Author: Staff

– On RAW, we saw the beginning of a new storyline with Ted DiBiase, who has received a large trust fund from his father, the Million Dollar Man. The storyline goes that Ted was to receive the trust fund after either his 30th birthday or his first WrestleMania match, which happened this year. Ted is using his money to pay off WWE Superstars off, as seen on RAW last night with the Colons attacking R-Truth. He’s also sporting the classic Million Dollar Belt.

– Jim Ross noted on Twitter last night that Bret Hart’s daughter Alexandra Sabina Hart gave birth to a baby girl named Kyra Beans Hart. The baby’s middle name comes from Alexandra’s nickname, Beans.

– Look for WWE to emphasize Twitter on television in the coming weeks and months. After frowning upon their superstars posting incriminating messages on Twitter, the company has made the decision to embrace the service and wants all of its main eventers to use it. As always, visit PWTweets.com to follow 80+ wrestlers & divas on Twitter.

Report by Kendra

This week’s RAW starts with video from last week’s The Cutting Edge where Edge complained about being drafted to RAW. Wayne Brady came out for a few minutes of pop, then Orton came out and hit the RKO on Brady. Edge tried to talk Orton down, reminded Orton about Rated RKO, but then Orton went for the RKO. Edge pushed off, but when Edge tried to spear, Orton hit the RKO.

Orton’s music and out he comes to the ring. Orton asks Edge if he’d like to know why Orton wouldn’t accept his offer? Because he knows Edge. Edge doesn’t want to partner, he wants to control Orton. Paradise By The Dashboard Light plays and out comes Meatloaf! Damn he’s slimmed down. Meatloaf told Orton he’s the man. They were going to introduce him, but he couldn’t wait! He has an album coming out tomorrow, ‘Hang Cool Teddy Bear’! he has a song on this album that needs to be Orton’s new music, written by Jon Bon Jovi. The reason he says it is this. 1995, Orton was 15 years old in St. Louis… You want to hear the song? Orton say, why not? Why doesn’t Meatloaf hum him a few bars? Meatloaf hands him the cover to hold. Meatloaf says he’ll sing the whole thing. He starts singing and it sucks. Orton starts to leave and pitches the cover over the side of the ring. Meatloaf goes on an on about a duet with Jack Black. He has Hugh Laurie! Hang Cool Teddy Bear, just for Orton. Finally, FINALLY Orton hit’s the RKO on Meatloaf and shut him the hell up! Edge’s music hits and he comes out with a smirk. Edge says Orton must not like celebrities. RKOing Brady and Meatloaf, attacking Seth Green and Freddie Prinze Jr. Edge agrees, he doesn’t like them either. The way they walk on this show and they think they run things. He did something about it. He called WWE Headquarters, complained long and loud. They Tweeted him back. From here on out Guest Celebrity Hosts have authority on RAW. That wasn’t enough for Edge. RAW needs a permanent GM. Someone who has experience, authority, the moxie to pull this job off. They agreed again. You’ll never guess who they picked to be the new permanent GM of RAW… Edge announces Vickie Guerrero. Out she comes screeching ‘Excuse me!’ The fans are HOT! She would like to state for the record… Edge says that she says, excuse her. She says despite her personal relationship with Edge in the past, she’s there to be a true professional. Randy, speaking of professionalism, Randy attacking celebrities won’t be allowed. He will be reprimanded. Orton told her to come down and reprimand him to his face. Edge says Orton’s a bully, but will learn what it feels like to be bullied. Vickie says tonight, due to his behavioral issues, Orton will take on Edge and a partner of his choice in a Two On One Handicap Match. Edge says Orton will learn how he deals with threats, and that’s a promise. Much glaring between the two.

Backstage Jericho and Miz walk along talking. A playful shove from Jericho and Miz is out of the camera shot. Jericho continues on, heading for the ring.

– Commercial

Pittsburgh Steelers in the front row. Meatloaf in the ring, annoyed Orton, took an RKO.

King and RAW say Vickie is the GM of RAW.

Justin announces that if Jericho wins this match, he and Miz will earn a Unified Tag Team Championship Match at Over The Limit. Video of Miz attacking Smith last week. Smith got the upper hand, but it didn’t last between Miz and Jericho’s attacks. DH Smith on his way to the ring, Natalya in tow. Kidd and Miz have a match later tonight. If Miz loses he has to defend his US Championship to a member of the Hart family on RAW in Toronto next week.

Jericho bitch slaps Smith, Smith punches back. High knee from Smith and then Jericho up in a long delayed vertical suplex. Jericho out of the way of a knee drop and Jericho in control. Kick to Smith’s head and then forearms to his back and kicks to his chest. Natalya gets the fans going to no avail. Headlock on Smith in the center of the ring. Knees to Smith, then he’s whipped. Out of the corner with shoulder and then a belly-to-belly. Smith hit’s a scoop slam for two. Punches to Jericho, but then Smith into a back elbow. Smith moves out of the way of a lionsault, but Jericho lands on his feet. Smith locks on the sharpshooter, but Jericho gets to the bottom rope. Thumb to Smith’s eye and a code breaker and it’s over for Smith.

– Winner: Jericho

Jericho celebrates outside the ring while Natalya in to check on her cousin. Video of the thumb to the eye and the finisher. Jericho backs up the ramp celebrating.

