She said she wanted to inform everyone that the board of directors has reached a decision. They decided that interaction between Vince McMahon and Ric Flair would not be good for business, so she proposed a brand extension, whereas Ric Flair would have 100 percent control of RAW, and Vince McMahon would have full control of SmackDown! She further proposed that there be a draft next week on RAW, where each will choose the exclusive superstars for their brand. She said the only two superstars whose superstars would be available to both brands would be the Undisputed Champion and the Women's Champion. Linda said the board had no choice, and that the brand extension would be a great benefit to fans. [wwf.com]

03/25/02 Monday Night Raw
RAW opened with World Wrestling Federation Chief Executive Officer Linda McMahon addressing superstars from Federation studios in Stamford, CT. Linda explained that during the night, Vince McMahon and Ric Flair would have 10 draft choices each. Following the broadcast, each side would have 20 lottery picks that would be made live on WWF.com! Click here for updated results of the draft!

However, Linda continued, there were some stipulations. Due to the Tripe Threat match later that evening for the Federation Championship, neither Triple H, Chris Jericho nor Stephanie McMahon is eligible for the draft. Also, because of a clause in his contract, Stone Cold Steve Austin could not be drafted. The Rattlesnake is therefore deemed a free agent who is eligible to side with either Flair's RAW or Vince's SmackDown!. [wwf.com]

05/06/02 Monday Night Raw - The WWF is Now The WWE
To further capture a greater share of the global marketplace and to represent the growing diversity of its entertainment properties, World Wrestling Federation Entertainment today announced it is changing its name to World Wrestling Entertainment, Inc. (WWE). The company's website, one of the most popular in the world, will now be found at WWE.com.

A new logo reflecting the name change will be introduced tonight on WWE's top-rated television show RAW(R)on TNN at 9 p.m. (ET).

"As World Wrestling Federation Entertainment, we have entertained millions of fans around the United States and around the globe," said Linda McMahon, CEO of World Wrestling Entertainment. "Our new name puts the emphasis on the "E" for entertainment, what our company does best. WWE provides us with a global identity that is distinct and unencumbered, which is critical to our U.S. and international growth plans."

Mrs. McMahon said the company began considering dropping the word "Federation" from its name when World Wildlife Fund (a/k/a World Wide Fund for Nature) prevailed in a recent court action in the United Kingdom. The court ruling prevents the World Wrestling Federation from the use of the logo it adopted in 1998 and the letters WWF in specified circumstances. The "Fund" has indicated that although the two organizations are very different, there is the likelihood of confusion in the market place by virtue of the fact that both organizations use the letters WWF. The Fund has indicated that it does not want to have any association with the World Wrestling Federation. "Therefore," said, Mrs.McMahon, "we will utilize this opportunity to position ourselves emphasizing the entertainment aspect of our company, and, at the same time, allay the concerns of the Fund."

Mrs. McMahon said the name change provides a distinct and unencumbered global identity that will further cast World Wrestling Entertainment as an integrated entertainment and media company. "World Wrestling Entertainment and WWE will now be the identity that we use from the television base we have established in 130 countries," she said. "As WWE, we will launch our further expanded U.S. and international touring, our international expansion of branded merchandise and licensed products, and our further integration into the film, publishing and music businesses." [Larry Goldberg]

08/30/02 Internet News
World Wrestling smacks down bonuses for McMahons

NEW YORK, Aug 28 (Reuters) - World Wrestling Entertainment Inc. home to pro-wrestling stars such as "The Rock" and "The Undertaker," put a choke hold on 2002 bonuses for its top two executives, citing the company's performance during the year, World Wrestling said in a government filing.

Neither chairman Vince McMahon nor his wife and chief executive Linda McMahon will receive a bonus this year, after earning a $900,000 and $675,000 bonus, respectively, in 2001, the company said in a filing with the U.S. Securities & Exchange Commission.

