As part of its Q1 2010 announcement, in which WWE achieved operating income of $37.3 million and net income of $24.7 million off revenue of $138.7 million, WWE revealed pay-per-view buyrates for Royal Rumble, Elimination Chamber and WrestleMania 26.

While the Rumble and Chamber events improved over their counterparts last year, WrestleMania 26 declined from last year's already-disappointing number. According to WWE, the show generated 885,000 buys, down from last year's 960,000 (note that WrestleMania 25 took place in the second quarter of 2009).

The strong UFC 111 pay-per-view, which aired the night before 'Mania, will likely receive some credit for adversely impacting the WM26 buyrate.

Royal Rumble, meanwhile, posted a figure of 462,000, up from last year's 450,000. Elimination Chamber topped 272,000 for No Way Out with 285,000.

In another interesting note, despite WWE's price increase to $44.95, and the increase in buys for Rumble and Chamber, revenue was slightly down compared to last year. The January and February shows garnered $13.6 million in 2009 and $13.4 million in 2010. This can be attributed to a relative increase in international buys, for which WWE does not receive as much revenue.

Labels: 2010 royal rumble, wrestlemania 26

Posted by Matt Loede at 7:04 PM | Permalink | Comments

Jim Ross has updated his blog with the highlights below:

* Speaking of Cena, his interaction with Mr. McMahon on Raw was spot on and some of the best verbal interaction that I've heard in a good while. The dialog between Cena and the Chairman of WWE was organic, emotional, and really has me anxious to see Raw next week when Bret "Hitman" Hart returns to confront McMahon. Fine TV in my humble opinion.

* The serious nature of winning the Royal Rumble match and what it means individually to every competitor was underscored with Monday Night's DX in ring promo. This was another verbal exchange that captured my interest. DX in a serious tone really captivated my attention.

* I had a great conversation Sunday with JBL who, as my Grandpa used to say is as busy as a fruit merchant, and doing great while living in New York City. John is on Fox News every Saturday morning of which I enjoy plus he is still developing his distribution business for 'Layfield Energy Plus' which is is several hundred convenience stores including many Circle K's...

Labels: 2010 royal rumble, bret hart, jbl, jim ross

Posted by Matt Loede at 2:16 PM | Permalink | Comments

- WWE creative team members had been tossing around an idea that would see Triple H and Shawn Michaels “tie” in the Royal Rumble match which would see Shawn choose to face The Undertaker at WrestleMania and see Triple H face Sheamus at WrestleMania. The idea was dropped however.

- The latest idea over this past weekend was that Triple H is the favorite to win the Rumble match this year and earn the shot against Sheamus. Rumor has it that Shawn Michaels will face Batista at Elimination Chamber to determine The Undertaker’s opponent for WrestleMania.

John Cena vs. Batista is expected to take place at the big show in Arizona this year.

Labels: 2010 royal rumble, shawn michaels, sheamus, triple h

Posted by Matt Loede at 5:08 PM | Permalink | Comments

-- WWE has added Michelle McCool vs. Mickie James for the WWE Women's Championship to the Royal Rumble line-up.

-- The following have also been added to the Royal Rumble match, which now has 24 entrants:

* Batista
* Chris Jericho
* CM Punk
* Kane
* Great Khali

-- Drew McIntyre vs. John Morrison for the Intercontinental Title (No DQ Match) and DX vs. CM Punk and Luke Gallows for the Unified Tag-Team Titles have been added to next week's SmackDown line-up.

Labels: 2010 royal rumble, john morrison

Posted by Matt Loede at 2:32 PM | Permalink | Comments

Although Batista is advertised for the Royal Rumble, it is possible he may yet be added to the Undertaker vs. Rey Mysterio match. In a satellite interview to promote Royal Rumble in Mexico last week, Mysterio did say that it would be a three-way match at the PPV. Whether they are going to add Batista at the last minute or if this was only the plan for that time, we do not know.

Labels: 2010 royal rumble, batista, rey mysterio, undertaker

Posted by Matt Loede at 12:54 AM | Permalink | Comments

Here is the official list of participants for the 30-man Royal Rumble match at this year’s pay-per-view. You’ll notice that there are two spots left open.