Backstage Edge is talking to Batista.

Flavor Flav will be up next.

– Commercial

R-Truth comes out singing, Flavor Flav with him. Flavor Flav sings right along with R-Truth. Both dancing, Flavor Flav with his signature clock hanging around his neck. R-Truth asks if he feels the love dog? R-Truth calls the WWE Universe to welcome one of rap and hip hop’s legends, Flavor Flav! The fans are hot for him! Flavor Flav calls for Pittsburgh to make some noise. He then has them call Flavor Flav for him. He says he has a new show called ‘Night Tales’, updated Twilight Zone, updated Tales From The Crypt. He’s the new Crypt Keeper, the new Time Keeper. He wants them all to make some noise for R-Truth. He continues to get the fans pumped, has them yell ‘Yeah!’ and then ‘Yeah Boy!’

Regal on R-Truth hard in a corner. R-Truth drops to the ring, below Regal and then kicks him in the face. Primo and Carlito are suddenly there and on R-Truth. Cole called Carlito ‘Carlos’. Back stabber to R-Truth. Flavor Flav talks on announce. Says if he had about 4 more pounds he’d be in there to help his boy. Video of the attack on R-Truth. The Colons to the stage. Handshakes to Ted DiBiase on stage. They each get an envelope and then leave. Ted stares down at R-Truth.

– Commercial

Video of Eve beating Maryse for the Diva’s Championship, her entire career leading up to this title run.

Video from earlier where Maryse demonstrated her training in the ring with her Jujitsu instructor. He was in his gee, she was all sexy. He said to her that she needed to try harder, she wasn’t getting it. She got pissed, slapped him, then kicked him to the mat. She talked smack the whole time leaving the ring.

Backstage Josh asks Orton if he’s at all worried about his match tonight. Orton says there’s nothing he can do about it, so he’s not concerned. He’d like Vickie to come to ringside so he’s sure tonight’s a night she’ll never forget.

– Commercial

Video of Buzz Aldrin. He says he’ll be in RAW next week. Henry knocks him, in his space suit, down saying it’s a giant leap for RAW.

King and Cole talk about how this arena will bbe torn down soon.

Fox and Kim are ringside. Ryder thanks them for giving him another chance. He tells Fox she looks especially good. That makes Kim unhappy. He talks about blowing up the arena and how it’s great he’s there before it happens. Evan Bourne out to face him.

Knee to Evan’s gut, then slams him down with stomps over and over. Knees to Evan’s gut, but Evan comes back with head scissors that looked too loose. A kick to Ryder’s head for two. Evan climbs but Ryder stops him. Rough Ryder on Evan for two. Neck breaker to Evan for another two. Evan face first into a corner, then choked with a knee on the bottom rope. Evan fights back. Ryder splashes face first to the corner but Evan moves. Evan climbs. Fox tries to stop him, Kim pulls her off the apron. SSP and Ryder’s pinned for three.

– Winner: Evan Bourne

Gail Kim walks up the ramp arm in arm with Evan. Fox stays with Ryder.

Video of Cena beating Barrett last week and beating the clock in the process. Cena says he knows what the match at Over The Limit will be, but Sheamus rushed in and attacked. Cena will announce it next.

– Commercial

Cena’s music and he comes to the ring. 14,162 fans on their feet for the last time in the Igloo. Mixed reaction for Cena. He says this is a special occasion and it’s wonderful to be there. More mixed reaction. He wants to take this moment to thank Sheamus. Because of his outburst Cena had a whole week to think about his match with Batista. Maybe Batista was right. He did beat Batista, but it was intellectual, didn’t involve brute force. Some people thought it was the easy way out, an act of cowardice. He’s been called many things, but he’s not a coward. Tonight he’ll prove it. He stands in front of u with great power. He can choose anything. He can make Batista wear a blindfold. Make him wear hand cuffs. He can make him hop on one leg. That would be the act of a coward. This match at Over The Limit will be fair, but brutal. Very, very brutal. It will be the last time he faces Batista for the WWE Title. He‘s going on the record now saying that if Batista wins, he’s forfeiting his rematch clause. That being said, there’s only one match they can have. At Over The Limit, he’ll face Dave Batista in an I Quit Match. If Batista wants to shut him up and see Cena go, he has to make him say two words. He has to owe this all to Sheamus. He’d like to thank Sheamus, so how about that human jar of mayonnaise comes out so Cena can thank him in person. No music. Cena thought he wasn’t coming, but then the music started and he comes out to the stage. Sheamus says Cena wants to thank him? Cena hasn’t thought this through. If Sheamus comes to the match he won’t be in any condition to face Batista. Everyone knows this. So he’ll ask again, does Cena really want him down there? Cena says he’s head what Sheamus said and… off comes the shirt and hat. Cena says he’ll take his chances. Sheamus says he’s just lost his Championship. Batista shows up behind Cena. Batista hit’s a spear, then Sheamus slams Cena to the mat. Batista kicks Cena from the ring. Batista picks Cena up and slams him back first into the ring post a couple times. Cena rolled back into the ring. Cena to his feet and eats a big boot from Sheamus. The fans shout in happiness. It’s Mark Henry out to the ring. Splashing Batista in the corner then a boot to the face sends Batista from the ring. Henry is pumped up and ready for a FIGHT! Henry down on one knee to check on Cena. “Cena” chants from the women and children. Henry right there to help Cena up.

