WWE Network Announcement – Press Conference Report

Source: Mike Johnson & Pwinsider.com

They introduced Michael Cole to the stage. Cole welcomed everyone to Las Vegas. He said they were delighted to have everyone join them for one of the biggest days in WWE history.

Cole said that WWE is taking a huge step towards delivering their product to their fans, no matter how they view the product. Cole said it’s fitting it’s at CES. He said that everything began as the vision of one man…and introduced Vince McMahon.

Vince McMahon, with a massive smile on his face, came out. He said that he’s been called many things, but the best is a fan. He said that he’s a WWE fan and today is a great day for being a WWE fan and he’ll explain why in a moment.

They played a WWE package video that is used usually for stockholders and promotional partners, touting the company’s popularity, social media, crossover in the entertainment world and charity work.

After the video, Vince said it’s a great day to be a WWE fan because they are launching the WWE Network. They showed off the WWE Network, using the same music that was often used for Classics on Demand.

Vince introduced Michelle Wilson, the WWE’s Chief Revenue & Marketing Officer. She said that today is about the transformation of how WWE presents their premium content. She said in 1985, Wrestlemania 1 was seen by one million fans via closed circuit.

Today, they are announcing the WWE Network and it will be over the top and groundbreaking – with 24/7 streaming programming, original live content and a huge on demand library that fans can access from any mobile device. She touted it would be over the top unlike anything ever.

Wilson said WWE fans want their content anywhere, anytime at any price. She said that WWE fans are engaged in consuming online content, claiming they consume 5 times the online videos then a non-WWE fan and are more likely to subscribe to a service such as Netflix.

The Network will be priced at $9.99 a month and will include:

All 12 PPVs including Wrestlemania at no additional charge.

*Pre-and Post shows for Raw and Smackdown.

*Live daily studio show.

*NXT and Smackdown.

*VOD of every WWE, WCW and ECW PPV.

*”Past years” of Raw and Smackdown and more.

*Vintage content will be branded legacy content with additional material added every month.

The big key to the $9.99 price tag is that you will have to purchase six months of programming at that rate. In other words, you will have to commit to six months all at once or you will pay a higher price.

They will launch via most streaming services in the United States first and then add UK, Hong Kong, Canada, Singapore and other countries by late 2014/early 2015 with additional countries to follow.

The Network’s slogan is “It’s Way over the top.”

Stephanie McMahon was introduced. She said that whether you loved the Attitude era, the Hulk Hogan era or are a new fan, the Network will feature programming from all of those eras. She broke down the original content:

*The pre and post game shows for Raw and Smackdown, promising a look into the backstage world of WWE.

*WWE NXT, which she described as a series that follows the developmental talent and sees “who will make it to the main roster.” They played a promo video for NXT.

*Legends House, featuring 8 WWE Legends living in a house together. They showed clips featuring Pat Patterson, Roddy Piper, Jimmy Hart, Gene Okerlund, Hacksaw Duggan, Tony Atlas, Howard Finkel and more. The slogan was “legendary character, legendary series.”

Stephanie praised the connection between WWE fans and WWE talents. She said she had one of those moments when she was in the crowd at Wrestlemania 1 and saw her friend Andre the Giant bodyslam Big John Studd. She said she had the blessing of sitting next to Andre later that night and listen to his stories. With the Network, they given the fans the chance to do the same with….

*”Wrestlemania Rewind” They aired a promo from the series, showing classic matches as well as comments about those moments, similar to a VH-1 panelist show.

Stephanie said that the Network is also about fun and introduced Triple H and Shawn Michaels. They came out to the DX theme and were dressed in DX gear. They tossed glowsticks into the crowd.

Shawn Michaels said that many years ago when they started doing this, he would get nervous, much like he is now. He said the only time he’s been in front of this many suits and ties is when he’s being terminated. He teased taking his clothes off because he was nervous but HHH stopped him. They bantered until Stephanie stopped them. She said that they are great with interacting with the crowd, just like….

*WWE Countdown, a show that will allow the fans to vote on lists of the Best Entrances, Best Catchphrases, Best Moments, Best Manager, Best Villains, Best Divas and more.

DX cut off Stephanie and demanded some better promotional hype for the series, doing a takeoff of “Let’s Get Ready to….COUNTDOWN.”

Michaels said that if he had stuff like this when he was a kid, he’d never have been gotten off the couch. Triple H said he’d still be eating Fruit Loops in his pajamas. They talked about their favorite catch phrases with HHH cutting off Shawn with “IT DOESN’T MATTER” after asking what his favorite was.

