Randy Orton was written off television for the next month or so last night on Raw to explain his absence while he’s out filming The Condemned 2 for Lionsgate and WWE Studios.
Orton was on the receiving end of two curb stomps from Seth Rollins at the conclusion of last night’s episode and now WWE.COM is playing the storyline saying that Orton suffered a concussion.
The former WWE champion was pulled from the European tour that starts tomorrow and will not be at the Survivor Series either.
There’s a new United States champion in town and his name is Rusev!
The still undefeated Bulgarian who now calls Russia “his home” defeated Sheamus last night after Monday Night Raw went off the air, a match which aired on the WWE Network.
Sheamus had a reign of 182 days with the U.S. title before passing out to The Accolade finishing move.
With the announcement of a traditional five-on-five match at Survivor Series, the next few weeks, of course, will be the big build-up to who’s-on-who’s team, between Team Authority and Team Cena. I gave my speculations last week, so let’s see if I am right! (Although, the news about Daniel Bryan needing a second surgery [credit to Colin Vassallo, Wrestling-Online editor] eliminates him.)
Elsewhere, Bray Wyatt has decided that Dean Ambrose will be his latest victim, so what does “The Eater Of Worlds” have in store for “The Lunatic Fringe” tonight? Or Ambrose going to retaliate?
Both of these big storylines and much more, so read on!
Monday Night Raw TV Report for November 3rd, 2014 – “Stomped Out!”
Introduction Segment: Video Promo
Recap of last week’s Raw, involving Seth Rollins, John Cena, and The Authority is aired.
Segment #2: Arena Promo
Very famous entrance music plays to start off Raw. That theme belongs to The Boss, Mr. Vince McMahon! He’s back and strutting out to a loud ovation from the fans. To paraphrase football, he is flanked by Triple H and Stephanie McMahon, The Authority.
Vince is happy to put over the WWE Network, for $9.99, but announces it is free for the month of November. He says this also means Survivor Series is free and touts Team Authority VS. Team Cena. McMahon decides to put more on the line, telling The Authority that if they lose, they will “no longer be The Authority.”
Vince, Triple H, and Stephanie leave, while Dean Ambrose makes his entrance and glares at McMahon. He is in action, next!
Commercials.
Segment #3: Backstage Promo
Vince is with Stephanie and Triple H, trying to smooth over all with “The Game” and Stephanie. He leaves in a limo, with HHH and daughter McMahon not looking so pleased.
Match #1: Single – Dean Ambrose VS. Cesaro
Both trade waist locks and holds, neither getting the upper hand yet. Cesaro gains control, stomping and punching Dean, until Ambrose turns him around in the corner with fists of his own. He tries to wear down Cesaro with a grounding headlock, then gives him a running shoulder block. Cesaro counters another grounding headlock by chucking him over the ropes to the mat below. He gives chase, but Ambrose counters by smashing his head repeatedly against the barricade; then he dives off with an elbow!
In the ring, Cesaro reverses giving Dean a powerbomb from the turnbuckle! He stomps away for a bit, until Ambrose clotheslines him over the ropes. Cesaro appears to be busted open on the side of his head. Suddenly, a Wyatt Family video plays then we go to break.
Ads.
Returning from commercial, Bray Wyatt is now sitting in his rocking chair on the stage while a cleaned-up Cesaro dominates. Ambrose makes a comeback with wild punches and a bulldog, then clotheslines Cesaro for two! He attempts a Tornado DDT out of the corner, but Cesaro reverses it into an uppercut! 1 – 2 – Ambrose kicks out!
Dean tosses Cesaro out to the floor again, then follows up with a suicide dive! He climbs the turnbuckle again, but Cesaro grabs the ropes, crotching him. Cesaro almost takes this with a backslide, but Ambrose rolls out and drops Cesaro with the Dirty Deeds Double-Arm DDT to get the hard-fought victory!