Backstage Edge goes up to Vickie. Edge says he has a partner. Edge says he said some horrible things about Vickie. He wanted some sympathy for her, but it didn’t work. They decided they can be friends. Edge wants her ringside. Vickie says Orton’s a snake, cold blooded. Edge told her to come out. She demanded a guarantee that he doesn’t touch her. Edge says he guarantees her, plus she can fire him on the spot. She needs to be there to show she can’t be intimidated and so she can she the look on Orton’s face when he’s defeated. She says she’ll be there.

– Commercial

Promo for Flavor Flav’s new show.

Natalya and her beau Kidd are in the ring. Miz comes out to face him.

Miz ducks Kidd and attacks him from behind then kicks his ribs. Kidd kicked in the ribs and flies out of the ring. Kidd on the apron, does a shoulder roll trough – King says shades of the great Owen Hart – and pins Miz for three.

– Winner: Kidd

Hart Dynasty celebrates on the ramp. Miz says Kidd’s all happy? Miz gets to pick the member of the Hart family he’ll face. It’s not going to be Kidd. Won’t be Smith. Natalya, as much as she’d love to wrestle around in the ring with him, no. Live in Toronto, commercial free, he’ll face… (The fans know) Bret ‘The Hitman’ Hart. The Dynasty’s not sure about this. Natalya looks the most shocked.

Backstage Josh stops Batista and says he’s heard that Batista’s facing Henry later. Batista asks if Josh knows about the I Quit Match. He’s not going to make Cena say I Quit, he’s going to make Cena scream it. Don’t believe him? Watch what he does to Mark Henry.

– Commercial

All the NXT Rookies are in the ring for an 8 On 4 Match. Out comes Yoshi, Goldust, Morrison and Santino come out to face them.

Goldust and Wade start. Wade beats Goldust down hard in a corner, but then telegraphs for a punch. Atomic drop and Yoshi tags in arm bar on Wade and Yoshi slams through. Gabriel tags in and really works with Yoshi! Kicks fly and they work hard. Gabriel lands a kick and a punch, but then Otunga steals the tag and works Yoshi hard for two. Clothesline on a sitting Yoshi for two. Chinlock on Yoshi in the center of the ring. Yoshi elbows out and punches Otunga down. Slater tags in, so does Morrison. Morrison on Slater hard in a corner. Slated whipped and then Morrison flies into Slater. Tarver tries to get involved and Morrison sends him from the ring, through another Rookie! Slater over the top and sunset flips over Morrison into the ring. Morrison up and flies but Skip distracts. Bryan in and dropped! Santino in and Bryan pins him for three!

– Winner: NXT Rookies – Bryan Daniels!

The Rookies celebrate in the ring. Bryan is the man with the Rookies, for the moment.

– Commercial

SD! Rebound – Matt Hardy was there whether he should or shouldn’t be. Drew said he’s the future of this company and untouchable. Drew attacked Matt and kept beating on him. Teddy Long came out and threatened Drew. He suspended him, Drew wouldn’t stop. Teddy stripped Drew of his title, he wouldn’t stop. Teddy fired Drew. Drew said they’d see who’s fired as he left the arena. A new IC Champion will be decided Friday. Will it be Kofi or Christian?

The Bellas with Flavor Flav and they want to hear about his new show. He talks his show up, but then Kozlov and Santino come in arguing. Flavor Flav tells them to speak some English. He wants to know what’s going on. Kozlov says Santino won’t leave him alone. Santino says they’d make a great team. Flavor Flav wants to work it out. Regal comes in and tells Kozlov to ignore Santino. Regal says Flavor Flav can’t rap. Kozlov tells Regal to bust a move. Regal does. Straight out of Blackpool, I’m William Regal, rhymes so fresh, they shouldn’t be legal. Regal goes on to rap in a British snotty way (which I thought was bloody great & hysterical). Flavor Flav took him down!

King and Cole talk about Over The Limit and the matches on the card.

Batista comes out to the ring. Video of Batista and Sheamus attacking Cena earlier in the show. Henry made the save, now Batista has to face Henry. Batista is sitting in a folding chair in the ring, spotlight on him.

– Commercial

The same video of Buzz Aldrin and Mark Henry, from earlier, promoting Buzz and the commercial free RAW next week.

Batista is still sitting in the ring, staring off into space, looking like a sullen teen. Mark Henry out to the ring, confused about Batista’s attitude.

As Henry climbs in, Batista jumps up and rushes Henry. A chop block to his knee to get him on the mat, then Batista grabs the chair and beats Henry’s shoulder with the chair. Batista then locks a stretch on Henry. Henry’s tapping out, Batista’s slobbering like a rabid dog. King says Henry’s out and Henry’s selling really well. Finally the ref gets Batista to let go. The young and female fans were chanting for Cena. The trainer is out to the ring checking on Henry. Batista kicks Henry aside as he leaves the ring. Huge heat for Batista. Batista stares at some fans, then continues on up the ramp.

King and Cole talk about what a strange night it’s been. Batista poses on the stage. They go on to talk about rumors about Meatloaf showing up and he ended up eating an RKO. That cause the new GM, Vickie to put Orton in a Handicap Match.