Stephanie said that in the 1990s, Vince McMahon turned into the evil Mr. McMahon. HHH asked if that was really a character. Steph pitched it to a Monday Night War series. Triple H called it Monday Night Wars. Stephanie corrected him and it turned out the teleprompter had “Wars” so they all poked fun at that and goofed off.

Triple H said it was a crazy time as they were in a real battle for their livelyhood, so they went out there trying to steal the “shows”. He pitched it to the video…

*Monday Night War, showing highlights of the Raw vs. Nitro battle with clips and matches from that era alongside clips of different personalities commenting on what it was like during that era plus talents from today looking back at their perspectives on different historical moments.

Stephanie McMahon introduced the man who “tipped the scales” in that war, the “leader of the Attitude Era.” Out came Steve Austin.

Austin started talking about how happy he was to be here and hanging out with the guys today. He said he was blown away by the amount of content he saw they were showcasing. He said he was so happy, he even hugged Vince McMahon. He said that WWE loves their fans more than any other organization around and it’s about putting smiles on people’s faces. He said that with the Network, you can re-live the WWE Attitude Era. He said going to Raw every week was like therapy for him and they’d change things on the fly…and you’ll get to re-live it “unedited, uncensored and uncut” on the Network. He said he’s looking forward to seeing it and that’s the bottom line, because Stone Cold Said So.

Stephanie returned to the stage and said she was glad he didn’t decide to stun her. She said they were going to wrap it up with one more look at what the WWE Network is going to bring you.

They brought out Executive Vice President of Digital Media Perkins Miller. He said that he’s excited to walk everyone through the WWE Network experience. He explained you can sign up for the Network via WWE.com by creating an account or your existing account. You will also be able to sign up via your social media accounts. He said in three clicks, you’ll be able to sign up and watch live.

Perkins then showed how you’d be able to access VOD content as well as how you’ll be able to sent social media messages from your devices while watching and set up reminders that your favorite shows will be coming.

There will also be a second screen experience for certain programming, similar to what the WWE App has during current WWE programming on cable. Perkins specifically mentioned a “Raw replay” while showcasing that feature. You’ll also be able to buy merchandise and live event tickets via the second screen experience.

Perkins discussed the VOD programming next, including Main Event, NXT, Superstars, Raw and Smackdown replays, Wrestlemania Rewind and the company’s PPV library with over 300 WWE, WCW and ECW PPVs.

They will have a section called The Vault with every WWE home video library and every episode of ECW TV.

Perkins showed one of his favorite WWE moments, CM Punk vs. The Rock at Royal Rumble 2013, then began stammering as a parody of what happened to Director Michael Bay earlier this week at CES. DX came out and “saved” him. They went to another favorite moment in time with Michaels saying that the least technical guys (them) can show the world how easy it is. It was a DX entrance with a tank. Perkins remained frozen all this time, which was pretty funny.

HHH said there will be an unlimited supply of favorite momnents. HHH began stammering and Shawn made fun of him. HHH said at least his eyes go in the same direction. They finished Perkins’ spiel for him.

They introduced Bob Bowman, CEO of MLB Advanced Media. So, they have the people behind the MLB Network handling their cloud content and distribution. He said that they were so happy when WWE contacted them six months ago to help them distribute the WWE Network content. He said great content needs great distribution. He ran through the history of WWE’s content distribution. He said distribution has changed from even two years ago. He said the WWE Network is a “Herculean” effort and that WWE is ahead of time and creating something truly unique with their partnership. He said that Vince McMahon is an incredible father, promoter and patriot. He said that Vince is a visionary and is bold enough to take a step forward where no other content has gone. He said that Vince has been fan-centric from day one and they are proud to help launch the Network on 2/24 with WWE.

They introduced John Cena. He said he wanted to thank everyone for being here and he’s going to be brief. He said the question will be “When can we all be part of the WWE Network.” It will launch 11:05 PM Eastern on 2/24 as soon as Monday Night Raw goes off the air. They showed a countdown clock, which will be on all WWE Raw and Smackdown programming going forward. Cena said he wanted to pre-thank the fans and said that the first PPV event to air live on the Network will be Wrestlemania 30.

He said that WWE doesn’t exist without their fans. He said some fans out there may like him and some may not, but they all get to create a unique atmosphere like no other. He said on 2/24 they will stand as one universe with one passion and one Network.

Michael Cole thanked everyone for joining everyone at the presentation.

No Hulk Hogan appearance, but he was there at the event.

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