The couple can take solace that Vince will still earn his $1 million salary, while Linda will earn $750,000. The executives, both of whom have made periodic appearances in WWE matches, were each eligible to earn a maximum bonus equal to their salaries.

"In light of the company's performance during fiscal 2002, it was decided that no incentive compensation would be paid to Mr. and Mrs. McMahon," the company said in the filing.

In recent months, the company has been hit by weaker ratings and lower pay-per-view purchases. The company's shares are down 12 cents, or about 1 percent, at $9.80 in mid-afternoon trade on the New York Stock Exchange.

10/04/02 Internet News
The New York Post and New York Daily News covered Triple H's testimony yesterday at Nicole Bass's sexual harassment case against WWE. Bass is accusing Triple H of barging into the women's locker room on numerous occasions.

Triple H denied Alicia Webb's (a/k/a Ryan Shamrock) claim that he once surprised her while she was going to the bathroom. "To me, it would be disrespectful to women," Triple H said during testimony. "I would knock on the door and ask for Chyna to come out... or I would ask if everyone was decent."

"I feel... that she's trying to make a buck," Triple H said. "I don't take it personally. She picked a visible name... She had the look, the size. She didn't have the rest of it. It's a tough business." Triple H also accused Bass of ruining the one match they performed together in.

Triple H was also questioned about his relationship with Stephanie McMahon. When asked if he considered the relationship to be serious, Triple H looked at Linda McMahon, who was sitting at the defense table, and said, "With her mother here, I consider it a serious relationship." [Jason Powell, pwtorch.com]

11/22/02 Internet Rumor
WWE held a press conference Thursday to discuss their second quarter earnings report. Linda McMahon announced that the company is reducing its operating budget by $10 million. When asked whether anyone has had contact with Steve Austin since he walked out, she referred to Austin as a friend and said that there have been "several" conversations between him and the company. She said she did not know when or if Austin would return as an on-air character. Linda also stated that WWE's television deal with UPN expires in September 2003, while the TNN and MTV deals expire in 2005.

11/12/08 Internet News - Linda McMahon Tells FOX That WWE's Future is in International Markets
WWE CEO Linda McMahon says WWE's five-year growth plan is focused on the international marketplace. That means plenty more international tours, especially to China in 2009 and India in 2010.

"We are so absolutely bullish on our business with our international growth in the Asian market," Linda McMahon said on FOX Business last week when asked about wrestling's future over the next five years. "We'll be going into those markets for the first time to a fanbase that has not seen our product and I think are really anticipating WWE coming into their marketplace."

McMahon said they've been trying to approach the Asian market slowly to get social and economic factors in place, as well as TV distribution in major markets, prior to beginning a regular touring schedule.

"We've been developing that market slowly," she said. "We've been moving the way we should be moving creating fan interest through the Internet and through our TV programming."

McMahon continued: "China is a market that will be very open to us. Currently, WWE is a great export product of the U.S. and those fans in China want to see the superstars of WWE as they see them on TV." PWtorch.com

12/10/08 Internet News - CEO Linda McMahon admits to TV storylines being scripted; defends the art of pro wrestling
Appearing at the 36th annual UBS Global Media & Communications Conference in New York City this afternoon, WWE CEO Linda McMahon openly admitted to TV storylines being scripted and winners pre-determined.

WWE has been open about this aspect of their TV product for several years, but McMahon has not expanded on the issue to the degree she went at the press conference.

"Television stories, for those of you who don't know, are (pause) scripted," McMahon told individuals gathered at the conference speech with a smile.

After going through the formal presentation, she was asked to expand on her statement during the Q&A portion of the conference.

"Most of it is scripted," she said. "It's important to note with that is that while the storylines are scripted and we know who the winners and losers are, the real pros know how to get in the ring and interact with the audience."

McMahon then described "ring generals" calling matches in the ring and the art of reading an audience to know when to incorporate highspots - yes, she said "highspots" - and when to slow down the action before building back to a crescendo. PWtorch.com