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May 2nd
On this day in history in ....
1951 - Japanese legend Mr. Pogo was born.
1963 - Ray Traylor, known professionally as The Big Bossman, Big Bubba Rogers, The Guardian Angel and The Boss over different points of his career, was born.
-Bradshaw pinned Barry Windham.
-The Headbangers defeated the Quebecers.
-Jeff Jarrett defeated Scorpio.
-D-Lo Brown & Owen Hart defeated Farooq & Steve Blackman.
-The Artist Formerly Known as Goldust pinned Marc Mero.
-the Legion of Doom defeated WWF Tag Team Champions the Road Dogg & Billy Gunn via disqualification.
-The Undertaker defeated Kane via disqualification
-WWF champion Steve Austin defeated WWF European Champion Triple H
1999 - ECW ran Kissimmee, FL -at the Agricultural Center featuring the following results:
Nova defeated Buck Quartermaine
Chris Candido & Steve Corino defeated Danny Doring & Roadkill
Mosco de la Merced defeated Little Guido
Super Crazy defeated Yoshihiro Tajiri
ECW World Tag Team Champions Buh Buh Ray & D-Von Dudley defeated Skull Von Krush & Rod Price
Spike Dudley defeated Mustafa
Tommy Dreamer & Jerry Lynn defeated Justin Credible & Lance Storm
1999 - WCW ran Norfolk, VA at the Scope, featuring the following results:
Chavo Guerrero Jr. defeated Blitzkrieg
Prince Iaukea defeated Fit Finlay
Rick Steiner defeated Curt Hennig
Konnan defeated Horace
WCW Cruiserweight Champion & WCW World Tag Team Champion Rey Mysterio Jr. defeated Juventud Guerrera
Raven & Perry Saturn defeated Chris Benoit & Dean Malenko
WCW World Champion Diamond Dallas Page defeated Ric Flair
1999 - WWF ran a TV taping in San Diego, CA featuring the following:
Owen Hart & Jeff Jarrett (w/ Debra) defeated Edge & Christian (w/ Gangrel) when Jarrett pinned Edge after Owen came off with a dropkick that sent his partner on top for the pin
WWF Intercontinental Champion the Godfather pinned Goldust (w/ the Blue Meanie) after hitting the Ho Train on both the challenger and Meanie
Sunday Night Heat, which was broadcast live:
The Road Dogg & Billy Gunn defeated Mark Henry & D-Lo Brown via count-out at 1:14 after Henry & Brown began brawling with Prince Albert & Droz on the floor
Ken Shamrock & Test defeated the Acolytes at 1:20 when Faarooq submitted to Shamrock's ankle lock
Mankind fought the Big Bossman to a no contest in a Boiler Room Brawl
WWF Hardcore Champion Al Snow fought Hardcore Holly to a no contest
Raw is War, taped a day before it was broadcast:
Billy Gunn pinned X-Pac after avoiding the Bronko Buster; after the contest, Gunn and the Road Dogg began brawling at ringside with Gunn eventually hitting Road Dogg over the head with a chair; moments therafter, Gunn retreated backstage after Kane came ringside
Pat Patterson & Gerald Brisco defeated Pete Gas & Rodney via count-out when the Mean Street Posse left ringside
Test defeated the Big Bossman, Mideon, & Viscera in a handicap match by pinning Mideon after Bossman accidentally hit his partner with the nightstick; after the match, the Big Show, Ken Shamrock, and Mankind made the save
The Acolytes defeated Mankind in a handicap hardcore match when Bradshaw scored the pin following a double powerbomb through two chairs set up in the ring
Vince McMahon pinned Shane McMahon with the Stunner at 1:49; prior to the bout, Vince staggered out to the entrance stage after the assault he sustained earlier in the show from Triple H & the Undertaker, with Shane then running up the ramp to attack him and assault him on the floor before the match officially started
Triple H pinned Ken Shamrock with the Pedigree after Shamrock sustained a low blow from guest referee Chyna
The Big Show defeated the Undertaker (w/ Paul Bearer) via disqualification at 2:44 when, after Taker used ether on Show, he took a baseball bat and broke it over Show's head, busting him open; after the bout, Taker continued to choke, punch, and kick Show in the head before leaving ringside (The Undertaker's Most Dangerous Matches)
Nicole Bass (sub. for WWF Women's Champion Sable who appeared on the Titantron before the match) defeated Debra in a nightgown match when Debra stripped herself down to her bra and panties; after the contest, Jeff Jarrett made the save by busting a guitar over Bass' head before Val Venis came out, attacked Jarrett, and left ringside with Debra
WWF World Champion Steve Austin fought the Rock to a no contest in a lumberjack match when both competitors attacked the Corporate Ministry at ringside before the contest began; eventually a brawl broke out in the ring involving Mankind, Test, Show, Shamrock, Road Dogg, Edge, Gangrel, Christian, Mark Henry, D-Lo Brown, and Al Snow; as the show came to a close, both Rock and Austin were thrown off the stage by Triple H and the Undertaker
WWF Shotgun - Meat (Shawn Stasiak w/ PMS) pinned Albert (w/ Droz) with a small package
2000 - Chris Jericho defeats Chris Benoit for the WWF Intercontinental Titleduring a Smackdown taping in Richmond, Virginia, starting Jericho's third reign with the belt. The remainder of the taping featured the following results:
Scott Vick pinned Julio Fantastico (Julio Dinero)
The Dupps defeated Joey Matthews & Christian York
Sunday Night Heat:
Val Venis pinned Perry Saturn at 4:47 with the fisherman's suplex after Dean Malenko came ringside and tripped Saturn as he ran the ropes
Al Snow & Steve Blackman defeated Taka Michinoku & Sho Funaki at 4:21 when Blackman pinned Michinoku after Snow hit a legdrop off the top onto Taka as he was laid across Blackman's knee
The Godfater pinned D-Lo Brown at 3:48 when the momentum of a crossbody by D-Lo put the Godfather on top; after the bout, D-Lo attacked the Godfather, hit a leg lariat, and followed with the frog splash
The Dudley Boyz defeated Too Cool at 6:36 when D-Von pinned Scotty 2 Hotty following the 3D after Edge, who had been doing guest commentary with Christian, hit the spear on Scotty as he attempted the Worm
Smackdown:
WWF European Champion Eddie Guerrero & Chyna defeated Essa Rios & Lita when Chyna pinned Lita with a powerbomb and gorilla press slam
Kurt Angle pinned Hardcore Holly with a German suplex into a bridge
Rikishi defeated WWF Tag Team Champions Edge & Christian via count-out in a handicap match after Edge hit the ring post on the outside; Too Cool made the save for Rikishi after the match
Matt & Jeff Hardy defeated Test & Albert when Matt pinned Test after a Swanton from Jeff; after the bout, T&A further attacked their opponents
The Big Show (dressed as "Shownan the Barbarian") fought Bull Buchanan to a no contest after Show hit two chokeslams on his opponent before the match officially began
WWF Hardcore Champion Crash Holly defeated Dean Malenko after Perry Saturn interfered and got into an argument with Malenko
WWF World Champion the Rock & Earl Hebner defeated Triple H, X-Pac, & the Road Dogg in a handicap match when Rock pinned X-Pac with the Rock Bottom after Hebner hit a low blow on X-Pac. After the match, Triple H attacked Hebner until Chris Jericho, the Dudley Boyz, and Rikishi made the save.
2002 - The WWF Hardcore Title changed hands several times during a Raw house show in Glasgow, Scotland. Shawn Stasiak pinned Crash Holly with a roll up in a four way match with defending champion Steven Richards and Justin Credible to win the title. However, due to the 24/7 defense rule, Justin Credible then superkicked Stasiak and pinned him to win the title. This was followed by Crash bulldogging Credible and pinning him to win the title, then Richards hit Crash with a guitar and pinned him to win back the title he started the night with. However, before he could leave the ring, Stasiak rolled him up from behind and pinned him to win back the title, only for Richards to reverse and then pin Stasiak to win back the title, which he then left with. So, there were six title changes, with Stasiak and Richards winning the title twice each over the course of the match.
Other results from the live event saw:
Rob Van Dam pinned X-Pac with the Five Star Frog Splash
Jerry Lawler & Jackie defeated Mr. Perfect & Molly Holly when Lawler pinned Perfect with a roll up
Brock Lesnar pinned Matt Hardy with the Brockbuster
WWF Women's Champion Jazz defeated Trish Stratus via submission with the STF
Steve Austin pinned the Big Show with the Stunner
WWF European Champion Spike Dudley & Tommy Dreamer defeated Booker T & Goldust in a tables match after Dreamer hit a Spicolli Driver on Goldust through a table
WWF Intercontinental Champion Eddie Guerrero pinned Jeff Hardy with the frogsplash after using the title belt as a weapon
Scott Hall pinned Bradshaw with the Razor's Edge off the middle turnbuckle after Bradshaw became distracted by Kevin Nash and X-Pac at ringside
Triple H & Ric Flair defeated the Undertaker & William Regal when Flair pinned Regal with a low blow and roll up as Regal attempted to use his brass knuckles as a weapon
2002 - Bill Goldberg was the special guest on the McDonnell-Douglas show on ESPN Radio 1110 in Los Angeles, announcing that his WCW contract had been bought out by AOL-Time Warner, making him a free agent, able to negotiate a deal and work with any wrestling organization. Goldberg noted he would not wrestle immediately due to his arm injury, and that while he is not leaning towards the WWF, he has no personal animosity towards Vince McMahon. He said his differences with the WWF has to do with the product, and is nothing personal with McMahon, and he would not totally rule out going there. Goldberg would debut for WWE a year later and wrestle for them through March 2004.
