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#REDIRECT [[World Wrestling Entertainment]]
{{Infobox company
|name = WWE
|logo =[[File:Wwelogo.svg|150px]]
|type =[[Public company|Public]]
|trading_name = WWE
|traded_as = {{nyse|WWE}}
|foundation = January 7, 1952 (promotion)<ref>[http://www.ewrestlingnews.com/news/12740/wwe-forgets-to-celebrate-a-major-anniversary WWE Forgets To Celebrate A Major Anniversary - WWE]. eWrestlingNews.com (2013-01-09). Retrieved on 2013-09-05.</ref> <br />March 29, 1979 (corporate)<ref>[http://www.thehistoryofwwe.com/79.htm 1979]. Thehistoryofwwe.com. Retrieved on 2013-09-05.</ref>
|founder = '''Capitol Wrestling:''' <br>[[Jess McMahon]]<br />[[Toots Mondt]]<br />'''Titan Sports Inc.:''' <br>[[Vince McMahon]]
|location_city = [[Stamford, Connecticut]]
|location_country = [[United States]]
|area_served = Worldwide
|key_people=Vince McMahon<br /><small>([[Chairman]], [[Chief executive officer|CEO]] & Majority stakeholder - 70%)</small><br>[[Stephanie McMahon]]<br /><small>([[Executive vice president|EVP]], Creative)</small><br>[[Paul "Triple H" Levesque]]<br /><small>([[Executive vice president|EVP]], Talent & Live Events)</small><br>George Barrios<br /><small>([[Chief financial officer|CFO]])</small><br />Michelle D. Wilson<br /><small>([[Chief marketing officer|CMO]])</small>
|products = Television, publishing, movies, Internet, and merchandise
|services = Licensing
|industry =[[Professional wrestling]], [[sports entertainment]]
|revenue={{increase}} [[United States dollar|$]]659.33 Million (2013)<ref name=Q1FY2013>{{cite web|url=http://finance.yahoo.com/q?s=WWE|title=WWE Reports 2012 Fourth Quarter and Full Year Results| accessdate=2012-02-28|date=2012-02-23|publisher=WWE}}</ref>
|liabilities ={{increase}} $3.772 Billion (2013)<ref name=Q1FY2013/>
|operating_income ={{increase}} $138.00 Million (2013)<ref name=Q1FY2013/>
|net_income ={{increase}} $99.00 Million (2013)<ref name=Q1FY2013/>
|assets ={{increase}} $3.372 Billion (2013)<ref name=Q1FY2013/>
|equity ={{increase}} $2.208 Billion (2013)<ref name=Q1FY2013/>
|num_employees=585 (2011)<ref name=AR10>{{cite web|title=The New WWE Annual Report 2010|publisher=WWE|url=https://materials.proxyvote.com/Approved/98156Q/20110304/AR_82759/HTML2/default.htm|accessdate=2011-05-22}}</ref>
| divisions = {{Collapsible list|framestyle = <!--(optional)-->|title=Divisions|1=[[WWE Libraries]]|2=[[WWE Studios]]|3=[[WWE Books]]|4=[[WWE Music Group]]|5=[[NXT Wrestling]]|6=WWE Kids|7=WWEShop.com|8=WWE TV Productions}}
| subsid={{Collapsible list|framestyle = <!--(optional)-->|title=Subsidiaries|1=TSI Realty Company|2=Event Services, Inc.,|3=[[WWE Studios]]|4=Stephanie Music Publishing, Inc.|5=WWE Properties International, Inc.|6=WWE Japan|7=WWE Australia|8=World Wrestling Entertainment (International) Ltd.|9=World Wrestling Entertainment Canada, Inc.|10=WWE Sports, Inc.|11=[[World Championship Wrestling|WCW Inc.]]|12=WWE Animation, Inc.<ref name=SEC2012>{{cite web|url=http://yahoo.brand.edgar-online.com/displayfilinginfo.aspx?FilingID=8454553-407794-409144&type=sect&TabIndex=2&companyid=7520&ppu=%252fdefault.aspx%253fcik%253d1091907|title=WWE, Inc. Form 10-K|date=2012-03-01|publisher=[[U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission]]}}</ref>}}
|homepage =[http://www.wwe.com/ Official website] <br /> [http://corporate.wwe.com/ Official Corporate website]
|owner = Vince McMahon<ref name="WWEProxy2012">{{cite web|url=http://ir.corporate.wwe.com/Cache/c12947772.html|title=WWE Proxy Statement 2012|date=2012-03-12|publisher=WWE|accessdate=2012-10-21}}</ref>
|intl =yes
}}
'''World Wrestling Entertainment, Inc.''' ('''WWE''')<ref>{{cite web|title=World Wrestling Entertainment, Inc.|url=http://www.nyse.com/about/listed/quickquote.html?ticker=wwe|publisher=[[New York Stock Exchange]]|accessdate=2011-12-07}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|title=WWE Annual Shareholders Meeting to be held on April 29, 2011|url=http://corporate.wwe.com/documents/WWE2011ShareholdersMeeting.pdf|publisher=WWE|accessdate=2011-05-08|date=2011-02-18}}</ref> is an American publicly traded, privately controlled entertainment company that deals primarily in [[professional wrestling]], with major [[revenue|revenue sources]] also coming from [[film]], [[music]], product licensing, and direct product sales. Founded by [[Jess McMahon]] and [[Toots Mondt]] in 1952, it is currently the largest [[professional wrestling promotion]] in the world, reaching 13 million viewers in the U.S. and broadcasting its shows to more than 150 countries.<ref>{{cite web|title=Company Overview|url=http://corporate.wwe.com/company/overview.jsp#livetv|publisher=WWE|accessdate=2011-05-08}}</ref> Like other professional wrestling promotions, WWE's shows do not feature legitimate sporting contests. Instead, its programs feature [[Angle (professional wrestling)|storyline]]-driven combat sport matches with predetermined outcomes and fighting maneuvers that are [[Glossary of professional wrestling terms#Work (noun)|worked]], all promoted as legitimate bouts.<ref>{{cite web|last=Grabianowski |first=Ed |url=http://entertainment.howstuffworks.com/pro-wrestling.htm |title=How Pro Wrestling Works |publisher=Entertainment.howstuffworks.com |date=2006-01-13 |accessdate=2012-06-10}}</ref>

[[Vince McMahon]] is the [[Ownership|majority owner]], [[chairman]] and [[chief executive officer]] (CEO) of the company. Together with his wife [[Linda McMahon]], and their children [[Shane McMahon]] and [[Stephanie McMahon]], the McMahons hold approximately 70% of WWE's [[economy|economic]] interest and 96% of the [[voting interest|voting power]] in the company. The company's [[headquarters]] are located in [[Stamford, Connecticut]] and also has offices in [[New York City]], [[Los Angeles]], [[London]], [[Shanghai]], [[Tokyo]], [[Singapore]], and [[Mumbai]].<ref name="WWE Corporate - Company Overview">{{cite web|url=http://corporate.wwe.com/company/overview.jsp|title=WWE Corporate - Company Overview|date=2011-06-15}}</ref><ref name="WWE Corporate - WWE OPENS MUMBAI OFFICE">{{cite web|url=http://corporate.wwe.com/news/2011/2011.5.24.jsp|title=WWE Corporate - WWE OPENS MUMBAI OFFICE|date=2011-06-15}}</ref> The company previously bore the names, World Wide Wrestling Federation (WWWF), World Wrestling Federation (WWF) and World Wrestling Federation Entertainment. Since 2002, the company has been recognized as World Wrestling Entertainment and was simplified to WWE in 2011.<ref name="2011name">{{cite web|title=The New WWE|url=http://corporate.wwe.com/news/2011/2011_04_07.html|publisher=World Wrestling Entertainment|accessdate=2011-04-08|date=2011-04-07}}</ref>

