World Wrestling Entertainment

World Wrestling Entertainment, Inc. is a specialized company in the Catch, but also in films and the music in particular. Vince McMahon is the majority Actionnaire and President of the company and his wife Linda McMahon is the President executive. Together with their children, Shane McMahon the vice-president charged with the Media S, and Stephanie McMahon the vice-president with the creative team, McMahon roughly hold 70% of the economic interests of the WWE and approximately 96% of the total control of the decisions. The general headquarter of the WWE is located at 1241 East Main Street with Stamford in the Connecticut, with also of other buildings with Los Angeles, New York (the World Wrestling Entertainment is quoted on the stock exchange with NYSE), London and Toronto.

The businesses of the WWE are mainly turned on the professional Catch. It is the greatest catchesque institution in the world, and that which holds also the most registered trademarks.

Returned the tax of the WWE in 2006 (of May 2005 with April 2006) reached roughly 400 million $ USD, with a net profit evaluated with nearly 47 million $ USD. In August 2006, the Capitalisation of the company is estimated at 1 billion $ USD.

Genesis

The company World Wrestling Entertainment , more known under the name of WWE, created in 1952, is the most important federation of Catch in the world.

Before adopting the name of WWE, the company was called TitanSports, Inc . The federation itself was initially called CWF ( Capitol Wrestling Federation ) in the years 1950, WWWF ( World Wide Wrestling Federation ) in the years 1970, then WWF ( World Wrestling Federation ) as from the years 1980, before a lawsuit with the other WWF, the World Wildlife Fund , does not force the federation with a new change in 2002.

Established in the United States, it gather the Catch the most famous eurs of planet and its programs and products are diffused in the whole world. Shows are organized through the United States, Canada, some in Mexico, Japan and in Europe. Most important, RAW , SmackDown! and more recently ECW which belongs from now on to WWE , are diffused every week on television American.

Divisions

The all-in wrestlers or catcheuses are divided in several divisions (shows): RAW , SmackDown! and ECW . Each all-in wrestler fights in his indicated division, but there can be exceptions: example, an all-in wrestler of Raw can go in SmackDown or ECW for matches. Final changes can be operated during the event Draft of the WWE.

Each division has its color:

RAW : RED
SmackDown!: BLUE
ECW : GRAY

Direction

The direction of the WWE is mainly ensured by the family McMahon (owner of the company to a total value of 70%): Vince (president), its wife Linda (CEO) and their children Shane and Stephanie.

Vince McMahon defines itself its company like a federation of “Sports-Entertainment”, i.e., a sporting entertainment, a sport-spectacle and not a true sport. The matches are scénarisés, the winners determined in advance. The stress is laid on the characters incarnated by the all-in wrestlers, their competitions, their lives apart from the boxing rings.

Legends and Stars

History

Beginnings

The CWF (Championship Wrestling Federation) was founded in 1953 by Jess McMahon, grandfather of the current owner. Promoter of matches of boxing then of wrestling, McMahon joins “Toots” Mondt, the main thing organizing of the National Wrestling Alliance (NWA), the most important federation of wrestling of the time, to take the control of the business of wrestling in the North-East of the United States. The great champions of the time clash there: “Natural Servant boy” Buddy Rogers, Bruno Sammartino, Lou Thesz…

World Wide Wrestling Federation

The company passes then between the hands of Vincent J. McMahon, the son of Jess, and becomes the WWWF (World Wide Wrestling Federation). At the time, it is yet only one of the very many federations of wrestling which divide the American territory. New stars emergent, in particular Andre the Giant, French who will become one of the most popular all-in wrestlers of the history of this discipline. The WWWF becomes WWF (World Wrestling Federation) in 1979.