2002 - New Japan Pro Wrestling ran the Tokyo Dome. Dave Higgins filed the following:
New Japan Pro Wrestling continued to celebrate their 30th Anniversary with a show at the Tokyo Dome. Here are brief results from the show, which saw the involvement of several other promotions, and the reunion of the Steiner Brothers.
- The show started with a ten bell salute and moment of silence for Lou Thesz.
- Big Japan: Kintaro Kanemura defeated Daisuke Sekimoto.
- Katsuyori Shibata defeated Wataru Inoue.
- Tiger Mask 3 (Koji Kanemoto) & Tiger Mask 4 ( of Michinoku Pro) defeated Black Tiger & El Samurai.
- All Japan Women: Kaoru Ito & Momoe Nakanishi defeated Manami Toyota & Yumiko Hotta.
- Jushin Liger & Minoru Tanaka defeated Jado & Gedo to win the IWGP Junior Heavyweight Tag Team Title.
- Shinya Hashimoto (Zero-One) & Naoya Ogawa (UFO) defeated Hiroyoshi Tenzan & Scott Norton.
- Bas Rutten defeated Manabu Nakanishi.
- Don Frye defeated Tadao Yasuda in under two minutes.
- The Steiner Brothers defeated Kensuke Sasaki & Hiroshi Tanakashi when Scott pinned Tanahashi. Joanie Laurer (aka Chyna) was the guest referee.
- Yuji Nagata defeated Yoshihiro Takayama (Noah) to retain the IWGP Heavyweight Title.
- Masahiro Chono vs. Mitsuharu Misawa (Noah) ended in a thirty minute time limit draw.
2002 - WWF broadcast Smackdown. Eric McHugh filed the following TV report:
Hello folks, it's Eric McHugh with this week's Smackdown! report. With MTV coming to the area again this summer, and the big event this weekend here being a new Boscov's opening up, I still am able to concentrate completely on my duties here! So let's get to the show, which I thought was actually a little better than RAW this week...
Starts with a video recap of HHH-Jericho from Smackdown last week, and Hogan-UT from RAW last Monday. Show then opens with The Boomin' Fist-em, and we're at the Mellon Arena in Pittsburgh this week. Michael Cole and Tazz remind us of this week's huge TV main event: Hulk Hogan defends the Undisputed title against Chris Jericho!
It's right to the ring for our first match, and out comes...Rikishi and Hurricane? Well, it's an interesting tag-team, this should make for a fun...wait...WHAT the hell did Tony Chimel just say? This is for the tag-team championship?! Boy, nothing like building up new teams beforehand, eh? Good thing the old NWA didn't do this, or Mighty Wilbur and Ron Garvin would've been challenging The Midnight Express on "World Championship Wrestling." So OK, it's for the belts. Out come the champs. And I think I need to repeat this every week until either the WWF adds a new tag title or has Billy and Chuck work double duty: RAW NEEDS TAG-TEAM CHAMPIONS!! Wilbur...erm...Rikishi starts off with Billy Gunn. Gunn hits an early knee and some punches, Rikishi shoves him off. Gunn hits some more punches then a headbutt, which every longtime fan knows won't work on a Samoan wrestler. Sure enough, Billy's wobbly and Rikishi goes on the offensive. Whip into the ropes, Billy tries a sunset flip but Rikishi threatens to drop south, so Billy runs off and tags Chuck. Rikishi catches Chuck with a powerslam, then delivers a legdrop before tagging in the Hurricane. Hurricane comes off the top with a sunset flip for 2. Into the ropes, reversed, Hurricane hits a satellite headscissors. Chuck goes to tag out but is in the wrong corner, and he almost tag Rikishi's behind. Hurricane goes for the big chokeslam, but Billy runs in. They double-whip 'Cane but he's able to fight them off. Hurricane charges Billy and leapfrogs him, but he runs right into Chuck and his double-underhook belly-to-belly overhead suplex, which I had better find a shorter name for by next week. 2-count. Two clothesline and a discus punch, tag to Billy. Billy hits a kick and chokes Hurricane on the ropes. Into the ropes, Hurricane comes off and hits a tornado DDT. Chuck tags in and gets nailed with a reverse neckbreaker. Rikishi tags in and he pounds away on the champs, with Billy taking a spin bump off a clothesline. Riki whips the champs together in the corner and delivers the Ass-alanche. Backdrop to Chuck as Billy falls into stinkface position. Rico pulls Billy out to safety as Riki hits Chuck with a Samoan drop. Tag to 'Cane, who comes off the top with a crossbody, but the ref decides to admonish Billy and Rikishi for fighting outside. Rico runs in and hits a spin legwhip to Hurricane, and Chuck pins him. Winners and still champs, with the same &#@$ finish we've seen every week with these guys, Billy and Chuck. Afterwards, Rico gets the Hurricane chokeslam and the Rikishi stinkface.
In the back we go, and Val Venis and Lance Storm are chatting away. In walks Kurt Angle, who says we have two great athletes here, but their biggest contribution to Smackdown so far has been putting $20 down on Mark Henry bets. Angle says tonight one of them can model the REAL Kurt Angle t-shirt. Angle shows it to us, and sure enough, it's got the poem on the front he read last week. Val checks out the shirt and reads the first two lines..."Olympic medallist, it's true it's true"...but changes the end to "your shirt sucks and so do you!" before leaving. Storm, on the other hand, likes the shirt and offers to be the model. However, he asks Kurt if he's concerned about getting those "You suck" chants. Angle says this is his hometown, Pittsburgh, and without him this city would be the "Pits". Storm reminds him about Mario Lemieux, but Angle says Lemieux is a phony who--rumor has it--faked Hodgkin's to get sympathy. Needless to say, THAT turned Pitt against Angle in a hurry.
After our first round of breaks, Angle and Storm come out. Storm's got the shirt on. Angle gets on the mic and tells the crowd, in response to their chants during the music, that Lance doesn't suck. Funny! "He may be Canadian, but he's pretty cool. Why? Because he's wearing the new Kurt Angle shirt." Angle says he designed it himself. He reads the poem on the front, and then shows off the back. It lists the title reigns, King of the Ring..."And many more!" Lance says he loves the shirt. Angle tells the crowd to take the money that they spend on beer and porno and put it to good use here. Hilarious!! As Angle asks who wants to buy it, Edge comes out. Edge says there's nothing wrong with the shirt, but he's got one that the fans prolly want more. Out comes Val wearing the "You Suck" t-shirt. Angle freaks out and challenges Edge to a rematch at Judgment Day. Storm then whispers into Angle's ear, and gives him an idea. Angle says he knows he can beat Edge, but he wants to humiliate him this time. Angle tells Edge to put his hair on the line! The crowd WHOAS at that one. Edge takes the bet but wants Angle to do the same. After some jibes from Edge and Val, Angle accepts as well! We have a hair VS hair match at Judgment Day!!
More ads, and the Whack of the Night is Randy Orton beating Hardcore Holly last week. As luck would have it, those two are up next! Cole announces that Edge/Val will take on Angle/Storm later as well. Before the match, we see a video from earlier with Stacy wishing Orton good luck with a kiss on the cheek, while Orton just kinda ignores her. Pointless video, really. Holly holds the ropes open for Orton, but he opts to go in the other side. Orton starts off with a headlock, and Holly shoves him off. Orton takes a second headlock into a drop toehold, and a dropkick for a quick 2. Holly is frustrated. Holly hits a kick and some serious clubs to the head, followed by a few chops. Irish whip, Orton leaps Holly in the corner and hits a rolling cradle for 2. Oklahoma roll for another 2, the same move he won with last week. Holly comes off the ropes and hits a powerbomb before going to town on Orton some more, including his Dropkick from Hell. Orton reverses a whip but gets booted in the corner; however, he catches Holly coming with a powerslam. 2-count. Orton is whipped into the corner, and he catches Holly coming in with an interesting variation on the Fame-asser for another 2. Orton hits a flying double forearm and rallies the crowd. Backdrop by Orton, and Holly hits a blatant low blow, which Brian Hebner decides to call for a DQ on. Holly continues pounding Orton after the match and brings him to the stage, where he executes his Alabama Slam on the metal. Ouch.
In the back, Faarooq and Mark Henry are counting their bet money, when in comes D-Von Don't-Call-Me-Dudley. D-Von says that the Good Book says that money is the root of all evil, but "we can change that." D-Von says they should donate it to the "United D-Von Building Fund, because a dollar is a terrible thing to waste!" He grabs for it, but Mark stops him and tells D-Von to testify his ass outta there before he does something "truly sinful" with the collection plate. D-Von warns them both that lightning will strike them down.
After another break, we have Vince and Stacy in the back. Vince starts talking about getting turned on by kissing Stacy's bellybutton. Good, solid storyline action here. Didn't he and Linda patch things up, or did I miss about a month's worth of programming somewhere?? Anyway, Vince goes for the navel, but Chris Jericho barges in to the dressing room. Vince begins to freak out but calms down and asks what he needs. Jericho says he's worried about Hogan getting intentionally DQ-ed, so Vince makes the match no-DQ. Jericho then wonders about Undertaker, and Vince says that he and Flair have agreed that if anyone invades the other's program again, they will be suspended. Finally, Jericho wonders about HHH. Vince says that if he lays a finger on Jericho before the match outcome, it will be career suicide. Jericho feels better, so Vince goes back to Stacy's tummy. Meanwhile, Jericho is still in the room talking to himself and envisioning the stars. Vince, ahems, Jericho out, and he exits. Vince starts to kiss Stacy (who absolutely doesn't open her mouth one millimeter) as the camera fades out.