==Company history==
{{Main|History of WWE}}

===Capitol Wrestling Corporation (1952-1963)===
[[Jess McMahon|Roderick James "Jess" McMahon]] was a successful boxing promoter who began working with [[Tex Rickard]] in 1926. With the help of Rickard, he began promoting boxing at [[Madison Square Garden (1925)|the third Madison Square Garden]]. A few years prior, professional wrestler [[Toots Mondt|Joseph Raymond "Toots" Mondt]] had created a new challenge of professional wrestling that he called “Slam Bang Western Style Wrestling”. He convinced wrestler [[Ed Lewis (wrestler)|Ed Lewis]] and his manager [[Billy Sandow]] to implement this new solution into the wrestling industry. Following this, he formed a promotion with both men and persuaded many wrestlers to sign contracts with their [[Gold Dust Trio]]. After much success, a disagreement over power caused the trio to dissolve and, with it, their promotion. Mondt later formed partnerships with several other promoters, including [[Jack Curley]] in New York City. Mondt eventually took over the New York wrestling scene, due to the fact Curley was dying, with the aid of several bookers, one of whom was Jess McMahon.

Together, McMahon and Mondt created the Capitol Wrestling Corporation Ltd. (CWC), which later joined the [[National Wrestling Alliance]] in 1953. In November 1954, Jess McMahon died and Ray Fabiani, one of Mondt's associates, brought in [[Vince McMahon, Sr.|Vincent James McMahon.]]<ref>{{cite book|last=Kaelberer|first=Angie Peterson |title=Fabulous, Freaky, Unusual History of Pro Wrestling|year=2010|publisher=Capstone Press|isbn=1-4296-4789-2|page=32}}</ref> McMahon and Mondt were very successful and soon controlled approximately 70% of the NWA's booking, largely due to their dominance in the heavily populated Northeast region. In 1963, McMahon and Mondt left the NWA and created the World Wide Wrestling Federation (WWWF).

===World Wide Wrestling Federation (1963-1979)===
In early 1963, the World Wide Wrestling Federation (WWWF) was formed by McMahon and Mondt, following a dispute with the NWA over [[Buddy Rogers (wrestler)|"Nature Boy" Buddy Rogers]] being booked to hold the [[NWA World Heavyweight Championship]].<ref name=won2011>{{cite journal|authorlink=Dave Meltzer|journal=Wrestling Observer Newsletter|date=July 20, 2011}}</ref> Both men left the company in protest following the incident and formed the WWWF in the process, awarding Rogers the new [[WWE Championship|WWWF World Championship]] in April of that year. He lost the title to [[Bruno Sammartino]] a month later on May 17, 1963, after suffering a [[heart attack]] shortly before the match.

The WWWF operated in a conservative manner compared to other pro wrestling territories;<ref>{{cite web |url=http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-aw8hS9psIsI/TX2U4tyXq7I/AAAAAAAAAGo/pYb5ZvDMbOg/s1600/WrestlingTerritories.png |title=WrestlingTerritories.png |work=Freakin' Awesome Network Forums :: Freakin' Awesome Wrestling Forum :: (w)Rest of Wrestling |publisher= |accessdate=25 March 2012}}</ref> it ran its major arenas monthly rather than weekly or bi-weekly, usually featuring a [[face (professional wrestling)|babyface]] champion wrestling various [[heel (professional wrestling)|heels]] in programs the consisted of one to three matches.<ref name=WON1991>{{cite journal|authorlink=Dave Meltzer|journal=Wrestling Observer Newsletter|date=June 3, 1991}}</ref> Although the business was initially rather strong, the crowds in Madison Square Garden fell off due to a lack of television exposure. After gaining a television program deal and turning preliminary wrestler [[Lou Albano]] as a manager for Sammartino’s heel opponents, the WWWF was doing sell out business by 1970.

Mondt left the company in the late sixties and although the WWWF had withdrawn from the NWA, Vince McMahon, Sr. quietly re-joined in 1971. At the annual meeting of the NWA in 1983, the McMahons and WWF employee [[Jim Barnett (wrestling)|Jim Barnett]] all withdrew from the organization.<ref name=won2011/>

===World Wrestling Federation / Titan Sports Inc. (1979-1999)===

====The Golden Era (1980-1992)====
{{Main|1980s professional wrestling boom}}
[[File:WWFLogo84-97.png|thumb|right|250px|The company logo used between 1979-1994]]
In March of 1979, for marketing purposes, the World Wide Wrestling Federation was renamed the World Wrestling Federation (WWF).<ref name="NWA193">{{cite book|title=National Wrestling Alliance: The Untold Story of the Monopoly That Strangled Pro Wrestling|last=Hornbaker|first=Tim|page=193|publisher=[[ECW Press]]|year=2007|isbn=978-1-55022-741-3}}</ref> That same year, the son of Vincent J. McMahon, [[Vince McMahon|Vincent K. McMahon]], founded Titan Sports, Inc.<ref>{{cite book|title=National Wrestling Alliance: The Untold Story of the Monopoly That Strangled Pro Wrestling|last=Hornbaker|first=Tim|page=353|publisher=[[ECW Press]]|year=2007|isbn=978-1-55022-741-3}}</ref> and was incorporated on February 21, 1980. On June 6, 1982, Titan Sports purchased CWC from his father and associates [[Arnold Skaaland]], [[Gorilla Monsoon]], and Phil Zacko.<ref name="NWA193"/> The elder McMahon had long since established the northeastern territory as one of the most vibrant members of the NWA. He had long since recognized that professional wrestling was more about [[sports entertainment|entertainment]] than actual sport. Against his father's wishes, McMahon began an expansion process that fundamentally changed the industry.

McMahon's vision for his promotion was starting to become possible when he hired AWA talent [[Hulk Hogan]], who had achieved popularity outside of wrestling - notably for his appearance in ''[[Rocky III]]'' as [[Hulk Hogan|Thunderlips]].<ref>{{IMDb title|0084602}}</ref> McMahon signed [[Roddy Piper|Rowdy Roddy Piper]] as Hogan's rival, and then shortly afterward signed [[Jesse Ventura|Jesse "The Body" Ventura]]. Other wrestlers took part of the roster, such as [[André the Giant]], [[Jimmy Snuka|Jimmy "Superfly" Snuka]], [[Don Muraco|The Magnificent Muraco]], [[Junkyard Dog]], [[Paul Orndorff|"Mr. Wonderful" Paul Orndorff]], [[Greg Valentine|Greg "The Hammer" Valentine]], [[Ricky Steamboat|Ricky "The Dragon" Steamboat]], [[Nikolai Volkoff]] and the [[Iron Sheik]].

[[File:Vince McMahon 2.jpg|thumb|right|200px|[[Vince McMahon]], the owner of the WWE]]
With reasonable revenue being made, McMahon was able to secure television deals, and WWF was being shown across the United States. This angered other promoters and disrupted the well-established 'boundaries' of the different wrestling promotions. The syndication of WWF programming forced other promotions to come into direct competition. To make matters worse, McMahon used the income generated by advertising, television deals, and tape sales to poach talent from rival promoters.