World Wrestling Federation

But Vincent K. McMahon, grandson of the founder, have ambitions much larger. He repurchases the WWF with his father via his TitanSports company in 1982. With the assistance of its new foal, Hulk Hogan, it undertakes to make its largest federation of the United States, and even of the world! At the time, the WWF undergoes the competition of the NWA, whose the WCW (World Championship Wrestling) will emerge later, however the " style" WWF is definitely different from that of the NWA, by developing the scenarios more surrounding the engagements and intersecting the emissions with sequences not having a direct relationship with wrestling (with the " backstage segments" like one says in English).

The future one of the experiment of McMahon, therefore on the WWF, even on the NWA and all the remainder of industry, depended on the success or the bankruptcy of the noisy concept of McMahon, WrestleMania. WrestleMania was a whimsical Pay-per-view (in some areas; most of the areas had WrestleMania free) that McMahon compared with the Super Bowl wrestling.

The concept of a great show of wrestling was not something again in North America; the NWA already organized Starrcade a few years before WrestleMania, and even McMahon Sr. organized large visible shows free. However, McMahon wanted to place the higher bar for the WWF, targeting the people who are not fans of wrestling. It thus attracted itself the interest of the media by inviting celebrities like Mr. T and Cyndi Lauper to take part in the show. MTV, in particular, had a large agreement on the covers and programs of the WWF at that time, in what was called the Rock “Wrestling Connection . The first WrestleMania, proceeded in 1985, and was a resounding success. This event is sometimes credited as the beginning with what McMahon called the " entertainment sportif". However, his/her father had already launched the emphase of wrestling entertainment a few years before. The WWF carried out incredible businesses under the reins of McMahon and its American hero babyface, Hulk Hogan, for the following years, creating what certain observers will call like the " second age of or" wrestling.

The NWA and later, the WCW quickly will thus be exceeded by the already world success of the WWF, however, these federations will continue to attract the fans “purists” who fustigate the too theatrical side of the WWF. Nevertheless, as of end of the year 80 ' S, the WCW will try “to reverse the vapor” and of distancier the WWF on his own ground.

The New generation

In 1993, Vince Mc Mahon will have an idea that he will regret thereafter; at that time, it estimated that the WWF needed a new breath, of innovation (however, the rates of audience were very good and the satisfied public), it thus will establish the concept of the " WWF New Generation" , the new generation….Implying the fact that the WWF will demolish some of its large names such as Hulk Hogan and Macho Man (in fact, the concept " New Generation" will not be the only reason of the departure of certain all-in wrestlers, because he is necessary to add stories of " to it; business" too much tiresome and in any event except subject to be told here). There Vince will make a coarse error, bus of the all-in wrestlers as Hulk Hogan will well quickly find a place with the WCW… And little by little, the public of the WWF " suivra" and will turn more and more to the WCW!

The following years see the fight intensifying between the WWF and its two main competitors: the WCW and the ECW (Extreme Championship Wrestling). The " produit" WWF, with its often ridiculous characters (wizard voodoo, minotaure, cowboys…), is regarded as old-fashioned. Opposite, the WCW from now on having engaged the majority of large the stars in activity (Hulk Hogan, Bret Binder, Kevin Nash, Scott Hall) and a plethora of young talents American, Canadian, Mexican and Japanese with the dynamic and spectacular matches. The ECW proposes matches known as " hardcore" , much more violent ones and bloody, who attract the public teenagers (however, the ECW, although bringing something of nine, the WWF in term of televisual audience will never distanciera). The WWF is then at the edge of the pit…

Monday Night Wars

The Era Attitude

Vince is obviously not decided to let itself make. In 1997 the Attitude Era starts: McMahon counteracts by using the weapons of competition. Violence, sex and coarseness attract the public teenager. All-in wrestlers rejected by the WCW are engaged and transformed into stars: Steve Williams and Mick Foley become " Stone Cold" Steve Austin and Mankind, two of the great names of the history of wrestling. As of this time, the WWF will develop colossal means to return at the head from the rates of audience and will apply all its knowledge to make to build news " légendes" wrestling.