Winner via Pinfall: Dean Ambrose
Post-match, another Wyatt Family video plays, then Bray is gone, leaving the rocking chair swinging on the stage.
Commercials.
Segment #4: Office Promo
Stephanie and Triple H are discussing Survivor Series, with Stephanie declaring that they need to have the “strongest” team. HHH decides he wants to get a hold of Randy Orton, which Steph questions. HHH defends by throwing Vince in Stephanie’s face, insinuating he has put so much pressure on him that they have to build up their team.
The Usos make their entrance for their match, next!
Ads.
Match #2: Single – Jimmy Uso (with Jey Uso) VS. The Miz (with Damien Mizdow)
This was a pretty standard bout, but the best part was Mizdow mimicking every one of Miz’s moves, whether he was in control or not. In the end, Mizdow tries to pull a switcheroo with Miz, but it fails. However, Miz capitalizes on Jimmy, putting him away with the Skull-Krushing Finale.
Winner via Pinfall: The Miz (with Damien Mizdow)
Recap of the breakdown between Mark Henry and The Big Show is shown, which leads to a match later tonight. United States Champion Sheamus walks to the ring and is wrestling next.
Commercials.
Match #3: Single – United States Champion Sheamus VS. Tyson Kidd (with Natalya) (Non-Title)
(Gee, I wonder who wins this! Sorry Tyson and Nattie.) I have to admit, I was wrong. This was not the squash I was anticipating. Instead, Kidd really took it to and evened it up with Sheamus. Even more surprisingly and wrong, Tyson gets the duke after tricking Sheamus into a count-out!
Winner via Count-Out: Tyson Kidd (with Natalya)
Post-match, Sheamus lays out Kidd with a Brogue Kick.
Dolph Ziggler is walking through the backstage area; the Intercontinental Champion is out next.
Ads.
Match #4: Single – Intercontinental Champion Dolph Ziggler VS. ??? (Non-Title)
Prior to the match, the complete Authority walks out. Stephanie announces that Seth Rollins, Kane, and Randy Orton. Triple H talks to Ziggler about what teaming with John Cena really means. He implies that no matter how hard Dolph works, and how hard he would work in that match, Cena would get the glory if they win. However, if Team Cena fails, then the I.C. Champ will be the one to take the fall.
Commercials.
Match #4: Single for the Intercontinental Championship – Dolph Ziggler (Champion) VS. “Mr. Money In The Bank” Seth Rollins (Challenger)
Rollins controls this contest early, with grounding headlocks and punches. He catches Dolph running off the ropes with a clothesline, but Ziggler comes back with fast punches and a back drop! He goes for a neckbreaker, but Seth reverses into a suplex. Dolph ducks another clothesline, then hits a dropkick. He misses a splash in the corner, then gets smashed face-first into the turnbuckle, as Seth goes back to dominating.
Ads.
Rollins is still controlling until Dolph hits a couple clotheslines and a splash to regain some momentum! He misses the Fameasser, however, as Seth rolls him up for a near-fall! Ziggler catches him and sling-shots Rollins into the turnbuckle, but Seth reverses a 10-punch into a running turnbuckle-powerbomb! 1 – 2 – Dolph gets the shoulder up!
Rollins rockets off the top rope, but Dolph moves and plants him to the canvas with the Fameasser! He covers but only gets two! Seth fires back with an enziguri, but misses the Curb Stomp. Joey Mercury and Jamie Noble distracts Dolph, allowing Rollins try again and drive Ziggler down with the Curb Stomp. He rises and smiles, but a loud cheer from the crowd reveals that Randy Orton is behind him and R.K.O.’s Rollins! Randy faces off with Mercury and Noble, then walks off. Kane is walking out and questioning “The Viper,” then goes to collect Rollins.
Winner: No Contest due to No Official Call
Commercials.
