Changes

'''World Wrestling Entertainment, Inc.''' ('''WWE''') is a publicly-traded company dealing with wrestling entertainment.  It also had failed venues in football (the [[XFL]]) and body building.  The WWE puts on live and telecast wrestling shows, produces [[video games]] and licenses various products.  The company was previously known was the WWF, (World Wrestling Federation) before changing its name.  It is the largest entertainment wrestling organization in the world.

'''World Wrestling Entertainment, Inc.''' ('''WWE''') is a publicly-traded company dealing with wrestling entertainment.  It also had failed venues in football (the [[XFL]]) and body building.  The WWE puts on live and telecast wrestling shows, produces [[video games]] and licenses various products.  The company was previously known was the WWF (World Wrestling Federation), and before 1979 the World Wide Wrestling Federation (WWWF), before changing its name in 2002.  It is the largest entertainment wrestling organization in the world.

[[Vince McMahon]] is the majority owner and Chairman of the company and his wife [[Linda McMahon]] holds the position of Chief Executive Officer (CEO). Together with their children, Executive Vice President of Global Media [[Shane McMahon]] and Senior Vice President of Creative Writing [[Stephanie McMahon]], the McMahons hold approximately 70% of WWE's economic interest and 96% of all voting power in the company.

[[Vince McMahon]] is the majority owner and Chairman of the company and his wife [[Linda McMahon]] holds the position of Chief Executive Officer (CEO). Together with their children, Executive Vice President of Global Media [[Shane McMahon]] and Senior Vice President of Creative Writing [[Stephanie McMahon]], the McMahons hold approximately 70% of WWE's economic interest and 96% of all voting power in the company.

==History==

==History==

The World Wide Wrestling Federation (WWWF) was born in 1963 when Vince J. McMahon split off from the larger NWA league which was mostly a series of "mom and pop" wrestling entertainment outfits with each organization staying in its own area.  The company was renamed the World Wrestling Federation (WWF) in 1979.  Under Vince K. McMahon, Vince J. McMahon's son, the WWF would start to go national in the 1980's, breaking the unwritten rule of not encroaching on the turf of other regional leagues.  As his revenue increased, he also started to sign the best known names from other organizations.   

The World Wide Wrestling Federation (WWWF) was born in 1963 when Vincent J. McMahon split off from the larger National Wrestling Alliance, an umbrella organization of "mom and pop" wrestling territories with each promotion staying in its own territory.  The company was renamed the World Wrestling Federation (WWF) in 1979.  Under Vince McMahon, Vincent J. McMahon's son, the WWF would start to go national in the 1980s, breaking the unwritten rule of not encroaching on the turf of other regional wrestling territories.  As his revenue increased, he also started to sign the best known names from other promotions, including the American Wrestling Association (AWA) and the NWA's flagship promotion, Jim Crockett Promotions (JCP).   

The breakthrough signing that became the first nationally recognized superstar was [[Hulk Hogan]] who, due to his appearance in Rocky III, had a national recognition that few other wrestlers could manage. Other big named wrestlers were brought in including [[Andre the Giant]].  Superstardom hit paydirt with the production of the first nationwide Pay per view [[Wrestlemania]] in 1985.  Incorporating well known actors such as [[Mr. T]] into the production helped to turn the WWF and Wrestlemania into a mainstream hit.

The breakthrough signing that became the first nationally recognized superstar was former AWA wrestler [[Hulk Hogan]] who, due to his appearance in the movie ''Rocky III'', had a national recognition that few other wrestlers could manage. Other big named wrestlers were brought in including [[Andre the Giant]].  Superstardom hit paydirt with the production of the first nationwide Pay per view [[WrestleMania]] in 1985.  Incorporating well known actors such as [[Mr. T]] into the production helped to turn the WWF and WrestleMania into a mainstream hit.

Allegations of steroid abuse hit the WWF in 1994 as well as sexual harassment claims.  They were a costly public relations nightmare that led to big cuts in salary for the wrestlers and staffs and saw many wrestlers leave to [[Ted Turner]]'s WCW league including Hulk Hogan.

Allegations of steroid abuse hit the WWF in 1994 as well as sexual harassment claims.  They were a costly public relations nightmare that led to big cuts in salary for the wrestlers and staffs and saw many wrestlers leave to [[Ted Turner]]'s World Championship Wrestling (the former JCP, which Turner bought in 1988), including Hulk Hogan.

"Stone Cold" [[Steve Austin]] rose as a star in the late 1990s in a new edgier era that saw a movement away from family fun to attacking authority, more violence, and swearing.  The WWF and the WCW went more head to head during this time including having competing wrestling shows on Monday nights.   

"Stone Cold" [[Steve Austin]] rose as a star in the late 1990s in a new edgier era that saw a movement away from family fun to attacking authority, more violence, and swearing.  The WWF and WCW went head to head during this time, including having competing wrestling shows on Monday nights.   

==Going Public==

==Going Public==

On 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.

On 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.

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.  

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 American 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 UPN demanded that SmackDown! be cut by half an hour, McMahon shut down the XFL.<ref>[http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/football/news/2001/05/10/xfl_folds_ap/ sportsillustrated.cnn.com]</ref>

In 2000 the WWF, in collaboration with television network [[NBC]], announced the creation of the XFL, a new professional American 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 UPN demanded that SmackDown! be cut by half an hour, McMahon shut down the XFL.<ref>[http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/football/news/2001/05/10/xfl_folds_ap/ sportsillustrated.cnn.com]</ref>

In March 2001 McMahon's empire grew when he acquired his main competitor WCW, which had been losing money and was sold for about $7 million.

In March 2001 McMahon's empire grew when he acquired his main competitor WCW, which had been losing money and was sold for about $7 million.

