WWF PR: Roster Split, Trades, Storylines, PPV, Merchandise, and more
Submitted by Calvin Martin on Thursday, March 28, 2002 at 1:17 PM EST
The WWF sent out the following press release today
World Wrestling Federation Entertainment To Make
RAW* and SMACKDOWN* Distinct Television Brands
Both Shows to Have Unique Talent and Storylines Starting in April 2002
Opens Opportunities to Grow Live Event, Pay-Per-View, Licensing and Branded Merchandise Businesses in the United States and Internationally
STAMFORD, CONN., March 27, 2002 - It's Ric Flair*, the Undertaker*, Kane*
and the nWo* on WWF RAW* on TNN and Mr. McMahon*, The Rock* and Hollywood
Hulk Hogan* on WWF SmackDown!* on UPN, as World Wrestling Federation
Entertainment (WWFE) embarks on a new television paradigm which will give
the fans more of what they want, and increase television viewers, ratings,
and create business opportunities.
The company, as of April 1, 2002, will make its flagship program, WWF RAW*,
and WWF SmackDown!* stand-alone programs with unique talent and storylines.
If you want to see Booker T*, Rob Van Dam*, Lita* and the Hardy Boyz*, tune
in to RAW on TNN on Monday nights at 9 p.m.; if you want to watch Kurt
Angle*, Chris Jericho*, Edge*, and Stacy Kiebler*, tune in to SmackDown! on
UPN on Thursdays at 8 p.m. RAW storylines will run Monday to Monday;
SmackDown plots will run Thursday to Thursday.
The creation of two distinct television shows provides the opportunity to
create and promote new Superstars and more exciting storylines. "We are
going to give our fans more of what they have come to know and love. More
twists and turns, more action, and more Superstars in the way that only the
World Wrestling Federation* knows how to do," said Vince McMahon, Chairman
of WWFE. "In the process, we will also win some new fans.
"This is an important step for our company, and one that we have planned
for quite some time," McMahon added. "With the acquisition of WCW, and the
talent development work we have been doing, we now have the depth of talent
necessary to provide the star power to drive two compelling, distinct,
prime-time television programs, and that's what our fans will get starting
in April."
WWFE made the talent announcements live on RAW* this past Monday as part of
a storyline talent "draft" resulting from the ongoing television feud
between "co-owners" Mr. McMahon* and Ric Flair*. The first 10 "rounds" of
the draft were held on RAW* on Monday night. Another 20 rounds were
announced on wwf.com after RAW* left the air. ( A full list of talent
assignments can be found at http://www.wwfowners.com/draft/index.html )
Wondering where to find Stone Cold Steve Austin*? Stay tuned. He is the
hottest "free agent" in the business for which both shows are vying. As for
Triple H* and Jazz*, they are current men's and women's champions,
respectively, who will float across both programs until someone else
captures the title belts. "Trades" between programs and other plot devices
will provide the flexibility to move certain talent from show to show to
drive storyline opportunities and create controversy, a World Wrestling
Federation* trademark.
Interest in the draft on Monday night was high. The RAW* episode was the
highest rated program since The Rock*'s return to RAW* in July 2001. RAW*
finished as the #1 prime time show (basic cable and broadcast) in its 9 p.m.
to 11 p.m. slot among male teens and men ages 12 to 34. Women were also
intrigued, with women viewers 18 to 24 increasing by 129 percent from the
previous week. It was the second strong week of ratings for RAW* following
WrestleMania*X-8.
With separate RAW* and SmackDown!* touring companies, WWFE will
significantly increase opportunities for fans to experience the World
Wrestling Federation live. WWFE is increasing the number of live events it
offers annually in the United States and Canada, from approximately 200 to
350. An expanded international touring schedule is underway, which will
increase the number of international dates, and will bring the World
Wrestling Federation* to Japan, Singapore, Malaysia, Scotland, Germany and
Australia in 2002, in addition to traditional touring stop England.
WWFE is currently the top provider of pay-per-view programming in the world,
and expects to offer additional pay-per-views in the United States and
internationally.
New licensing and branded merchandise opportunities are expected through the
promotion of two separate, distinct television brands, and the expansion of
sales opportunities at live events.
World Wrestling Federation Entertainment, Inc. (NYSE: WWF) is an integrated
media and entertainment company headquartered in Stamford, Conn., with
offices in New York City, Chicago, Toronto and London. Additional
information on the company can be found at http://www.wwf.com and http://wwfecorpbiz.com
SSCW Presents the SuperSlam '02 Convention Sunday, April 14 featuring former multiple time WWF and WCW Champion Bret "Hitman" Hart at the Ramada Inn Rt. 3 Clifton, NJ. The convention starts at noon and Bret will be signing autographs from 4 p.m. - 6 p.m. You will have the opportunity to browse the vendor tables and find all kinds of wrestling merchandise from tapes to shirts. Plus some surprise stars of ECW and WCW fame will be signing autographs as well. Meet and Greet some of the stars from SSCW and PCW and be the first to buy tickets to SSCW's May 11th show. For tickets or info visit http://www.sscwwrestling.com , email info@sscwwrestling.com , or call 1-(973)-450-4083.
Attention Vendors: Tables are still available at very reasonable prices. Contact Carmine Sabia for availability at cj@sscwwrestling.com.
Tim sent this in
Just wanted to make everyone aware that not all Forceable Entry CD's at Best Buy have the Bonus DVD inside them. I had to hunt through the whole section before I found one that had the DVD. If it doesn't have a label on the outside about the DVD, assume it doesn't contain it. Just one last note, the CD with the bonus was $2 more, still a great deal!
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