Side of the WCW, the things again will be degraded, indeed, the concept " Nitro" will blow itself as of the third season, and will create nothing any more but seldom the surprise, the scenarios too taking the step on the engagements, reducing too often the quality (and especially the duration) of the latter. Between 1999 and 2001, the WCW will not cease re-examining the formula of its emissions, but will continue nevertheless to decline with an impressive pace. One can thus conclude from it that the two years during which the WCW was first on the market was only due to the fact of the aspect " nouveauté" brought by " Monday Nitro" , but this style, misant primarily on the unexpected one, was dedicated to last only a time… Which more is, the WWF from now on had found its marks in the new age of wrestling, and, as with its practice, misait on the duration and the investment.

April 29th, 1999, the WWF launched a special program of the name of SmackDown! on the UPN network. The show of Thursday evening became weekly on August 26th, 1999.

End of the War, total success

At the end of 2000, the WCW goes to most badly, its emissions do not realize more that rates of very low audience and the public deserted so much the shows that in certain cities, the WCW engages of the people to distribute tickets for the recordings of its emissions to the passers by in the streets! …

The war will finish in March 2001, when Vince Mc Mahon repurchases the WCW as its video and audio catalog for a relatively moderate sum (certain sources speak about three million dollars, others lean for seven million dollars). The WCW will continue to exist within the emissions of the WWF between April and November 2001 with the Storyline of the Invasion, where it will be officially closed at the time of WWF Survivor Series 2001. (However, it is important to stress that as from 1996, the WCW will be also the federation most followed and looked in Europe, but, contrary to the USA, it will remain it until its repurchase in 2001. This success was not so much due to the contents of the emissions of the WCW, but rather because of the fact that the televisual rights were definitely less expensive than those of the programs of the WWF, thus ensuring the WCW a length and comfortable monopoly on the vast majority of the European television channels diffusing of wrestling during nearly six years).

The ECW will cease producing shows little time after the closing of the WCW, however, during a few months, the ECW will join the WWF for certain shows, before closing its doors.

In 2001, Vince Mc Mahon also wanted to launch out in American football but without success by creating its own football league, named XFL (X-treme Footbal League) but the project lasted only one season… It is partly because of that Vince Mc Mahon is not any more billionaire.

As that is specified in top of this page, the WWF will become WWE (World Wrestling Entertainment) in May 2002.

Many fans think that the WWE is in crisis since it does not have any more serious competitors. Indeed there is nothing any more but only one " grande" federation of wrestling in the United States. Tens of federations of less importance remain: ROH (Boxing ring off Honor), UPW (Ultimate Pro Wrestling), CZW (Combat Wrestling Zone)… but none can claim to compete with the WWE in term of financial power and popularity except perhaps the TNA (Total Nonstop Action) in the future. For lack of an adversary to embank, the promoters are not put any more at the challenge to give best themselves and do not seek any more to innovate.

In 2003, the WWE repurchased the ECW as its catalog and will give this federation in activity in 2005 with ECW One Night Stand.

Today Vince Mc Mahon remains very rich since its personal fortune is approximately 500 million dollars. The fortune of Vince was to make since the stockmarket entry of the WWE in 2001.

As for the WWE, the company made a clear benefit of approximately 250 million dollars in 2005.

World Wrestling Entertainment

Since the year 2000, World Wrestling Federation fights against a continuation of the World Wildlife Fund, which requires of the court to prohibit in World Wrestling Federation to use the initial WWF with the the United Kingdom. The whole will be regulated the May 6th 2002, when the federation changes its name for World Wrestling Entertainment, and changes the " F" for a " E" and the initial WWE adopt. The company mother, World Wrestling Entertainment Federation, adopts it also this name. Thus rather than to get along financially with the foundation, Vince McMahon decides to change name. The logo is then modified and one launches a méga-countryside of promotion called " Get The F Out" to help with publiciser the name change. One withdraws any verbal or visual mentions of the WWF, and " phrases it; World Wrestling Federation" logo attitude, is modified on all the old images, or emissions.

Some observers see the new name as the confirmation which the company puts more and more the emphase on the entertainment rather than on the athletic aspect of the professional fight.

