– With WrestleMania XXVII in the books, a number of people are expected to be released from WWE in the very near future. In most previous years, the company has let go several mid-card wrestlers as well as members of the office staff as part of a “spring cleaning” to cut costs and free up roster space.
When WWE announced its 2010 year end financial results a few months ago, the fact that the company’s adjusted net income was down several million dollars from 2009 made the argument for “cost cutting” even stronger this year. Especially with the great deal of young talent WWE has been cultivating through NXT, Tough Enough and its developmental system through Florida Championship Wrestling, WWE has more of a need than ever to make cuts. Expect the cuts to begin as soon as next Friday.
– As for the future of Superstars – now that it’s television run on WGN America has ended, the show will live on internationally and on WWE’s YouTube channel.
– The USA Network issued a press release this week touting the factt that Monday’s 4-hour block of programming (Hall of Fame Ceremony, RAW, Tough Enough) drew over 12 million unique viewers. This year’s Hall of Fame broadcast was the most-watched ever – a good sign that we’ll see it air on Monday night prior to RAW once again next year.
– WWE is considering various animated projects (either a web series, comic books or a television show). One idea discussed would be to base the projectaround Rey Mysterio and Sin Cara. WWE’s new “Rumblers” action figures made by Mattel might also be used in an animated project.
– On Monday’s series premiere of Tough Enough, trainer Steve Austin told the bottom 3 contestants a story of the time he ‘went to the bathroom’ on himself while wrestling former WWE champion Yokozuna. A clip of Austin’s storytelling was shown on the E! network show The Soup this week.
– Actor and former WCW champion David Arquette was interviewed by IGN.com this week to promote his new movie Scream 4 and had this to say about winning the WCW championship:
“It was surreal. To be able to be a part of that world and be a fly on the wall and see the workings of the circus, it was a dream come true. I know people joke about the guy from Hollywood winning the title, but I have nothing but respect for wrestlers. I got a chance to live in their world. It was an opportunity be play cops and robbers as grownups.”
