Linda noted that the WWE ended the year on a good note with Wrestlemania, which was a success. The Wrestlemania XX logo will be revealed on June 23rd at Raw at Madison Square Garden.
The WWE is now 14 months into the brand extension and that ratings have "stabilized". She noted benefits of the brand extension which has allowed them to develop a deeper talent pool and in addition to this, has allowed them to have two touring groups. Linda also mentioned the succesful international tours.
Steve Austin's biography will be before Christmas.
Due to the shutdown of the World in New York, WWE took an 8.9 million dollar hit.
Linda said that Bill Goldberg's run has been "disappointing" thus far. She brought up the point that WWE are bringing in new talent, she mentioned the Basham Brothers and Linda Miles who are being brought into Smackdown.
The WWE are working on the creative end of things, and mentioned how last night's Smackdown had a dramatic ending. Linda said that Vince McMahon would be appearing at some live events this summer. She neglected to get into details of the creative end of things.
Other notes included: The WWE is planning on continuing Tough Enough, Linda put over new, young talent, such as La Resistance, Linda Miles, John Cena, Spanky, and the FBI. She also praised Zach Gowen, saying he would be interviewed by ESPN, and that he is an incredible athlete. Finally, she mentioned they are planning to purchase several wrestling tape libraries, but did not want to reveal which companies
Credit: Buck Woodward @ 1Wrestling.com
- The reason for the US Title being brought back to SmackDown is because it has now been made official that there are no current plans of ending the brand extension. Executives within WWE felt with the return of the Intercontinental Title that it would be best if SmackDown had a mid-card title as well. With the US Title already gaining credibility in WCW, the decision was made bring back the belt.
- Word going around the SmackDown locker room is that Billy Gunn is in for a huge push, following his return this past Tuesday night at the SmackDown taping. The general feeling is that if he gets it done in the ring, the possibilities are endless for his big push. Gunn is expected to go right into the US Title hunt.
Credit: WrestlingAttitude.com
- Believe it or not, Spike Lee got a minor victory in his pursuit to stop TNN from changing its name to Spike TV by winning a preliminary injunction. Manhattan State Supreme Court Justice Walter Tolub granted Lees injunction, but ordered him to post a $500,000 bond.
If Lee fails to win a permanent injunction, he will have to pay all of Viacoms legal expenses and other costs related to the case.
Tolub said the following explaining his decision:
In addition to the name Spike, there are other indicia that defendants sought to exploit Mr. Lees persona, most notably Mr. Lees reputation for irreverence and aggressiveness.
At first blush (Lees lawsuit), to be an exercise in egocentricity, its actually an earnest attempt by a prominent personality to limit what he regards as the commercial exploitation of his public persona.
TNN has been planning to change its name to Spike TV starting this Monday. WWE programming, especially RAW, is expected to be a crucial part of the networks strategy.
Credit: WrestlingObserver.com