– Commercial

Next week Cena will face Sheamus. Also, Bret Hart will face Miz for the US Championship, it’s been confirmed.

Orton comes out to the ring. He checks over his shoulder to make sure no one’s going to attack from behind. Edge’s music and he comes out with Vickie at his side. They wait on stage. Out comes Edge’s partner, Ted DiBiase. The three of them come down the ramp together. King and Cole talk about how Ted would get a sizeable trust fund when he turned 30 or had a WM match. He was at WM, so…

Orton and Ted start. Side headlock on Ted. Shoulder block to Ted. Orton telegraphs and gets kicked for it. Edge steals a tag and takes Orton down. Edge stomps Orton in the center of the ring then chokes Orton on a second rope. Edge backs Orton into the heel corner and Ted takes a tag. Ted chokes Orton with his foot. Vickie’s grinning ringside. The ref backs Ted off briefly. Knee drop to Orton and Edge tags in. Ted kicks Orton in the face as Edge poses. Edge pulls Orton to his feet but can’t suplex. Orton free, but then eats a big boot for two. Ted tags in and punches Orton. Orton back on Ted hard, but Ted clotheslines Orton for two. Chinlock on Orton. Orton to his knees, then his feet. Orton punches out but then into a back elbow. Orton hit’s a couple clotheslines and knocks Edge form the ring as he tries to come in. Edge up on the other side and knocked off the apron into the barrier. Orton hit’s a ‘vintage’ backbreaker on Ted. Orton set Ted up but Ted kicks out of the RKO. Ted sent flying from the ring. R-Truth comes out and Ted flees back into the ring. Ted eats an RKO and Orton pins for three.

– Winner: Orton

Orton slowly turns to look at Vickie who hasn’t realized it yet. Then she realizes it. Orton drops down, punches the mat and stares out at Vickie. She screams for Edge. Orton leaves the ring and glares. He walks slowly. On mic she tells him to not do it. Over and over she screams for Edge. She warns him over and over not to do it or he’s… Don’t, don’t, then she cries out! Then she resigns. Over and over she screams that she resigns. Edge eats an RKO. Vickie flees up the ramp as fast as her Capri’d legs would take her. Orton back into the ring and stares down at Edge’s carcass on the floor in front of announce. Ted is nowhere to be found. Video of Edge trying to sneak up on Orton, but eating an RKO and Vickie fleeing RAW.

For the third time they show the Buzz/Henry video promoting next week’s RAW.

Biggest pop
Cena
Randy Orton
Mark Henry
R-Truth

Biggest heat
Vickie!
Batista
Edge
Jericho/Miz

WWE issued the following press release this morning:

ASTRONAUT BUZZ ALDRIN TO HOST COMMERCIAL-FREE WWE MONDAY NIGHT RAW®

USA Network and World Wrestling Entertainment® announced today that pioneering Apollo astronaut Buzz Aldrin will guest host a special two-hour commercial-free Monday Night Raw live from the Air Canada Centre in Toronto, Ontario on May 17 at 9 PM ET / 8PM CT on USA Network. Aldrin will be appearing under his official WWE name “Rocket Hero.”

Aldrin, a former Dancing with the Stars contestant, is a proud supporter of President Obama’s new space policy that will follow a flexible path approach for exploration with Mars, as opposed to the moon, as the new goal. In Magnificent Desolation: The Long Journey Home From the Moon, a memoir by Buzz Aldrin with Ken Abraham, the world-renowned astronaut describes his fantastic journey to the moon. Magnificent Desolation will be available on paperback starting June 1.

The space advocate also recently released the iPhone App, Buzz Aldrin Portal to Science and Space Exploration, available immediately for $1.99 on Apple iTunes and App stores. The App takes the user on a journey through the world of space exploration.

The legendary space hero joins an already prestigious list of celebrity guest hosts, including Emmy-winning actor Jeremy Piven, NBA All-Star Shaquille O’Neal, television legend Bob Barker and Ryan Phillippe, Kristen Wiig and Will Forte from the cast of the feature film MacGruber.

– Actress Betty White’s Wikipedia page claims she will host the Memorial Day edition of WWE Raw on May 31. The show will take place from Austin, Texas. Wikipedia is not the most reliable source, so take this one as a rumor for now. The 88 year old actress hosted NBC’s Saturday Night Live over the weekend and the show drew a better rating than usual. Her SNL hosting gig came about after a grassroots campaign on Facebook.

– WWE Hall of Famer Jim Ross has updated his blog at JRsBarBQ.com with some comments on how WWE’s production values compare to the UFC’s. Ross wrote, “WWE still has the TV production edge on UFC as WWE would have made the live event feel bigger than it did Saturday night with their shot selection and the way the event was mic’ed. The Bell Centre was packed but there were too many close up shots up dudes drinking and not enough shots of pretty women in attendance. I thought Joe Rogan and Mike Goldberg were on their game Saturday night and enjoyed their work. I have to admit when the show came on the air that I was ‘Jonseing’ at bit at the adrenaline rush the feel of the event gave me.”

Monday’s WWE RAW takes place from the Mellon Arena in Pittsburgh, PA.

Rapper turned reality television star Flava Flav will be this week’s guest hsot.