The WWF would tour nationally in a venture that would required a huge capital investment; one that placed the WWF on the verge of financial collapse. The future of not just McMahon's experiment, but also the WWF, the NWA, and the whole industry came down to the success or failure of McMahon's groundbreaking concept, [[WrestleMania]]. WrestleMania was a major [[pay-per-view]] success; and was marketed as the [[Super Bowl]] of professional wrestling. However, the concept of a wrestling [[Card (sports)|supercard]] was nothing new in North America; the NWA had been running [[Starrcade]] a few years prior. In McMahon's eyes, however, what separated WrestleMania from other supercards was that he wanted it to be accessible to those who did not watch wrestling. He invited celebrities such as [[Mr. T]], [[Muhammad Ali]], and [[Cyndi Lauper]] to participate in the event, as well as securing a deal with [[MTV]] to provide coverage. The event and hype surrounding it led to the term ''[[Rock 'n' Wrestling Connection]]'', due to the cross-promotion of pop-culture and professional wrestling.

The WWF business expanded significantly on the shoulders of McMahon and his [[face (professional wrestling)|babyface]] hero, Hulk Hogan, for the next several years. The introduction of ''[[Saturday Night's Main Event]]'' on [[NBC]] in 1985 marked the first time that professional wrestling had ever been broadcast on network television since the 1950s. The 1980s 'Wrestling Boom' peaked with [[WrestleMania III]] at the [[Silverdome|Pontiac Silverdome]] in 1987, which set an attendance record of 93,173.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://slam.canoe.ca/Slam/Wrestling/Wrestlemania20/WrestleMania3.html|title=Steamboat - Savage rule WrestleMania 3|last=Powell|first=John|publisher=SLAM! Wrestling|accessdate=2007-10-14}}</ref> A rematch of the Wrestlemania III main event between WWF champion Hulk Hogan and André the Giant took place on ''[[WWF The Main Event|The Main Event]]'' soon after and was seen by 33 million people, and is still the record for the most watched wrestling match in North America.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://slam.canoe.ca/Slam/Wrestling/Wrestlemania20/WrestleMania3.html|title=Steamboat&nbsp;— Savage rule WrestleMania 3|last=Powell|first=John|publisher=SLAM! Wrestling|accessdate= 2007-10-14 }}</ref>

====New Generation Era (1993-1997)====
[[File:Wwfnewgenlogo.jpg|thumb|right|200px|Company logo used between 1994 to early 1998 during the New Generation Era]]
{{Main|Monday Night Wars}}
The WWF was hit with allegations of [[Anabolic steroid|steroid]] abuse and distribution in 1991 and was followed by allegations of [[sexual harassment]] by WWF employees the following year.<ref>{{cite web|last=Spotlight|first=Developmental|title=History: Vince McMahon and the Steriod trial|url=http://pwchronicle.blogspot.co.uk/2006/01/history-vince-mcmahon-and-steroid.html|work=PW Chronicle Blogspot|publisher=The Pro-Wrestling Chronicle|accessdate=10 April 2013}}</ref> McMahon was eventually exonerated, but it was a [[public relations]] nightmare for the WWF. The steroid trial cost the company an estimated $5 million at a time when revenues were at an all-time low. To compensate, McMahon cut the pay of both wrestlers and front office personnel;– close to 40% in the [[sexual harassment]]case. This helped drive many WWF wrestlers to the only major competition at the time, [[World Championship Wrestling]] (WCW), including former WWF Champion Hulk Hogan. During this period, the WWF promoted itself under the banner of "The New WWF Generation", featuring [[Shawn Michaels]], [[Kevin Nash|Diesel]], [[Scott Hall|Razor Ramon]], [[Bret Hart]] and [[The Undertaker]], in an effort to promote and push young talent into the spotlight.

In 1993, the WWF broke new ground in televised professional wrestling with the debut of its cable program ''[[WWE Raw|WWF Monday Night Raw]]''. After becoming a runaway success, WCW countered in 1995 with its own Monday night program, ''[[WCW Monday Nitro]]'', which broadcast in the same timeslot as ''Raw''.<ref>{{cite book|last1=Shields|first1=Brian|last2=Sullivan|first2=Kevin|title=WWE: History of WrestleMania|year=2009|page=53|accessdate=2009-07-16}}</ref> The two programs would trade wins in the ensuing [[Nielsen ratings|ratings]] competition (known as the famous Monday Night Wars) until mid-1996. At this point, WCW began a nearly two-year domination that was largely fueled by the introduction of the [[New World Order (professional wrestling)|New World Order]] (nWo), a stable led by former WWF performers Hulk Hogan, Scott Hall (a.k.a. Razor Ramon), and Kevin Nash (a.k.a. Diesel).<ref>{{cite web|last=Scaia|first=Rick|title=RAW vs. Nitro: Year One|url=http://www.oowrestling.com/features/mnw-y1.shtml|publisher=Online Onslaught Wrestling|accessdate=10 April 2013}}</ref>

Despite having high quality talent and in-ring performances that had not been seen since the 1980s, the WWF continued to lose profits. During the financial period between May 1994 and April 1995, the WWF reported a loss of $4.4 million. Although the next financial period between May 1995 to April 1996 resulted in a profit of $3.3 million, the company had a large loss of $6.5 million between May 1996 to April 1997.<ref>[http://archive.bebo.com/BlogView.jsp?MemberId=7600982248&BlogId=7796105645 Blog]. Archive.bebo.com. Retrieved on 2013-09-05.</ref> In 1996, [[WWE Raw|WWF Raw]] averaged a 2.6 rating for the year. Pay-per-views drew an average 0.63 mean buyrate, while paid attendance dropped to just below 5,000 fans per show.

In early 1997, the company was in serious financial trouble. In order to lure more fans to attend live shows, the WWF drastically cut ticket prices. Most tickets for the [[Royal Rumble (1997)|1997 Royal Rumble]] were reportedly only $10 and most tickets for [[Wrestlemania 13]] were reportedly only $25. Despite this, both shows failed to sell-out. According to [[Jim Cornette]], the 1997 Royal Rumble had 47,514 sold tickets and just before the event began, another 12,511 tickets were given out for free, just to fill the arena.<ref>[http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mIKBDHNYeII jim cornette on royal rumble 1997]. YouTube (1997-01-19). Retrieved on 2013-09-05.</ref> The biggest pay-per-view of the year, [[Wrestlemania 13]] failed to sellout the [[Rosemont Horizon]] in [[Chicago]], the only [[Wrestlemania]] in history not to sell every available ticket.<ref>[http://books.google.co.uk/books?id=pf04aqi1i0AC&pg=PA141&lpg=PA141&dq=1997+wwf+pay+per+view+ticket+prices&source=bl&ots=Tmdj966j0Z&sig=9mgpHNm2BCVOZ9b3d-FZRc2Gkkc&hl=en&sa=X&ei=RQkSUpLZJsO50QXm8IGgDw&ved=0CFYQ6AEwBjgK#v=onepage&q=1997%20wwf%20pay%20per%20view%20ticket%20prices&f=false Between the Ropes: Wrestling's Greatest Triumphs and Failures - Brian Fritz - Google Books]. Books.google.co.uk. Retrieved on 2013-09-05.</ref> Out of a total of 18,197 tickets available, 16,467 were sold. The remaining 1,737 tickets were given out for free, again, just to fill the arena.<ref>[http://thehistoryofwwe.com/blog/2011/03/23/march-23-1997-the-submission-match-and-some-other-matches-too/ March 23, 1997: The Submission Match (and some other matches too…) | What the World is Watching]. Thehistoryofwwe.com (2011-03-23). Retrieved on 2013-09-05.</ref> At the same time McMahon was planning to make the WWF a publicly traded company, a move which required him to minimize any long-term financial commitments.<ref>[http://prowrestling.about.com/od/thebiggestrivalries/a/shawnvsbret.htm Montreal Screwjob - Bret Hart vs Shawn Michaels]. Prowrestling.about.com (2013-07-17). Retrieved on 2013-09-05.</ref>

