The following press release was issued last night by World Wrestling Entertainment…
Trump Shaves McMahon Bald, WrestleMania(R) Blows Away Attendance Record At Ford Field
Sunday April 1, 11:50 pm ET
DETROIT–(BUSINESS WIRE)–In the much anticipated “Battle of the Billionaires,” Donald Trump triumphed over Vince McMahon and proceeded to shave him bald in front of a record-setting crowd of 80,103. WWE® fans packed the stadium from ringside to the rafters, including thousands with standing room only tickets, in setting the all-time Ford Field attendance record.
The 80,103 fans in attendance and millions worldwide saw quite an unforgettable pay-per-view event. Donald Trump’s representative in the “Battle of the Billionaires,” Bobby Lashley(TM), defeated Vince McMahon’s representative, Umaga(TM), “the Samoan Bulldozer.” As part of the match stipulation, Trump and Lashley shaved McMahon completely bald, much to the WWE chairman’s great embarrassment. Trump did not leave the WWE ring unscathed, however, as during the post match celebration special guest referee Stone Cold Steve Austin(TM) put a “Stone Cold Stunner” on Trump, leaving him lying flat in the ring.
In title matches, John Cena® defeated Shawn Michaels, the “Heartbreak Kid,” to retain the WWE Championship. The Undertaker® defeated Batista(TM) to win the World Heavyweight Championship and extend his undefeated streak at WrestleMania to 15 wins.
The action was box office gold for WWE and WrestleMania’s host city, Detroit. WrestleMania 23 was the highest grossing one-day live event in WWE history, with more than $5.38 million in ticket sales. Fans converging on Detroit from 24 countries, all 50 states and 9 Canadian provinces, pumped an estimated $25 million into the local economy.
This marks the second time World Wrestling Entertainment has established an attendance record in Detroit. In 1987, at WrestleMania III, 93,173 fans filled the Silverdome in Pontiac, Mich., setting the all-time indoor attendance record.
“Who says lightning doesn’t strike twice,” said Kurt Schneider, Executive Vice President of Marketing. “Ford Field shook to the very core of its foundation with the thunderous noise from the record-setting crowd. The support of our fans in Detroit and around the world made WrestleMania 23 a tremendous success.”
Additional information on World Wrestling Entertainment, Inc. (NYSE: WWE – News), can be found at wwe.com and corporate.wwe.com. For information on our global activities, go to http://www.wwe.com/worldwide/.
Video feeds with highlights of WrestleMania 23 will take place on April 2 at the following times: 12:15 –12:30 a.m. ET; 4:00 – 4:15 a.m. ET; and 10:45 – 11:00 a.m. ET.
Coordinates for the feed are:
Gal 25/14C (formerly IA5)
D/L Freq: 3980 H
Sub-carriers: 6.2/6.8
Trouble Number: 203-353-2925/2926
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Trademarks: All World Wrestling Entertainment, Inc. programming, talent names, images, likenesses, slogans, wrestling moves, and logos are the exclusive property of World Wrestling Entertainment, Inc. ECW is a trademark of WWE Libraries, Inc. All other trademarks, logos and copyrights are the property of their respective owners.
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, feature films, 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 agreements, including television distribution agreements; 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.
Contact:
World Wrestling Entertainment, Inc.
Media:
Kevin Hennessy, 203-517-6621
or
Gary Davis, 203-353-5066
or
Investors:
Michael Weitz, 203-352-8642
Source: World Wrestling Entertainment, Inc.