After our next round of ads, I'm happy to say the WWF pays tribute to our two recently-passed legends of the last couple of weeks. Michael Cole narrates the brief, but classy piece, which included vintage photos and a birth-death timeline. "The WWF remembers the lives of two legends. Ed 'Wahoo' McDaniel's Native American heritage was a source of personal pride and inspiration throughout his life. The Chief's remarkable career spanned over four decades. The incomparable Lou Thesz was one of the world's most respected ring generals. Immortalized by the Lou Thesz press, 'Hooker' will be remembered as one of the great champions of all time." Thank you WWF!! I hope they did this with their own conscience and not because of the backlash they've been getting for not paying tribute to them earlier, but at least they did finally pay their respects.
Now it's back to the ring, and Edge/Val VS Angle/Storm. I still can't believe Val Venis is now actually going by the name "The Big Valbowski." Val throws his towel to the crowd before the match. Angle starts off kicking Edge and hitting chops in the corner. Edge reverses the positioning and hits his own series of chops to the chest of Angle. Edge hits a boot and a dropkick off the second rope for 2. Val tags in and he clubs away on Angle, including a back elbow smash off the ropes. Elbowdrop and kneedrop off the ropes for 1. Angle goes to the eyes and hits a short-arm clothesline before tagging in Storm. Storm hits some chops but is reversed into the ropes, and Val goes for his ropes-knee ropes-knee neckbreaker sequence. He adds to it though, locking in a submission hold after the neckbreaker; Angle makes the save. Tag to Edge, who pounds away on Storm and whips him into the ropes. Storm reverses it and Angle grabs Edge's hair, distracting him and allowing Storm to hit a sidekick. Tag to Angle, who stomps away on Edge and hits a suplex for 2. Angle ducks a clothesline and nails a hard back suplex. Storm comes in and hits a legdrop for 2. Edge tries to punch his way to offense, but Storm stops him cold with a knee to the gut. Edge hits a boot, but Storm pulls him to the corner and tags Angle once again. Angle elbowdrop, and Val winds up distracting referee Teddy Long, so Edge gets doubled. Storm slaps on a form of cobra clutch, but Edge elbows his way out. Irish whip is reversed, and Storm leaps over the ropes onto the apron. He springboards back in but is caught with a powerslam. Both men tag out, and Val punches away on both heels. Val hits a flying tackle to Angle and a powerslam on Storm, but Angle gets him with a German suplex from behind. Val fights out of a second one and hits his modified powerbomb for 2, with Storm making the save. Val flips out of an attempted double atomic drop and ducks a double clothesline; Edge flies off the top and clothesline both Angle and Storm instead. Edge and Storm battle outside, while Angle hits an overhead belly-to-belly suplex on Val inside. Edge returns into the ring and hits a spear on Angle, but Storm quickly clotheslines Edge and himself over the top rope. Val crawls over to Angle and covers, but only gets 2. Val catches a charging Angle with a spinebuster and climbs to the top. Storm tries to trip him up but Val kicks him away; however, Angle does that awesome sprint to the top and hiptosses Val off. Long 2-count. Edge clothesline to Angle, and he throws Storm to the floor again as well. Teddy Long then tries to get Edge out, and Angle tries an Angle Slam on Val. Val escapes and rolls up Angle, but Storm hits a superkick and Angle turns the rollup over. Teddy Long counts the pin. Angle and Storm are your winners. Damn good match; I hope this means Storm and Val are going to be on TV more often.
More breaks. Haven't seen that damn Greyhound once yet! Chris Jericho comes to the ring. Crowd immediately is chanting for Hogan. Jericho says the fans can't bring him down, because tonight he is the king of the world, and the mack daddy! Last week, he says he beat HHH all by himself, and tonight he's going to do what "The Shame" couldn't at Backlash, and that's drive a stake through the heart of WrestleMania. I swear, all we need is Bobby Heenan managing all the heels and we'd have 1987 all over again. HHH comes to the ring and the two stare down. HHH then starts chuckling. Jericho wants to know what's so funny, but then says HHH is out because he's jealous. Jericho reminds HHH that he can't touch him tonight, and he tries to goad HHH into doing just that. HHH just keeps smiling. HHH ends the segment by telling Jericho that he's smiling not because he wants to pound Jericho, but because he knows something that CJ doesn't. "There is no chance in hell you'll win the belt tonight." End segment. Like Tim Whitehead and/or Buck Woodward said about a RAW segment this week, this could've easily been done in 2 minutes instead of over 10.
More ads. Time for our next match; Faarooq/Mark Henry VS Test/Christian. Cole announces casting is beginning for Tough Enough 3. Personally, I think the TE luster is gone, especially with the current crop of idiots forgetting why they're even there and instead worrying about getting into one another's proverbial trunks. But I digress. Shouldn't Mark Henry be wearing a Judgement Day shirt now? Oh well. Henry and Test start off. Lockup, Henry pushes off into the corner. Cole says that Test is the one who's been the ringleader of all these Henry bets. Christian distracts Henry and Test nails him from behind, hitting clubs and a knee lift. Christian tags in and they both try a double clothesline, but Henry instead nails them both. Henry press slams Christian, but he escapes and comes off the ropes. Henry is able to throw him in the air to crash-land him. Tag to Faarooq. Henry press slams Christian and drops him gutfirst onto Faarooq's outstretched knee. Ouch. Faarooq whip is reversed, but he hits an elbow. Test clotheslines him from the apron and comes in illegally as the ref is detained. Test stomps away on Faarooq before hitting a series of elbowdrives in the corner, and a couple of whips and clotheslines. Test tags out, and Christian hits one whole punch before Faarooq goes back to the offensive, including a powerslam for 2; Test makes the save. Suddenly, we see and hear (because he's mic-ed) D-Von in the crowd collecting donations again. Henry clotheslines Test to the floor. Faarooq covers Christian for 2. D-Von says that he can change that money's the root of all evil. Henry and Faarooq head to ringside and they confront D-Von. Faarooq takes the money box and gives it to Henry, who takes the money out and throws it to the fans! I'm sure the donators loved THAT. D-Von nails Henry from behind, and Henry chases him through the crowd. Meanwhile, Faarooq hits Test with a spinebuster only to have Christian nail him with a reverse DDT for the pin. Christian and Test win the match. Cole and Tazz call it an upset, even though neither team's been together in my memories. I guess Rikishi and Hurricane beat them both in the past to gain that earlier title shot...
What's worse, more ads or another Scorpion King vignette? I'm starting to wonder myself, but we get both of them. Then it's a Cruiserweight title defense, as Tajiri defends against Billy Kidman to further the Torrie story. Tajiri starts right off with a stiff kick to the thigh, and Kidman answers with one of his own. Kidman hits a rolling headscissors out of the corner and charges Taj. Taj ducks him and lifts him to the corner, but Kidman lands on the second rope and comes off with a flying armdrag. Taj hits another kick and a dropkick to the knees. Taj kicks Kidman around a little and works over the leg, including with Flair's shinbreaker. As Taj tries for a second one, Kidman flips over with a sunset flip for 2. Kidman tries for the old Kid Krusher finisher, but Taj instead hits a dragon screw on the leg. Taj hangs Kidman upside-down in the corner and dropkicks the knees once again. Kidman hits an enziguiri and some punches, then his Irish whip and clothesline combo. Taj is whipped into the ropes and tries his handspring back elbow, but Kidman dropkicks him coming in. Looked just as good as at Backlash, and got another great pop too. Crowd chants "Let's Go Kidman!" 2-count. Taj nails a spin kick and tries for a powerbomb, but Kidman flips out and hits a skyhigh powerbomb for 2. Taj ducks a clothesline and kicks the hell out of Kidman for 2. Taj is whipped into the corner and tries the Tarantula, but Kidman sends him to the floor. Torrie's checking on her man, and Kidman tells her to move. She tries to get away as Kidman comes over the ropes with a plancha, but Taj pulls her into harm's way and she takes the hit. Kidman is stunned to see he got Torrie, which allows Taj to nail Kidman with a kick outside the ring, and one back inside for the pin. After the match, Taj doesn't check on Torrie and, in fact, just watches her as she slowly gets up before they head out.
Cut to the back, and Vince and Stacy are getting dressed. Ya think Test has a good sense of humor? Anyway, Vince asks Stacy to get HHH. We go to break.
Why, it's HHH! Vince reminds him that if he interferes, it's career suicide. HHH just smiles and asks if they're done. Vince says they are, and HHH stops smiling and leaves, which freaks Vince out a little. One more time, we go to break. A whole segment for that?