The only thing announced for the show so far is that WWE Champion John Cena will announce the stipulation for his WrestleMania re-match against Batista at Over The Limit on May 23.

With Batista expected to be leaving WWE in a few weeks, it’s likely that Cena will pick a “Loser Leaves WWE” stipulation.

Locally, John Cena vs. Batista is being advertised as the dark match main event.

WWE’s first Unified Tag champions Carlito and Primo Colon reunited on last week’s WWE Superstars show, so we could see program with the Hart Dynasty kick off this week as well.

Dark Match:

* Vance Archer & Curt Hawkins b. Two local workers named Jason & John.

WWE SmackDown, Airing Friday:

* The show opens with a recap of Big Show’s feud with World Heavyweight Champion Jack Swagger. Swagger will take on Kane later tonight.

* Matt Hardy comes out with a mic. He cuts a promo on WWE Intercontinental Champion Drew McIntyre. McIntyre hits the ring and things get physical. Referees and security break it up as Teddy Long comes out. Long orders Drew to stop. He doesn’t and Long suspends him but that doesn’t stop him. Long strips him of the Intercontinental Championship but that doesn’t stop him either. Long tells Drew he’s fired which prompts McIntyre to get in his face. McIntyre is escorted out of the building by referees.

* Backstage, Teddy Long is interviewed by Josh Mathews. Long says he doesn’t know Matt Hardy’s status, what to say about Drew McIntyre or what to do about the Intercontinental Championship.

* MVP b. Luke Gallows w/CM Punk & Serena. Rey Mysterio came out of the crowd during the bout and distracted Gallows which allowed MVP to hit the Complete Shot and get the pinfall win.

* CM Punk cuts a promo on Rey Mysterio. Mysterio asks Punk where the hooded attacker is but Punk acts like he knows nothing about it. Mysterio still wants to shave Punk’s head. Mysterio suggests one more match, if he loses he’ll join the Straight Edge Society. If Punk loses, Mysterio gets to shave his head bald. Mysterio says he’ll join the Straight Edge Society tonight if Punk saves his head tonight. Punk won’t agree to it despite a chant from the crowd. Punk puts over his hair as a symbol of purity. The segment concludes with Mysterio promising to put an end to the Straight Edge Society.

* Layla & Michelle McCool w/Vickie Guerrero b. Tiffany & Kelly Kelly when Layla got the pin.

* Teddy Long announces a tournament for the WWE Intercontinental Championship. It begins tonight and there are two matches from it tonight. Christian vs. Cody Rhodes and Kofi Kingston vs. Dolph Ziggler. The winners will face off next week for the title.

* Kofi Kingston b. Dolph Ziggler to advance to the finals of the WWE Intercontinental Championship tournament that will take place next week.

* Christian w/Heath Slater b. Cody Rhodes to advance to the finals of the finals of the WWE Intercontinental Championship tournament that will take place next week.

* Kofi Kingston will face Christian next week for the WWE Intercontinental Championship

* World Heavyweight Champion Jack Swagger comes out with a mic. He puts himself over, delivering more facts about himself. He talks down Big Show before Kane comes out for their match. Big Show comes out and goes to the announce table for commentary. Kane b. World Heavyweight Champion Jack Swagger when Swagger was disqualified for throwing Kane into the unprotected turnbuckle. After the match, Swagger attacks Kane before Big Show gets involved. Kane ends up taking out Swagger and Show chokeslams him through the announce table. Show poses with the World Heavyweight Championship belt to end the show.

After WWE released its First Quarter Financial Results earlier today, the company held its quarterly conference call. Here are some highlights from that call…

– Chairman and Chief Executive Officer Vince McMahon, Chief Financial Officer George Barrios and Chief Operating Officer Donna Goldsmith were on hand for today’s conference call.

– Vince started off with the good news that the profit margin for the quarter was one of the highest in company history. The bad news was that WrestleMania dropped in buys. McMahon did admit that the event may not have been “exactly what everyone wanted to see,” but also said that communal viewing of the event could have hurt it as well.

– The move of Smackdown to SyFy was discussed, which he felt was a good move and could add to the international business growth. He is also happy about the new toy line from Mattel. Chief Financial Officer George Barrios did a quick review of the First Quarter Financials, and then we had some question and answer time.

– On WrestleMania dropping buys, Vince said that he felt the branding of last year’s event as the “25th Anniversary” created nostalgia. WrestleMania did add greatly to the quarterly numbers, but was not quite what they hoped for. It was down 12% from last year’s event. He noted that, “it was a good attraction, not a great attraction and sometimes you just don’t give them great attractions all the time. It’s the creative process, and that’s the process we’re in.”

– As for Phoenix as a host city, he felt that the city out performed as the host, and said all involved should be applauded.

– Vince would not blame the economy for the drop in WrestleMania, stating that too many use that as an excuse. He related that many promoters would always make excuses for not drawing, with he exception of Bobo Brazil, because he did not believe in excuses. Bobo would say that you just can’t blame it on anything else people may have decided to go with that night.

– Chief Financial Officer George Barrios and Chief Operating Officer Donna Goldsmith said that they are constantly evaluating how many PPVs and live events that the company runs. They did note that there are less PPVs this year as opposed to last year.