Segment #5: Office Promo
Stephanie and Triple H are talking about what they just saw with Randy Orton, when “The Viper” himself walks in. He goes verbally ballistic on The Authority when McMahon tells him that he and Seth are co-captains at Survivor Series. “The Game” calms him down, giving Rollins to him for a match later. “The Game” wants Orton and Rollins to work out their differences, then be as one come Survivor Series. Orton shakes his hand in agreement.
Segment #6: Video Promo
Weird footage of eyes (I’m thinking they were Luke Harper’s) plays, with the phrase “I’m going to piece myself back together with pieces of you.”
Ads.
Match #5: Single – Titus O’Neil VS. Ryback
Ryback gets it again, following the Meathook Clothesline and Shell-Shock Marching Samoan Drop!
Winner via Pinfall: Ryback
Segment #7: Backstage Promo
Rene Young talks to The Big Show. He firsts is excited about taking out The Authority from their leadership, and wants to be a part of Team Cena. He moves on to his former friend, Mark Henry. Show is irate at what he did, particularly because Big let him into his life with his family. “In that time, we’ve been loved, and we’ve both been hate, and everything in between. And despite everything that happened last week; the betrayal, the pain, the hurt, there’s a part of me Rene, I want my friend back. I miss my friend. Let me also tell you, there’s a part of me, that just wants to knock Mark Henry the hell out of my life.”
Commercials.
Match #6: Single – The Big Show VS. “The World’ Strongest Man” Mark Henry
A stare-down ensues to begin, then a flurry of punches by Show. He whips Henry into the corner and continues to punch away. Henry hits back with an elbow and punch, then whips Show into another corner and splashes him.
Show hits back with a big kick (no pun intended!), then drops an elbow for two! Show hits a spear on the outside, then rolls Henry back in the ring. he drops another few elbows, then clamps on an Indian Deathlock submission. Henry manages to crawl to the ropes and clutch them for the break. Show slaps Henry against the apron a couple of times, then stands on his chest. Show ascends the top rope, but “The World’s Strongest Man” meets him and hurls him off!
Henry follows by covering quickly, but Big grabs the rope to stop the count. Mark stomps a bit, then plants Show with The World’s Strongest Slam! He covers but only gets two! On the outside, Henry chucks Show into the steel steps. He separates the stairs, and abruptly whacks The Big Show with them, causing the dq.
Winner via Disqualification: The Big Show
Post-match, Henry delivers a World’s Strongest Slam on them! He yells at Show, “you might be big, but you’re not the ‘World’s Strongest Man.’”
Segment #8: Office Promo
The Authority is assessing Mark Henry, so they send Kane to evaluate “The World’s Strongest Man.” Triple H convinces Stephanie that all will be right between Cena and Rollins for Team Authority come Survivor Series.
Commercials.
Segment #9: Backstage Promo
Rene Young is interviewing Brie Bella, when Nikki walks in and orders Brie to stop the interview and go to the ring. Erik Rowan glares at Young and calls her “pretty.”
Match #7: Single – Emma VS. Nikki Bella (with Brie Bella)
(Note: Divas Champion A.J. Lee is on commentary.) Nikki finishes off Emma following the Rack Attack (Torture Rack drop.)
Winner via Pinfall: Nikki Bella (with Brie Bella)
Post-match, Nikki whispers something to her sister, so Brie walks over and slaps A.J. The Divas Champ shoves Brie back then chases Nikki up the ramp.
Ads.
Segment #10: Video Promo
A montage of Xavier Woods, doing his best late James Brown impression, is aired with the slogan “A New Day Is Coming.” He was backed up by an African-American Gospel Choir.
Match #8: Single – Zack Ryder VS. Rusev (with “The Ravishing Russian” Lana)
This one is too easy! Rusev catches Ryder off with a boot, then forces him to tap to The Accolade.
Winner via Submission: Rusev (with “The Ravishing Russian” Lana)
Post-match, Lana says Rusev will win the U.S. Title for “Mother Russia” and Vladimir Putin. Rusev chimes in, threatening Sheamus that he will “be annihilated.” The U.S. Champ walks out to retort, warning him that he will be in for a fight.