Brand Extension

Without the competition of the WCW, the WWE decides in 2002 to separate its roster in 2 branches distinct based on the emissions from TV, RAW and SmackDown. Each branch will have its exclusive fighters and will be independent of the other branch, they will have their own exclusive championships (ex: Championship WWE with RAW and the Championship of the Weight-Heavy World with SmackDown!) and will have each one their own General Manager.

The title of the WWE is found in SmackDown! , when Brock Lesnar leaves RAW, kind thus that the world title is defended with RAW. At the time of the fishing out of 2005, John Cena and Batista exchange their place what will bring back the world title to SmackDown and title WWE to RAW.

In June 2003, the WWE starts to present Pay-per-view S exclusive in alternation. One month, it is RAW, the other SmackDown month, etc Aussi the WWE preserves 4 joint statement: Royal Rumble, WrestleMania, SummerSlam, and the Survivor Series. From now on in 2007, all PPVs contain all divisions of the federation with an aim of selling more of PPVs whose rates of purchase do not cease dropping. Annually a Fishing out takes seat after WrestleMania, at this time, 5 fighters of RAW and 5 fighters of SmackDown change usually branch.

At the end of 2005, the WWE created a new alternative of the angle Invasion, when fighters of RAW invade SmackDown and vice versa. This practice, will have taken along some good combat inter-brand at the time of televised statement and official receptions.

The return of the legends

In 2005, the WWE founds the program of the legends. Continuing its tradition of establishment of legend to WWE Hall off Famed at the time of the weekend of WrestleMania, and working with legends like " Rowdy" Roddy Piper and " Superstar" Billy Graham to allow the appearance of new various licenses of goods like figurines, video games and DVD.

The program of the legends began in a semi-official way at the time of the ceremony of the Hall Off Famed and the addition the new ones established. The arrival of chain the specialized and paying WWE 24/7, the Hall off Famed and the success of the biographical DVD like that of " The Ultimate Ric Collection" Sense of smell; , and nostalgia at several old fans of wrestling increased facilitated, thus encouraging the WWE to go from before and to offer contracts of a few thousands of dollars to former fighters of another time.

The death of Eddie Guerrero

The morning of the November 13rd 2005, Chavo Guerrero is with the reception of the hotel, where him and his/her uncle Eddie Guerrero spent the night to Mineapolis. The two men must take part in Supershow of RAW and SmackDown! the same day in the evening. Eddie is found died in its hotel room the very same day or it is judicious to gain the Championnat of the world hands of Batista which was to go away and leave its title to look after a wound. One discovered Eddie after it missed the " Wake up call" , anxious Chavo requires of safety to go to open the door of the room of Eddie which does not answer. He discovers his uncle, friend then and unconscious colleague with a brush with tooth in the mouth, Chavo and the security agents will try to reanimate it, but Eddie is declared died on the spot. Vickie Guerrero, the wife of Eddie, will announce later that the autopsy reveals that death is due to a massive Heart attack. Although it has been sober for 4 years, its problems of alcohol and last Drogue will nevertheless have cost him the life just like the schedule of insane that the WWE requires its employees. Guerrero is the first active fighter of the WWE to die since Owen Hart in 1999. The company will pay homage to Eddie at the time of the RAW and SmackDown! the evening even.

Following the death of Guerrero, Vince McMahon announces a new anti-drug policy which will be followed by an independent company, this company will carry out tests with the blind man on the fighters and will carry out physical tests which will put the emphase on the cardiovascular health of the fighters. The advertisement of this new policy is made after another fighter of the WWE, Nick " Eugene" Dinsmore, was found unconscious in its hotel room following the use (supposed) of a drug called " Somas".

