Loads Of Backstage News From WWE's Conference Call Inside

- WWE First Quarter 2009 Investors Conference Call

- Participants: Chairman Vince McMahon, Chief Executive Officer Linda McMahon, Chief Financial Officer George Barrios and Chief Operating Officer Donna Goldsmith

- Linda McMahon nor George Barrios made their traditional opening statement.

- For the first time ever, WWE Chairman Vince McMahon was on have during the investors conference call in order to discuss the WWE First Quarter 2009 numbers. Vince stated that he was on the call to lend a vision to the WWE future

- Vince discusses the first quarter as fair to poor overall, but also noted that he felt the company was set up for success in the future. He positively spun the cut backs by the company as efficient, that they have the right people to do more with less and can also grow the company.

- In ratings talk, Vince stressed that he wants his shows to be number 1 on the networks that they run, but also stated that all of the shows could do better. He feels that the new PG version of the WWE will allow for the networks to sell more expensive advertising, and that will allow then to charge more in rights fees.

- Next Vince put over their recent cross over with the view as a way that the company wants to reach out to media outlets and also get their brand out to a new audience and demographic. They are going to do this sort of thing to help grow all parts of the business, publications, music, films and so on and so forth.

- They ran down the first quarter numbers, and made sure to stress that last year, WrestleMania XXIV was in the first quarter.

- Vince stated that WrestleMania XXV is "on track" to reach 1 million buys. (Note: The PPV industry has predicted that the show will fall short.)

- On the change from JAKKS to Mattell, Vince said that it was night and day. Also, he says Mattell will fit them better as they cater much better to the younger demographics.

- WWE PPV will be offered in Mexico going forward. Vince wants to keep expending PPV, but also noted that it just doesn't exist (as we know it) in some countries that they would like to add.

- Linda talked for the only time, regarding the DVD distributor, Genius. While there had been issued reported with the company, she stated that WWE was always compensated on time, and that as far as she was concerned, there was no issue.

- The planned upgraded TV facility has been put on hold.

- Vince claimed that the split dividend was the McMahon family being generous in order to pay dividend to their shareholders. (Note: And I appreciate my dividend.)

- Chief Financial Officer George Barrios joined the call for discussion of 12 Rounds, stating that DVS sales and overseas business will push it over the break-even point.

- Vince stated that the company would likely not do another $20 Million budget film for a theatrical release, and said they will emphasize direct-to-video/DVD releases. They will also utilize their own employees, rather than pay "big stars" to be in their productions.

- Vince discussed that while they have relied on name performers (HHH and Undertaker named) that they also have several younger stars prepared to break out. he also stressed that they are a different company than they were on the 90s.

- The call ended as Vince joked with the operator about holding calls back. Vince said to not be shy, but they were set on ending the call, as they didn't take questions from this stockholder.