World Wrestling Entertainment, Inc. , d/b/a WWE , is an American integrated media and entertainment company primarily known for professional wrestling. It has branched out into other fields, including movies, real estate, and other business ventures.
WWE also refers to the professional wrestling campaign itself, founded by Jess McMahon and Toots Mondt in 1952 as Capitol Wrestling Corporation Ltd. By 2018, this is the largest wrestling campaign in the world, which holds more than 500 events a year, with lists divided into global travel brands, and available to about 36 million viewers in more than 150 countries. The company's global headquarters is located in Stamford, Connecticut, with offices in major cities around the world.
As in other professional wrestling campaigns, WWE shows not a legitimate but purely entertainment-based contest, featuring storylines, scripts, and choreographic games, although wrestlers are professional and require a large amount of athleticism to perform the movements and often include movements that can place players in the risk of injury if not done properly. It was first acknowledged publicly by WWE owner Vince McMahon in 1989 to avoid taxes from athletic commissions. Since the 1980s, WWE has publicly branded their products as sports entertainment, recognizing product roots in competitive sports and dramatic theaters.
The majority owner of the company is chairman and CEO, Vince McMahon. Together with his wife Linda, the sons of Shane and Stephanie, and Paul's son-in-law "Triple H" Levesque, the McMahon family holds about 70% of WWE equity and 96% of the votes.
The current entity, established on February 21, 1980, formerly known as Titan Sports, Inc. , which was founded in 1979 in South Yarmouth, Massachusetts. The company acquired Capitol Wrestling Corporation, the parent company for the World Wrestling Federation, in 1982. Titan was renamed World Wrestling Federation, Inc. In 1998, then World Wrestling Federation Entertainment, Inc. in 1999, and finally
Video WWE
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Sebelum Titan Sports
The origins of WWE can be traced back as far back as 1952 when Roderick James "Jess" McMahon and Toots Mondt created Capitol Wrestling Corporation Ltd. (CWC), who joined the National Wrestling Alliance (NWA) in 1953. McMahon, who was a successful boxer promoter, began working with Tex Rickard in 1926. With Rickard's help, he began promoting boxing and wrestling at Madison Square Garden. third. It was not the first time McMahon had promoted the wrestling card, because he'd done it during the 1910s.
In November 1954, McMahon died and Ray Fabiani, one of Mondt's companions, took McMahon's son, Vincent James. The younger McMahon and Mondt were very successful and promptly controlled about 70% of NWA bookings, largely due to their dominance in the densely populated Northeastern United States. In 1963, McMahon and Mondt were at loggerheads with NWA over Buddy Rogers's "Nature Boy" who was booked to host the NWA World Heavyweight Championship. The two men left the company in protest and formed the WWWF in the process, giving Rogers the new World Class WWWF Championship made in April of that year. He lost the championship to Bruno Sammartino a month later on May 17, 1963, after suffering a heart attack a week before the game.
The Capitol operates the WWWF conservatively compared to other pro wrestling areas: it runs its main arena every month rather than weekly or biweekly, typically featuring babyface figures who grapple with heels (bad characters) in programs consisting of one to three matches. After getting a television program deal and hiring Lou Albano as a manager for Sammartino's heel opponents, WWWF performed its best-selling business in 1970.
Mondt left the Capitol in the late 1960s and although the WWWF has withdrawn from the NWA, Vince McMahon, Sr. secretly rejoined in 1971. The Capitol renamed the World Wide Wrestling Federation to the World Wrestling Federation (WWF) in 1979.
Titan Sports, Inc
Golden Age
Vincent J. McMahon's son, Vincent K. McMahon, and his wife Linda, founded Titan Sports, Inc., in 1979 in South Yarmouth, Massachusetts. The company was founded on February 21, 1980, at the Cape Cod Coliseum office. The younger McMahon bought Capitol from his father in 1982, effectively seizing control of the company. Trying to make WWF the ultimate wrestling campaign in the country, and finally, the world, he began an expansion process that fundamentally changed the wrestling business.
At the NWA annual meeting in 1983, McMahons and former Capitol employee Jim Barnett all withdrew from the organization. McMahon also works to get WWF programs on syndicated television throughout the United States. This angered other promoters and disrupted the well-defined boundaries of different wrestling promotions, eventually ending the territorial system, used since the establishment of the NWA in the 1940s. In addition, companies use the revenue generated by advertising, television deals, and record sales to gain talent from rival promoters.
In an interview with Sports Illustrated , McMahon noted:
In the past, there have been fights across the country, each with its own small master in charge. Every little lord respects the right of his neighbor's master. No takeovers or raids are allowed. There may be 30 small kingdoms in the US and if I do not buy my dad, there are still 30 of them, fragmented and struggling. I, of course, have no loyalty to the little gentlemen.
McMahon gained significant traction when he hired the talent of American Wrestling Association (AWA) Hulk Hogan, who has achieved popularity beyond wrestling, especially for his performance in the movie Rocky III. McMahon signed Roddy Piper as a Hogan rival, and then soon Jesse Ventura became a broadcaster. Other wrestlers join the list of names, such as Jimmy Snuka, Don Muraco, The Sheik Iron, Nikolai Volkoff, Junkyard Dogs, Paul Orndorff, Greg Valentine, and Ricky Steamboat. Many wrestlers who later joined WWF were former AWA or NWA players.