In May 2002 the name of the company was changed from the WWF to the WWE after it was ruled that the World Widelife Fund owned the rights to the WWF label in the United Kingdom.<ref>http://contracts.corporate.findlaw.com/agreements/wwf/worldwildlife.1997.01.20.html</ref>.<ref>http://corporate.wwe.com/news/2002/2002_05_06.jsp</ref>

In May 2002 the name of the company was changed from the WWF to WWE after it was ruled that the World Wildlife Fund owned the rights to the WWF label in the United Kingdom.<ref>http://contracts.corporate.findlaw.com/agreements/wwf/worldwildlife.1997.01.20.html</ref>.<ref>http://corporate.wwe.com/news/2002/2002_05_06.jsp</ref>

Another smaller wrestling company, Extreme Championship Wrestling, was purchased in mid 2003.

Another smaller wrestling company, Extreme Championship Wrestling, was purchased in mid 2003.

In 2003, WWE held their first annual "Tribute to the Troops" shows in [[Iraq]] and [[Afghanistan]].<ref>http://corporate.wwe.com/community/troops.jsp</ref>

In 2003, WWE held their first annual "Tribute to the Troops" shows in [[Iraq]] and [[Afghanistan]].<ref>http://corporate.wwe.com/community/troops.jsp</ref>

On May 26 2006, WWE revived Extreme Championship Wrestling as its third brand with the new ECW program airing Tuesday nights on the Sci Fi Channel.<ref>http://www.wwe.com/shows/ecw/scifi|accessdate</ref>

On May 26 2006, WWE revived Extreme Championship Wrestling as its third brand with the new ECW program airing Tuesday nights on the Sci Fi Channel (now SyFy).<ref>http://www.wwe.com/shows/ecw/scifi|accessdate</ref>

The final episode of WWE Extreme Championship Wrestling aired on February 16, 2010. In that episode, the final ECW title match was held. Ezekiel Jackson won the bout and became the final man to hold the ECW title.

The final episode of WWE's ECW show aired on February 16, 2010. In that episode, the final ECW title match was held. Ezekiel Jackson won the bout and became the final man to hold the ECW title.

The next week, WWE aired a new breed of wrestling television show. WWE NXT aired on the SyFy network in ECW's stead. NXT has sinced been moved to a livestreaming internet format along with WWE Supertstars.

The next week, WWE aired a new breed of wrestling television show. WWE NXT aired on the SyFy network in ECW's stead. NXT has sinced been moved to a livestreaming internet format along with WWE Supertstars.

|-style="background: #FFEEEE"

|-style="background: #FFEEEE"

|[[WWE United States Championship]]

|[[WWE United States Championship]]

|[[Santino Marella]]

|[[Antonio Cesaro]]

|March 5, 2012

|August 19, 2012

|March 5, 2012

|August 19, 2012

|-style="background: #FFEEEE"

|-style="background: #FFEEEE"

|rowspan=2 align="center" |[[WWE Friday Night Smackdown!|Smackdown!]]

|rowspan=2 align="center" |[[WWE Friday Night Smackdown!|Smackdown!]]

|-style="background: #EEEEFF"

|-style="background: #EEEEFF"

|[[WWE Intercontinental Championship]]

|[[WWE Intercontinental Championship]]

|[[Christian]]

|[[The Miz]]

|May 20,2012

|July 23, 2012

|May 20,2012

|July 23, 2012

|-style="background: #EEEEFF"

|-style="background: #EEEEFF"

|rowspan=3 align="center" |[[Interbrand Championships]]

|rowspan=3 align="center" |[[Interbrand Championships]]

|-

|-

|[[Money in the Bank ladder match|Money in the Bank]]

|[[Money in the Bank ladder match|Money in the Bank]]

|[[Alberto Del Rio ''Raw Money In The Bank'', Daniel Bryan ''Smackdown Money In The Bank'']]

|[[John Cena]] (''WWE Championship''), [[Dolph Ziggler]] (''World Heavyweight Championship'')

|July 17, 2011

|July 15, 2012

|-

|-

|[[WWE Diva Search|Diva Search]]

|[[WWE Diva Search|Diva Search]]

!style="background: #e3e3e3;"|Date won

!style="background: #e3e3e3;"|Date won

!style="background: #e3e3e3;"|Date aired

!style="background: #e3e3e3;"|Date aired

|-style="background: #FFFFEE;"

|-style="background: #FFFFEE;"

|rowspan=3 align=center|[[Florida Championship Wrestling|FCW]]

|rowspan=3 align=center|[[NXT Wrestling|NXT]]

|N/A (<small>[[FCW Arena]]</small>)

|-

|-

|-style="background: #FFFFEE;"

|-style="background: #FFFFEE;"

|[[FCW Florida Heavyweight Championship|FCW Florida Heavyweight Champion]]

|[[NXT Championship|NXT Champion]]

|[[Seth Rollins]]

|[[Seth Rollins]]

|February 23, 2012

|July 26, 2012

|March 15, 2012

|N/A (<small>[[FCW Arena]]</small>)

|N/A (<small>[[FCW Arena]]</small>)

|-

|-

*[[ECW Tag Team Championship]] (1992-2000)

*[[ECW Tag Team Championship]] (1992-2000)

*[[WWE Women's Championship]] (1956-2010) Unified with the Diva's Championship and now solely the Diva's Championship

*[[WWE Women's Championship]] (1956-2010) Unified with the Diva's Championship and now solely the Diva's Championship

===Defunct accomplishments===

===Defunct accomplishments===

[[Category:Wrestling]]

[[Category:Wrestling]]

[[category:entertainment]]

[[category:Entertainment]]

[[Category:World Wrestling Entertainment]]

[[Category:World Wrestling Entertainment]]