It's main-event time, with Hulk Hogan defending the WWF title against Chris Jericho, no-DQ. Cole speaks of Hogan not being 100% tonight due to the Undertaker's beatdown of him on RAW. Both men lock up, and Hogan shoves Jericho the mat and poses. Another lockup, same result with Jericho this time being shoved outside the ring. In a funny spot, Jericho kicks the announce desk in frustration and then sells that he hurt his toe kicking the desk. Jericho back in, another lockup; Hogan headlock. Jericho tries to power out to no avail, so he pushes off into the ropes. Hogan with a shoulderblock, hiptoss, slam, armbar. Hogan hits a couple elbows to the shoulder during the armbar. Jericho goes to the eyes and hits a nice back suplex. Jericho takes Hogan's bandanna and wipes his underarms with it. Jericho stomps away on Hogan before missing an elbowdrop off the ropes. Hogan hits some punches and a nice sequence of chops and punches in the corner. Irish whip, Jericho catches Hogan coming with an elbow. Jericho to the top, Hogan catches him and slams him into the ring. Hogan goes for the corner 10-punch, but after 8 decides to chomp away on Jericho's forehead instead. This allows Jericho to sneak in a low blow, and Hogan falls to the mat. Jericho stomps away on Hogan. Series of punches, head to buckle, irish whip. Jericho misses Hogan on the charge and bumps over the top rope. Hogan goes out after him but gets reversed into the post. Jericho comes off the top with a double axehandle onto Hogan. Back in the ring, Jericho guillotines Hogan on the top rope, then leaps on his back to choke him over the ropes once again. Jericho poses, then undoes his wrist tape to choke Hogan with it. Cole reminds us it's no-DQ. Jericho tries another running leap, but he crotches the ropes instead. Hogan hits a series of punches and another slam, then a couple of elbowdrops. He comes off the ropes for a third, but Jericho moves. Jericho hits a bulldog and the Lionsault...and suddenly HHH's music starts up! Jericho is stunned as he sees The Game coming to the ring. Once at ringside, HHH puts on the brakes and smiles, then saunters over to the announce desk! Hogan regains the offense with a throat thrust, but his misses the big boot and Jericho hits a kick and DDT for a close 2-count. HHH says to Cole and Tazz that he has nothing up his sleeve. Hogan, after the kickout, starts Hulking up, and he hits the punches and big boot. However, coming in with the legdrop, Jericho catches him and turns him into the Walls! Hogan fights to reach the ropes and finally does so. Jericho is frustrated and he shoves referee Brian Hebner before retrieving a ringside chair. In a funny moment, he goes out to the floor with the same camera angle as last week, shoves the same guy out of his chair as last week who takes the same bump he did last week. I don't know if that was intentional or not, but it was pretty damn funny. Jericho nails Hogan in the back with the chair and sets up for another blow...when the Undertaker's music starts up!!! Jericho yells at the stage for Undertaker to come out...but instead, Hogan schoolboys Jericho for the pin!!! Winner and still champion is Hogan! Apparently, HHH had UT's music play to distract Jericho. Once the match ends, HHH immediately hits the ring and he pounds away on Jericho since he now can, and chases him off. HHH raises Hogan's arm in victory to end the show, with Cole saying that in regards to Chris Jericho, "What comes around, goes around." Erm...yeah, something like that, Michael...
So there's the show for this week. Overall, a good effort by everyone with some continuing storylines (nice to see the t-shirt come back for another week) and a couple of good bouts (including Hogan-Jericho, prolly Hogan's best TV match since returning to the WWF, and another good showing by Jericho in a TV main event). The hair match between Edge and Angle is definitely intriguing, and I still wonder if Hogan VS Undertaker is going to be the actual main event at the next PPV. Only one way to know for sure...check again next week for another report. Thanks as always for reading.
2003 - WWE's Raw brand ran Oshawa, Ontario at the Civic Auditorium featuring the following:
The Dudley Boyz defeated Three Minute Warning following the 3D on Jamal
Rodney Mack pinned Tommy Dreamer (substituting for Jeff Hardy) with the running powerslam after Teddy Long interfered
La Resistance, Sylvian Grenier & Rene Dupree defeated the Hurricane & Maven following a double team flapjack on Maven
WWE Women’s Champion Jazz defeated Trish Stratus, Victoria, and Jackie in a Four Way by pinning Jackie
Christian pinned Spike Dudley with the Unprettier
WWE Raw Tag Team Champions Rob Van Dam & Kane defeated Lance Storm & Chief Morley after the 18-minute mark following the Five Star Frog Splash on Morley
Steven Richards pinned Rico with a double arm DDT
Test pinned Scott Steiner in a Canada vs. USA match
2004 - WWE's brands each ran a house show, featuring the following:
Smackdown in El Paso, TX at the County Coliseum:
Rob Van Dam & Rey Mysterio Jr. defeated the Dudley Boyz when RVD pinned Bubba Ray with the Five Star Frog Splash after Bubba sustained the 619; the match was originally RVD vs. Bubba Ray but was turned into a tag team match after D-Von and Mysterio interrupted the bout
Shannon Moore defeated Johnny Stamboli
WWE Smackdown Tag Team Champions Rico & Charlie Haas defeated WWE Cruiserweight Champion Chavo Guerrero Jr. & Chavo Guerrero Sr. when Haas scored the pin with a roll over after Rico kissed Chavo Sr.
Mordecai pinned Paul London with the Razor's Edge after 4 minutes
Billy Kidman pinned Jamie Noble with an enzuiguri and the Shooting Star Press
WWE champion Eddie Guerrero pinned John Bradshaw Layfield with the Frog Splash after hitting the challenger with the title belt; in a post-match incident, the champion brought his family into the ring before Bradshaw attacked him from behind and Eddie's mother suffered a 'heart attack'
Mark Jindrak pinned Hardcore Holly with a roll over after Holly became distracted by Teddy Long at ringside
WWE U.S. Champion John Cena & Torrie Wilson defeated Rene Dupree & Dawn Marie when Cena pinned Dupree with the FU; the match was originally Torrie vs. Dawn but was made into a tag team bout after Dupree and Cena interrupted
The Undertaker pinned Booker T with the chokeslam and tombstone
Raw in Yuma, AZ at the Desert Sun Stadium:
Chris Jericho defeated Christian (w/ Tyson Tomko) via submission with the Walls of Jericho, despite interference from Trish Stratus
Tajiri pinned Garrison Cade with the kick to the head after spraying green mist in his face
WWE Intercontinental Champion Randy Orton defeated Shelton Benjamin
WWE Women's Champion Victoria & Lita defeated Molly Holly & Gail Kim when Lita pinned Kim; after the bout, Kane came to the ring and began stalking Lita until Matt Hardy made the save
Kane pinned Matt Hardy with the chokeslam; after the bout, Kane attempted to hit the chokeslam on Lita but Edge made the save
Batista defeated Val Venis
Rhyno pinned Albert with the Gore
Hurricane, Rosey, & Eugene defeated Johnny Nitro, & Rob Conway, & Sylvian Grenier; the bout was originally a 2-on-2 contest but was changed to a 6-man tag after Eugene and Nitro came out before the contest began
WWE World Champion Chris Benoit defeated Triple H via submission with the Crippler Crossface, despite interference from Evolution
2005 - During an edition of Raw in Boston, Massachusetts, General Manager Eric Bischoff announced a "Gold Rush Tournament" to determine the number one contender to the World Title held by Batista. Here are the results of the first round:
2011 - Tommy Dreamer turns heel during an Impact taping in Orlando, Florida, attacking AJ Styles. With the exception of a brief run as part of the WCW/ECW Alliance during the WWF Invasion storyline, it was first time Dreamer had been turned heel since coming to prominence nationally in the early 1990s. The storyline is abruptly dropped when Dreamer declines to sign a new TNA deal and he returns to the independent scene a babyface immediately.
2011 - WWE held a birthday party for the Rock on Monday Night Raw. Richard Trionfo filed the following report:
We start off with a video package about the attacks on New York City and Washington D.C from 2001. We then go to the Smackdown that aired on the Thursday after the attacks.
We are live from Miami, Florida and your announcers are Michael ‘For Rock’s birthday, I will be a mute’ Cole, Jerry ‘For Rock’s birthday, I will beat up a mute’ Lawler and Josh ‘For Rock’s birthday, I will give him my Tough Enough tape’ Mathews.
Lillian Garcia is in the ring to sing the National Anthem.
The Rock’s music plays and he comes out to the ring.
FINALLY . . . The Rock has . . . home. Before they get started, Rock has one thing to say. We got him. Rock thanks the proud men and women who continuously and fearlessly fight for our country. Rock says that his family are proud members of the military. He is proud to be an American. There is only one way we are going to start off tonight. Rock wants everyone to say the Pledge of Allegiance.
Rock says that it feels good to be home because it all started here. The doctors and nurses came around and said that this baby sure is called ‘Johnson’. Then the Rock went to high school. He had an afro and mustache and looked like the lead singer of Menudo. They showed a photo of the Rock and after some people laughed, he said that face devoured more pie in one night than King Kong Bundy in a Polish bakery.
Rock says that he went to college at ‘The U’. He says that he brought a National Championship to Miami. He electrified the Orange Bowl and then he went to the WWE where he said a lot of catchphrases. It is time to smell . . . a ding ding.
Michael Cole has a smile on his face as he gets to interrupt the Rock. Cole reads the e-mail and he quotes, but Rock whoas Cole.
Rock tells Cole he can’t hear him. He says that if Cole has the gall to interrupt him on his birthday, he wants Cole to read it to the Rock’s face.
Cole declines but Rock stops him. Rock says that if Cole is scared of him he understands. Rock mentions that Cole has won at Wrestlemania and at Extreme Rules, so he must be a tough guy. He could be a tough guy or the voice of the WWE and read the message to the Rock’s face. He tells Cole to be a man and come in the ring or sit in his glass box and look like a drunk hobbit jackbag bitch.
Cole says that he is not scared of anything. He says that he is not the same person that Rock used to know. Cole says that he has grown into a man. He says that he is a winner. Cole says that he associates with winners. Cole takes off his jacket and removes his shirt to reveal a Celtics jersey. Cole asks the fans of Miami if they are jealous because Boston has more World Championships than anyone. Cole tells Dwayne that he will deliver the message face to face.
Cole walks into the ring and says that the Raw General Manager demands an apology or the birthday party will be shut down before it gets started. Cole says that he wants an apology. He tells Dwayne that he wants an apology for all of the embarrassment that he put Cole through over the years.
Rock tells Cole that he is right. He did disrespect the General Manager at Wrestlemania and he disrespected Cole over the years. Rock has one thing to say to Cole. He is sorry. Rock offers his hand and he wants Cole to shake his hand. He wants Cole to accept his apology.
Cole thinks about it and he shakes Rock’s hand. Cole says thank you for apologizing and then Rock doesn’t let go. Rock tells Michael Cole ‘thank you and Go Heat . . . bitch’. Rock with a Rock Bottom and then it is time for the People’s Elbow.
Rock’s music plays and he wants them to stop the music. Rock says that this is the biggest party in Miami and he introduces Pitbull. He thanks Rock for having him here to represent Dade County.