Commercials.
Segment #11: Backstage Promo
Rusev and Lana are walking through the hallways when Stephanie approaches. She cites their loyalty to an authority as a reason to join the Authority. Lana says they will “confirm with Putin.”
Match #8: Single – Fernando (with Los Matadores partners Diego and El Torito) VS. Tag-Team Champion Stardust (with Tag-Team Champion Goldust) (Non-Title)
After some distractions by El Torito, Goldust, Damien Mizdow, and The Miz (who were on commentary), Fernando picks up this one after a backstabber on Stardust!
Winner via Pinfall: Fernando (with Los Matadores partners Diego and El Torito)
Ads.
Match #9: Single – “The Viper” Randy Orton VS. “Mr. Money In The Bank” Seth Rollins
(Note: The Authority is at ringside.) Both measure each other up at first, then Orton punches away and shoves Rollins to the outside. He runs from the back and hits him in the head, then rams him into the barricade twice.
Commercials.
Orton and Rollins stare at each other more, then Randy jawbreaks Seth using the ropes. Rollins drives Randy’s head into the middle turnbuckle, then kicks him in his arm and chest. Rollins begins to dominate with stomps around Orton’s body. “The Viper” comes back, tossing Seth into the announce table and back dropping him on it!
Randy tears apart the announce table, then hammers Seth on the back, back in the ring. Rollins tries something off the top rope, but Randy meets him and crotches him on the post. Orton follows up with a superplex! He sets up for the slingshot-DDT, but Rollins counters and chucks Randy to the floor. He follows up with a suicide dive! Seth springboards a knee-to-the-face and almost takes this with a cover!
Seth goes for the turnbuckle-powerbomb, but Orton backdrops out of it. Seth catches Randy with an enziguri and tries the Curb Stomp, but Orton reverses into a powerslam! He drops him with the slingshot-DDT and fires up the fans for the R.K.O! Rollins reverses the attempt into a backslide and gets the sudden victory!
Winner via Pinfall: “Mr. Money In The Bank” Seth Rollins
Post-match, Orton is in a bit of disbelief and seems to be holding back his emotions. The Authority claps him on as he shakes the hands of Noble and Mercury, then Kane. He passed by Rollins, then goes back and …
Shakes his hand. Then he R.K.O.’s him! Orton tosses out Noble, Mercury, and Kane, but is seemingly calmed-down by Triple H. That is until he slugs him too! Noble, Kane, and Mercury jump on him immediately, and the entire Authority tear apart Orton. This spills to the outside, where Randy is busted open after Rollins Curb Stomps him on the announce table.
They set up the steel steps, where Triple H and Steph order Rollins to “finish it.” He obeys their demand, delivering one more Curb Stomp from the announce table to Orton’s head on the steps. Raw closes with Seth Rollins standing over an out-of-it Randy Orton.
End Of Raw.
Reporter’s Rumblings – By Moe Tapp
This was an action-packed Raw! I will admit, a bit down from last week with a few ways things happened, but in general, another good showing as we continue moving towards Survivor Series. Onto the particulars:
Excellence: The Authority “assessing” the talent for candidates on their team. This provides legitimacy with both The Authority and their prospects because they are not just picking names out of a hat, so to speak, but they are actually scouting to see who would fit their “strongest” team.
The mind-games Bray always plays; loving his new picking of Dean Ambrose, as Ambrose is one that can give it right back!
Great matches with Ambrose/Cesaro, Rollins/Ziggler, and Rollins/Orton. Loved Damien Mizdow completely copying Miz’s moves, again both when he was doing well and when he was getting beat up! This was comedic gold and they can keep going!
Mark Henry’s new attitude; I know I don’t like the feud between him and Show, because it’s another “big-man VS. big-man” one, but I’ve always liked Henry’s “no-nonsense/take-no-prisoners” personality. I wish The Big Show was like this too, and then they can be an awesome “take-no-names” tag-Team.
