WWE PRESS RELEASESWWE TOUTS SUCCESS OF EUROPEAN TOUR; ANNOUNCES RAW AND SMACKDOWN TAPINGS FOR APRIL 2005 IN UK
World Wrestling Entertainment issued the following press release this afternoon, announcing the success of their recent European tour and announcing plans to bring their signature Raw and Smackdown TV shows back to Great Britain in April 2005:
World Wresting Entertainment Storms Europe With Record Setting Tour Wednesday October 20, 2:49 pm ET
First-Ever Televised Events Outside North America Anchor Onslaught of Activities
STAMFORD, Conn. & LONDON--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Oct. 20, 2004--For the first time ever in World Wrestling Entertainment(r) history, both RAW(r) and SmackDown!(TM) Superstars were on simultaneous overseas tours to perform in Europe. More than 115,000 ecstatic fans saw WWE(r) live, bought WWE merchandise and met WWE Superstars at local retail markets for a rousing start to the WWE's major European brand initiative in the UK.
Separate RAW and SmackDown! live event tours covered seven days and saw the larger-than-life WWE Superstars performing before packed houses in Germany, Finland, Italy and the UK. Each tour culminated with the flagship television programs Monday Night RAW and WWE SmackDown! being performed from Manchester Evening News Arena in Manchester, the first time those television programs have emanated from outside North America.
"Our fans in the UK and all across Europe are incredible, and are the reason this new dedicated UK initiative is off to a roaring start," said Shane McMahon, WWE's Executive Vice President, Global Media. "Our UK brand initiative is groundbreaking for us, our business partners, and our fans. It is developing the model we plan to use in other countries as we further implement our global expansion strategy."
Complementing the live event tours were a series of promotional appearances, promotions and publicity events which saw WWE Superstars appearing on popular UK television programs, on various UK news programs, and in features in the UK's largest newspaper, The Sun.
The tours provided an unprecedented opportunity for WWE licensees THQ, Jakks, Clearvision, Simon and Schuster, Sony Music and Topps, and primary UK retail partners WHSmith and Woolworths, to promote WWE's licensed and consumer products in the UK.
"The first phase of our WWE brand push in the UK has been an overwhelming success," said Kurt Schneider, Executive Vice President, Marketing. "Not only did we play before packed houses and break merchandise sales records at half the arenas at which we performed, but we were able to offer our business partners an unprecedented platform from which to promote our licensed and consumer products."
Among the promotional activities were:
*In-store WWE Superstar appearances across the UK supporting WWE licensees and retail partners WHSmith and Woolworths.
*A cross promotion with The Sun newspaper and Woolworths, the top retailer in the UK, that allowed fans to earn tokens for an exclusive WWE DVD that was redeemed by an estimated 180,000 participants.
*THQ had Playstation pods at every event promoting the new SmackDown! vs. RAW video game, providing the first worldwide exclusive showing of the game, which is eagerly anticipated in the video gaming world. THQ also did a promotion with Woolworths and with GAME store to pre-order SmackDown! vs. RAW.
*Sony leafleted fans at all UK live events promoting the release of a new CD ThemeAddict WWE The Music V6 in November.
In April 2005, the WWE plans to return to the UK to again produce Monday Night RAW and WWE SmackDown!, triggering a second phase of promotions, sweepstakes and Superstar appearances.
In support of this initiative, WWE is undertaking a UK-specific ad campaign that will result in greater awareness for the brand. Licensees, retailers, promotional and media partners will all focus their WWE efforts around the same brand message and as a result of these synergies, there will be a significant increase in activities developed for their consumers.
World Wrestling Entertainment, Inc. (NYSE: WWE - News) is an integrated media and entertainment company headquartered in Stamford, Conn., with offices in New York City, Los Angeles, Toronto and London. Additional information on the company can be found at wwe.com and corporate.wwe.com.
Trademarks: The names of all World Wrestling Entertainment televised and live programming, talent names, images, likenesses, slogans and wrestling moves and all World Wrestling Entertainment logos are trademarks which are the exclusive property of World Wrestling Entertainment, Inc.
Forward-Looking Statements: This news 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 the conditions of the markets for live events, broadcast television, cable television, pay-per-view, Internet, entertainment, professional sports, and licensed merchandise; acceptance of the Company's brands, media and merchandise within those markets; uncertainties relating to litigation; risks associated with producing live events both domestically and internationally; uncertainties associated with international markets; 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.
WWE ISSUES PRESS RELEASE HYPING RETURN OF 'TOUGH ENOUGH' TONIGHT
'$1,000,000 Tough Enough' Begins Tonight!
Thursday October 21, 5:48 pm ET
New Reality Contest Starts Tonight on UPN's WWE SmackDown!