WWF will tour nationally in a venture that will require major capital investment, which puts WWF on the verge of financial collapse. The future of McMahon's experiment comes down to the success or failure of McMahon's breakthrough concept, WrestleMania. WrestleMania is a great success, and (and still is) marketed as a professional Super wrestling Super Bowl. The concept of wrestling supercard is nothing new in North America; The NWA had begun running Starrcade a few years earlier. However, in McMahon's eyes, which separates WrestleMania from other supercards is that it is intended to be accessible to those who do not watch wrestling. He invites celebrities like Mr. T, Muhammad Ali, and Cyndi Lauper to participate in the event, as well as secure a deal with MTV to provide coverage. The surrounding events and hype caused the term 'Rock' n 'Wrestling Connection , due to the cross-promotion of popular culture and professional wrestling.
The WWF business expanded significantly on McMahon's shoulders and her baby Hulk Hogan for the next few years. The introduction of NBC's 1985 Saturday Night Live Event in 1985 marks the first time professional wrestling has been broadcast on television since the 1950s, when the now-defunct DuMont Television Network broadcasts the Vince McMahon Sr. game. Capitol Wrestling Corporation. The 1980s "Wrestling Boom" peaked at WrestleMania III at Pontiac Silverdome in 1987, setting a 93,173 attendance record, a record that lasted 29 years until WrestleMania 32. A rematch of the main WrestleMania III event between WWF champions Hulk Hogan and Andrà ju  © The giant took place at The Main Event in 1988 and was seen by 33 million people, the most watched wrestling match in North American television history.
In 1985, Titan moved its offices to Stamford, Connecticut, before the building was built nearby in 1991. Furthermore, Titan Sports, Inc. (originally WWF, Inc.) was founded in Delaware in 1987 and consolidated with Massachusetts. entity in February 1988.
New Generation (1993-1997)
WWF was hit with allegations of steroid abuse and distribution in 1992. This was followed by allegations of sexual abuse by WWF employees the following year. McMahon was eventually released, but the accusations were bringing bad PR to WWF, and bad reputation overall. The steroid trial cost the company about $ 5 million at a record low income. It helped push many WWF wrestlers to rival World Wrestling Championship promotions (WCW), including the 1980s babyface hero Hulk Hogan. During this period, WWF promoted a younger age wrestler consisting of "New Generation", featuring Shawn Michaels, Diesel, Razor Ramon, Bret Hart, and The Undertaker, in an effort to promote new talent into the spotlight.
In January 1993, WWF debuted its flagship Monday Night Raw program. WCW retaliated in September 1995 with its own Monday night program Monday Nitro , which aired in the same time slot as Raw . Both programs will trade in a victory in the next ranking competition (known as "Monday Night Wars") until mid-1996. At that point, Nitro began its dominance of nearly two years, largely driven by the introduction of the New World Order nWo), a stable led by former WWF players Hulk Hogan, Scott Hall (former Razor Ramon), and Kevin Nash (former Diesel).
The Attitude Era (1997-2002)
As the Monday Night War continues between Raw Is War and WCW's Nitro , WWF will transform itself from family-friendly products into more adult-oriented products, known as the Era Attitude. This era was spearheaded by WWF VP Shane McMahon (son of owner Vince McMahon) and head writer Vince Russo.
1997 ends with McMahon facing real-life controversy following the controversial departure of Bret Hart from the company, dubbed Montreal Screwjob. This proved to be one of several founding factors in the launch of the Era of Attitude as well as the creation of characters on McMahon's screen, "Mr. McMahon".
Prior to the Montreal Screwjob, which took place in Survivor Series 1997, former WCW employees were hired by WWF, including Stone Cold Steve Austin, Humans, and Vaders. Austin is slowly being taken on as a new face of the company despite being promoted as an antihero, beginning with "Austin 3:16" speech shortly after beating Jake Roberts in the final tournament at the King of the Ring pay-per-view in 1996.
World Wrestling Federation, Inc./World Wrestling Federation Entertainment , Inc.
On May 6, 1998, Titan Sports, Inc. renamed World Wrestling Federation, Inc. It was renamed World Wrestling Federation Entertainment, Inc. a year later.
On 29 April 1999, WWF returned to terrestrial television, broadcasting a special program known as SmackDown! on the newly developed UPN network. The Thursday night event became the weekly series on August 26, 1999 - competing directly with the Thursday night program WCW Guntur on TBS. In 2000, WWF, working with the NBC television network, announced the creation of XFL, a new professional football league that debuted in 2001. The league had a high ranking for the first few weeks, but early interest was reduced and its ratings fell to low lows (one of the games is the lowest prime-time show in American television history). NBC came out of the venture just after a season, but McMahon intends to continue it alone. However, after being unable to reach an agreement with UPN, McMahon turned off XFL.
On October 19, 1999, World Wrestling Federation, Inc. launched its initial public offering as a public company, trading on the New York Stock Exchange (NYSE) with a share issue then valued at $ 172.5 million. The company has traded on the NYSE since its launch with the WWE ticker symbol.