Again, really liking Rusev and hope he’s won the U.S. Title already, by the time this report is filed! (Although, this should’ve been on Raw or Survivor Series; I understand their motive to get more subscribers to the network, but it diminishes the title and feud itself to leave it off main television, where many more viewers would watch.)
Bogus: Mr. McMahon – at first I was really excited and intrigued he was back, but then his promo just fell flat. There was no build up and he didn’t stick around to stir the pot more.
Speaking of build-up, I wish Orton would’ve done this more too. It could’ve been better if Orton R.K.O.’s a member of The Authority each week, until the Raw before Survivor Series, and officially pick a team. Either side would work, but tonight they rushed a decently suspenseful storyline.
Not thrilled by the new feud of The Dust Brothers and Los Matadores. Plus, if Los Matadores are #1 Contenders, why are The Usos getting the Tag-Team title shot on Smackdown this week?
I believe in A.J. and know she can carry this feud with The Bellas, but hopefully she retains and it’s a one-off. Not liking Brie and Nikki lately, and wanted the Divas Championship to be involved with women who can actually put on great matches. (At least A.J. can do that!)
Why Sheamus lost b count-out makes absolutely no sense, especially when his is scheduled to defend his championship later. This made him look weak, against a weak opponent (sorry Tyson, but you haven’t done anything in the last year on main TV)
Overall, another pretty great Raw! As always, here’s hoping they keep it up for next week! Until then, Be Excellent Wrestling-Online Readers and Wrestling Fans!
With 20 minutes to launch, WWE canceled the arrival of the WWE Network in the United Kingdom.
“The launch of WWE Network in the U.K. has been delayed until further notice,” read a message on Twitter and on the WWE.COM website when accessed with a UK IP address.
The cancellation sparked a fury of abuse from UK fans towards WWE on social media, who has now canceled the launch of the Network twice in two months. Originally it was scheduled to launch on October 1 before it was canceled and announced for November 3.
The new date was announced by WWE during their Q3 2014 press release just last week.
It’s not known why the launch was aborted so close to launch but it wouldn’t be surprising if WWE’s main broadcaster, BSkyB, objected till the end due to pay-per-view revenue. All WWE pay-per-views air on Sky Box Office and introducing the Network would have basically killed that revenue stream.
The October 1 launch was aborted with WWE saying that they had opened talks with other potential partners, talks which apparently didn’t materialize since the new date and over-the-top service was announced last week.
WWE has not yet commented about why the WWE Network in the United Kingdom was canceled again.
WWE.COM is reporting today that Bo Dallas has suffered an injury to his left foot and will be out of action for a while.
It’s not known how Dallas suffered his injury and if it even was wrestling related but the WWE Superstar will be out of action from six to eight weeks.
WWE has announced that tickets for WrestleMania 31 will go on sale to the general public on Saturday, November 15, starting at 9AM PT / Noon EST.
The highest priced ticket will be $2,000 for the first few rows ringside. Other prices are $1,012 for ringside rows 9 to 16, $462 for center risers and rear floor, $262 for the central 100 level, 200 level club, and corner risers, $212 for the 100 level sideline and 200 level end zone, $187 for the 100 level corners, $137 for the 200 level corners, $112 for the 300 level sideline, $87 for center 400 level, $62 for 400 level sideline, and $47 for 400 level corners.
The week-long festivities that come with WrestleMania will see Axxess at the San Jose Convention Center, the Hall of Fame and Raw at the SAP Center, and WrestleMania at the Levi’s Stadium.
WrestleMania 31 tickets will be available at Ticketmaster.com or charge by phone at 1-800-745-3000. A pre-sale will kick off a few days before and we will post that information as it becomes available.
The United Kingdom will finally get the WWE Network, officially at least, starting today.
Getting the same deal as the rest of the world, minus Canada, the Network in the UK will be the over-the-top service with the month of November free for new subscribers and then $9.99 a month with no commitment starting in December.