The WWF continued to struggle throughout 1997. In September 1997, the WWF decided to hold a pay-per-view in the UK called [[WWF One Night Only]]. It was the first UK pay-per-view since [[SummerSlam (1992)|SummerSlam 1992]]. Despite its low buy-rate and high ticket prices, the event sold-out and was a huge financial success. According to [[Shawn Michaels]] in his autobiography, “We wanted to do something different. To go to [[England]]...what happened there that night was the right call.”<ref>[http://collarandelbow.com/wwf-one-night-only-the-legacy-of-the-first-uk-only-ppv-15-years-on/ WWF One Night Only: The Legacy of the First UK-Only PPV 15 Years On]. CollarAndElbow.com (2012-09-20). Retrieved on 2013-09-05.</ref> The following month in October, the WWF held its first ever [[Hell in a Cell]] match at [[Badd Blood: In Your House]]. The main event was given a 5-star match rating by Dave Meltzer. However, the events that were to unfold at November's [[Survivor Series (1997)|1997 Survivor Series]] would permanently change the company's fate.

====The Attitude Era (1997-2001)====
{{Main|The Attitude Era}} {{see also|Montreal Screwjob}}

As the [[Monday Night Wars]] continued between ''[[WWE Raw|Monday Night Raw]]'' and WCW's ''[[WCW Monday Nitro|Monday Nitro]]'', the WWF would transform itself from a family-friendly product into a more adult oriented product, known as [[The Attitude Era]]. The era was spearheaded by Vince McMahon and head writer [[Vince Russo]], who drastically changed the way professional wrestling television was written.

[[File:WWFLogo98-02.png|thumb|The WWF logo used during "[[The Attitude Era]]" (1997-2001)]]
The fans of WWF seemed to favor what was posed to them as the [[heel (professional wrestling)|bad guy]] instead of the [[face (professional wrestling)|good guy]]. The creative changes made by the company's writers who saw wrestling take on a "street fighting", "bad attitude" approach. However, despite this revolutionary change by the company, WWF continued to lose much of its leading talent to rival promotion, WCW throughout 1996 and 1997. 1997 ended with McMahon facing real-life controversy following [[Bret Hart]]'s controversial departure from the company, later known as the [[Montreal Screwjob]].<ref>{{cite book|author=Mick Foley|title=[[Have a Nice Day: A Tale of Blood and Sweatsocks]]|publisher=HarperCollins|year=2000|page=648|isbn=0-06-103101-1}}</ref> This resulted in major financial losses and plummeting ratings with many of McMahon's employees, wrestling critics, and wrestling fans turning against him. This proved to be one of several founding factors in the launch of the Attitude Era as well as the creation of McMahon's on-screen character, "[[Vince McMahon#Mr. McMahon (1997)|Mr. McMahon]]"; a [[dictator]]ial and fierce ruler who favored heels over faces.

Prior to the Montreal Screwjob which took place at the [[Survivor Series (1997)|1997 Survivor Series]], former WCW talent were being hired by the WWF, including [[Stone Cold Steve Austin]], [[Mick Foley|Mankind]] and [[Vader (wrestler)|Vader]]. Steve Austin was slowly brought in as the new face of the company despite being promoted as an [[anti-hero]], starting with his [[Austin 3:16]] speech shortly after defeating [[Jake Roberts]] in the tournament finals at the [[King of the Ring]] pay-per-view in 1996.<ref>{{cite book |author=Mick Foley |title=[[Have a Nice Day: A Tale of Blood and Sweatsocks]] |publisher=HarperCollins |year=2000 |page=229 |isbn=0-06-103101-1}}</ref> The creation of the Mr. McMahon character soon led to the [[The Attitude Era#The Austin vs. McMahon rivalry|Austin vs. McMahon feud]], the central storyline during the Attitude Era. During the rivalry, McMahon founded two heel [[Professional wrestling stable|factions]]: [[The Corporation (professional wrestling)|The Corporation]] and [[Corporate Ministry|The Corporate Ministry]] to help try and defeat Austin. The feud even involved former boxing champion, [[Mike Tyson]], which helped give the company mainstream media attention and a significant increase in ratings.

===World Wrestling Federation Entertainment, Inc. (1999-2002)===

====Initial public offerings====
On the back of the success of the Attitude Era, several new advances and products were launched. During this period, the WWF's parent company Titan Sports was renamed World Wrestling Federation Entertainment, Inc. (WWFE Inc. or WWFE) and on October 19, 1999 became a publicly traded company, offering 10 million shares priced at [[United States dollar|$]]17 each.<ref name=wwfstock>{{cite web|url=http://www.pbs.org/newshour/extra/features/july-dec99/wwf.html|title=WWF Enters the Stock Market|accessdate=2007-05-05|date=1999-10-19}}</ref> WWF Entertainment announced its desire to diversify, including creating [[The World (WWE)|a nightclub in Times Square]], [[WWE Studios|producing feature films]], and book publishing.

On April 29, 1999, the WWF made its return to [[terrestrial television]] by launching a special program known as ''[[WWE SmackDown|SmackDown!]]'' on the fledgling [[UPN]] network. The Thursday night show became a weekly series on August 26, 1999. The show led to further TV ratings competition with WCW, up against ''[[WCW Thunder]]''.

In 2000 the WWF, in collaboration with television network [[NBC]], announced the creation of the [[XFL]], a new professional [[American football|football]] league that debuted in 2001.<ref name=xfl>{{cite web|url=http://corporate.wwe.com/news/2000/2000_02_03.jsp|title=WWE Entertainment, Inc. announces the formation of the XFL – a new professional football league|accessdate= 2007-05-05|month=02|date=03|year=2000}}</ref> The league had high ratings for the first few weeks, but initial interest waned and its ratings plunged to dismally low levels (one of its games was the lowest-rated prime-time show in the history of American television). NBC walked out on the venture after only one season, but McMahon intended to continue alone. However, after being unable to reach a deal with UPN, McMahon shut down the XFL.<ref name=xflfolds>{{cite news|url= http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/football/news/2001/05/10/xfl_folds_ap/|title=XFL folds after disappointing first season|accessdate =2007-05-05|date=2001-05-10 | work=CNN}}</ref>

====Acquisition of WCW and ECW====
By the fall of 1999, The Attitude Era had turned the tide of the Monday Night Wars into WWF's favor for good. After Time Warner merged with [[AOL]], [[Ted Turner]]'s control over WCW was considerably reduced, and the newly merged company announced a complete lack of interest in professional wrestling as a whole, and decided to sell WCW in its entirety. Although Eric Bischoff—whom Time Warner fired as WCW president in October 1999—was nearing a deal to purchase the company, in March 2001, WWF Entertainment, Inc. acquired WCW from AOL Time Warner for a number reported to be around $7 million.<ref name=wcw>{{cite web|url=http://corporate.wwe.com/news/2001/2001_03_23.jsp|title=WWE Entertainment, Inc. Acquires WCW from Turner Broadcasting|accessdate=2007-05-05|month=03|date=23|year=2001}}</ref> Shortly after [[WrestleMania X-Seven]], the WWF launched the Invasion storyline integrating the incoming talent roster from WCW and [[Extreme Championship Wrestling]] (ECW). With this purchase, WWF now became the largest wrestling promotion in the world, and the only one in North America with mainstream exposure. The assets of ECW, which had folded after filing for [[bankruptcy]] protection in April 2001, were purchased by WWE in mid-2003.<ref>{{cite book|last1=Shields|first1=Brian|last2=Sullivan|first2=Kevin|title=WWE: History of WrestleMania|year=2009|page=58|accessdate=2009-07-16}}</ref>