The Miami Heat dancers come out to join Pitbull.
We go to commercial with some birthday wishes from Dwayne Wade and Lebron James.
We are back with the WWE Rewind; Little Jimmy gets yelled at by R Truth.
Jim Ross has joined Josh and Jerry at the announce table since Michael Cole is otherwise indisposed.
R Truth attacks John Morrison as he comes to the ring so turnabout is fair play.
Match Number One: R Truth versus John Morrison
Before the match starts, Truth sends Morrison into the ringside barrier and he continues to pummel Morrison. Truth with Shut Up on Morrison.
Morrison is helped by the referees to get back to his feet and he holds his neck.
Morrison is met on the stage by Truth who returns from the back and he gives Morrison a Flatline.
We go to commercial.
We are back and it is time for more birthday wishes for the Rock. Jimmy Kimmel wishes him a happy birthday.
Before our first match, we mean it this time, we are told by Jim Ross that doctors are checking on John Morrison.
Match Number One: Maryse versus Kelly Kelly
Maryse pie faces Maryse but Kelly with a kick and bulldog. Kelly screams while she slams Maryse’s face into the mat.
Kharma’s music plays and Kelly and Maryse stay in the ring because they aren’t really that smart. She makes her way to the ring and it is time to break some bigger dolls.
Kharma gets in the ring and she looks at Kelly Kelly while Maryse is still on her back feeling the effect of Kelly’s impressive offense.
Kharma gets Maryse up for the Implant Buster and Kharma laughs like a maniac.
Kelly is frozen in the corner and Kharma walks away.
Miz is in his dressing room and he is staring away. Alex Riley, who is on Smackdown (remember that) arrives and Miz wants to know where he was. Miz also wants to know where he was last night. Alex reminds Miz that he was drafted to Smackdown. Miz reminds Riley that he is under a personal services contract with him and that takes precedence. Miz tells Riley that he will be ringside tonight during his match with Cena. People won’t talk about the Rock tonight, they will talk about him winning the WWE Title.
We go to commercial with more birthday wishes. Paul Walker is the person who gives him the birthday wishes.
We go to commercial.
We are back and it is time for more birthday wishes for the Rock and it is Samuel L. Jackson and he is sick and tired of these multi-filthy snakes on these multi-filthy promos.
Rock is in the party room with the Divas and he is talking about how he was singing happy birthday for Michelle Obama. He thanks them all for getting dressed up for the party (because Rock sure isn’t). Rock sees Teddy Long and he wishes him a happy birthday. Vladimir Kozlov tells Rock that he has written a movie script for Rock’s birthday. Santino is dressed up like Rock’s character on Fast Five. Santino’s chin is ticklish.
The Half Scorpion King appears at the party and he has a toothache. Great Khali is dressed as the Tooth Fairy and he fist bumps his Get Smart co-star.
Rock says that he has the perfect person for the perfect type and Ron Simmons appears for his DAMN cameo.
John Cena and Miz are walking in the back (along with Alex Riley a few steps behind Miz in the background) as we go to commercial.
We are back and Steve Carell is giving a hostage style video forcing him to wish Dwayne Johnson a happy birthday and he is disappointed that he isn’t being paid to do this.
Match Number Two: John Cena versus The Miz with Alex Riley for the WWE Title
They lock up and Miz with a side head lock on Cena and he locks it in. Cena with a hip toss and drop kick. Cena with an Irish whip and bulldog for a near fall. Miz with a kick followed by punches but Cena punches back. Cena knocks Riley off the apron and Miz takes Cena down and Miz punches and kicks Cena.
Miz sends Cena to the floor and the referee is distracted by Miz so Riley can hit Cena with a clothesline. Cena is sent into the ring steps and then they return to the ring. Miz gets a near fall.
Miz waits for Cena to get up for the Awesome Clothesline and Miz mixes things up with the right arm. Miz with a double sledge from the turnbuckles for a near fall.
We go to commercial.
We are back and Miz with a knee lift followed by a neck breaker for a near fall. Miz kicks Cena in the corner and he punches him. The referee pulls Miz out of the corner but Miz returns to the attack. Miz waits for Cena to get back to his feet with an AWESOME Clothesline but Cena moves out of the way. Cena with two flying shoulder tackles followed by a Blue Thunder Bomb and it is time for the Five Knuckle Shuffle. Cena tries to finish the Legendary Sequence with an Attitude Adjustment but Miz gets out of the hold and he kicks Cena in the head. ,P> Miz tries for a boot to the head but Cena with an STF. Miz gets to the ropes and the referee calls for Miz to release the hold. Miz with a kick to the knee and a DDT for a near fall. Miz exposes the turnbuckle pad while Riley distracts the referee. Miz tries to send Cena into the turnbuckle but Miz is stopped.
Miz with the Reality Check combination but he can only get a two count. Miz shows frustration about how he hasn’t won yet. Miz signals for the Skull Crushing Finale but Cena backs Miz into the referee and the referee is knocked out. Cena locks in the STF and Miz taps, but there is no referee.
Riley tries to interfere but Cena stops him. Miz gets Riley up for Attitude Adjustment. Miz hits Cena and hits the Skull Crushing Finale. The referee takes a while to make the count so Cena is able to kick out at two.
Cena with the Attitude Adjustment but Miz kicks out. Riley runs around the ring to distract the referee so Miz can hit Cena with the title belt and Miz gets the three count.
Winner: Miz
After the match, Miz celebrates in the ring with Riley. The referee wonders how the belt got into the center of the ring and he changes the decision and disqualifies Miz.
John Cena is still your champion.
After the smoke clears. Cena clotheslines Riley and Miz and then they get Attitude Adjustments.
We go to commercial with some more birthday wishes for the Rock and it is Ellen Degeneres.
We are back and Tyler Perry, not dressed like Madea, wishes Rock a happy birthday.
It is time to see John Cena let the people of Tampa know about Osama bin Laden.
Alberto Del Rio is introduced so he can do commentary.
Match Number Three: Rey Mysterio and Kofi Kingston versus Drew McIntyre and Jack Swagger in a You might remember these guys from Friday
Swagger and Rey start and Swagger with a waist lock take down into a front face lock. Swagger punches Rey in the corner followed by an Irish whip but Rey with a kick. Rey with a head scissors that sends Swagger into the corner. Rey with a bronco buster and then he picks up Swagger so Kofi can mount him in the corner and he punches away. Kofi with an English uppercut followed by a forearm.
Kofi with a boot to Swagger but Drew with a clothesline from the apron as we go to commercial.
We are back and Swagger and Kofi are in the ring and Kofi tries to make the tag but Swagger stops him. Drew tags in and he punches Kofi. Drew with forearms to the back and he stomps on Kofi’s chest. Kofi gets a near fall with a rollup but Drew stops Kofi from making the tag and Drew gets a near fall with a jackknife cover. Swagger tags back in and Kofi tries to fight out of the corner.
Swagger with forearms to the back and then he puts Kofi in a front face lock. Kofi tries to get to his corner but Drew distracts the referee and Swagger knocks Rey down. Drew tags back in and he walks across Kofi’s chest. Kofi with a kick to the head but Drew with a forearm to the back.
Kofi with elbows to Drew and Drew tries for a belly-to-back suplex but Kofi lands on his feet and he tags in Rey. Rey with a head scissors followed by a round kick and he gets a near fall and Swagger breaks up the cover. Swagger picks up Rey and Rey kicks Drew into the ropes. Kofi sends Swagger to the floor. Kofi with Trouble in Paradise to Drew and Drew goes into the ropes. Del Rio gets up from the announce table but Rey hits the dive from the top turnbuckle for the three count.
Winners: Rey Mysterio and Kofi Kingston
After the match, Del Rio goes into the ring, but Rey stops him.
We go to footage from an anti-bullying event in Washington DC that Triple H appeared at.
The next person not bullied into wishing the Rock a happy birthday is Ludacris.
We go to commercial.
We are back and Did You Know that the Smackdown after the 9/11 attacks were the first major public gathering.
Dan Marino is the next to wish Rock a happy birthday.
Christian is in the party room with the Rock and Rock tells him that he is proud of him. Evan Bourne gets to talk to Rock before Vickie excuse mes herself into the room. Vickie says that even though no one wished her a happy birthday, her and Dolph got her a present. They pull apart the cake to reveal Mae Young.
Rock tells Vickie that she can lose all the weight she wants and Vickie will never look as good or as beautiful as Mae Young. Rock thanks Mae for showing up for his birthday. Rock kisses Mae and then he tells Dolph that he gets more pie in one night than Dolph does in an entire lifetime.
John Cena appears and he tells Rock that he brought a gift that only he can give him. He holds up the WWE Championship. Cena says that he will keep it until Wrestlemania 28. This makes the biggest match in Wrestlemania history even bigger. If Rock wants it, he will have to go through him. Rock tells Cena to just bring it.
Cena wishes Rock a happy birthday and leaves.
Kane is walking in the back as we go to commercial.
We are back with another birthday wish. This time it is from George Lopez.
Match Number Four: Kane versus Mason Ryan with CM Punk
They lock up and Ryan sends Kane to the mat. They lock up again and Kane is sent to the floor. Kane returns to the ring and Kane with a side head lock and Ryan stays on his feet after Kane tries for a shoulder tackle. Ryan with a clothesline and a slam. Ryan punches Kane followed by a hard Irish whip. Ryan with an Irish whip but Kane with a boot and uppercut. Kane with an Irish whip and then he hits a splash in the corner.
Punk interferes and the referee calls for the bell.
Winner: Kane by by disqualification
After the match, David Otunga and Michael McGillicutty join the fray. Kane tries for a choke slam but Ryan powers out of the hold and then he hits an uranage.
Show makes his way to the ring and he goes after McGillicutty, Otunga, and Punk. Ryan with a spear to Show. Mason Ryan walks off and Punk wonders what is going on.