Acquisition of WCW and ECW
In the fall of 1999, the Attitude Era had turned the tide of Monday Night War into WWF's wish. After Time Warner joined AOL, Ted Turner's control over WCW was greatly reduced, and the newly joined company announced a lack of interest in professional wrestling as a whole, and decided to sell WCW as a whole. Although Eric Bischoff, whose Time Warner was dismissed as chairman of WCW in October 1999, approached a deal to buy the company, in March 2001 McMahon acquired rights to WCW trademarks, tape libraries, contracts and other properties from AOL Time Warner for a reported amount of approximately $ 7 million. Shortly after WrestleMania X-Seven, WWF launched the Invasion storyline, integrating an incoming talent list from WCW and the Extreme Wrestling Championships (ECW). With this purchase, WWF is now the biggest wrestling promotion in the world. ECW assets, which had been folded after filing for bankruptcy protection in April 2001, were purchased by WWE in mid-2003.
World's splendid World Wrestling Entertainment,
On May 5, 2002, the World Wrestling Federation announced that they changed the company name and the name of its wrestling promotion to World Wrestling Entertainment (WWE). Although primarily due to unfavorable decisions in its dispute with the World Wildlife Fund on "WWF" initialism, the company noted it provided an opportunity to emphasize its focus on entertainment.
On April 7, 2011, WWE, through the WWE Corporate website, announced that the company had discontinued the use of World Wrestling Entertainment's full name and would later refer to itself as WWE, making the latter an orphan initialism. This is said to reflect WWE's global entertainment expansion away from the ring with the ultimate goal of acquiring entertainment companies and focusing on television, live events, and film production. WWE notes that their new corporate model is in effect with the relaunch of Tough Enough , into a non-scripted program (contrary to the written professional wrestling nature) and with the launch of WWE Network (at the time scheduled for launch in 2012 , then pushed back to 2014). However, the company's official name remains as World Wrestling Entertainment, Inc.
Brand extension
Original
In March 2002, WWE decided to create two separate names, with each group of wrestlers appearing in one of their main programs, Raw and SmackDown! , because of the overwhelming talent. remaining from the Invasion storyline. It's dubbed as "brand extension".
Starting in 2002, a lottery draft was held almost every year to organize a list of names, with the first draft to determine the initial opening roster, and the next design designed to refresh the list of names for each performance. On May 26, 2006, WWE announced the relaunch of ECW as the third WWE brand. The new ECW program aired until February 16, 2010. All the ECW wrestlers at that time became free agents who could sign Raw or Smackdown.
Reunification
Starting with the episode of August 29, 2011 Raw , it was announced that Raw will showcase the talents of both Raw and SmackDown , and will known as Raw Supershow (the "Supershow" suffix will be dropped on July 23, 2012). Championships previously exclusively for one show or the other are available for wrestlers from any performances to compete; the "Supershow" format will mark the end of the brand extension, as all events and events right from the time of the original announcement made until July 2016 show the full WWE list.
In 2013, the company built the WWE Performance Center's medical and sports training facility in East Orange County, Florida in partnership with Full Sail University of Winter Park, Florida. Training facilities are targeted at career and athletic development for corporate wrestlers. Full Sail is also the home base for the WWE development brand, NXT, which over the years has grown and developed into a global brand in its own right.
The second brand is shared
On May 25, 2016, WWE announced the relaunch of the brand extension, which was billed as "The New Era". After the announcement, Raw and SmackDown now each show their own unique list of names, broadcasters, ring circles, and championships. The draft takes place to determine which wrestler will appear on what event. Smackdown also moved from Thursday to Tuesday night, which began on July 19 (the night of the previously mentioned draft), and airs live rather than the previous pre-recorded format.
On 29 November 2016, WWE introduced a new program specific to the cruiserweight division (wrestler 205 lbs and below) called WWE 205 Live . The program focuses exclusively on the qualified wrestlers for the division. The cruiserweights - the first to be a fixture on WWE with the Cruiserweight Classic tournament - were originally exclusive to the Raw brand at the start of the 2016 brand extension, before landing their own show (though they still appear on Raw
On December 15, 2016, it was announced that WWE built a new WWE United Kingdom Championship, with the winners decided by a 16-man tournament to be shown on the WWE Network featuring wrestlers from England and Ireland during January 2017. WWE Paul's "Triple H" Executive Levesque said the final plan with titles and new tournaments is to build a UK-based brand with its own weekly TV show. English Wrestlers and English Championships are being shown on the NXT brand temporarily.
WWE currently has over 140 wrestlers (both male and female) under various contract forms, and stages over 500 events per year worldwide.
Maps WWE
Terminology
WWE uses various specialized terms in promoting their products, such as describing the wrestling industry as sports entertainment. The fan base is called "WWE Universe". A wrestler is designated as "WWE Superstar", while retired wrestlers are described as "WWE Legends" (or "Hall of Famers" if they have been inducted into the WWE Hall of Fame).
WWE networks and distribution offerings
On February 24, 2014, WWE launched a 24/7 streaming network. Networks include past and present WWE events, pay-per-view, and shows from the WWE Library. The network reached 1,000,000 subscribers on January 27, 2015 in less than a year of its launch, with WWE claiming it was "the fastest growing subscription service ever."
