WWE: Hulk Hogan Film in Production, FS1 Updated Ratings & WWE Schedule, Lawsuit Update

Hulk Hogan Biographical Film Currently in Early Production

A biographical film based on the life and wrestling career of Hulk Hogan reportedly is currently in early production, according to ScreenRant.com.

It was reported that this film is being made for Netflix’s streaming service and is currently in the early stage of script writing. The script reportedly is being written by Scott Silver and John Pollono and will be directed by Todd Phillips, who directed Joker. Chris Hemsworth reportedly will be portraying the role of Hulk Hogan in the film while Hogan himself will be working in a consultant role for the film’s production.

Updated Ratings for FS1’s April 14th WWE Programming Block, Schedule for Next Tuesday’s WWE Block

As noted before, FS1 aired an all-women’s themed block of WWE programming on their network this past Tuesday. Out of the five shows aired, only two managed to be ranked and have their ratings revealed. They were the WWE 24: Ronda Rousey special which drew 214,000 viewers and the Best of Charlotte Flair special which drew 299,000 viewers.

PWInsider’s Mike Johnson reported that the Best of Becky Lynch special at 7PM drew 119,000 viewers while the WWE 24: Becky Lynch special at 10PM drew 179,000 viewers on the network.

Johnson also reported that this past Tuesday’s episode of WWE Backstage drew 116,000 viewers on the network.

FS1 recently announced the full schedule for next Tuesday’s block of WWE programming on the network (all times EST):

• 7PM – The Best of WWE: John Cena’s Best WrestleMania Matches
• 8PM – The Best of WWE: Triple H’s Best WrestleMania Matches
• 9PM – The Best of WWE: The Undertaker’s WrestleMania Streak
• 10PM – The Best of WWE: Shawn Michaels’ Best WrestleMania Matches
• 11PM – WWE Backstage

TUESDAY, 2-time @WWE Hall of Famer @ShawnMichaels will be the special guest on an all-new #WWEBackstage, at 11e/8p, on @FS1. pic.twitter.com/xnxsuJhBfN

— WWE on FOX (@WWEonFOX) April 24, 2020

WWE Stockholder Lawsuit Over Saudi Deal Update

WWE recently provided an official update on the status of two lawsuits filed last month against the company in regards to stockholder complaints over the company’s Saudi Arabian deal. Details of these lawsuits were included in WWE’s recent 10-Q filing to the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission.

On March 6, 2020, the Company along with its Chairman and CEO, Vince McMahon, and former-WWE officers and directors, Michelle Wilson and George Barrios (collectively, the “Individual Defendants”), were sued in the U.S. District Court for the Southern District of New York in a case captioned City of Warren Police and Fire Retirement System, individually and on behalf of all others similarly situated, v. World Wrestling Entertainment, Inc., Vincent K. McMahon, George A. Barrios, and Michelle D. Wilson, No. 1:20-cv-02031-JSR.

The complaint alleges that the Company and the Individual Defendants made materially false and misleading statements in violation of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 regarding WWE’s strategic relationship with the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. Specifically, the complaint alleges that various public statements made by the Company and the Individual Defendants were false and misleading because they failed to disclose certain adverse facts regarding WWE’s strategic relationship with Saudi Arabia that supposedly was known by them and, as a result, the plaintiff class allegedly purchased WWE stock at artificially inflated prices.

On March 12, 2020 a nearly-identical lawsuit was filed in the U.S. District Court for the Southern District of New York captioned Paul Szaniawski, individually and on behalf of all others similarly situated, v. World Wrestling Entertainment, Inc., Vincent K. McMahon, George A. Barrios, and Michelle D. Wilson, No. 1:20-cv-02223-JSR. This lawsuit was filed as related to the City of Warren case and has been assigned to the same judge handling the City of Warren case. On April 2, 2020, the parties held an initial conference with the Court at which the Court set a case management schedule with respect to (i) selection of lead plaintiff/counsel; (ii) filing of a consolidated amended complaint; and (iii) motion to dismiss briefing. Pursuant to the case management schedule, the Company’s motion to dismiss will be due on June 19, 2020. WWE believes that the lawsuits are meritless and intends to move to dismiss them.