestling Entertainment held a web conference today enticing prospective promotional partners and it was disclosed that the Diva Search would be brought back.
Julie Stenz, WWE’s Director of Partner Marketing, said a ten-week competition would be held during the company’s “regularly scheduled” programming and that sponsorship opportunities would be available.
An official start date for the upcoming competition has not been disclosed.
Organization officials have auditioned prospective female talent in recent months, some of whom are expected to participate in the Diva Search.

TRISH STRATUS, THE ROCK IN HALL OF FAME?

WWE officials are already contemplating candidates for induction into next year’s Hall of Fame class. The primary names being discussed are Trish Stratus, given that it will likely take place in her hometown of Toronto, and The Rock.


The idea with Rock is it would be mark ten years after his memorable WrestleMania match with Hulk Hogan, which took place in Toronto.

WADE BARRETT VS UNDERTAKER AT WRESTLEMANIA??

According to a person who spoke directly to Vince McMahon this past week, Wade Barrett vs. The Undertaker is currently penciled in as the main event for WrestleMania


Barring a setback in recovery, it’s now considered a lock that The Undertaker will work the big show since WWE announced him for Axxess, which takes place the day before the pay-per-view event.

SPECIAL FEATURES FOR WRESTLEMANIA AXXESS ANNOUNCED

WWE has announced the following attractions for WrestleMania 27 Axxess in Atlanta this year:


1. Welcome Mat – Get what you need at this out-of-the box welcome center. Fans will be offered literature and assistance at this entrance feature.


2. Diva Photo Shoot Presented by Twix – Get a photo with your favorite WWE Divas.


3. Superstar Entrance – Fans can act out their favorite WWE Superstars’ ring entrance while being announced into the ring by a WWE announcer and download their experience at home to show off to their friends.


4. Superstar Signings – Get an autograph with your favorite WWE Superstar, Diva or Legend at stations located throughout WrestleMania Axxess.


5. VIP Superstar Signings* – Get the full VIP experience at Axxess – skip-the-line at several Axxess attractions, ring-side access at Main Event and a special autograph with a top WWE Superstar of your choice – including John Cena, Undertaker, Triple H, Shawn Michaels and more!


*Only for $75 VIP ticketholders


6. Concessions – Take a break from all the excitement that WrestleMania Axxess has in-store for you at this eating area where you can enjoy a quick bite to eat and an ice cold beverage.


7. WWE Broadcast Center – On Thursday night be part of a special taping at WrestleMania Axxess to air the following night on SmackDown…and you may be on TV!


8. WWE Memorabilia – Experience WWE history while walking through the memorabilia area showcasing authentic WWE memorabilia from our Hall of Famers to our current Superstars.


9. The Main Event – Live matches and Q&As featuring WWE Superstars!


10. WWE All Stars Video Game Zone Presented by THQ – WWE fans and gamers – the greatest matchups haven’t happened until now! Jump in the ring with the hottest new arcade-style video game from THQ, WWE All Stars.


11. WWE Championship Titles – Get up close and personal with these memorabilia displays. Fans will check out past and present WWE Championship belts.


12. Vince McMahon’s Limo & Stone Cold Steve Austin’s 4×4 – Check out Stone Cold Steve Austin’s 4×4 that he rode to and around the ring at WrestleMania 25 for the ultimate beer bash and Vince McMahon’s infamous limo!


13. Count Trivia – Test your skills against the buzzer. Participants will win prizes and bragging rights at this “know it all” attraction.


14. Cover Shoot presented by WWE Magazine – Have your photo taken and inserted onto the cover of a WWE magazine.


15. Hornswoggle’s House Presented by Skittles – Check out Hornswoggles’ under-the-ring house!


16. A Tribute to Mr. WrestleMania – 2011 Hall of Fame Inductee Shawn Michaels – Check out one-of-a-kind outfits that Shawn Michaels wore at past WrestleManias!


17. Undertaker’s Graveyard – Experience your dark side; walk through the cemetery with tombstones featuring the Undertaker’s 18 WrestleMania victims.


18. Superstar Ink – The world is divided into two kinds of people; those who have tattoos and those who are afraid of people with tattoos; which one are you? Get painted in this authentic tattoo parlor.


19. WWEShop – Fans of all ages will be enticed to purchase the hottest WrestleMania 27 gear and products with the option of purchasing on-line products at nearby kiosks.


20. Mr. McMahon’s Office – For the first time ever, check out Mr. McMahon’s office!


21. John Cena’s Car Display – For the first time ever, check out seven of John Cena’s hottest American Muscle cars!

BROCK LESNAR DENIES ALL RUMORS

In his first interview since losing the UFC Heavyweight Championship to Cain Velasquez last October, Brock Lesnar dispelled the long-standing rumor that he had been interested in participating in this year’s WrestleMania event.
“That thing just took on a life of its own,” Lesnar told Kevin Iole of Yahoo! Sports. “I’m a fighter. There wasn’t anything there. I never pursued anything, no.”
Lesnar added that he doesn’t spend much time online and wasn’t initially aware of the abundant rumors.
While Iole made note of his encounter with WWE Superstar The Undertaker at UFC 121 in the article, Lesnar apparently didn’t comment on the matter during the interview.

BRET HART TALKS ABOUT JOHN MORRISON'S APOLOGY

 Bret Hart revealed to Right After Wrestling that John Morrison once apologized to him backstage for handing out his sunglasses to children before his matches.
“He came up to me, John Morrison did, and he apologized to me, he said he felt bad and made references to stealing my gimmick,” Hart said.
“But the fact that he even addressed it was flattering to me. I don’t think it’s any different than Rey Mysterio giving stuff to the kids. It’s gotta keep moving on, and if there’s any kind of connection between his giving the sunglasses away and my giving the sunglasses away years ago, between an old fan and a young fan, I think that’s beautiful, I have no problem with it at all.”

WWE CONCERNED ABOUT WRESTLEMANIA CARD


There continues to be great concern amongst WWE officials over the match line-up for WrestleMania XXVII.
While it’s likely that WWE will produce a strong wrestling card, the major point of concern is that it will take more than that to attract the masses and draw the type of revenue that is expected of the organization’s grandest event of the year.

BRODUS CLAY CHOSES NEW PRO

Brodus Clay defeated Derrick Bateman, Byron Saxton and Johnny Curtis on last night’s WWE NXT in an elimination match to earn the right to pick a new WWE Pro.
Clay ended up dumping his Pros Ted DiBiase and Maryse to pick Alberto Del Rio. Del Rio has been without a Rookie since Conor O’Brian was eliminated last week.