In May 2014, WWE and NBCUniversal approved a new contract that would see both Raw and SmackDown continue on NBC, USA Network and Syfy networks. In January 2016, SmackDown will change the network to the USA Network. The contract with NBCUniversal ends in 2019. On November 17, 2016, WWE and Sky Deutschland signed a multi-year agreement to distribute WWE pay-per-view events and broadcast Raw and > SmackDown Live at SKY Sports starting April 2017. On April 10, 2017, WWE and DAZN, announced that Raw and Smackdown will be available directly in Japan with Japanese comments for the first time. On April 27, 2017, WWE and TV5, announced a new agreement to broadcast the SmackDown one-hour edition. On May 12, 2017, WWE and Media Suggestion, announced a new multi-year agreement to broadcast Raw and Smackdown. On July 10, 2017, WWE and AB 1, extend their partnership into the 18th year with a new multi-year agreement to broadcast the WWE program. On July 20, 2017, WWE and SuperSport announced a multi-year new agreement to broadcast WWE programming live for the first time in over 50 countries. On August 1, 2017, WWE and FOXTEL extend their partnership to the 18th year with a new agreement to broadcast WWE programming. On August 8, 2017, WWE and Canal 1, a new agreement to broadcast the One Hour Raw and Smackdown edition. On August 16, 2017, WWE and Nine Network announced a broadcast agreement to display a one-hour weekly Raw and Smackdown version. On August 24, 2017, WWE and Flow announced a multi-year agreement to broadcast WWE's flagship Raw and Smackdown program. On September 7, 2017, WWE and TVA Sports announced a multi-year agreement to air weekly, the only edition of Raw, in French in Canada. On October 24, 2017, WWE and Sport TV announced a multi-year agreement to broadcast Raw and Smackdown. On December 15, 2017, WWE and IB SPORTS, they will extend their partnership with a new agreement to broadcast WWE programming live for the first time in South Korea. On December 18, 2017, WWE and SPS HD, announced an agreement to broadcast Raw and Smackdown at SPS Sports for the first time in Mongolia.
On December 13, 2017, WWE and Facebook announced a new Internet in-ring series called WWE Mixed Match Challenge that will stream live in the US exclusively on Facebook Watch. Premier on January 16, 2018, the 12 episode series will feature wrestlers from a list of Baku and SmackDown rosters competing in mixed single-tag mixed team tournaments to win $ 100,000 to support their preferred charity. Each episode will be 20 minutes long and will be broadcast at 10pm. ET/7 nights PT.
WWE stock and corporate governance
On October 19, 1999, WWF, formerly owned by parent Titan Sports, launched its initial public offering as a public company, trading on the New York Stock Exchange (NYSE) with a share issue then valued at $ 172.5 million. The company has traded on the NYSE since its launch with the WWE ticker symbol.
The Company has actively marketed itself as a public company through presentations at investor conferences and other investor relations initiatives. In June 2003, the company began paying dividends on its shares of $ 0.04 per share. In June 2011, the company cut its dividend from $ 0.36 to $ 0.12. In 2014, concerns about the viability of the company caused widespread fluctuations in stock prices.
In 2018, the Company's Board of Directors has nine members: Vince McMahon, Chairman of the Board and CEO of the company; Stuart U. Goldfarb, President of Fullbridge, Inc.; Patricia A. Gottesman, former President and CEO of Crimson Hexagon; Frank A. Riddick, III, CEO of Shale-Inland Group, Inc.; Jeffrey R. Speed, former Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer of Six Flags; Laureen Ong, former President of Travel Channel; Robyn W. Peterson, Chief Technology Officer and Head of Product, Mashable; Stephanie McMahon, WWE Chief Brand Officer; and Paul "Triple H" Levesque, Executive Vice President of WWE talent, live events, and creative.
Contract
WWE signed most of their talents for exclusive contracts, meaning talent can arise or only work on WWE programming and events. They are not allowed to appear or perform for other promotions, unless custom arrangements are made beforehand. WWE keeps all the wrestlers' salaries, term of employment, benefits, and all other highly personal contract details.
WWE classifies its professional wrestlers as independent contractors and not as employees. A study by the University of Louisville Law Review found that after implementing the 20-factor Internal Revenue Service (IRS) test, 16 factors "clearly indicate that wrestlers are employees". However, as a result of WWE calling them an independent contractor, "wrestlers are denied countless benefits that they should be entitled".
Health Program
The World Wrestling Federation had an on-the-spot drug testing policy in early 1987, originally run by an in-house administrator. In 1991, wrestlers were subjected to independent testing for anabolic steroids for the first time. Independent testing was suspended in 1996, which was considered too expensive because the company was under financial pressure at the time as a result of their competitors, Wrestling World Championships, which were so much more popular and injured the federation business.
The Talent Wellness Program is a comprehensive program for drugs, alcohol, and cardiac screening that began in February 2006, shortly after the sudden death of one of their highest profile talents, 38-year-old Eddie Guerrero. Policy tests for drug use and prescription drug abuse, including anabolic steroids. Under the policy guidelines, talents are also tested each year for existing or developing cardiac problems. Drug testing is handled by Aegis Sciences Corporation; Heart evaluation is handled by New York Cardiology Associates P.C. The Health Policy requires that all talents "under contract for WWE that regularly perform services in the ring as professional sports entertainers" undergo testing; however, part-time competitors are exempt from testing.
Following the double murder and suicide committed by one of his players, Chris Benoit, with possible links to WWE-induced steroid abuse, the US Government's Supervisory and Reform Committee requested that WWE submit any material regarding its welfare talent policy..
