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WWE News
WWE News: WWE president speaks about future in Europe, nixes rumors of new territory based there Oct 16, 2007 - 4:06:43 PM
The UK Sun features an interview with the president of WWE's European, Middle East, and African division, Andrew Whitaker. Key highlights:
-On international expansion: We have grown the business so that $100million (£50million) of our $400million (£200million) annual revenue comes from the international side. We’ve done that operating out of one office in London and it is not realistic to continue doing things horizontally and expect to keep growing around the world. So the company has been restructured in a way so that it becomes regionalised and we can have a clearer focus on each market.
-On rumors of establishing a territory based in Europe with primarily European talent: This may not be the company official line, but my view is our touring and TV shows are so pervasive that the fan base internationally may not settle for something other than what they’ve grown to love in Raw and Smackdown. As for all the new British and Irish wrestlers – they are getting a chance not because of where they are from but because of their charisma and talent. That sells all over the world.
WK Analysis: There is definitely something to the idea that fans in Europe who have supported WWE when it tours with the full roster isn't going to jump to pay the same ticket prices in the same numbers to see European-based wrestlers. Part of WWE's appeal internationally is seeing established stars from America in person. Once they're European-based wrestlers and they're not considered top tier superstars, the appeal is reduced greatly - especially since if a big name in Europe shows promise, he'll just be shipped to the U.S. where the greatest revenue opportunities are.
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