– They discussed the WWE Studios projects, noting that they were aiming for projects in the $5 million range from now on.

– On the decline in video game sales, they said that it was due to “the changeover in game platforms.”

– Vince noted that the Rumble and Elimination Chamber did increase buys, and was asked if competition (UFC 111 on the same weekend) hurt WrestleMania. Vince stated, “We’re not sure if it has or not, you’re talking about two relatively different audiences, completely. The UFC audience, which I guess is what you are referring to, is more of a boxing audience than an entertainment thing, like we are. Nonetheless, there has been some of that, but from a scheduling standpoint, we can’t control that. Going forward, I don’t see any on the schedule at the moment.”

– The final thing discussed was the WWE Cable Network. They have the model set, and are now going to cable providers to see what the interest in it is.

As part of WWE’s Q1 2010 financial report, in which WWE achieved operating income of $37.3 million and net income of $24.7 million off revenue of $138.7 million, the company also announced the pay-per-view buyrates for Royal Rumble, Elimination Chamber and WrestleMania 26.

While the Rumble and Chamber events improved over their counterparts last year, WrestleMania 26 declined from last year’s already-disappointing number.

Royal Rumble 2010 drew 462,000 buys, up from last year’s 450,000.

Elimination Chamber did 272,000 buys, down from No Way Out 2009, which did 285,000.

WrestleMania XXVI drew 885,000 buys, down from last year’s 960,000. The strong UFC 111 pay-per-view, which aired the night before WrestleMania, will likely receive some credit for adversely impacting the WM26 buyrate.

WrestleMania’s popularity has been eroding sharply over the past few years, despite the fact that WWE claims the decreased buyrates are due to more fans gathering together for “PPV parties.” The past 4 years WrestleMania buyrates have been:

• 2007 – 1.18 million
• 2008 – 1.06 million
• 2009 – 0.96 million
• 2010 – 0.89 million

It’s interesting to note that despite WWE’s price increase to $44.95, and the increase in buys for Rumble and Chamber, revenue was slightly down compared to last year. The January and February shows garnered $13.6 million in 2009 and $13.4 million in 2010. This can be attributed to a relative increase in international buys, for which WWE does not receive as much revenue.

WWE announced the following financial results for the first quarter of 2010 this morning.

You can view a PDF file of the earnings report by clicking here (PDF).

STAMFORD, Conn.–(BUSINESS WIRE)–World Wrestling Entertainment, Inc. today announced financial results for its first quarter ended March 31, 2010. Revenues totaled $138.7 million as compared to $107.8 million in the prior year quarter. Operating income was $37.3 million as compared to $16.7 million in the prior year quarter. Net income was $24.7 million, or $0.33 per share, as compared to $10.3 million, or $0.14 per share in the prior year quarter. There are several items that impact comparability, primarily the timing of WrestleMania® XXVI. Excluding these items, revenues totaled $109.9 million, adjusted operating income was $22.6 million and adjusted net income was $14.7 million, or $0.20 per share.

“In the first quarter, we delivered significant growth in earnings and profitability, reaching our highest operating margin in our recent history,” stated Vince McMahon, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer. “WrestleMania XXVI attracted more than 70,000 fans and contributed profits of over $13 million for the second consecutive year. Looking ahead, our faith in the future is strengthened by the ongoing power of our brands, the strength of our partnerships and our ongoing focus on operating efficiency. We remain confident that we can achieve our targeted earnings growth and drive greater profits.” As previously communicated, the WWE business outlook targets average annual earnings growth of 15% to 20% over the 2009-2012 period.

Comparability of Results
WrestleMania XXVI occurred on March 28, 2010, and consequently, is included in our first fiscal quarter financial results. However, WrestleMania XXV occurred on April 5, 2009 and was included as part of our second quarter results in 2009. WrestleMania XXVI contributed approximately $28.8 million of revenues, $13.1 million of profit contribution ($8.8 million, net of tax) and $0.12 of EPS from across our various business lines in the current quarter. The Q1 2010 results also reflect an infrastructure tax credit which reduced depreciation and amortization expense by $1.6 million. In addition, Q1 2009 results included approximately $2.2 million of restructuring related expenses associated with our headcount reduction that occurred in January 2009. For comparative purposes, schedules showing the Adjusted Operating Income, Adjusted EBITDA and Adjusted Net Income, excluding the impact of WrestleMania XXVI and these items, have been provided in the supplemental information included in this release.

Results by Business Segment
Revenues from North America and outside North America increased 28% and 33%, respectively, led by our Live and Televised Entertainment segment. Excluding the impact of WrestleMania XXVI, revenues from North America decreased 3% and outside North America increased 19%. In addition, there was an approximate $2.1 million favorable impact from foreign exchange rates.

The following tables reflect net revenues by segment and by region for the three months ended March 31, 2010 and March 31, 2009. (Dollars in millions)

Live and Televised Entertainment
Revenues from our Live and Televised Entertainment businesses were $98.2 million for the current quarter as compared to $64.1 million in the prior year quarter. The 53% increase in revenues primarily reflects the impact of WrestleMania XXVI as previously discussed. Excluding the impact of WrestleMania XXVI, revenues from our Live and Televised Entertainment businesses increased 9% to $69.7 million.