In August 2007, WWE and its employees defended the program behind several illegal pharmacy statues linking WWE artists with steroid purchases even after the policy was enacted. Ten professional wrestlers are suspended for violating the Fitness Policy after reports that they are all Signature Pharmacy customers in Orlando, Florida. According to a statement attributed to WWE attorney Jerry McDevitt, the eleventh wrestler was then added to the suspension list.
Due to Fitness Policy, doctors are able to diagnose one of their players with heart disease that is likely to escape the attention until it is too late. In August 2007, United States General Champion Montel Vontavious Porter (real name: Hassan Assad) was diagnosed with Wolff-Parkinson-White syndrome, potentially deadly if not diagnosed. The disease was discovered when Assad was undergoing regular health policy checks.
On September 13, 2010, WWE updated their list of prohibited substances to include muscle inhibitors.
Legal disputes and controversy
drug scandal 1990
During the 1980s and 1990s, Dr. George Zahorian is considered to have distributed steroids and other drugs routinely to WWF wrestlers, supposedly with the approval of WWF owner Vince McMahon. In 1993, McMahon was indicted in federal court after steroid controversy hit the promotion, forcing him to temporarily hand over WWF control to his wife Linda. The case was heard in 1994, in which McMahon himself was accused of spreading steroids to his wrestler. One of the leading prosecution witnesses was Nailz (real name: Kevin Wacholz), a former WWF player who was dismissed after a violent confrontation with McMahon. Nailz testified that McMahon had ordered him to use steroids, but his credibility was questioned during his testimony when he repeatedly stated that he "hated" McMahon. The star witness charged by the prosecutor's office is Hulk Hogan, but this backfires when Hogan testified that McMahon had never told him to take or try to sell him steroids. The jury will then release McMahon from the allegations and he continues his role in the daily operations of WWF.
Titan Sports sues World Championship Wrestling
In 1996, Titan Sports, the parent company of the World Wrestling Federation, sued the World Championship Wrestling (WCW) over WCW which implies that Scott Hall and Kevin Nash (Razor Ramon and Diesel) attacked WCW on behalf of WWF. This led to a series of lawsuits filed by both companies during the War of the Night Monday heating up. The lawsuit lasted for years, ending with a settlement in 2000. One provision gave WWF the right to bid on WCW assets if the company was liquidated. Time Warner, the parent company of WCW, canceled the WCW television show in March 2001 and sold the company's assets to WWE. Owen Hart Owen Hart's death Owen Hart Owenham's death Owen Hart Owen Hart's death Owen Hart Owen Hart's death
On May 23, 1999, Owen Hart fell to his death in Kansas City, Missouri during Over the Edge pay-per-view event in the wrong action. WWF violates kayfabe by having television commentator Jim Ross repeatedly telling those who watched directly about the pay-per-view that what just happened was not a wrestling corner or storyline and that Hart was badly wounded, emphasizing the seriousness of the situation. While several attempts to revive him were made, he died of his wounds. The cause of death is then reduced to internal bleeding from blunt object trauma. WWF's management controversially chose to continue the event. Later, Jim Ross announced Hart's death to home viewers during pay-per-view, but not to the crowds in the arena. While the show went on, it has never been commercially released by WWF Home Video. In 2014, fifteen years after his death, WWE Network aired the show for the first time. A small photo award was shown before it began to tell fans that Hart died during the original broadcast. All Hart's recordings were edited from the event. The statement reads: "In Memory Owen Hart May 7, 1965 - May 23, 1999 who accidentally died during this broadcast." Four weeks after the event, Hart's family sued WWF about how dangerous and bad the action plan was, and that the harness system was damaged. After more than a year and a half of cases, the settlement was reached on 2 November 2000, which saw WWF give Hart's family $ 18 million.
Dispute the name of WWF
In 1994, Titan Sports signed an agreement with the World Wide Fund for Nature (also a WWF trademark), an environmental organization, on the use of Titan from the acronym "WWF", which has been used by both organizations since at least March 1979. agreement, Titan has agreed to stop using the written acronym "WWF" in respect of its wrestling promotion, and to minimize (though not eliminate) the oral use of "WWF" on its broadcast, especially in written comments. Instead, the environmental group (and its national affiliates) agreed to impose pending lawsuits against Titan, and further agreed not to oppose the use of Titan in the name of "World Wrestling Federation" or the current promotional logo.
In 2000, the World Wide Fund for Nature sued the World Wrestling Federation Entertainment Inc. in the UK, accusing violations of the 1994 treaty. The Court of Appeals agreed that the promotional company had violated the 1994 agreement, particularly in the case of merchandise sales. The last television show to market the WWF logo was the UK-based Pay-per-view Insurrextion 2002. On May 5, 2002, the company launched a "Get The F Out" marketing campaign and changed all references on its website from "WWF" to "WWE", while redirecting the URL from WWF.com to WWE.com . The next day, a press release announces an official name change from World Wrestling Federation Entertainment, Inc. to World Wrestling Entertainment, Inc., or WWE, and the changes were published recently during the Raw TV broadcast, which was broadcast from Hartford Civic Center in Hartford, Connecticut.