===World Wrestling Entertainment, Inc. / WWE, Inc. (2002-present)===
====Brand extension====
In March 2002, roughly two months before the name change, WWE decided to create two separate rosters, ''Raw'' and ''[[WWE SmackDown|SmackDown!]]'' due to the overabundance of talent left over from the [[The Invasion (professional wrestling)|Invasion storyline]]. This is known as the [[WWE Brand Extension]]. Despite much of the originally drafted talent departing by 2004, WWE has continued to separate the shows, taking on younger talent, and holds a [[WWE Draft|Draft Lottery]] every year. On May 26, 2006, WWE announced the relaunch of [[Extreme Championship Wrestling]] as a [[WWE Brand Extension|WWE brand]]. The [[ECW (WWE)|new ECW]] program aired internationally and on Tuesday nights on [[Syfy]] in the United States until February 16, 2010.<ref name=SciFi>{{cite web|title=WWE brings ECW to Sci Fi Channel|publisher=WWE.com|url=http://www.wwe.com/shows/ecw/scifi|accessdate=2006-08-28}}</ref>

====Name dispute====
[[File:WWEfout.PNG|thumb|The "Get the F Out" marketing campaign]]
[[File:Classic WWE Logo.png|thumbnail|WWE logo, retrofitted as the classic logo]]
In 2000, the [[World Wide Fund for Nature]] (also trademarked WWF), an environmental organization, sued World Wrestling Federation Entertainment Inc. in the [[United Kingdom]].<ref>{{Cite journal|author=John K. Carlisle |year=2003 |title=World Wide Fund For Nature vs. World Wrestling Entertainment |work=Foundation Watch |publisher=Capital Research Center |url=http://www.capitalresearch.org/pubs/pdf/x3773144899.pdf |accessdate=2010-12-15 |postscript=<!-- Bot inserted parameter. Either remove it; or change its value to "." for the cite to end in a ".", as necessary. -->{{inconsistent citations}}}}</ref> The [[Lords of Appeal in Ordinary|Law Lords]] agreed that the promotion company had violated a 1994 agreement as Titan Sports which had limited the permissible use of the WWF trademark in Europe, particularly in merchandising. The World Wide Fund and World Wrestling Federation used the initials since March 1979.<ref name=Agreement>{{cite web|title=Agreement-WWF-World Wide Fund for Nature and Titan Sports Inc.|url= http://contracts.corporate.findlaw.com/agreements/wwf/worldwildlife.1997.01.20.html|accessdate=2006-11-23}}</ref> The last televised event to market the WWF logo was the UK based [[pay-per-view]] [[WWE Insurrextion|Insurrextion 2002]]. On May 5, 2002, the company launched its "Get The F Out" [[marketing]] campaign and changed all references on its website from "WWF" to "WWE", while switching the [[Uniform resource locator|URL]] from ''WWF.com'' to ''WWE.com''.<ref name=GetFOut>{{cite web|title=World Wrestling Federation Entertainment Drops The "F" To Emphasize the "E" for Entertainment|publisher=WWE|url=http://corporate.wwe.com/news/2002/2002_05_06.jsp|accessdate= 2006-08-28}}</ref> The next day, a press release announced the official name change from ''World Wrestling Federation Entertainment, Inc''. to ''World Wrestling Entertainment, Inc.'', or WWE, and the change was publicized later that day during a telecast of ''Monday Night Raw'', which was broadcast from the [[XL Center|Hartford Civic Center]] in [[Hartford, Connecticut]].

Following the case, the use of the WWF "scratch" logo became prohibited on all WWE properties. Additionally, past references to the ''WWF'' trademark and initials in 'specified circumstances' became censored.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://corporate.wwe.com/news/2002/2002_05_06.jsp|title=World Wrestling Federation Entertainment Drops The "F" To Emphasize the "E" for Entertainment|publisher=WWE|accessdate=2008-12-20|date=2002-05-06}}</ref> Despite litigation, WWE was still permitted use of the original WWF logo, which was used from 1979 through 1994, as well as the "New WWF Generation" logo, which was used from 1994 through 1998. Furthermore, the company could still make use of the full "World Wrestling Federation" and "World Wrestling Federation Entertainment" names without consequence. In 2003, WWE won a limited decision to continue marketing certain classic video games from [[THQ]] and [[Jakks Pacific]] that contained the WWF "scratch" logo.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://corporate.wwe.com/news/2003/2003_04_17.jsp |title=WWE Corporate - English Court Repudiates World Wide Fund for Nature; Ends Legal Block To Sale of THQ/Jakks WWE Videogames |publisher=Corporate.wwe.com |date=2003-04-17 |accessdate=2012-06-09}}</ref> However, the packaging on those games had all WWF references replaced with WWE.

Starting with the 1,000th episode of ''Raw'' in July 2012, the WWF "scratch" logo is no longer censored in archival footage due to WWE reaching a settlement with the World Wide Fund for Nature.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.wrestlingnewssource.com/news/25935/WWE-Reaches-Settlement-With-World-Wildlife-Fund/ |title=WWE Reaches Settlement With World Wildlife Fund |publisher=Wrestlingnewssource.com |date=2012-08-08 |accessdate=2013-08-10}}</ref> In addition, the WWF initials are no longer censored when spoken or when written in plain text in archival footage. Since then, full-length matches and other segments featuring the WWF initials and "scratch" logo have been added to the WWE website and the [[WWE Classics on Demand]] service. This also includes [[WWE Home Video]] releases since October 2012 starting with the re-release of ''Brock Lesnar: Here Comes The Pain''.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.wwedvdnews.com/will-wwf-scratch-logo-appear-future-wwe-dvds/28264/ |title=Exclusive: Will the WWF “Scratch Logo” Appear on Future WWE DVDs? &#124; Wrestling DVD News |publisher=Wwedvdnews.com |date=2012-10-10 |accessdate=2013-08-10}}</ref> In exchange, WWE is no longer permitted to use the WWF initials or logo in any new, original footage, with any old-school logos for retro-themed programming now using the original WWF logo, but modified without the F.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.pwinsider.com/ViewArticle.php?id=71245&p=1&utm_source=feedburner&utm_medium=feed&utm_campaign=Feed%3A+pwinsider+%28PWInsider+Latest+Articles%29&utm_content=Google+Reader |title=Update On The Wwe Scratch Logo Situation |publisher=PWInsider.com |date=2012-08-19 |accessdate=2013-08-10}}</ref>

====Network changes and high-definition====
In late 2005, [[WWE Raw]] returned after a five-year stint on TNN (now [[Spike (TV channel)|Spike]]) to its original home on [[USA Network]]. In 2006, due to contracts with NBC Universal, the parent company of USA Network, WWE revived its classic Saturday night show [[Saturday Night's Main Event]] (SNME) on [[NBC]] after a thirteen-year hiatus. WWE had the chance to promote the company on a major national network rather than the lower profile [[The CW Television Network|CW]] or cable channels like USA Network. SNME airs occasionally on NBC as a WWE special series. On September 26, 2007, it was announced that WWE would be expanding its international operations. Alongside the current international offices in London and Toronto, a new international office would be established in Sydney.<ref name="WWE: Flexing its Muscle">{{cite web|url=http://corporate.wwe.com/news/2007/2007_09_26.jsp|title=WWE: Flexing its Muscle|date=2007-09-01}}</ref>

On January 21, 2008, WWE made the transition to [[High-definition television|high-definition]] (HD). All TV shows and pay-per-views after this were broadcast in HD. In addition, WWE also introduced a new HD set that is used for both the ''Raw'' and ''SmackDown'' brands. A different set, though usually similar to the universal design in layout, is used for pay-per-views.<ref name="HD">{{cite web|title=WWE Goes HD|url= http://corporate.wwe.com/news/2008/2008_01_14.jsp|publisher=WWE |accessdate=2008-01-25}}</ref> On July 23, 2012, ''Raw'' debuted a new, modified HD set which has also become universal for all weekly programming.

