Triple H out 2-3 weeks, WWE International PR, Mero interview, more Submitted by William Martinez on Wednesday, December 18, 2002 at 4:02 PM EST
Triple H out 2-3 weeks, and that’s good news TAMPA, Fla. – Dec. 17, 2002 – Various injuries to Triple H’s right thigh will keep the Game out of the ring for two to three weeks. But Triple H was extremely relieved to get that prognosis today, as he feared the injury could have been a lot more serious. Click For Full Article
Edge to buy his mom a house The Canadian heartthrob promised himself and his mom, Judy, that he’d buy her a house once he became a World Wrestling Entertainment Superstar. On Dec. 23, one day after the final SmackDown! taping of the year, Edge will fly to his native Toronto and do just that. Click For Full Article
SmackDown! Superstars battle food poisoning TAMPA, Fla. – Dec. 17, 2002 – After watching the SmackDown! taping tonight, it seemed hard to believe that many of the Superstars on the show are only starting to get over a major case of food poisoning. Click For Full Article
World Wrestling Entertainment 2002 International Live Events Increased Revenues by 544% Wednesday December 18, 10:55 am ET
STAMFORD, Conn.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Dec. 18, 2002--World Wrestling Entertainment, Inc. (NYSE:WWE - News) New Licensing Deals And Sponsorships Move Business Toward
Increased Growth in 2003
World Wrestling Entertainment, Inc. said today that total international live event revenues for calendar year 2002, comprising ticket, merchandise and sponsorship sales, were approximately $14.1 million compared to approximately $2.2 million in calendar year 2001, an increase of about 544 percent.
In 2002, more than 225,000 fans attended 15 WWE(TM) international live events within five tours, as compared to 2 events in 2001. Events were held in England, Scotland, Germany, Finland, Northern Ireland, Japan, Singapore, Malaysia, and Australia and culminated with a "WWE RAW® Tour of India," which drew more than 50,000 fans for its sold-out three-city tour of New Delhi, Mumbai and Bangalore.
For 2003, 27 live events are planned across five continents, including Japan, Australia, Brazil, Chile, England, France, Germany, Italy, Korea, Mexico, Scotland, Singapore, South Africa and Thailand. WWE has already sold-out its first international stop of 2003, the three-event "WWE Far East Tour" in January 2003 which will play to more than 30,000 fans in Korea and Japan.
Event sponsorships, international licensing agreements, home video distribution deals and wireless initiatives are all expected to contribute to significant growth in 2003. WWE has retained licensing and sponsorship agencies in Europe, Asia and Australia to actively assist in securing new consumer product licensees, home video and DVD distributors and live event sponsors.
"It is the success of our international TV distribution and live event tours that are driving the other elements of our U.S. business model into international markets," said Roger Marment, WWE's Executive Vice President of International Business Development. "The foundation that has been laid in 2002 will allow for even greater international growth in 2003."
World Wrestling Entertainment, Inc. (NYSE:WWE - News) is an integrated media and entertainment company headquartered in Stamford, Conn., with offices in New York City, Los Angeles, Toronto and London. Additional information on the company can be found at wwe.com and corporate.wwe.com.
Marc Mero did an online chat at the official website of the No Holds Barred radio show on December 17th. Below are some of the chat's highlights.
Marc said that he's been enjoying retirement since he left WWE and that he is happy about being able to leave WWE with his health still good & with lots of money saved up. He also stated that he is currently living in Hollywood while Rena is working on her acting career. As for the future, Marc said that although he & Rena probably won't wrestle again, he would never say never.
Marc revealed that he & Rena have not been asked to appear on the Raw 10th Anniversary Special and said that he won't be on the show unless WWE makes him a great offer or Rena wants him to be on it.
Marc admitted that he misses performing in front of an audience.
When asked about the internet, Marc said that he paid more attention to wrestling sites when he was still competing & that he visits the sites on rare occasions now.
Marc mentioned that he recently had lunch with DDP.
Marc stated that there is too much crap & not enough wrestling in WWE now.
When asked to list his career highlights, Marc said that competing with Rena at a WrestleMania & winning an Intercontinental Title tournament were the best moments of his career.
Marc said that he had a lot of fun as Johnny B. Badd & that he never found his nitch when he was doing his WWE gimmicks. He also said that the Johnny B. Badd gimmick was Dusty Rhodes' idea.
Marc mentioned that he trained with Boris Malenko in Florida & that Muhammad Ali was his childhood role model.
Marc put over Kurt Angle, referring to him as the current best wrestler.
Marc said that the Brawl For All tournament was a shoot & that he enjoyed being a part of it.
Marc put over NWA-TNA's X Division & stated that he wants NWA-TNA to be successful.
Marc mentioned that an injury forced him to change his finisher from the Wild Thing to the TKO.
Marc said that he doesn't have heat with Vince McMahon or Eric Bischoff because both of them made him a lot of money. When asked if he ever had heat with any of the wrestlers, Marc stated "there's guys you don't click with but that's life".
Marc put over his matches with "Stone Cold" Steve Austin & Brian Pillman.
Marc revealed that his biggest salary during his wrestling career was $500,000 for a year.
Marc said that he chose wrestling over boxing because the outcomes are pre-determined in wrestling.
Marc talked briefly about competing in Japan, stating that he had a hard time understanding what the Japanese wrestlers were saying during his matches.
Marc mentioned that he likes all kinds of music.
Marc stated that if he was involved in a bar fight, he would want Spike Dudley to be his back-up.
When asked if the WWE superstars are to blame for WWE's low ratings, Marc said no & that the WWE superstars are killing themselves in the ring.
Marc said that Shawn Michaels & Rob Van Dam are the two wrestlers that he would have liked to work with before retiring.
Marc mentioned that he sometimes had to defend Rena when she was being bothered by other wrestlers backstage and said that although seperating business & personal stuff was rough, it was worth it.
Marc stated that "the (wrestling) business is 99% politics" & that backstage politics caused him to lose a push.
Marc said that Tough Enough is entertaining. He then put over Jonah's rib.
When asked for his thoughts about wrestlers getting pushed before they pay their dues & gain experience, Marc stated "I can't stand all the BS about paying your dues. You don't hear about that in other sports. If you're talented, then you're talented!".
