• Wrestling News & Wrestling Rumors – WWE & TNA

- Thanks to Colin Vassallo:
WWE has a big promotional campaign to boost its pay-per-view buys for WrestleMania which will include “an aggressive array of traditional marketing tactics” according to Multichannel News including cross-channel spots, ad slicks, Web banners, on-hold messages, telemarketing and e-blasts. This was revealed during the Cable & Telecommunications Association for Marketing Summit which is being held in Boston, MA. There will also be a national sweepstakes supported with WWE’s television shows, publications and online outlets. Several WWE Superstars and Divas will get on the road for appearances at retail stores and top restaurants in key markets which will be set up in partnership with local cable operators in the area.

- Michael Sileck, the WWE Chief Operating Officer who is resigning at the end of the year, will be receiving a one year salary continuation beginning January 1, 2009 according to the latest 8-K documents filed by the company. He will also get medical benefits during his one year severance period and the vesting of restricted stock units valued at $115,000 using the market price for our Class A common stock. This means that Sileck was forced out of the company rather than he just resigning to move on to a different job. Meanwhile his replacement, Donna Goldsmith, will see her salary increased to $500,000 per year. She’s currently the Senior Vice President of Consumer Products. She will also be granted 20,000 restricted stock units, which will vest over a three-year period. Under the terms of her new employment arrangements, she would be entitled to two years salary and medical benefits continuation if her employment with WWE were to be terminated without cause.

- Dolph Ziggler who was suspended for 30 days before even making it to the ring under his new gimmick (he was previously Nicky in the Spirit Squad) has now served the full 30 days so, in theory is allowed back on TV.