Weekly Voting by Viewers Will Determine Who is Tough Enough to Win a $1,000,000 Contract to Become the Next WWE Superstar
STAMFORD, Conn.--Oct. 21, 2004-- Thousands of hopeful World Wrestling Entertainment(r) Superstars auditioned for only eight spots in WWE's "$1,000,000 Tough Enough." After a grueling weekend of competition, the eight finalists have been selected, including "Snake" from the television program Battle Dome, an All American basketball player, and an MTV reality show star.
WWE(r) kicks-off this new reality contest within WWE SmackDown!(TM) on UPN (8 p.m. ET/7 p.m CT) tonight with special segments dedicated to footage from the casting events. "$1,000,000 Tough Enough" is based on the popular reality series which aired on MTV for three seasons.
The "$1,000,000 Tough Enough(r)" pits eight contestants against each other to compete for the chance to become a WWE Superstar and earn a WWE contract worth $1 million.
Starting on October 28, viewers will vote for their favorite contestant exclusively on WWE.COM to decide who stays and who goes. One contestant will be eliminated each week on WWE SmackDown!, until December 16, when the "$1,000,000 Tough Enough" Champion is crowned.
WWE Tough Enough winners from the MTV series, Maven(TM), Nidia(TM), and Miss Jackie(TM), are featured Superstars on WWE programming.
The eight contestants competing in the "$1,000,000 Tough Enough" are:
JOHN MEYER
From: Costa Mesa, CA
Height: 6 foot 5
Weight: 230 pounds
John Meyer owns his own advertising business. A former high school and
college basketball player, John was in the Navy from 1991 to 1993.
John is easily noticeable by the large tattoo that covers his back,
which reads MEYER.
NICK MITCHELL
From: Woodlands, TX
Height: 6 foot 2
Weight: 250 pounds
For work, Nick Mitchell sells gym memberships. This former
Northwestern State football player also played in the National Indoor
Football League (NIFL). The 250-pounder describes himself as very
outgoing and claims to have numerous fans all over the United States.
Mitchell admits to also going by the nicknames of "Cadillac" and "Big
Booty Bandit."
MIKE MIZANIN
From: Parma, OH
Height: 6 foot 1
Weight: 210 pounds
Mike Mizanin is a reality show veteran. He has already appeared on
five MTV shows. He was originally in Real World: Return to New York
and is currently on the popular Road Rules vs. Real World: Battle of
the Sexes II, also on MTV. In addition to all this, Mike has conducted
speaking tours at numerous colleges all over the United States. Mike
has created "The Miz," a wrestling-like character which he unleashed
as an angry, yet entertaining, alter-ego on the Real World: Return to
New York.
CHRIS NAWROCKI
From: Syosset, NY
Height: 6 foot 4
Weight: 260 pounds
Chris Nawrocki works as a risk management consultant. He played four
sports (football, volleyball, basketball and baseball) while in high
school. He also played football in college for Syracuse. One of Chris'
hidden talents is the ability to make up songs on the spot with his
guitar.
DANIEL PUDER
From: Sunnyvale, CA
Height: 6 foot 2
Weight: 235 pounds
In addition to being a student, Daniel Puder owns his own print and
marketing company. He has also started a non-profit strength program
for kids. He has been involved with full contact fighting, mixed
marshal arts, and cage fighting.
RYAN REEVES
From: Las Vegas, NV
Height: 6 foot 1
Weight: 275 pounds
Ryan Reeves is a student, majoring in fitness management. While at
UNLV, he played baseball. His mother has just published a health book.
When Ryan was young, he won the opportunity to ring the bell at a
World Wrestling Entertainment live event.
DANIEL RODIMER
From: Tarpon Springs, FL
Height: 6 foot 7
Weight: 300 pounds
Daniel Rodimer works as a personal trainer. He also plays semi-pro
football for the Tamp Bay Barracudas. Prior to that, he played for the
Arena Football League and at the University of Southern Florida.
Daniel admits that he uses the fact that he looks like Jeremy Shockey
from the New York Giants to get into certain places.
JUSTICE SMITH
From: Torrance, CA
Height: 6 foot 9
Weight: 285 pounds
Justice works as a model/actor. He starred in the television program
Battle Dome as "Snake." Justice also played basketball (forward and
center) for the University of Tennessee for two years before
transferring to Alcorn State. This former high school basketball
All-American was ranked 30th in the nation by USA Today. He is also a
second degree black belt in Taikwando.
World Wrestling Entertainment, Inc. (NYSE: WWE) is an integrated media and entertainment company headquartered in Stamford, Conn., with offices in New York City, Los Angeles, Toronto and London. Additional information on the company can be found at wwe.com and corporate.wwe.com.
Trademarks: The names of all World Wrestling Entertainment televised and live programming, talent names, images, likenesses, slogans and wrestling moves and all World Wrestling Entertainment logos are trademarks which are the exclusive property of World Wrestling Entertainment, Inc. All other trademarks, product names, company names and logos are the property of their respective owners.
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