After the name change, the use of the WWF "scratch" logo becomes banned on all WWE properties. In addition, the previous reference to the WWF trademark and initials in 'certain circumstances' becomes censored. Despite the litigation, WWE is still permitted to use the original WWF logo, which was used from 1979 to 1994 and has been explicitly excluded under the 1994 agreement, as well as a similar "New WWF Generation" logo, used since 1994 to the present. 1998. Furthermore, the company can still use the name "World Wrestling Federation" and "World Wrestling Federation Entertainment" without consequences. In 2003, WWE won a limited decision to continue marketing certain classic video games from THQ and Jakks Pacific which contained the WWF "scratch" logo. However, the packaging in those games has all the WWF references replaced by WWE.
Beginning with the 1000 Raw episode Raw in July 2012, the WWF "scratch" logo is no longer censored in the archive recording because WWE is reaching a new settlement with the World Wide Fund for Nature. In addition, WWF initials are no longer censored when spoken or when written in plain text in archive archives. Since then, full length games and other segments featuring WWF initials and "early" logos have been added to the WWE website and the WWE Classics on Demand service. It also includes the WWE Home Video release since October 2012, beginning with the re-release of Brock Lesnar: Here Comes The Pain. Although WWF's initials and logos are no longer censored in archival records, WWE can not use WWF initials or logos in new, original, packaging, or advertising records.
Harry Slash and Slashstones lawsuit
Harry "Slash" Grivas and Roderick Kohn filed a lawsuit against WWE in June 2003 for music used for programming and DVD without approval or payment. It also confirms the violation of the right to original music used by the ECW that WWE has used during the 2001 Invasion storyline. The case was resolved on both sides with a settlement that saw WWE buy direct catalogs in January 2005.
In 1993, Jim Hellwig officially changed his name to a Mononim Warrior. The name of this one word appears in all legal documents related to the Soldier, and his children carry the Soldier's name as their legitimate surname.
The Warrior and WWF were involved in a series of lawsuits and legal actions in 1996 and 1998, in which both parties requested a statement that they have the character, Warrior and Ultimate Warrior, under contract and copyright law. The court ruled that the Soldiers were legally entitled to use the gimmick, costume, face paint design, and the character traits of "Soldiers".
On September 27, 2005, WWE released a DVD documentary focusing on the Warrior retrospective wrestling career, entitled Destruction of the True Warrior . The DVD features clips from more famous feuds and matches along with comments from WWE stars past and present (mostly unattractive). DVD has provoked some controversy because of Warrior's own allegations of defamation by WWE against him. Initially, Warrior was asked to assist with the production of the DVD, but because he refused to work with WWE, there were several feuds generated between Warrior and WWE during Warrior claiming bias on the WWE section. In January 2006, Warrior filed another lawsuit against WWE in an Arizona court for depiction of his wrestling career on DVD's "Self-Destruction of Ultimate Warrior." On September 18, 2009, the Warrior suit in Arizona was dismissed.
As long as the Warrior falls with WWE, the Warrior makes a comment that WWE has decided not to admit it. In 2005, the Warrior resumed a call shouting now former WWE broadcaster Todd Grisham a "weirdo". Soldiers refer to Droz, a former WWF wrestler who broke two discs around his neck and was paralyzed, as "flawed". He makes comments about Hurricane Katrina victims who refer to them as "the poor New Orleanian and mostly black without a car." He cursed Martin Luther King Jr. Day, made disparaging remarks against gays and lesbians, criticized Heath Ledger's parenting style after Ledger's death, and expressed delight when Bobby Heenan was diagnosed with cancer.
The soldiers return to WWE to be inducted into the Hall of Fame. During the induction, he mentioned that WWE should make an award in honor of the behind-the-scenes people called Jimmy Miranda Award, named after the longtime employee of WWE who died. The Warrior died a few days after being inducted into the WWE Hall of Fame. WWE decided to create a Warrior Award, a tribute to the people "who embody the spirit of Ultimate Warrior." The award was later given to Connor Michalek (a child who died of cancer), Joan Lunden (a journalist diagnosed with cancer), and Eric LeGrand (a former college football player who became paralyzed after injury in the game). In October 2017, WWE used the tagline "Unleash Your Warrior" while promoting Breast Cancer Awareness Month. Since the death of the Warrior, WWE has been accused of whitewash and ignores the controversial and controversial remarks of the Warrior. Pro Wrestling Torch describes the Warrior in real life after making "cruel, fanatical, hateful, judgmental" public comments, citing as an example that regarding cancer diagnosis Bobby Heenan, Warrior says, "Karma is just a pretty thing to be seen. " Total Nonstop Action Wrestling sues WWE & amp; Wittenstein
On May 23, 2012, Total Nonstop Action Wrestling (TNA, now Impact Wrestling) sued former employees Brian Wittenstein and WWE. The lawsuit alleges that Wittenstein violated a non-disclosure agreement and shared confidential information with WWE representing a comparative advantage in negotiating with wrestling talent under contract with TNA. He was subsequently hired by WWE afterwards, the TNA asserted that Wittenstein violated the agreement by downloading secret trade secrets and giving the information to WWE. Although WWE fired Wittenstein and warned TNA officials over the disclosure of information, the TNA claimed that WWE had access to information for three weeks prior to disclosure and currently, WWE uses confidential contract information and seeks to hunt for their talent as a violation. Tennessee Uniform Trade Secrets Act. The suit was officially withdrawn without prejudice, by the plaintiff, TNA, on January 15, 2013 under the "Voluntary Nonsuit Notice" which does not offer a verdict on the benefits of the lawsuit and allows TNAs to potentially be re-filed in the future.
