WWE: Vince says company had “lousy” second quarter

WWE held its conference call today discussing the second financial quarter. Chairman Vince McMahon said the company had a “lousy” quarter, pointing to declining pay-per-view buys in the wake of retirements and injuries.

McMahon said the retirement of Shawn Michaels was expected, but the departure of Batista as well as unpredictable injuries to Triple H, Undertaker, Randy Orton and CM Punk left the company with little choice when it came to pay-per-view main events.

Buyrates for WWE PPVs have dipped this year, continuing a downward trend in buys.

McMahon described the situation as a “perfect storm” or injuries and departures.

One thing not discussed on the call – though discussed in the past – has been the internet streaming of WWE (and UFC) PPVs. UFC has taken a stand, going after websites that steal its content. WWE does the same, though it’s aggressiveness doesn’t appear to be anywhere near UFC’s.

Buyrates are down over the last decade in large part to streaming sites such as UStream, JustinTV and others. An inability to control those sites leaves many potential paying customers watching PPV product for free.

Same goes for TNA and it’s dwindling PPV market. In fact, I’d argue it affects TNA more – TNA attracts an older, more internet-savvy audience.

WWE: Shawn Michaels on Raw?

Just some food for thought on this Monday morning …

Tonight’s Raw broadcast takes place from San Antonio, hometown of the recently retired Shawn Michaels. HBK hasn’t been advertised for the show, but he does live right down the road.

It would seem logical that Michaels could make an appearance on Raw tonight. You’ll have to tune in to find out for sure.

WWE: Hampton Beach, Hyannis, Cohasset main events

WWE will make its annual “tent” loop through Hampton Beach (N.H.), Hyannis and Cohasset (Mass.) the last weekend in August before Raw tapes at the TD Garden in Boston on Aug. 30.

The main event for the shows will feature a three-way dance for the Intercontinental Championship with Kofi Kingston taking on both Drew McIntyre and Dolph Ziggler. Raw’s John Morrison will face Ted DiBiase and Jack Swagger and Matt Hardy will battle in a submissions match.

All three shows are featured in arenas that hold some of the smallest crowds WWE wrestles in front of all year. Hampton Beach, a ballroom type building with an extremely low ceiling, holds maybe 1,500 people. Hyannis and Cohasset are tent-like venues for outdoor concerts that I’d guess holds less than 1,000 people.

I always try to make it to one of these venues every year. It’s an intimate “indy” feel to a WWE show that you don’t get anywhere else.

WWE: Bret Hart returns on Raw

It’s rare that wrestling is able to deliver a surprise.

The closing angle on Raw Monday night is a perfect example. As John Cena debuted his team, which will face the Nexus at Summerslam, the biggest name would be saved for last – it always is. Well, we already had Chris Jericho and Edge – likely the two biggest names on the team outside of Cena.

As they opened the aisle, I marked out. How could you not? I was trying like hell to predict who the final member would be – my guess? Bryan Danielson.

Boy, was I wrong.

WWE: Kane wins the first WWE triple threat

Interesting note on Kane‘s World Heavyweight title win at Sunday’s Money in the Bank pay-per-view:

Kane is the first wrestler to ever win the WWE, World Heavyweight and ECW championships all under the WWE umbrella. Big Show has held all three belts, but his World Heavyweight title reign actually came while the belt was under the WCW umbrella, as WCW champion. So, Kane becomes the first to win all three under the WWE banner.

Kane won his first world championship over 12 years ago, in June 1998, beating Steve Austin for the WWF Championship in a first blood match, only to drop the strap the next night, making his reign just about 24 hours.

WWE: Money in the Bank predictions

WWE Diva’s Championship
Alicia Fox [c] vs. Eve
I’m sorry, but I have no interest in this match. I hope this does’t come across as being “sexist” but I just can’t get into women’s wrestling – I can’t do it.
Winner: If I had to make a pick, I’ll go with Eve.

