- WWE and THQ yesterday held their 6th THQ Superstar Challenge at the House
of Blues in Downtown Disney in front of a packed crowd. Matt Striker and
Todd Grisham - who were on fire the whole night picking on contestants and
the public - hosted the show. The tournament brackets were Cody Rhodes vs
Randy Orton and Carlito vs Santino for RAW brand; MVP vs Finlay and Rey
Mysterio vs Matt Hardy for the Smackdown! brand; Kofi Kingston vs Tommy
Dreamer and Elijah Burke vs CM Punk from the ECW brand; and Beth Phoenix vs
Michelle McCool and Ashley vs Layla for the Divas. Mysterio was replaced by
Layla because he couldn't play. The final was between Elijah Burke and Kofi
Kingston and for the second time in a row, Burke won the tournament. Before
the WWE Superstars came out, the International tournament finals was held
which was won by a guy from England. He was presented with a replica belt of
the World Heavyweight Title. All four finalists were given tickets to
WrestleMania while the winner was given HOF tickets and front row seat to
WrestleMania as well. After the show ended, Finlay and Tommy Dreamer gave
away tons of merchandise to the fans. The funniest moment of the night
happened when a pumped up Ashley Massaro was introduced and said "What's up
New York?", immediately realizing her mistake and then saying Orlando. The
crowd obviously booed her and then Michelle McCool - who is from Florida -
picked on Ashley before their match. Musical guests POD performed at the
same venue afterwards.
- In 2007, WWE reported profits of $52,137,000 (a number that would be significantly
higher if you factored out "The Condemned"), the third highest year from a profit
standpoint.
- WWE did 75 international shows in 2007, draw 575,000 fans (7,667 show with an average
gate of $610,267).
- WWE now pays about $700,000 per television taping. WWE is paid $700,000 per week by the USA Network (and will receive about the same from MyNetwork TV), so they are breaking even in the United States on TV rights, but still pull in profits from the international television markets.
- In 2007, WWE averaged 231,352 in magazine sales per issue. The division finished with a $5.1 million profit, or $243,000 per issue.
- During the live episode of TNA iMPACT! yesterday on Spike TV, Robbie
McAllister - one half of the Highlanders - was shown on television as a
graphic appeared with his real name on the screen along with 'WWE Wrestler'
to go along. McAllister wasn't directly looking at the camera when it
happened but it was something that WWE was certainly not happy about. WWE
and TNA talents are bound to cross each other this weekend with shows at the
Universal Studios and hotels nearby. The Doubletree Hotel which was booked
by WWE for this weekend and where TNA and Midway held their press briefings
have been transformed with tons of WrestleMania posters everywhere. TNA had
to check out of the hotel today to make space for the WWE contingent of fans
and officials who will be staying there.
- The live episode of Impact scored a 1.0 cable rating.
- Recent TNA attendance figures. TNA drew a near full house of 1,100 fans on 3/12
in Aiken, SC. TNA drew 1,000 fans on 3/13 in Salem, VA.
- Sabu worked the 3/16 AAA show Rey de Reyes (King of Kings) in Monterrey, but showed
up in bad shape. Sabu is recovering from both a broken leg and vertebrae damage. He couldn't do much in the ring, but did replace Ron Killings, who was told by WWE he couldn't work in Mexico any longer.