Fraud and alleged hoax
The old WWE clerk and former WWE Champion John "Bradshaw" Layfield has been accused of repeatedly bullying and hazing his colleagues, with some claiming that WWE turn a blind eye to Layfield's behavior. In 2017, Sports Illustrated declared that Layfield "has been accused for years as a bully dressing room," while Deadspin writes that "backstage stories about Layfield hazing and intimidation has long been a legend among hardcore wrestling fans. " Dayton Daily News describes that" YouTube has dozens of interviews where former [WWE] players discuss harassment, repression and take a legitimate punch from Layfield while wrestling with it in a match that should be choreographed. " Le Journal de MontrÃÆ'  © al lists Mark Henry, Matt Hardy, Renà © Duprà © Ã… © e, Daivari, and Ivory, among others, as wrestlers who in the interview described Layfield as a bully. In 2010, The Miz referred Layfield in a promo on screen about the hazing he faced in the dressing room early in his career. Layfield acknowledges Miz's hazing and says that he does not regret doing so. It was later revealed that the name JBL was replaced in The Miz's promo for Chris Benoit, whose name has been banned for mention in the new content after Benoit's actions that led to his death, and that of his wife and son.
In April 2017, WWE commentator Mauro Ranallo was not present from WWE, which Dave Meltzer reportedly was triggered by hostilities with Layfield. The accusation coincided with the release of WWE's autobiography broadcaster Justin Roberts, where he alleged that Layfield encouraged Johnny Nitro and Joey Mercury to steal his passport. An angry WWE fan then asked WWE to fire Layfield. On April 22,
Expansion beyond wrestling
In addition to the wrestling and singing licenses for companies such as Acclaim, THQ, 2K Sports, and Mattel to produce video games and action figures, WWE has branched out to other areas of interest to market their products.
Subsidiaries
Active
- WCW Inc.: created in 2001 - owns the rights to video libraries and intellectual property for Wrestling World Championships.
- WWE Archives: Warehouse where WWE holds wrestling gear, props, and classic wrestling tools.
- WWE Books: publishes a biography of and about the personality of WWE, behind-the-scenes guides for WWE, picture books, calendars, young adult books, and other general nonfiction books.
- WWE Home Video: specializes in distributing VHS compilations, DVDs, and Blu-ray Disc copies of WWE pay-per-view events, compilations from WWE wrestler appearances, and WWE artist biography.
- WWE Jet Services, Inc.: formed in 2013 to manage the financing and operation of the company's private jet fleet.
- WWE Legacy Department: a collection of professional wrestling and copyright video for other promotions.
- WWE Music Group: specializes in compilation theme of WWE wrestler entry theme. The group also released titles that have been done by WWE wrestlers.
- WWE Magazine: This magazine was released for specific issues. It was originally released every month until 2014.
- WWE Network: a subscription-based video streaming service launched in 2014 using Major League Baseball Advanced Media infrastructure.
- WWE Performance Center: serves as a training and performance hub for future employees.
- WWEShop.com: a website established as a place to buy other licensed, licensed WWE clothing, equipment and merchandise.
- WWE Studios: created in 2002 to create and develop feature film properties. In November 2017, WWE announced WWE Studios will now include scripted, non-scripted, family and animated television and digital content. Formerly known as WWE Films.
Not Active
- World Bodybuilding Federation: a subsidiary of Titan Sports launched in 1990 promoting professional bodybuilding through annual television shows, magazines and pay-per-view events. It's been closed in 1992.
- Radio WWF: a syndicated radio station that started in 1993. The main host was Jim Ross and Johnny Polo until Ross fired. The station features events that will talk about different topics at then WWF and beyond the scene of the incident. WWF Radio will display comments from Pay-Per-Views. WWF Radio will not last long after 1993.
- Wrestle Vessel: cruising the WWF theme. Wrestlers are on the voyage to entertain guests with many activities. This voyage lasted from 1996 to 1999.
- XFL: unfolded in 2001, is a wholly owned subsidiary of WWF launched in 2000 consisting of eight professional football teams owned by the league. The league includes television broadcasts on NBC (co-owner of other leagues), UPN, and TNN.
- The World Entertainment: a subsidiary of World Wrestling Federation Entertainment that operates restaurants, nightclubs and memorabilia shops in New York City. Opened as "WWF New York" in 1999, it was renamed "The World", and closed in 2003. Hard Rock Cafe took over the site in 2005.
- WWE Classics on Demand: a video subscription to a demand television service provided by WWE. It has recordings from WWE archival records, including World Championship Wrestling, Extreme Wrestling Championships, and more. It offers about 40 hours of programming per month rotating, organized into four programming buckets, often centered on a specific theme. It aired in 2004 and lasts until 2014 when WWE Network is launched.
- WWE Kids: a website and comic sets devoted to children at the end of the wrestling market, comics are produced on a bi-monthly basis. Launched on April 15, 2008 and discontinued in 2014, the same year WWE Magazine is terminated as a monthly publication.
- WWE Niagara Falls: a retail and entertainment company located in Niagara Falls, Ontario and owned by WWE. It is open from August 2002 to March 2011.
- WWE Universe (WWE Fan Nation): social media website managed and operated by WWE. His real name is WWE Fan Nation. This runs from November 2008 to January 2011.