WWE Women’s Championship
Layla [c] vs. Kelly Kelly
You can’t be serious … two women’s matches out of seven on the card?
Winner: Kelly Kelly

WWE Unified Tag Team Championship
Hart Dynasty [c] vs. The Usos
I’m excited for this match. The build for this has sort of flown under the radar and I hope it doesn’t hurt the payoff tonight. Of course, I wouldn’t mind seeing this feud continue. These four young guns have been some of the most entertaining stuff on television lately.
In the end, the Hart’s need to keep these belts, at least for now. At some point the Usos will need them to keep credibility, but the Hart’s don’t drop them yet.
Winner: Hart Dynasty

World Heavyweight Championship
Rey Mysterio [c] vs. Jack Swagger
Swagger didn’t drop the belt just to retain a few months later. It’s my opinion that creative thinks their experiment with Swagger is a failed one. Of course, it doesn’t help that they had him doing jobs less than a week after he won the damn thing.
Winner: Rey Mysterio

WWE Championship
Steel Cage Match
Sheamus [c] vs. John Cena
Once again, I can’t see creative putting the strap on Sheamus only for him to drop it in the rematch. Doesn’t make much sense to me. Although, with Triple H’s recent surgery, plans for a possible Sheamus-Triple H Summerslam match may be hold.
Winner: John Cena

Smackdown Money in the Bank
Big Show vs. Matt Hardy vs. Christian vs. Kofi Kingston vs. Cody Rhodes vs. Kane vs. Drew McIntyre vs. Dolph Ziggler
I’m going to take two “breakout” guys to win their respective MITB matches and hopefully I get one correct.
Winner: Christian

Raw Money in the Bank
Ted DiBiase vs. Chris Jericho vs. Edge vs. Miz vs. Evan Bourne vs. John Morrison vs. Randy Orton vs. Mark Henry
I’ve been going back and forth between Bourne and Miz for a pick here. Both had a good build on Raw – Miz climbing the ladder and Bourne selling a beating by The Nexus – who I think make an appearance in either this match or the WWE title match.
Winner: The Miz

WWE: Raw Rating for 7/12/10

Monday’s Raw broadcast drew a 3.3 rating with 4,800,000 viewers with hours of 3.13 and 3.51.

This week’s show is down slightly from last week’s 3.35. Raw’s rating has hovered in the mid-3.0’s all year, drawing its highest rating (3.8) on February 22 and bottoming out at 3.05 (April 19, May 3, May 10).

WWE: Lebron James, the biggest heel turn in history

If any of you are following this Lebron James story, it has epic pro wrestling angle written all over it.

The mega-face, Lebron, the self-appointed “King” turns heel and spits in the face of his fans, joining the “Outsiders” in Miami to make a run at a championship.

It was the biggest heel turn the world or sports has seen since Hulk Hogan dropped a leg on Macho Man at the Bash in ’97.

If only Gene Okerlund was handling the interview last night on ESPN.

And this whole circus act is followed by the Cavaliers majority owner, Dan Gilbert, writing a scathing letter to all of Cleveland, publicly berating James and calling him out.

We can only hope Wrestlemania 27 hits Cleveland or Miami … Lebron James vs. Dan Gilbert in a a street fight.

Hey … if anyone can pull it off, Vince McMahon can …

WWE: Triple H has surgery (Rumor)

Toronto Blue Jays pitcher Dirk Hayhurst tweeted this morning that he had a conversation with WWE’s Triple H, as the wrestling star was “fresh out of surgery.”

Hayhurst, who also also written a book, tweeted the following (www.twitter.com/TheGarfoose):

“Guess who I just singed a book for… Triple H of the WWE. Seriously, I just found myself next to him on a training table. Wow, Surreal”

I did not get a pic, he was a tad out of it, fresh out of surgery so I didn’t want to hassle him. Besides, photo’s in hospitals are no no’s

“HHH was alert enough for me to ask him a question. I gave him the most important one I could think of: “Where do you think Lebron will go?”

“Actually, I didn’t ask him anything. He look tired and it’s best to leave large, powerful men alone when they are tired. I wish him well.”

Triple H has been absent from WWE television since April when he was attacked in a backstage segment by Sheamus at WWE pay-per-view, Extreme Rules.

Batista trains with Cesar Gracie through Strikeforce

Sherdog.com posted a great read about former WWE champ Dave Batista, who trained with Cesar Gracie for two days in California. The arrangement was facilitated by Strikeforce, according to the story.

“He’s got a lot to learn but his strength alone is impressive,” Gracie told the site. “Obviously he’s a beginner at jiu-jitsu but we can take a guy like that that’s already a strong athlete like that and teach him what to not get caught in.

“He’s a pretty good kicker,” said Gracie. “He hits very hard.”

Batista hit the mats with former Strikeforce middleweight champ Jake Shields – who is rumored to be signing a UFC deal soon – as well as welterweight Nick Diaz.

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