Although the official receptions homage to Eddie Guerrero are received by the fans, the WWE continues to use the name of Eddie in several Storyline S, of which that between Randy Orton and Rey Mysterio which is perceived like one of the best friends of Eddie in the true life. After several combat where Rey dedicates its engagements to the memory of Eddie, Orton defies Mysterio by saying that Eddie is not with the paradise, but in hell, and that Rey has as much chance to gain the world title than Eddie has some to return in the world of the alive ones. Rey gains the championship of the world at the time of WrestleMania 22 in front of the wife of Eddie Guerrero. Several fighters publicly criticized the angle, and several fans were shocked to see that the WWE continues to use the name of Eddie in its storylines. Rey Mysterio fights since the death of Eddie with 2 arm-bands where he is written EG (Eddie Guerrero) he as added on his pants the tatoo in cross as Eddie had on the right-hand man.

Return of the Extreme Championship Wrestling

Mid-April 2006, of the rumors announce the full-time return of the ECW as one 3rd branch of the WWE. Rumors which are solidified when it was learned that Sabu had signed a one year old contract with 2 years of options with the WWE and that the WWE had offered contracts similar to other former fighters of the ECW. house shows of the ECW were organized following the 2nd edition of One Night Stand. A new division was born with the old ones of the ECW mixed with new fighters resulting from the territories of development of the WWE. The ECW is diffused each week Tuesday on Sci-Fi Network in the United States.

The death of Chris Benoit

The June 25th 2007, Benoit, his wife Nancy, and their older child of 7 years Daniel were found died in their house of Fayetteville in Georgia, in the neighborhoods of 14:30 EDT. Lieutenant Tommy Pope of the Local police affirmed with ABC News that the police force entered the house of Benoit for " to check if all went bien" after several go magnifying glasses, by the concerned one. Pope as specified as the police force did not seek any suspect apart from the house, as the instruments of the death were located on the scene of the crime.

The detective Bo Turner of the Local police said on the television channel WAGA-TV that this case was treated like a murder-suicide. The chain reported that the investigators believe that Benoit has killed his wife and his son during the weekend and itself was hung at one time Monday.

It was first of all brought back to the fans of the WWE on the service of alarm WWE Mobile and was posted on the official site little time afterwards. On their site, the World Wrestling Entertainment left an official statement:

World Wrestling Entertainment is deeply sad to announce that today Chris Benoit and its family were found died in their house. There are not more details for the moment, with share which the family residence of the Benoit is currently studied by the local authorities. This evening RAW on the USA Network will be in homage to Chris Benoit and its family. The WWE addresses its sincere prayers and thoughts to the Benoit family during this difficult period.

The WWE cancelled the three hour old special edition of RAW the June 25th, which was replaced by a homage on the life and the career of Benoit, including/understanding its matches passed, of the segments of the DVD Hard Knocks: The Chris Benoit Story , as well as comments of all-in wrestlers and advertisers. This edition was presented only to the USA after the circumstances of the drama are known.

However, once the details of the tragedy become apparent, the WWE and gently started quickly to outdistance itself of the all-in wrestler by withdrawing his goods and by not mentioning more its name of any manner or forms as indicated it solemnly Vince McMahon at the time of edition ECW of the June 26th where he also excused himself to have to present a show homage to Benoit.

Since this event, publicities towards the WWE were mainly negative following the debate reigning on the Stéroïde S in wrestling (Benoit was known to have used steroids in its career). This criticism of the media in particular resulted from the cancellation of an appearance envisaged of the gang of the Jackass, which outdistanced themselves of the federation since the incident, thus cancelling a possible match including/understanding them with SummerSlam 2007 .

Championships and achievements

Current champions

(*) many titles

Statistics

Achievements

Only the most popular all-in wrestlers can reach the championships.