Punk, Otunga, and McGillicutty are at ringside and they look at Ryan on the stage.
Who cares about that because it’s Rock’s birthday. The next birthday wishes come from Regis Philbin and Kelly Ripa.
We go to commercial.
We are back and Craig Ferguson wishes Rock a happy birthday.
It is time for the main event and it is going to be the Rock doing that birthday thing.
The people in the crowd put on their party hats (but they won’t put their bags over their heads when Cody Rhodes shows up). Rock wants to know if everyone has had fun tonight. Rock thanks everyone for coming out to support him and for making it one of the best nights in his life.
Rock thanks his family, who are in the crowd as well as his family watching at home. Rock wants to thank the WWE too.
Rock says that as a proud Hurricane and a proud son of Miami, next year’s Wrestlemania will be the biggest Wrestlemania of all time.
There is NO CHANCE that Vince McMahon wouldn’t miss a birthday party.
Vince wishes Rock a happy birthday and thanks him for allowing him to let us share his birthday with him. Vince thanks Rock for pulling him aside to ask to bring the WWE to heights that no one has ever done. Vince says that Rock has taken them to levels no one else ever did before.
Vince thanks Rock for his respect, his passion, his humanity, and giving the crowd the opportunity to say ‘what’ (and they what). He thanks Rock for his love of life and devotion. He thanks the Rock for being The Rock. On behalf of the WWE, they have put together a birthday present. Vince tells Rock of all of the thank yous, he thanks Rock for coming home.
We see a video package showing the Rock through the years.
It is time for someone to sing Happy Birthday to the Rock and it is going to be performed by Mya.
Rock thanks everyone and then it is time to smell as we go to credits. Who wants confetti and balloons?
2012 - Wade Barrett began filming scenes for the WWE Studios film "Dead Man Down" in Philadephia.
2013 - WWE released their first quarter earnings for 2013. Their official release:
WWE issued the following:
WWE® Reports 2013 First Quarter Results
STAMFORD, Conn.--- WWE (NYSE:WWE) today announced financial results for its first quarter ended March 31, 2013. Revenues totaled $124.0 million as compared to $123.1 million in the prior year quarter. Operating income was $6.1 million as compared to $16.0 million in the prior year quarter. Net income was $3.0 million, or $0.04 per share, as compared to $15.3 million, or $0.20 per share, in the prior year quarter. Excluding items that impacted comparability on a year-over-year basis, Adjusted Operating income was $7.4 million as compared to $16.8 million in the prior year quarter, and Adjusted Net income was $3.9 million, or $0.05 per share, as compared to $11.7 million, or $0.16 per share, in the prior year quarter. On an "As Reported" basis, the performance of a recent movie release resulted in increased film impairment charges, which were a significant component of the decline in first quarter earnings. Excluding the impact of these charges and a net positive impact from the transition to a new video game licensee, the decline in Adjusted Operating income reflected investments in content production, including talent and staff costs, lower profits from Home Entertainment and lower sales of licensed products. The investments support the company's long-term growth objectives. "Adjusted" earnings also declined due to an increase in the effective tax-rate.
In the first quarter, our performance reflected investments to enhance our brand strength, which we view as a critical determinant of our long-term growth, stated Vince McMahon, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer. Operating metrics such as pay-per-view buys and live event attendance, which are key leading indicators, continued to show improvement. Demonstrating the ongoing demand for WWE content, we successfully staged WrestleMania in April, which attracted more than 80,000 fans and is expected to deliver more than one million pay-per-view buys globally, ranking the event as the highest grossing and most profitable pay-per-view event in our history. Looking ahead, we are confident that we can leverage this demand to transform our business."
Several anticipated factors contributed to the decline in our first quarter OIBDA results, which - while down - were essentially in-line with our guidance. These factors included investments in our content production and talent, lower profits from home entertainment and weakness in international licensing sales," added George Barrios, Chief Financial Officer. "Based on our assessment of these factors, we continue to believe that our results, excluding the impact of the film impairment associated with Dead Man Down, will fall within the range previously communicated, which was 'plus or minus 10 percent' from our 2012 OIBDA results."
Comparability of Results
During the three months ended March 31, 2013, we changed our measure of segment profit (loss) to operating income (loss) before depreciation and amortization ("OIBDA"). We believe the presentation of OIBDA is useful for investors because it allows them to view WWE's segment performance in the same manner as the primary method used by management to evaluate performance and to make decisions on the allocation of resources. The Company defines OIBDA as operating income (loss) before depreciation and amortization, excluding feature film amortization and film impairments. A portion of selling, general and administrative expenses is included in our reported segments. Unallocated SG&A, as shown herein, includes certain SG&A expenses that are not allocated to our reported segments, and corporate overhead. In describing WWE's overall results, the calculation of "OIBDA" generates the same results previously described by the Company's definition of "EBITDA." (Additional information on the definition and use of "OIBDA" can be found in our Form 10-Q filing with the SEC (SCUR).)
Our OIBDA results for the first quarter 2013 included a $4.7 million film impairment charge and an approximate $3.4 million positive impact from the transition of our video game to a new licensee. Results for the prior year quarter included a $0.8 million film impairment charge and a $4.1 million benefit due to previously unrecognized tax benefits. In order to facilitate an analysis of our financial results on a more comparable basis, where noted, we have adjusted our results to exclude these items. (See Schedule of Adjustments in Supplemental Information). The operating results above also include network-related operating expenses of $2.6 million in the current year quarter and $2.1 million in the prior year quarter, which were not adjusted in the aforementioned schedules.
Three Months Ended March 31, 2013 - Results by Region and Business Segment
Revenues of $124.0 million were essentially flat to the prior year quarter as growth from North America was offset by declines across WWE's international markets. Revenues from North America increased 5% from the prior year quarter predominantly due to the licensing of new television programs and digital content, the strong performance of our Pay-Per-View operations, and an increase in the number of domestic live events, which more than offset lower revenues from our movie business. Revenues from outside North America declined 13% primarily due to an anticipated reduction in the number of live events, lower revenue from home entertainment, as well as weaker sales of licensed products.
The following tables reflect net revenues by region and by business segment (in millions):
| Three Months Ended | ||||||||||||||
| March 31, |
|
| March 31, | ||||||||||
Net Revenues By Region: | ||||||||||||||
| North America | $ | 97.8 | $ | 93.0 | ||||||||||
| Europe/Middle East/Africa (EMEA) |
| 16.3 |
| 18.0 | ||||||||||
| Asia Pacific (APAC) |
| 7.9 |
| 8.5 | ||||||||||
| Latin America |
| 2.0 |
| 3.6 | ||||||||||
| Total net revenues | $ | 124.0 | $ | 123.1 | ||||||||||
| Three Months Ended | ||||||||||||||
| March 31, |
| March 31, | |||||||||||
Net Revenues By Business Segment: | ||||||||||||||
| Live and Televised Entertainment | $ | 79.9 | $ | 75.7 | ||||||||||
| Consumer Products |
| 33.2 |
| 35.5 | ||||||||||
| Digital Media |
| 9.0 |
| 7.1 | ||||||||||
| WWE Studios |
| 1.9 |
| 4.8 | ||||||||||
| Total net revenues | $ | 124.0 | $ | 123.1 | ||||||||||
Live and Televised Entertainment
Revenues from our Live and Televised Entertainment businesses increased 6% to $79.9 million primarily due to the expansion of rights fees from the production and licensing of our television programs and, to a lesser extent, from an increase in Pay-Per-View revenue as described below.
| Three Months Ended | |||||||||||||||||||
Broadcast | Events (in chronological order) | March 31, | March 31, | ||||||||||||||||
| January | Royal Rumble® | 512 | 443 | ||||||||||||||||
| February | Elimination Chamber" | 213 | 178 | ||||||||||||||||
| Prior events | 20 | 64 | |||||||||||||||||
| Total | 745 | 685 | |||||||||||||||||
Consumer Products
Revenues from our Consumer Products businesses decreased 6% to $33.2 million from $35.5 million in the prior year quarter, primarily due to declines in our Home Entertainment business as described below.
Digital Media
Revenues from our Digital Media related businesses were $9.0 million as compared to $7.1 million in the prior year quarter, representing a 27% increase.
WWE Studios
WWE Studios recognized revenue of $1.9 million as compared to $4.8 million in the prior year quarter, reflecting differences in revenue recognition between the various distribution models of our movies. Although there were three feature films released in the current quarter (Dead Man Down, The Call and The Marine 3: Homefront), revenues for these movies will be recognized on a net basis as participation statements are received rather than upon release as was the case with our self-distributed movie, Bending the Rules, in the prior year quarter. In addition, the decline reflected the timing of results generated by our overall portfolio of movies. During the quarter, Dead Man Down generated lower domestic box office receipts than anticipated, resulting in a revised ultimate profit projection for that movie and a $4.7 million impairment charge. As a result, WWE Studios generated a loss of $5.0 million compared to a loss of $1.3 million in the prior year quarter, which included a $0.8 million film impairment charge. Excluding the impact of film impairment charges, the WWE Studios' movie portfolio generated a loss of $0.3 million compared to an adjusted loss of $0.5 million in the prior year quarter.
Unallocated SG&A
Unallocated SG&A expense was $30.6 million for the current year quarter as compared to $30.0 million in the prior year quarter. Increases in staff-related and consulting expenses primarily to support our network and content related initiatives were nearly offset by a reduction in bad debt expense. Network-related costs included in unallocated SG&A reached approximately $2.6 million compared to $2.1 million in the prior year quarter.