Live Event revenues were $26.0 million as compared to $18.0 million in the prior year quarter, primarily due to the timing of WrestleMania XXVI. WrestleMania XXVI generated approximately $6.7 million in revenue in the current quarter.

There were 75 total events during the current quarter as compared to 87 events in the prior year quarter, primarily due to touring logistics. There were four international events performed in both the current and prior year quarter.

North American events generated $23.5 million of revenues from 71 events as compared to $17.0 million from 83 events in the prior year quarter. North American average attendance increased 33% to approximately 8,100 from 6,100 in the prior year quarter. The average ticket price for North American events was $38.64 in the current quarter as compared to $33.54 in the prior year. Excluding the impact of WrestleMania XXVI in the current quarter, revenues were $16.8 million, North American average attendance was 7,300 and average ticket price was $32.47.

Pay-Per-View revenues were $32.4 million as compared to $13.6 million in the prior year quarter. There were three pay-per-view events produced in the current year quarter as compared to two in the prior year quarter. Excluding the impact of WrestleMania XXVI in the current quarter, pay-per-view revenues totaled approximately $13.4 million.

Beginning in January 2010, the suggested domestic retail price of non-WrestleMania pay-per-view events increased $5.00 to $44.95.

The details for the number of buys (in 000s) are as follows:

Venue Merchandise revenues were $6.5 million as compared to $4.6 million in the prior year quarter. The increase is due to higher per capita sales of $10.33 in the current quarter as compared to $9.29 in the prior year quarter. Excluding the impact of WrestleMania XXVI, revenues were $4.9 million and per capita sales was $8.41 in the current quarter.

Television Rights Fees revenues were $29.4 million as compared to $24.9 million in the prior year quarter. This increase was primarily due to license fees received from our new WWE Superstars television show and contractual increases from our existing programs.

WWE Classics on Demandâ„¢ revenues were $1.3 million as compared to $1.5 million in the prior year quarter, primarily due to a decline in domestic subscribers.

Consumer Products
Revenues from our Consumer Products businesses were $30.7 million versus $33.1 million in the prior year quarter. Consumer Products revenues declined 7% primarily due to a decline in our Home Video business.

Home Video net revenues were $7.6 million as compared to $9.2 million in the prior year quarter. This decrease reflects a reduction in the sale of new releases as shipments declined 11% to approximately 813,000 units in the current period. In addition, revenues were negatively impacted by a 6% decline in average price per unit to approximately $13.75 and lower sell-through rates.

Licensing revenues were $19.9 million as compared to $19.8 million in the prior year quarter, reflecting additional sales of toys and novelties partially offset by lower video game sales. Toys and novelties increased by approximately $0.5 million and $0.6 million, respectively, while revenues related to video games declined by $1.0 million in the current quarter.

Magazine publishing net revenues were $2.8 million as compared to $3.5 million in the prior year quarter, primarily reflecting lower sell-through rates in the current quarter.

Digital Media
Revenues from our Digital Media related businesses were $6.4 million as compared to $6.9 million in the prior year, representing a 7% decrease.

WWE.com revenues were $3.4 million as compared to $3.9 million in the prior year quarter, primarily reflecting a decline in wireless and online advertising revenues.

WWEShop revenues were $3.0 million in both the current and prior year quarter. The number of orders increased by 3% to approximately 62,000 which was offset by a 4% decline in the average revenue per order to $47.77 as compared to the prior year quarter.

WWE Studios
During the current quarter, we recorded revenue of $3.4 million related to previously released films as compared to $3.7 million in the prior year quarter. We participate in revenues generated by the distribution of these films after the print, advertising and distribution costs incurred by our distributors have been recouped and the results have been reported to us. Accordingly, we have not recorded revenues for 12 Rounds or The Marine 2.

Profit Contribution (Net revenues less cost of revenues)
Profit contribution increased to $65.0 million in the current quarter as compared to $51.4 million in the prior year quarter, reflecting approximately $13.1 million in WrestleMania XXVI related profit in the current quarter. Gross profit contribution margin remained essentially unchanged at approximately 47% as compared to 48% in the prior year quarter, reflecting efficiencies in our Live and Televised Entertainment segment offset by a decline in our Consumer Products segment. The efficiencies in the Live and Televised Entertainment segment were led by sustained cost reductions in marketing and TV production. The decline in the Consumer Products segment was primarily due to decreases in our Home Video business. Excluding the impact of WrestleMania XXVI in the current quarter, profit was essentially flat as compared to the prior year quarter and contribution margin was 47%.

Selling, general and administrative expenses
SG&A expenses were $25.8 million for the current quarter as compared to $30.9 million in the prior year quarter, reflecting decreases in staff related expenses, legal and professional fees and bad debt expense. Excluding items that impact comparability, SG&A expenses declined 10% to $25.8 million in the current quarter from $28.7 million in the prior year quarter.

Depreciation and amortization
Depreciation and amortization expense was $1.9 million for the current quarter as compared to $3.8 million in the prior year quarter, reflecting a $1.6 million benefit from the recognition of an infrastructure tax credit received in the current quarter. Excluding items that impact comparability, depreciation and amortization expense was $3.5 million in the current quarter as compared to $3.8 million in the prior year quarter.