====Social Media, TV-PG, and Public Service Initiatives====
On November 19, 2008, WWE launched their online social network, WWE Universe. It initially appeared in April as the ''WWE Fan Nation''. Similar to [[Myspace]], it offered blogs, forums, and other features for WWE fans. Also the WWE fanbase began being referred to on-air by the announcers and wrestlers as the "WWE Universe", similar to how some sports franchises refer to their own fanbases ("[[Boston Red Sox|Red Sox Nation]]", "[[Oakland Raiders|Raider Nation]]", etc.).<ref>{{cite web|title=WWE.com launches much anticipated online social network|url=http://corporate.wwe.com/news/2008/2008_11_19.jsp|publisher=WWE|accessdate=2008-12-29}}</ref> The social network ceased operations on January 1, 2011.<ref>{{cite web|title=WWE Universe|url=http://interactive.wwe.com/universe/|publisher=WWE|accessdate=2011-01-01}}</ref> The company subsequently launched a WWE page on [[Facebook]], which, as of October 7, 2011, had more than 39 million fans worldwide. In 2012, WWE became an investor in the social media site [[Tout (company)|Tout]], which is now heavily promoted on all programming.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.facebook.com/wwe |title=WWE - Media/News/Publishing - Stamford, CT |publisher=Facebook |date= |accessdate=2012-06-09}}</ref>

Also in 2008, WWE initiated a change in its programming content. The United States [[TV Parental Guidelines|parental guidelines]] rating system now rates most WWE television programs [[TV-PG]]. This was done to promote more family-friendly content in the programming than in the past (especially during [[the Attitude Era]]) when most content was rated [[TV-14]]. As part of this new policy, WWE television programs shift to [[black-and-white]] if a wrestler bleeds in front of the camera.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.wrestlingnewsworld.com/wwes-anti-blood-policy-swagger-to-be-suspended-android-app-piledriver-banned/ |title=WWE’s Anti-Blood Policy, Swagger To Be Suspended?, Android App, Piledriver Banned |author=Gray, Richard |publisher=''Wrestling News World'' |date=2013-02-26 |accessdate=2013-03-22}}</ref> And in 2012, WWE debuted a new Saturday morning program (''[[WWE Saturday Morning Slam]]'') which is rated [[TV-G]] and has special restrictions barring the use of holds and moves aimed at the neck.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://corporate.wwe.com/news/2008/2008_07_28.jsp |title=WWE Corporate - WWE Rated PG |publisher=Corporate.wwe.com |date=2008-07-28 |accessdate=2010-10-03}}</ref><ref name="programming">{{cite web|url=http://www.acorn-online.com/joomla15/arts/features/53533-after-26-years-wrestlemania-is-still-special-to-wwe-owner.html|title=After 26 years, Wrestlemania is still special to WWE owner|date=March 25, 2010|last=Borsuk|first=Ken|publisher=Acorn-online|archiveurl=http://web.archive.org/web/20100328115522/http://www.acorn-online.com/joomla15/arts/features/53533-after-26-years-wrestlemania-is-still-special-to-wwe-owner.html|archivedate=March 28, 2010}}</ref> Vince McMahon noted that the change to more family-friendly content is due to the changing demographics in WWE viewership.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.sportsbusinessjournal.com/index.cfm?fuseaction=article.preview&articleid=66027 |title=WWE says its move to a PG television rating is encouraging more sponsors to take a look |publisher=Sportsbusinessjournal.com |date= |accessdate=2010-10-03}}</ref>

With the adjustment made to on-air content, WWE also began to get more involved in public service and community outreach programs, such as in 2011, when WWE (along with several other groups) began the "Be A Star" anti-bullying initiative. And in October 2012, WWE formed a partnership with [[Susan G. Komen for the Cure]] to promote [[breast cancer]] awareness. As part of the campaign, WWE adorned their sets with pink ribbons, put a pink middle rope on the ring, filmed numerous PSAs, and sold special [[John Cena]] "Rise Above Cancer" merchandise. All of these efforts culminated in a donation from WWE of $1 Million, which was presented to Susan G. Komen representatives in an in-ring ceremony during the October 29, 2012 episode of ''Raw''. WWE is doing a similar campaign in October 2013 with Susan G Komen, this time with all major wrestlers having special "Rise Above Cancer" gear.<ref>http://shop.wwe.com/Rise-Above-Cancer-Collection/riseabovecancer,default,sc.html</ref>

In 2013, WWE became involved in the [[Nothing But Nets]] program, which involves providing and distributing [[mosquito net]]s in Africa to prevent insect bites which may cause [[malaria]]. In April 2013, it was announced that WWE would be a founding sponsor in the 2014 [[Special Olympics USA]] Games.<ref>{{cite web|author=|url=http://finance.yahoo.com/news/wwe-becomes-founding-partner-2014-025100362.html |title=WWE® Becomes Founding Partner for 2014 Special Olympics USA Games - Yahoo! Finance |publisher=Finance.yahoo.com |date=2013-04-07 |accessdate=2013-08-10}}</ref>

On April 7, 2011, WWE Corporate announced that the company would be rebranded from "World Wrestling Entertainment, Inc." to simply "WWE, Inc." This [[Pseudo-acronym|orphan initialism]] occurred to reflect WWE's global entertainment expansion away from the ring with the ultimate goal of acquiring entertainment companies and putting a focus on television, live events, and film production. WWE quoted that their new company model was put into effect with the relaunch of ''[[WWE Tough Enough]]'', being a non–scripted program (contrary to the scripted nature of professional wrestling) and with the expected launch of a [[WWE Network|WWE television network]] in 2012. However, the legal name of the company remains as World Wrestling Entertainment.<ref name="2011name"/>

Beginning October 2012, episodes of WWE programs ''SmackDown'', ''NXT'', ''Main Event'' & ''Superstars'' are available in full on [[Hulu]]<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.wwe.com/inside/hulu-becomes-exclusive-wwe-next-day-platform-26051902 |title=Score exclusive access to WWE action on Hulu Plus |publisher=Wwe.com |date=2012-09-24 |accessdate=2013-08-10}}</ref> while a shorter, edited version of ''Raw'' can be viewed.

===="Supershow" format and developmental restructuring====
Beginning with the August 29, 2011, episode of ''Raw'', it was announced that ''Raw'' would feature talent from both ''Raw'' and ''SmackDown'', and would be known as ''Raw Supershow'' (the "Supershow" suffix would be dropped on July 23, 2012). The next night, on a special live episode of ''SmackDown'', a similar announcement was made regarding ''Raw'' talent appearing on ''SmackDown''. Also, championships previously exclusive to one show or the other were available for wrestlers from any show to compete for, as well as house show cards also featuring a mix of both ''Raw'' and ''SmackDown'' talent. For all intents and purposes, the "Supershow" format would mark the end of the brand extension, as all programming and live events since the initial announcement was made have featured the full WWE roster.