Tapout
In March 2015, WWE announced a partnership with the Authentic Brand Group to launch Tapout, formerly the main clothing line associated with MMA, as the more common "fitness lifestyle" brand. Clothing, for men and women, was first released in spring 2016. WWE markets the brand through various products, including beverages, supplements, and fitness centers. WWE will hold a 50% stake in the brand, and will advertise it regularly on all platforms, hoping to give it one billion impressions per month, and pick up some fitness markets from Under Armor. Wrestlers and WWE staff have been shown wearing various Tapout gear since the business started.
TSI Realty Co.
In 1997, WWE established a brokerage firm and a real estate investment called TSI Realty Company.
Investment
- Tout: Tout is a 15-second social media video service. In 2012, WWE invested $ 5,000,000 and held a two-year partnership. Stephanie McMahon is named separately from the Tout Board of Directors. The agreement between the two companies ends in 2014.
- FloSports: FloSports is an over-the-top sports streaming service that WWE invests during 2016. Available sports include: amateur wrestling, professional wrestling, tracks, grapples, mixed martial arts, boxing, softball, gymnastics, basketball, tennis, volleyball, cheerleading, and eSports.
- Marvel Experience: Marvel Experience is an interactive live event featuring Marvel characters. WWE invested in it in 2013.
- Phunware, Inc.: Phunware is responsible for multiscreen infrastructure, software, and application development services for an impressive list of high-end customers. WWE invests in it in 2014.
- Drone Racing League: Drone Racing League is a league that controls the race of light aircraft long distances as a spectator sport. WWE invests in it by 2017.
- Cloud9: is an eSports organization, which has teams that compete in many different video games including WWE sponsors, Rocket League. WWE invests in it by 2017.
Charities
- WWE has partnered with the three-decade-long Make-A-Wish Foundation. John Cena's multi-time WWE champion has given more hope than any other celebrity in history, having completed his 500th wish in August 2015.
- Since 2012, WWE has partnered with Susan G. Komen for Cure to raise awareness of breast cancer during the month of October. Their partnership includes offering special brokerage items dealing with charity, as well as adding a pink color scheme to the set and rope of the ring; 20% of all WWE merchandise purchases in October go to the organization.
- Since 2012, WWE has partnered with Hire Heroes USA to donate and implement veterans employing initiatives through WWE partners. Several times a year, WWE hosts a panel for companies and veterans to get together and discuss career opportunities.
- In June 2014, Connor's Connor Healing - a non-profit charity organization - founded by Triple H and Stephanie McMahon, who have funded it privately through Children's Hospital of Pittsburgh Foundation. Named in honor of Pittsburgh native, Connor Mason Michalek (October 17, 2005 - April 25, 2014) who died two months earlier from medulloblastoma, a rare tumor affecting the brain and spinal cord. Beginning in 2015, WWE began recognizing September as Child Cancer Awareness Month, adding gold color schemes to sets and ropes, and offering Connor's Cure special merchandise, with proceeds going to charity.
- In 2014, WWE holds an international partnership with the Special Olympics.
Partnership
Despite the rare events, during its history WWE has worked with other wrestling promotions in collaborative efforts.
During the 1970s, 1980s, and early 1990s, WWE had working relationships with Japan's New Japan Pro-Wrestling (NJPW), Universal Wrestling Federation (UWF), Universal Lucha Libre (FULL), and the Universal Mexico Wrestling Association ( UWA). This working relationship leads to the creation of WWF World Martial Arts, Light Heavyweight and Intercontinental Tag Team championships.
During the period 1992-1996, WWE had talent exchange agreements with the United States and independent Japanese companies Smokey Mountain Wrestling (SMW), Super World of Sports (SWS), War, and the US Wrestling Association (USWA).
In 1997, the company did business with AAA Mexico promotions, bringing in a number of AAA wrestlers for the Royal Rumble match and namesake match.
In 1997, WWE will also do business with Japan Michinoku Pro Wrestling (MPW), bringing MPW talent to compete in the light heavyweight division of the company and in the 1997 Light Heavyweight Championship tournament.
In 2015, WWE partnered with Evolve - an independent US campaign that WWE uses as a guiding group for potential candidates for their NXT brand.
In 2016, WWE partnered with England Progress Wrestling with Progress hosting qualifying matches for WWE's Cruiserweight Classic. By 2017, Progress talents will participate in the WWE English Championship Tournament and at WWE WrestleMania Axxess event.
In 2017, WWE partnered with Scottish Insane Championship Wrestling (ICW) with some of the ICW talent appearing at the WWE United Kingdom Championship Tournament and at WWE WrestleMania Axxess events. WWE has also explored the agreement to bring the ICW program to WWE Network.
Throughout the company's history, WWE has had past arrangements with independent companies from the United States (such as the Ohio Valley Wrestling among others) and Puerto Rico (such as the International Wrestling Association) with companies that serve as development areas. WWE NXT currently serves as the official development area for WWE.
Championships and achievements
Championship
Current
Raw
SmackDown
NXT
United Kingdom
Not Active
Other achievements
See also
- List of WWE alumni
- List of WWE pay-per-view events
- List of WWE personnel
- NXT Year End Award
- Slammy Award
- WWE brand extension
- Draft WWE
- WWE Hall of Fame
- WWE Tournament
References
External links
- Official website
Source of the article : Wikipedia
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