Operating Income Before Depreciation and Amortization (OIBDA)
OIBDA was $11.3 million in the quarter as compared to $20.0 million in the prior year quarter. The decline in OIBDA was primarily due to three anticipated factors: additional investment in content production, including guest talent and staff costs, lower profits from Home Entertainment and lower profits from international Licensing. Increases in our content-related expenses more than offset increased rights fees from the licensing of new television programs and digital content. The results of our Television and Digital Media businesses were essentially flat to the prior year quarter while the results of our Pay-Per-View business declined $1.3 million from the prior year quarter. The $3.9 million impact of film impairment charges ($4.7 million vs. $0.8 million in the prior year quarter) was nearly offset by an approximate $3.4 million positive impact to OIBDA associated with the termination of our video game license with THQ and the transition to a new video game licensee. The OIBDA margin was 9% in the quarter as compared to 16% in the prior year quarter. Excluding the impact of film impairments and video game transition, Adjusted OIBDA was $12.6 million in the quarter as compared to $20.8 million in the prior year quarter. The adjusted OIBDA margin was 10% in the current quarter as compared to 17% in the prior year quarter. (See Schedules of Adjustments in Supplemental information).
Depreciation and amortization
Depreciation and amortization expense totaled $5.2 million for the current year quarter as compared to $4.0 million in the prior year quarter. The increase in depreciation and amortization expense derives from our investment in assets to support our efforts to launch a potential network.
Investment and Other (Expense) Income
Investment income, interest and other expense, net, yielded expense of $1.3 million compared to income of $0.5 million in the prior year quarter, reflecting incremental expenses associated with other non-income taxes and realized foreign exchange losses as compared to gains in the prior year quarter.
Effective tax rate
In the current quarter, the effective tax rate was 37% as compared to 7% in the prior year quarter. The 7% rate in the prior year quarter was primarily due to the recognition of a $4.1 million benefit related to previously unrecognized tax benefits.
Cash Flows
Net cash used in operating activities was $5.9 million for the three months ended March 31, 2013 as compared to $32.4 million generated by operating activities in the prior year quarter. This $38.3 million decrease was driven by an approximate $12.3 million reduction in operating performance, an $11.0 million increase in the annual payout of management incentive compensation (with the return to a more normalized level of management compensation in 2012), an $8.0 million impact due to the recognition of an advance associated with the termination of our video game license with THQ, and a $5.3 million increase in net tax payments. Additionally, changes in working capital associated with our international live event tours and pay-per-view events contributed to the decline in net cash flow provided by operating activities compared to the prior year quarter.
Purchases of property and equipment and other assets declined by $8.4 million from the prior year period, primarily due to lower investment in assets to support our efforts to create and distribute new content, including through a potential network.
Additional Information
Additional business metrics are made available to investors on a monthly basis on our corporate website - corporate.wwe.com.
Note: WWE will host a conference call on May 2, 2013 at 11:00 a.m. ET to discuss the Company's earnings results for the first quarter of 2013. All interested parties can access the conference call by dialing 855-993-1400 (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 website 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.
About WWE
WWE, a publicly traded company (NYSE: WWE), 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 entertainment on its television programming, pay-per-view, digital media and publishing platforms. WWE programming is broadcast in more than 150 countries and 30 languages and reaches more than 650 million homes worldwide. The company is headquartered in Stamford, Conn., with offices in New York, Los Angeles, Miami, London, Mumbai, Shanghai, Singapore, Istanbul and Tokyo.
Additional information on WWE (NYSE: WWE) can be found at wwe.com and corporate.wwe.com. For information on our global activities, go to http://www.wwe.com/worldwide/.
Trademarks: All WWE programming, talent names, images, likenesses, slogans, wrestling moves, trademarks, logos and copyrights are the exclusive property of WWE and its subsidiaries. All other trademarks, logos and copyrights are the property of their respective owners.
Forward-Looking Statements: This press 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, without limitation, risks relating to maintaining and renewing key agreements, including television and pay-per-view programming 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 and acceptance of the Company's brands, media and merchandise within those markets; our exposure to bad debt risk; uncertainties relating to regulatory and litigation matters; risks resulting from the highly competitive nature of our markets; uncertainties associated with international markets; the importance of protecting our intellectual property and complying with the intellectual property rights of others; risks associated with producing and traveling to and from our large live events, both domestically and internationally; the risk of accidents or injuries during our physically demanding events; risks relating to our film business; risks relating to increasing content production for distribution on various platforms, including the potential creation of a WWE Network; risks relating to our computer systems and online operations; risks relating to the large number of shares of common stock controlled by members of the McMahon family and the possibility of the sale of their stock by the McMahons or the perception of the possibility of such sales; the relatively small public float of our stock; 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 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.
World Wrestling Entertainment, Inc. (WWE)
| |||||||||||||||||
| Three Months Ended | |||||||||||||||||
March 31, | March 31, | ||||||||||||||||
| Net revenues | $ | 124.0 | $ | 123.1 | |||||||||||||
| Cost of revenues | 74.9 | 68.4 | |||||||||||||||
| Selling, general and administrative expenses | 37.8 | 34.7 | |||||||||||||||
| Depreciation and amortization | 5.2 | 4.0 | |||||||||||||||
| Operating income | 6.1 | 16.0 | |||||||||||||||
| Investment income, net | 0.4 | 0.5 | |||||||||||||||
| Interest expense | (0.4 | ) | (0.5 | ) | |||||||||||||
| Other (expense) income, net | (1.3 | ) | 0.5 | ||||||||||||||
| Income before income taxes | 4.8 | 16.5 | |||||||||||||||
| Provision for income taxes | 1.8 | 1.2 | |||||||||||||||
| Net income | $ | 3.0 | $ | 15.3 | |||||||||||||
| Earnings per share: | |||||||||||||||||
| Basic | $ | 0.04 | $ | 0.21 | |||||||||||||
| Diluted | $ | 0.04 | $ | 0.20 | |||||||||||||
| Weighted average common shares outstanding: | |||||||||||||||||
| Basic | 74.8 | 74.5 | |||||||||||||||
| Diluted | 75.2 | 74.8 | |||||||||||||||
World Wrestling Entertainment, Inc. | ||||||||||||||||
| As of | ||||||||||||||||
March 31, | December 31, | |||||||||||||||
| ASSETS | ||||||||||||||||
| CURRENT ASSETS: | ||||||||||||||||
| Cash and cash equivalents | $ | 46.3 | $ | 66.0 | ||||||||||||
| Short-term investments, net | 86.0 | 86.3 | ||||||||||||||
| Accounts receivable, net | 54.8 | 50.7 | ||||||||||||||
| Inventory | 3.1 | 1.8 | ||||||||||||||
| Deferred income tax assets | 14.0 | 14.4 | ||||||||||||||
| Prepaid expenses and other current assets | 17.3 | 15.3 | ||||||||||||||
| Total current assets | 221.5 | 234.5 | ||||||||||||||
| PROPERTY AND EQUIPMENT, NET | 102.2 | 102.2 | ||||||||||||||
| FEATURE FILM PRODUCTION ASSETS, NET | 20.6 | 23.7 | ||||||||||||||
| TELEVISION PRODUCTION ASSETS | 7.0 | 6.3 | ||||||||||||||
| INVESTMENT SECURITIES | 5.2 | 5.2 | ||||||||||||||
| OTHER ASSETS | 9.4 | 9.5 | ||||||||||||||
| TOTAL ASSETS | $ | 365.9 | $ | 381.4 | ||||||||||||
LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS EQUITY | ||||||||||||||||
| CURRENT LIABILITIES: | ||||||||||||||||
| Accounts payable and accrued expenses | $ | 43.5 | $ | 49.0 | ||||||||||||
| Deferred income | 23.1 | 28.6 | ||||||||||||||
| Total current liabilities | 66.6 | 77.6 | ||||||||||||||
| NON-CURRENT INCOME TAX LIABILITIES | 9.2 | 9.1 | ||||||||||||||
| COMMITMENTS AND CONTINGENCIES | ||||||||||||||||
| STOCKHOLDERS EQUITY: | ||||||||||||||||
| Class A common stock | 0.3 | 0.3 | ||||||||||||||
| Class B convertible common stock | 0.5 | 0.5 | ||||||||||||||
| Additional paid-in capital | 343.2 | 341.7 | ||||||||||||||
| Accumulated other comprehensive income | 3.9 | 4.0 | ||||||||||||||
| Accumulated deficit | (57.8 | ) | (51.8 | ) | ||||||||||||
| Total stockholders equity | 290.1 | 294.7 | ||||||||||||||
| TOTAL LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS EQUITY | $ | 365.9 | $ | 381.4 | ||||||||||||
World Wrestling Entertainment, Inc.