On March 20, 2012, rumors circulated online reporting that WWE would cease operation of its lone development territory, [[NXT Wrestling|Florida Championship Wrestling]], in three weeks time.<ref>{{cite web|url= http://www.wrestlinginc.com/wi/news/2012/0319/550812/|title=WWE Shutting Down Florida Championship Wrestling|accessdate=2012-03-20|publisher= WrestlingInc.}}</ref> However, the next day (March 21) WWE's Executive Vice President of Talent, [[Triple H|Paul "Triple H" Levesque]], in a statement on WWE.com, revealed that rumors of the impeding closing of FCW were not true, and that after [[WrestleMania XXVIII]] there would be a big announcement regarding the development system.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.wwe.com/inside/fcw-future-triple-h|title=HHH on rumors of FCW Closing |author= |date=2012-03-20 |work= |publisher=WWE |accessdate=18 March 2012}}</ref> In August 2012, FCW was revamped by having its name changed to NXT Wrestling (the name of a [[WWE NXT|WWE program]] which showcases developmental talent), and by eventually establishing new championships for the developmental roster.<ref name="FCWtoNXT">{{cite web|url=http://www.f4wonline.com/more/more-top-stories/118-daily-updates/27030-wwe-news-fcw-name-being-phased-out|title= WWE News: FCW name being phased out|accessdate=August 14, 2012|publisher=Wrestling Observer}}</ref>

The company announced in early 2013 to build a [[WWE Performance Center|sports medicine and training center]] in east [[Orange County, Florida|Orange County]], [[Florida]] in partnership with [[Full Sail University]] in [[Winter Park, Florida]]. The training facility is targeted at career development for wrestlers and athletic development.<ref>[Orange County] Business Briefs July 2013 Florida Trend</ref> This will be similar to the [[WCW Power Plant]] in the 1990s.

==Wellness Program==

The Talent Wellness Program is a comprehensive drug, alcohol, and cardiac screening program initiated in February 2006, shortly after the sudden death of one of their highest profile talents, 38 year-old [[Eddie Guerrero]].<ref name=wwepolicy>{{cite web|url= http://corporate.wwe.com/documents/TalentWellnessProgramOutline2-27-06CORPweb.pdf|title=WWE Talent Wellness Program|accessdate=2007-10-11|date=2007-02-27|publisher= Corporate WWE Web Site}}</ref> The policy tests for [[recreational drug use]] and abuse of prescription medication, including [[anabolic steroid]]s.<ref name=wwepolicy/> Under the guidelines of the policy, talent is also tested annually for pre-existing or developing cardiac issues. The drug testing is handled by Aegis Sciences Corporation. The cardiac evaluations are handled by New York Cardiology Associates P.C.<ref name=wwepolicy/>

After the [[Chris Benoit double murder and suicide|double murder and suicide]] committed by one of its performers, [[Chris Benoit]], with a possible link to steroids abuse encouraged by WWE, the [[United States House Committee on Oversight and Government Reform]] requested that WWE turn over any material regarding its talent wellness policy.<ref name=steroid>{{cite web|url=http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/20002071/|title=Congress wants WWE's info on steroids, doping|accessdate=2007-07-29}}</ref>

In August 2007, the program was defended by WWE and its employees in the wake of several illegal pharmacy busts that linked WWE performers to steroid purchases even after the policy was put into place. Ten professional wrestlers were suspended for violating the Wellness Policy after reports emerged they were all customers of Signature Pharmacy in [[Orlando, Florida]]. According to a statement attributed to WWE attorney Jerry McDevitt, an eleventh wrestler was later added to the suspension list.<ref>{{cite news|url= http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/2007/more/08/30/wrestlers/|title=Fourteen wrestlers tied to pipeline|publisher=Sports Illustrated|date=2007-08-30|accessdate=2007-10-11}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|first=Paul|last=Farhi|title=Pro Wrestling Suspends 10 Linked to Steroid Ring|url=http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2007/08/31/AR2007083101961.html|publisher=[[The Washington Post|Washington Post]]|date=2007-09-01|accessdate=2007-10-11}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.headlineplanet.com/base/articles/1188623664.html|title=WWE Suspends Yet Another Wrestler|date=2007-09-01|work=Headline Planet|archiveurl=http://web.archive.org/web/20071107162727/http://www.headlineplanet.com/base/articles/1188623664.html|archivedate=November 7, 2007}}</ref>

Because of the Wellness Policy, physicians were able to diagnose one of its performers with a heart ailment that would otherwise likely have gone unnoticed until it was too late. In August 2007, then-reigning [[WWE United States Championship|United States Champion]] [[Montel Vontavious Porter]] (real name Hassan Assad) was diagnosed with [[Wolff–Parkinson–White syndrome]],<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.wwe.com/shows/smackdown/archive/08102007/articles/mvpmostvaluableprogram|title=MVP's Most Valuable Program|publisher=WWE|date=2007-08-10|accessdate=2007-12-07}}</ref> which can be potentially fatal if gone undiagnosed. The ailment was discovered while Assad was going through a routine Wellness Policy checkup.

On September 13, 2010, WWE updated their list of banned substances to include [[Muscle relaxant|muscle relaxers]].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://pwtorch.com/artman2/publish/WWE_News_3/article_43853.shtml|title=WWE News: WWE officially updates Wellness Policy to ban the "non-medical use" of muscle relaxant Soma|date=2010-09-17|accessdate=2010-09-18|work=Pro Wrestling Torch}}</ref>

==TNA Entertainment, LLC lawsuit==
{{main|TNA Entertainment, LLC v. Wittenstein and World Wrestling Entertainment, Inc.}}
{{Cleanup-rewrite|2=section|date=July 2013}}
In May 2012, [[Total Nonstop Action Wrestling]] (TNA) filed a lawsuit against WWE and former TNA employee Brian Wittenstein, claiming that he took "confidential trade secrets" to WWE and helped WWE gain an "unfair" competitive advantage in negotiating contracts with TNA talent. According to the suit, TNA was informed of Wittenstein's breach three weeks later by a WWE official, after which the promotion fired Wittenstein. According to TNA, [[Ric Flair]] attempted to terminate his TNA contract two days after Wittenstein's firing. The exact allegations filed by TNA in the suit include "interference with existing contracts", breach of duty of loyalty, conversion, breach of contract, civil conspiracy, unfair competition, and violation of the [[Tennessee]] [[Uniform Trade Secrets Act]].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://pwtorch.com/artman2/publish/TNA_News_1/article_61772.shtml|title=TNA/WWE News: Details on TNA suing WWE & former TNA employee, Flair central figure in allegations, what's next in court|date=2012-05-25|last=Caldwell|first=James|accessdate=2012-06-04|work=Pro Wrestling Torch}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://nashvillecitypaper.com/content/city-news/tna-wrestling-files-injunction-against-wwe-over-contract-trade-secrets-violations|title=TNA wrestling files injunction against WWE over contract, trade secrets violations|date=2012-05-24|last=Greenberg|first=Pierce|accessdate=2012-06-04|work=[[The City Paper]]}}</ref> An injunction hearing was set for July 12.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://pwtorch.com/artman2/publish/quicknews/article_62076.shtml|title=Result from TNA vs. WWE hearing today|date=2012-06-04|last=Caldwell|first=James|accessdate=2012-06-04|work=Pro Wrestling Torch}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.citizen-times.com/article/20120525/NEWS/305250070/Wrestling-giants-TNA-WWE-going-court |title=Wrestling giants TNA, WWE going to court &#124; The Asheville Citizen-Times |publisher=citizen-times.com |date=2012-05-25 |accessdate=2012-06-09}}</ref> The lawsuit was formally withdrawn without prejudice, by the plaintiff, TNA, on January 15, 2013 under a "Notice of Voluntary Nonsuit" which offers no ruling on the merits of the suit and allows TNA to potentially refile at a later date.<ref>{{cite web|last=Caldwell|first=James|title=TNA drops lawsuit vs. WWE this week|url=http://pwtorch.com/artman2/publish/WWE_News_3/article_67952.shtml}}</ref>

==Expansion beyond wrestling==
In addition to licensing wrestling and performers' likenesses to companies such as [[Acclaim Entertainment|Acclaim]], [[THQ]]/[[2K Sports]], and [[Mattel]] to produce video games and action figures, WWE has moved into other areas of interest in order to market their product.