The United Kingdom is one of the largest markets that the Network was not made available in August and originally it was set to launch on October 1 but negotiations with other partners delayed the launch.
Sign ups for the Network will start being accepted at 8PM GMT today and initially it will be playable through the browser, iOS and Android devices. In two weeks time the service expands to TV-connected devices.
Universal Pictures released the new full trailer for Furious 7, the new title for the seventh installment in the Fast & Furious franchise.
Furious 7 features Dwayne Johnson reprising his role as DS Agent Luke Hobbs and it’s the final movie that fan favorite Paul Walker shot as he was killed in a car accident while on hiatus halfway through the filming process.
Furious 7 is set to be released on April 3, 2015, after it was delayed due to script changes and additional filming due to Walker’s death.
You can see the trailer below.
[youtube=http://youtu.be/Skpu5HaVkOc&w=700]
Daniel Bryan – currently out injured with no return date set – is still fulfilling his WWE duties by appearing on behalf of the company.
The former champion presented San Francisco Giants outfielder Hunter Pence with a replica WWE World Heavyweight title at the Giants’ World Series victory parade yesterday.
“The belt!! The dream!! Thank you @WWEDanielBryan and @WWE! #Yes,” Pence wrote on his Twitter, also posting a photo of the two together which you can see at http://pic.twitter.com/u4X9fE4av8.
During the World Series, Pence always led his teammates with “Yes!” chants to celebrate big moments. SF Giants fans also chanted “Yes!” at the parade yesterday. Yahoo! Sports has more photos of videos of this at http://yhoo.it/1wnmWdb.
Tickets for the 2015 Royal Rumble will go on sale to the general public this morning starting at 10AM EST at ComcastTix.com.
Prices are $25, $35, $55, $75, $150, $200, $450 for ringside rows 2 to 5, and $500 for first row ringside. Ringside seats will also get you the collectable pay-per-view chair.
The show will take place at the Wells Fargo Center in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, on Sunday, January 25, 2015.
Sports Legacy Institute, a non-profit organization dedicated to concussion education and research, announced that Paul Levesque, Executive Vice President, Talent, Live Events & Creative at WWE, Inc. has been elected to its Board of Directors.
“We are thrilled to welcome Paul Levesque to our Board of Directors,” said Christopher Nowinski, Co-Founder and Executive Director of the Sports Legacy Institute. “As an athlete himself, Paul is familiar with the risks associated with concussions. As an executive, Paul has made it a priority to protect WWE’s performers through education and awareness, as well as preventative measures and world class medical care.”
Levesque, better known to wrestling fans as Triple H, said, “It is an honor to join the Board of Directors at SLI to support the important work they do in the field of concussion management and prevention,” said Levesque. “This work benefits athletes of all ages and skill levels, from high school to collegiate to professional sports, as well as many others including members of our military.”
In 2013, WWE made a grant of $1.2 million to SLI to fund research that could lead to potential new treatments for Chronic Traumatic Encephalopathy, a degenerative brain disease.
Former WWE champion Randy Orton has been pulled from the upcoming WWE European tour which starts next week due to other commitments.
Orton will be filming The Condemned 2: Desert Prey for Lionsgate and WWE Studios in 10 days time with production set in New Mexico. Since WWE will tape Raw and Smackdown in England it’s likely that Orton will miss those tapings as well unless he’s flown across the Atlantic for television only.
The Condemned 2 is about a former bounty hunter who finds himself on the run as part of a revamped Condemned tournament, in which convicts are forced to fight each other to the death as part of a game that’s broadcast to the public.
WWE fans in the United Kingdom will finally get the WWE Network starting Monday, November.
The month of November will also be free for UK fans and signups will be accepted starting at 8PM GMT on Monday. For the first two weeks, the WWE Network in the UK will only be available on a browser, iOS, and Android devices.
Then starting on November 18, the WWE Network will be available on other TV-connected devices such as Xbox One and Xbox 360, Amazon Fire TV, Apple TV, Roku streaming devices, and select Smart TVs.