| ||||||||||||||||
| Three Months Ended | ||||||||||||||||
March 31, | March 31, | |||||||||||||||
| OPERATING ACTIVITIES: | ||||||||||||||||
| Net income | $ | 3.0 | $ | 15.3 | ||||||||||||
| Adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash (used in)/provided by operating |
| |||||||||||||||
| activities: | ||||||||||||||||
| Amortization and impairments of feature film production assets | 6.1 | 4.6 | ||||||||||||||
| Depreciation and amortization | 5.2 | 3.9 | ||||||||||||||
| Amortization of bond premium | 0.5 | 0.6 | ||||||||||||||
| Amortization of debt issuance costs | 0.2 | 0.2 | ||||||||||||||
| Stock-based compensation | 1.2 | 0.7 | ||||||||||||||
| (Recovery from) provision for doubtful accounts | (0.3 | ) | 0.8 | |||||||||||||
| Services provided in exchange for equity instruments | (0.2 | ) | ||||||||||||||
| Loss on disposal of property and equipment | 0.4 | 0.1 | ||||||||||||||
| Provision (benefit) for deferred income taxes | 0.5 | (2.5 | ) | |||||||||||||
| Cash (used in)/provided by changes in operating assets and liabilities: | ||||||||||||||||
| Accounts receivable | (3.7 | ) | 6.4 | |||||||||||||
| Inventory | (1.3 | ) | 0.1 | |||||||||||||
| Prepaid expenses and other assets | (2.5 | ) | (3.4 | ) | ||||||||||||
| Feature film production assets | (0.8 | ) | (0.6 | ) | ||||||||||||
| Television production assets | (0.6 | ) | (3.1 | ) | ||||||||||||
| Accounts payable and accrued expenses | (8.1 | ) | 4.7 | |||||||||||||
| Deferred income | (5.5 | ) | 4.6 | |||||||||||||
| Net cash (used in)/provided by operating activities | (5.9 | ) | 32.4 | |||||||||||||
| INVESTING ACTIVITIES: | ||||||||||||||||
| Purchases of property and equipment and other assets | (4.9 | ) | (13.3 | ) | ||||||||||||
| Purchases of short-term investments | (9.0 | ) | (7.8 | ) | ||||||||||||
| Proceeds from sales and maturities of investments | 8.8 | 5.5 | ||||||||||||||
| Net cash used in investing activities | (5.1 | ) | (15.6 | ) | ||||||||||||
| FINANCING ACTIVITIES: | ||||||||||||||||
| Repayment of long-term debt | (0.3 | ) | ||||||||||||||
| Dividends paid | (9.0 | ) | (8.9 | ) | ||||||||||||
| Issuance of stock, net | 0.3 | 0.4 | ||||||||||||||
| Net cash used in financing activities | (8.7 | ) | (8.8 | ) | ||||||||||||
| NET INCREASE (DECREASE) IN CASH AND CASH EQUIVALENTS | (19.7 | ) | 8.0 | |||||||||||||
| CASH AND CASH EQUIVALENTS, BEGINNING OF PERIOD | 66.0 | 52.5 | ||||||||||||||
| CASH AND CASH EQUIVALENTS, END OF PERIOD | $ | 46.3 | $ | 60.5 | ||||||||||||
| NON-CASH INVESTING AND FINANCING TRANSACTIONS: | ||||||||||||||||
| Non-cash purchase of property and equipment and other assets | $ | 1.8 | $ | 1.4 | ||||||||||||
World Wrestling Entertainment, Inc. | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Three Months Ended March 31, 2013 | Three Months Ended March 31, 2012 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
As | Film | Video Game | Adjusted | As | Film | Tax Benefit | Adjusted | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Operating income | $ | 6.1 | $ | 4.7 | $ | (3.4 | ) | $ | 7.4 | $ | 16.0 | $ | 0.8 | $ | $ | 16.8 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Investment, interest | (1.3 | ) | (1.3 | ) | 0.5 | 0.5 |
| ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Income before | 4.8 | 4.7 | (3.4 | ) | 6.1 | 16.5 | 0.8 | 17.3 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
(Provision) benefit | (1.8 | ) | (1.6 | ) | 1.2 | (2.2 | ) | (1.2 | ) | (0.3 | ) | (4.1 | ) | (5.6 | ) | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Net income (loss) | $ | 3.0 | $ | 3.1 | $ | (2.2 | ) | $ | 3.9 | $ | 15.3 | $ | 0.5 | $ | (4.1 | ) | $ | 11.7 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Earnings per share | $ | 0.04 | $ | 0.04 | $ | (0.03 | ) | $ | 0.05 | $ | 0.20 | $ | 0.01 | $ | (0.05 | ) | $ | 0.16 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Reconciliation of | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Operating income | $ | 6.1 | $ | 4.7 | $ | (3.4 | ) | $ | 7.4 | $ | 16.0 | $ | 0.8 | $ | $ | 16.8 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Depreciation & | 5.2 | 5.2 | 4.0 | 4.0 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| OIBDA | $ | 11.3 | $ | 4.7 | $ | (3.4 | ) | $ | 12.6 | $ | 20.0 | $ | 0.8 | $ | $ | 20.8 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Non-GAAP Measures: |
Adjusted OIBDA, Adjusted Operating income, Adjusted Net income and Adjusted Earnings per share exclude certain material items, which otherwise would impact the comparability of results between periods. These should not be considered as an alternative to net income, cash flows from operations or any other indicator of WWE's performance or liquidity, determined in accordance with U.S. GAAP. |
We define OIBDA as operating income before depreciation and amortization, excluding feature film amortization, and film impairments. OIBDA is a non-GAAP financial measure and may be different than similarly-titled non-GAAP financial measures used by other companies. A limitation of OIBDA is that it excludes depreciation and amortization, which represents the periodic charge for certain fixed assets and intangible assets used in generating revenues for our business. OIBDA should not be regarded as an alternative to operating income or net income as an indicator of operating performance, or to the statement of cash flows as a measure of liquidity, nor should it be considered in isolation or as a substitute for financial measures prepared in accordance with GAAP. We believe that operating income is the most directly comparable GAAP financial measure to OIBDA. |
World Wrestling Entertainment, Inc.
| |||||||||||||||||
| Three Months Ended | |||||||||||||||||
March 31, 2013 | March 31, 2012 | ||||||||||||||||
| Net cash provided by operating activities | $ | (5.9 | ) | $ | 32.4 | ||||||||||||
| Less cash used for capital expenditures: | |||||||||||||||||
| Purchase of property and equipment and other assets | (4.9 | ) | (13.3 | ) | |||||||||||||
| Free Cash Flow | $ | (10.8 | ) | $ | 19.1 | ||||||||||||
| Non-GAAP Measure: |
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. |
WWE also held a stockholder's conference call to discuss them. Mike Johnson filed the following report:
After the formal introductions, Vince McMahon said that their Performance Center in Florida is doing very well and said they are continuing to work on a subscription model for the future Network. He praised the live events and said things were strong.
After the formal introductions, Vince McMahon said that their Performance Center in Florida is doing very well and said they are continuing to work on a subscription model for the future Network. He praised the live events and said things were strong.
Vince passed it over to CFO George Barrios. He noted they had some lower international TV rights this quarter. Dead Man Down's low performance and the THQ bankruptcy brought down the company a bit. They lost $3 million due to the THQ issue but noted they have locked in their new deal for the license going forward. Barrios noted their Twitter and Facebook followers are up 73% in the last 12 months. Using those strengths will be a key part of their strategy going forward.
Revenue was 3% when they remove the Studios from the earnings. TV was up 15% from this time last year thanks to the third hour of Raw, Saturday Morning Slam and Main Event. They now produce 6 1/2 hours of TV domestically a week. PPV buys were up 17% from this time last year, which makes sense since The Rock was on both The Royal Rumble and The Elimination Chamber this year.
Digital media was way up thanks to Hulu Plus licensing and stronger online ad sales for WWE.com.
International licensing was down.
Licensing revenue was the same as this time last year. The Take 2 videogame deal offset what declines there were on toys and other licensing. Toy sales were down 6%, specifically internationally. International licensing was down 23%.
Live event revenue was down 4% due to AXXESS events not being including in the first quarter this year, as they were last year. If AXXESS had been included, they would have been up.
Average attendance was up 6% in North America.
Turkey and Qatar live events doing poorly brought down this quarter's international live attendance and sales in comparison to last year's quarter, where events in The U.A.E. did much better.
They lost money this quarter due to Dead Man Down, which received a 4.7 million impairment. They lost $5 Million this quarter on the Studios this quarter. That had to be expected as they were changing over the model and Dead Man Down was expected to do much stronger by those in the entertainment industry before it opened.
The Call, which did do well, will profit the company almost $6 million but they have not received those earnings yet as they are profit-sharing and it takes time for the money to come in.
They balance sheet remains strong with over $130 million in cash and assets and "very little debt."
Barrios said that in the second quarter, they will have one less PPV as compared to last year and that investments made to help the company's future (Network, Performance Center, etc) could offset what bump they might receive from Wrestlemania.
They intend to improve their money portfolio, continue to negotiate Network deals, and negotiate new TV deals to help the company's overall outlook.
They went into the Q&A:
They were asked to discuss the International markets more since there's been some weakness on the international fronts over the last few quarters. George Barrios said that they shouldn't focus much on Turkey and Qatar, which did do less than expected, but they understand the international concern. They have brought in new staff and are restructuring the international operations and working with new partners. They are aware of the issues and are working to change them. The international events are always profitable so they aren't going to back off on tours while they restructure. They noted that they will go back to U.A.E. in the third quarter this year.
The WWE Network was brought up and they were asked if there was a potential timeline. Barrios repeated they are not going to prognosticate publicly. They are working on negotiating with distributors domestically and noted they have spoken to a few potential international distributors. They have been working on creating content and feel the Network will be a potential driver for the company by 2015.
They spent more on "celebrity guest involvement" this year's quarter than they did the previous year.
"The Call" profits are based on current estimates. They invested $1 million on the film and look to recoup over $5 million.
They were asked about the Yahoo.com deal and how similar the deal was with Youtube. Barrios declined to comment saying they don't like to comment on commercial terms since they are different partners. The Yahoo deal will be figured into the third quarter.
They were asked about the new TV shows. Vince McMahon said the Divas series on The E! Network is being designed to appeal to the female demographic. The more shows they have and the more flexible that programming is on different networks, it all helps their footprint as they try to launch their own Network. The shows would be a way to promote the Network through all the different outlets.
On Legends House being potentially launched this summer on a cable network, Barrios seemed surprised that was brought up and said it was still designed as a "Network program at this time" for the company. They seemed to avoid the idea that it may launch elsewhere, which is something that we've heard discussed of late from sources, since the content is almost a year old already.
That was it for the questions. Pretty much the same old song and dance, but it's going to be that way until they have a major announcement to make.
Thanks to www.thehistoryofwwe.com for their assistance with archival results.
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