===Active properties===
*[[WWE Libraries]]: A subsidiary of WWE established in 2001 after the acquisition of WCW that owns the largest collection of professional wrestling videos and copyrights.
*[[WWE Studios]]: A subsidiary of WWE created in 2002 to create and develop feature film properties. Formerly known as WWE Films.
*[[WWE Music Group]]: A subsidiary that specializes in compilation albums of WWE wrestlers' entrance themes. The group also releases titles that have been performed by WWE wrestlers.
*[[WWE Home Video]]: A subsidiary that specializes in distributing compilation VHS, DVD, and Blu-ray Disc copies of WWE pay-per-view events, compilations of WWE wrestlers' performances, and biographies of WWE performers.
*[[WWE Books]]: A subsidiary of WWE that serves to publish autobiographies of and fiction based on WWE personalities, behind-the-scenes guides to WWE, illustrated books, calendars, young adult books, and other general "Nonfiction" books.
*[[WWE Performance Center]]: A subsidiary of WWE that serves as the training and performance center for future employees.
*WWE Kids: A website and comic set aimed at the children's end of the wrestling market, comics are produced bi-monthly. It was launched on April 15, 2008.
*WWEShop.com: A website located at http://shop.wwe.com/.

===Defunct properties===
*[[World Bodybuilding Federation]]; A subsidiary of Titan Sports that was launched in 1990 which promoted professional [[bodybuilding]] through a television show, magazine, and annual pay-per-view events. It was closed in 1992.
*[[XFL]]: Folded in 2001, was a partially owned subsidiary of WWFE launched in 2000 which comprised eight league-owned [[professional football (gridiron)|professional football]] teams. The league included television broadcasts on [[NBC]] (the other co-owners of the league), [[UPN]] and [[Spike (TV channel)|TNN]].
*[[The World (WWE)|The World]], formerly known as WWF New York: A restaurant, night club, and memorabilia shop in New York City launched in 1999. Closed in 2003. [[Hard Rock Cafe]] took the building itself since 2005.
*[[WWE Niagara Falls]]: A retail and entertainment establishment that was located in [[Niagara Falls, Ontario]] and owned by WWE. It was open from August 2002 through March 2011.

==Championships and accomplishments==

===Current champions===
{{Main|List of current champions in WWE}}
{| class="wikitable" style="background:#fcfdff; font-size:95%; text-align: center;"
|-
!Championship||Current champion(s)||Date won||Event||Previous champion(s)
|-
||[[WWE Championship]]
|[[Vacated]]
|September 16, 2013
|[[WWE Raw|Raw]]
|[[Daniel Bryan]]
|-
|[[World Heavyweight Championship (WWE)|World Heavyweight Championship]]
|[[Alberto Del Rio]]
|June 16, 2013
|[[WWE Payback|Payback]]
|[[Dolph Ziggler]]
|-
|[[WWE Intercontinental Championship|Intercontinental Championship]]
|[[Curtis Axel]]
|June 16, 2013
|[[WWE Payback|Payback]]
|[[Wade Barrett]]
|-
|[[WWE United States Championship|United States Championship]]
|[[Dean Ambrose]]
|May 19, 2013
|[[Extreme Rules (2013)|Extreme Rules]]
|[[Kofi Kingston]]
|-
|[[WWE Tag Team Championship|Tag Team Championship]]
|[[The Shield (professional wrestling)|The Shield]]<br><small>([[Roman Reigns]] & [[Seth Rollins]])</small>
|May 19, 2013
|[[Extreme Rules (2013)|Extreme Rules]]
|[[Team Hell No]]
|-
|[[WWE Divas Championship|Divas Championship]]
|[[AJ Lee]]
|June 16, 2013
|[[WWE Payback|Payback]]
|[[Kaitlyn (wrestler)|Kaitlyn]]
|}

===Other accomplishments===
{| class="wikitable" style="background:#fcfdff; font-size:95%; text-align: center;"
|-
!Accomplishment||Latest winner||Date won
|-
| style="background:gold; text-align:center;"|''[[Royal Rumble match|Royal Rumble]]''
|align=center |[[John Cena]]
|align=center |January 27, 2013
|-
| style="background:#FFBBBB; text-align:center;"|[[Money in the Bank ladder match|Money in the Bank]]<br>([[WWE Championship]])
| style="text-align:center;"|[[Randy Orton]]
| style="text-align:center;"|July 14, 2013
|-
| style="background:#BBBBFF; text-align:center;"|Money in the Bank<br>([[World Heavyweight Championship (WWE)|World Heavyweight Championship]])
|align=center |[[Damien Sandow]]
|align=center |July 14, 2013
|}

===Developmental territory champions===
{| class="wikitable" style="background:#fcfdff; font-size:95%; text-align: center;"
|-
!Championship||Current champion(s)||Date won||Event||Previous champion(s)
|-
! colspan="6" style="background:yellow;"|[[NXT Wrestling]]
|-
|align=center |[[NXT Championship]]
|align=center |[[Bo Dallas]]
|align=center |May 23, 2013
|''[[WWE NXT|NXT]]''
|align=center |[[Big E Langston]]
|-
|align=center |[[NXT Tag Team Championship]]
|align=center |[[The Ascension (professional wrestling)|The Ascension]]<br><small> ([[Conor O'Brian]] and [[Rick Victor]])</small>
|align=center |September 12, 2013
|''NXT''
|align=center |[[Pac (wrestler)|Adrian Neville]] & [[Sterling James Keenan|Corey Graves]]
|-
|align=center |[[NXT Women's Championship]]
|align=center |[[Britani Knight|Paige]]
|align=center |June 20, 2013
|''NXT''
|align=center |''Inaugural''
|}

===Defunct championships===
{{Main|List of former championships in WWE}}

In its 61 year history, WWE has operated over twenty different [[championship (professional wrestling)|championships]]. The company's first title, the [[WWWF United States Tag Team Championship]], was created in 1958 and retired in 1967. Overall, the company has retired 19 championships with the most recent being the [[WWE Women's Championship]]. Created in 1956 and retired in September 2010, the consolidation of the WWE Unified Divas Championship into the WWE's 2008 [[WWE Divas Championship]] retired the older title and continued the lineage of the latter.

==See also==
{{Portal|Professional wrestling}}
* [[List of WWE alumni]]
* [[List of WWE pay-per-view events]]
* [[List of WWE personnel]]

==References==
{{Reflist|2}}

==External links==
* {{official website|http://www.wwe.com/}}
* {{official website|http://wwe.co.jp/}} {{Ja icon}}

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Revision as of 11:05, 4 October 2013

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