On the back of the success of the Attitude Era, on October 19, 1999 the WWF’s parent company, Titan Sports (by this time renamed World Wrestling Federation Entertainment, Inc.) became a publicly traded company, offering 10 million shares priced at $17 each. WWF announced its desire to diversify, including creating a nightclub in Times Square, producing feature films, and book publishing. ? In 2000 the WWF, in collaboration with television network NBC, announced the creation of the XFL, a new professional football league that debuted in 2001. The league had surprisingly 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 primetime 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.
Acquisition of WCW and ECWThe Attitude Era turned the tide of the Monday Night Wars into WWF’s favor for good. After Time Warner merged with AOL, Ted Turner’s power over WCW was considerably reduced, and the newly merged company , WWF Entertainment, Inc. acquired World Championship Wrestling, Inc. from AOL Time Warner for a number reported to be around $7 million. With this purchase, WWF was now the largest wrestling promotion in the world, and the only one in North America with mainstream exposure. It remained so until the launch of Total Nonstop Action Wrestling in 2002.
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He says they in return respect the people who respect them. Flair says he’ll be so proud to stand by his Hall of Fame brothers as they beat him. Jericho asks if Flair’s finished. Flair said no. Flair says he’s looking forward to standing in the middle of the ring and looking for Mickey Rourke. He says he’ll invite him to stand in the ring next to him, Piper, Snuka and Steamboat. He says he’ll tell Rourke in front of 70,000 fans to look at this beaten corpse and say « Woooo ». Jericho hits a cheap-shot in mid-Woo. Jericho commences to punching away at Flair. He battles to the outside and continues pummeling Flair. He rips Flair right out of his dress shirt.
Rey Mysterio’s music hits as he makes his way to the ring. Out next is WWE Intercontinental champion JBL in his limo. He steps out with William Regal. I guess JBL was just giving William Regal and Layla a ride to the ring. JBL joins Lawler and Cole for commentary. The two battle to the outside where JBL interferes and allows Regal to attack Mysterio from behind. Regal with the advantage now. Mysterio pretends to be hurt and that helps him gain the upper hand. Mysterio with the 6-1-9 and the pinfall victory. Mysterio hits JBL with the 6-1-9 on the outside.
WWE Company history
The WWF was not the only promotion to have broken ranks with the NWA; the American Wrestling Association (AWA) had long ago ceased being an official NWA member (although like the WWF, they seldom left their own territory). However, neither of the defecting members attempted to undermine the territory system that had been the foundation https://hookupdate.net/escort-index/abilene/ of the industry for more than half a century.
Monday Night WarsMain article: Monday Night WarsIn 1993, the WWF broke new ground in televised professional wrestling with the debut of its cable program WWF Monday Night Raw. After becoming a runaway success, WCW in 1995 countered with its own Monday night cable program, WCW Monday Nitro, in the same time slot as Raw. The two programs would trade wins in the ensuing ratings competition until mid-1996, when WCW began a nearly 2-year domination that was largely fueled by the introduction of the New World Order, a stable led by former WWF stars Hulk Hogan, Scott Hall, and Kevin Nash.
Business advancesOn April 29, 1999, the WWF made its return to terrestrial television by launching a special program known as SmackDown! on the fledgling UPN network. The Thursday-night show became a weekly series on August 26, 1999.