Various belts disappeared today:

WWE Hardcore Championship (1998-2002)
WWE European Championship (1997-2002)
WCW World Heavyweight Championship (2001) ²
WCW World Tag TEAM Championship (2001) ²
WWF Light Heavyweight Championship (1981-2001) (recognized officially between 1997 and 2001)
WWF Million Dollar Championship (1989-1992, 1995-1996)
WWF Tag TEAM Championship (1991)
WWF Women' S Tag TEAM Championship (1983-1989)
WWF Canadian Championship (1985-1986)
WWF Heavyweight Championship (1959-1963, 1982-1985)
WWF Junior Heavyweight Championship (1967-1985)
WWF Tag TEAM Championship (1969-1985)
WWF New Japan Martial Arts Championship (1978-1985)
WWF North American Championship (1979-1981)
WWWF United States Championship (1970-1975)
WWWF United States Tag TEAM Championship (1963-1967)

² Acquisition of the WCW and the ECW.

Championship late of the territories of development

OVW Hardcore Championship (2000-2001)
OVW Light Heavyweight Championship (1999-2001)

Around the boxing ring

Competitions of the moment

N.B.: the all-in wrestlers with (c) are the champions.
N.B.: The all-in wrestlers not belonging to division or does the competition is in italic

The Inactive ones

Management

President

Mr.McMahon (1979 - present)

Assistant

Jonathan Coachman (January 2006 - present)
Hornswoggle (September 24th 2007 - present)

General Manager

RAW : William Treat (August 6th 2007 - present)
SmackDown! : Vickie Guerrero (September 22nd 2007 - present) ( It is named by interim following the infarction of Long Theodore at the time of its marriage with Kristal Marshall)

ECW : Armando Estrada (August 14th 2007 - present)

Diffusion

In France:

RAW on RTL9 Thursday of second part of evening (also diffused in Switzerland and Belgium on AB3 ),
SmackDown! on NT1 Friday evening with 22:25, Saturday has 21:35 and Sunday has 18:05
RAW on NT1 Saturday evening with 20:45.
RAW on ACTION saturdays with 22:15

In Germany, SmackDown! over the chain DSF , saturdays and Tuesday with 22:00.
In Italy, SmackDown! on Italia Uno , Sunday towards 19:00, WWE News on Sport Italia of the Monday to Friday to 19:00.
In Belgium, RAW , on AB3 Monday between 22:00 and 23:00 (emission RAW of RTL9)
In Romania, RAW on TV Sport , Friday evening with 22:00, SmackDown! on TV Sport Saturday evening with 22:00. The same chain has the rights of transmission for the events Pay-Per-View.
In Canada, RAW on The Score , Monday towards 22:00, SmackDown! on The Score , Friday towards 20:00. -- With Quebec, Total RAW on Tuesday at midnight, like SmackDown! saturdays with 00:00 and the ECW Wednesday about midnight.

Two to four Saturdays per annum generally a few weeks before WrestleMania, SummerSlam, Survivor Series or the Royal Rumble, is held WWE Saturday Night' S Main Vent on the chain NBC with the the United States which is supposed being a kind of free statement gathering divisions RAW, SmackDown! and ECW.

Pay-Per-View

See also: List of the pay-per-views of the WWE

With twice per month a great show is held of the type Pay-Per-View; most known are WrestleMania (the wrestling equivalent of the famous SuperBowl), Royal Rumble , SummerSlam , Survivor Series and old the King off the Ring .

Since 2007, all the pay per views of the WWE include three divisions, RAW, SmackDown! and ECW. The 4 shows the main thing (4 of 5 the oldest) are in fat (1 in winter, 1 in spring, 1 in summer and 1 in autumn) the next statement is in italic.

Advertisement official of the WWE

WWE Films

WWE creates also its own Hollywood films. Superstars hold the role of the hero. Here films where fighters played of the roles:

The Rundown/Welcome to the jungle (2003) with The Rock'n'roll.
Walking Tall (2004) with The Rock'n'roll.
See No Evil (2006) with Kane.
The Marine (2006) with John Cena.
The Condemned (2007) with " Stone Cold" Steve Austin.
Jornada del Muerte (2009) with Triple H, John Cena, Shawn Michaels, The Undertaker, Kane and Bobby Lashley.

External bonds

Official site of the WWE
Site resource French on the WWE like several other federations

Simple: World Wrestling Entertainment

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