The following press release was issued today WWE:
WrestleMania 21 Highest Grossing WWE Event Ever at STAPLES Center in Los Angeles as Record 20,193 Attend Annual Pop Culture Extravaganza Sunday April 3, 11:36 pm ET
LOS ANGELES–(BUSINESS WIRE)–April 3, 2005–World Wrestling Entertainment® reported that it drew a record attendance of 20,193 people from 14 countries and 48 states to the STAPLES Center in Los Angeles for its annual live event and Pay-Per-View pop culture extravaganza, WrestleMania 21®. The event grossed more than $2.1 million in ticket sales, making it the highest grossing WWE event ever at STAPLES Center, and the highest grossing of the five WrestleManias held in California. In addition to those in attendance, WrestleMania 21 was seen by millions of fans in more than 90 countries, and will be broadcast to U.S. troops around the world.
“Los Angeles and the STAPLES Center have been tremendous hosts for WrestleMania 21,” said Kurt Schneider, Executive Vice President, Marketing. “I would like to thank our loyal fans in Los Angeles, from around the United States, and from around the world for making WrestleMania 21 another truly memorable event.”
WrestleMania 21 was highlighted by two significant title changes. In a World Heavyweight Championship match, Batista(TM) defeated Triple H® to become the new RAW® Champion. In the SmackDown!® main event, John Cena(TM) became the new WWE Champion by defeating JBL(TM). In addition, The Undertaker® defeated Randy Orton(TM) in a “Legend” vs. “Legend Killer” match, bringing his undefeated win streak at WrestleMania to 13-0. In a special RAW vs. SmackDown! match pitting two of the greatest WWE Superstars for the first time, Kurt Angle® defeated Shawn Michaels(TM).
WrestleMania 22 will be held Sunday, April 2, 2006, at the Rosemont, Ill., Allstate Arena in suburban Chicago.
World Wrestling Entertainment, Inc. (NYSE: WWE – News) is an integrated media and entertainment company headquartered in Stamford, Conn., with offices in New York City, Los Angeles, Toronto and London. Additional information on the company can be found at wwe.com and corporate.wwe.com.
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Forward-Looking Statements: This news release contains forward-looking statements pursuant to the safe harbor provisions of the Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995, which are subject to various risks and uncertainties. These risks and uncertainties include the conditions of the markets for live events, broadcast television, cable television, pay-per-view, Internet, entertainment, professional sports, and licensed merchandise; acceptance of the Company’s brands, media and merchandise within those markets; uncertainties relating to litigation; risks associated with producing live events both domestically and internationally; uncertainties associated with international markets; risks relating to maintaining and renewing key agreement, including television distribution agreement; and other risks and factors set forth from time to time in Company filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission. Actual results could differ materially from those currently expected or anticipated. In addition to these risks and uncertainties, our dividend is based on a number of factors, including our liquidity and historical and projected cash flow, strategic plan, our financial results and condition, contractual and legal restrictions on the payment of dividends and such other factors as our board of directors may consider relevant.