Once the month of November is over, the WWE Network will be available for $9.99 per month with no commitment, which translates to around 6.30GBP.
Wall Street was not particularly happy with the WWE numbers released today although considering the big disappointment of the WWE Network subscribers count, investors also showed WWE some mercy.
On the earnings report day, WWE stocks ended the day at $12.51, a 5.73% decrease over yesterday’s closing. The day’s high was $13.17 which was right at the start of trading day but then things went down south quickly.
Out of the new additional 31,000 subscribers to the WWE Network, 3,000 of them are in the United States while the rest of the 28,000 subs are International.
In total during the quarter, WWE added 286,000 subscribers to the Network however had a massive 255,000 cancellations.
Out of the 286,000 new subscribers, 23,000 out of them decided to take the $12.99 no-commitment monthly deal, which WWE has now eliminated and is now just $9.99 with no commitment.
The November WWE Network promotion where new subscribers will receive the Network free of charge for the whole month is being promoted as #FreeFreeFree on social media networks.
There’s a new TNA champion in town and his name is Bobby Roode.
Filmed several weeks ago, the match between Lashley and Roode with Kurt Angle as the special guest referee ended when Roode countered a sunset flip attempt by Lashley and pinned the champion in the middle of the ring.
Roode, one of the longest serving Superstars at TNA, is now a two time TNA World Heavyweight champion.
You can see the ending of the match below.
[youtube=http://youtu.be/ftTEVgdsq44&w=700]
Thousands of people are still opting to purchase WWE shows via traditional pay-per-view for $54.95 each rather than paying for the WWE Network according to the latest figures released by WWE for the past three PPV events.
Money In The Bank had 99,000 buys this year whereas the Battleground last year – which aired in the same month – did 199,000.
The biggest event of the Summer, SummerSlam, drew 147,000 buys in 2014 as opposed to 296,000 buys last year.
And Night Of Champions had an additional 48,000 PPV buys in 2014 versus the 175,000 buys the show did last year before the WWE Network was available.
In total the company had 294,000 pay-per-view buys outside the WWE Network.
Most of the major WWE departments registered a loss when compared to the same prior year quarter, with only consumer products division and WWE studios – barely – registering an increase.
The following are department by department numbers on how they fared for Q3 2014.
WWE Network generated $22.4 million in subscriptions; Licensing increased to $10.0 million from $5.7 million; Venue merchandise increased 5% to $4.2 million from $4.0 million; WWEShop revenues increased 48% to $4.3 million from $2.9 million; WWE Studios increased slightly by $100,000 for $1.9 million.
Pay-per-view business declined 56% to $3.7 million; TV revenues decreased 6% to $42.2 million from $44.8 million; Home entertainment decreased to $3.6 million from $5.2 million; Digital media went down to $5.0 million from $7.2 million; Live events decreased 13% to $21.8 million from $25.1 million.
WWE today announced financial results for its third quarter ended September 30, 2014.
For the quarter, the Company reported a Net loss of $5.9 million, or $0.08 per share, compared to Net income of $2.4 million, or $0.03 per share, in the third quarter last year.
“During the quarter, we delivered stronger financial performance than anticipated and surpassed our guidance while making significant progress on the execution of our WWE Network strategy,” stated Vince McMahon, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer.
The full press release of the earnings can be found here.
In a press release issued today, WWE announced some changes that will be coming to the WWE Network by the end of the year.
Limited advertising – which was announced a few weeks ago – have already started with companies such as Pepsi, Mattel, K-Mart, Take-Two Interactive, and Pure Talk USA being the first advertisers.
The advertising strategy anticipates no commercial breaks during scheduled programming, limited advertising between shows, and occasional advertising before the network’s video-on-demand content.
The company also plans to roll out a new resume play feature, a feature which has been requested since the Network launched, and a watch list feature, both of which will be available across all platforms by the end of the year.