EBITDA
EBITDA was approximately $39.2 million in the current quarter as compared to $20.5 million in the prior year quarter. Excluding the impact of items affecting comparability, adjusted EBITDA was $26.1 million as compared to $22.8 million in the prior year quarter.

Investment and Other (Expense) Income
The decline in investment income of $0.1 million in the current quarter reflects lower interest rates. Other expense of $1.0 million, as compared to other expense of $1.3 million in the prior year quarter, reflects changes in the revaluation of warrants held in certain licensees, partially offset by increased foreign exchange losses.

Effective tax rate
In the current quarter, the effective tax rate was 33% as compared to 35% in the prior year quarter. The decrease in tax rate year over year was primarily driven by increased benefits from Internal Revenue Code (IRC) Section 199 related to qualified domestic production activities.

Cash Flows
Net cash provided by operating activities was $38.0 million for the three months ended March 31, 2010 as compared to $47.3 million in the prior year period. This decrease was driven by the timing of WrestleMania XXVI, feature film investments and changes in working capital, including changes in the Company’s tax position.

Additional Information
Additional business metrics are made available to investors on a monthly basis on our corporate website – corporate.wwe.com. Note: World Wrestling Entertainment, Inc. will host a conference call on May 6, 2010 at 11:00 a.m. ET to discuss the Company’s earnings results for the first quarter of 2010. All interested parties can access the conference call by dialing 888-647-2706 (conference ID: WWE). Please reserve a line 15 minutes prior to the start time of the conference call. A presentation that will be referenced during the call can be found at the Company web site at corporate.wwe.com. A replay of the call will be available approximately three hours after the conference call concludes, and can be accessed at corporate.wwe.com.

World Wrestling Entertainment, Inc., a publicly traded company ( NYSE : WWE – News), 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, PG content across all of its platforms including television programming, pay-per-view, digital media and publishing. WWE programming is broadcast in more than 145 countries and 30 languages and reaches more than 500 million homes worldwide. The Company is headquartered in Stamford, Conn., with offices in New York, Los Angeles, Chicago, London, Shanghai, Tokyo and Toronto.

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

Forward-Looking Statements: This news release contains forward-looking statements pursuant to the safe harbor provisions of the Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995, which are subject to various risks and uncertainties. These risks and uncertainties include risks relating to maintaining and renewing key agreements, including television distribution agreements; the need for continually developing creative and entertaining programming; the continued importance of key performers and the services of Vincent McMahon; the conditions of the markets in which we compete; acceptance of the Company’s brands, media and merchandise within those markets; uncertainties relating to regulatory and litigation matters; risks resulting from the highly competitive nature of our markets; the importance of protecting our intellectual property and complying with the intellectual property rights of others; risks associated with producing live events both domestically and internationally; uncertainties associated with international markets; risks relating to our film business and any new business initiative which we may undertake; risks relating to the large number of shares of common stock controlled by members of the McMahon family; and other risks and factors set forth from time to time in Company filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission. Actual results could differ materially from those currently expected or anticipated. In addition, our dividend is significant and is dependent on a number of factors, including, among other things, our liquidity and historical and projected cash flow, strategic plan (including alternative uses of capital), our financial results and condition, contractual and legal restrictions on the payment of dividends, general economic and competitive conditions and such other factors as our Board of Directors may consider relevant, including a waiver by the McMahon family of a portion of the dividends.

Non-GAAP Measure:
We define Adjusted Operating Income, Adjusted EBITDA and Adjusted Net Income as Operating Income, EBITDA and Net Income adjusted for significant non-recurring events that affect comparability. The schedule above adjusts for a one-time restructuring charge, the timing difference of WrestleMania and a non-recurring infrastructure tax credit. Although these metrics are not recognized measures of performance under U.S. GAAP, Adjusted Operating Income and Adjusted EBITDA are presented for comparative purposes of the Company’s normalized performance. Adjusted Operating Income and Adjusted EBITDA should not be considered as an alternative to net income, cash flows from operations or any other indicator of World Wrestling Entertainment Inc.’s performance or liquidity, determined in accordance with U.S. GAAP.

Supplemental Information:
Net income per share of Class A Common Stock and Class B Common Stock is computed in accordance with a two-class method of earnings allocation. Any undistributed earnings for each period are allocated to each class of common stock based on the proportionate share of the amount of cash dividends that each class is entitled to receive. There were no undistributed earnings for the three months ended March 31, 2009.

EBITDA is defined as net income before investment, interest and other expense/income, income taxes, depreciation and amortization. The Company’s definition of EBITDA does not adjust its U.S. GAAP basis earnings for the amortization of Feature Film production assets. Although it is not a recognized measure of performance under U.S. GAAP, EBITDA is presented because it is a widely accepted financial indicator of a company’s performance. The Company uses EBITDA to measure its own performance and to set goals for operating managers. EBITDA should not be considered as an alternative to net income, cash flows from operations or any other indicator of World Wrestling Entertainment Inc.’s performance or liquidity, determined in accordance with U.S. GAAP.

We define Free Cash Flow as net cash provided by operating activities less cash used for capital expenditures. Although it is not a recognized measure of liquidity under U.S. GAAP, Free Cash Flow provides useful information regarding the amount of cash our continuing business is generating after capital expenditures, available for reinvesting in the business and for payment of dividends.