RAW: Big Show, Cody Rhodes, Carlito, Evan Bourne, Jack Swagger, John Cena, Kofi Kingston, Mark Henry, MVP, Santino Marella, Shawn Michaels, Ted DiBiase, The Miz and Triple H

SmackDown: Batista, Chris Jericho, CM Punk, Dolph Ziggler, Drew McIntyre, Finlay, John Morrison, Kane, Matt Hardy and R-Truth

ECW: Shelton Benjamin, Vladimir Kozlov, Yoshi Tatsu and Zack Ryder

Labels: 2010 royal rumble, RAW

Posted by Matt Loede at 5:37 PM | Permalink | Comments

Edge’s rehab for his achilles injury is ahead of schedule and WWE officials are expecting him to return at the Royal Rumble pay-per-view in two weeks. It’s possible that Edge will cost Chris Jericho the Royal Rumble match, setting up their bout at WrestleMania 26.

Labels: 2010 royal rumble, chris jericho, edge

Posted by Matt Loede at 5:36 PM | Permalink | Comments

Source: F4Wonline.com

As noted before, the original plan before this past weekend was for Sheamus to defend the WWE Title against John Cena at the Royal Rumble pay-per-view. Those plans were changed with Randy Orton getting the title shot.

The match may have been changed because word is that John Cena is plagued by back problems with bulging discs. No word yet on the severity of Cena's injury or what may come out of it.

Labels: 2010 royal rumble, john cena, sheamus

Posted by Matt Loede at 8:55 PM | Permalink | Comments

Ezekiel Jackson earned an ECW Title shot on tonight's show by winning the ECW Homecoming Over-The-Top-Rope Challenge

Ezekiel will face ECW Champion Christian at the Royal Rumble pay-per-view.

Labels: 2010 royal rumble, Ezekiel Jackson

Posted by Matt Loede at 11:55 PM | Permalink | Comments

The new issue of the PW Torch Newsletter speculates that Rob Van Dam may make a surprise WWE return at the Royal Rumble. Apparently RVD has told people that he hasn't spoken with TNA officials since November.

A source close to Van Dam feels he would be open to the idea of a short stint with WWE if the money and creative plans were right.

Labels: 2010 royal rumble, rvd

Posted by Matt Loede at 3:04 PM | Permalink | Comments

World Wrestling Entertainment(R) and Kmartannounced today they have again collaborated to create "Royal Riches," an exclusive, multiplatform marketing promotion supporting WWE's first pay-per-view event of 2010, Royal Rumble(R). Royal Rumble is taking place Sunday, Jan. 31 at the Philips Arena in Atlanta, Ga., marking the kick off to the "Road to WrestleMania(R) XXVI."

From Jan. 10 through Jan. 31, all Kmart stores will feature product boutiques showcasing WWE licensed merchandise including men's and boys' apparel, footwear, bedding, DVDs, and video games. Additionally, Kmart will debut Mattel's new line of WWE action figures and accessories. Consumers who purchase $35 or more of WWE merchandise at Kmart will receive $10 off their Royal Rumble pay-per-view order. Consumers also have the opportunity to win other promotional offers through the duration of the program including further discounts on WWE merchandise, and an opportunity to win a trip for two to WrestleMania XXVI on March 28 at University of Phoenix Stadium in Glendale, Ariz.

"Kmart continues to look for ways to bring value to our customers by offering exclusive and exciting products through our relationship with WWE," said Mark Snyder, chief marketing officer, Kmart. "Whether in store or online, Kmart's customers know they can find all of their favorite WWE products in one place."

"After the overwhelming success of last year's collaboration with Kmart, we are thrilled to expand our efforts by coming together again to offer WWE fans a great value for their shopping dollars and build excitement around our Royal Rumble pay-per-view event," said Jim Connelly, senior vice president, Consumer Products, WWE.

Kmart will feature select WWE merchandise available for purchase online at www.kmart.com/wwe, as well as a dedicated WWE section in its weekly circular. The microsite will feature live chats with WWE Superstars on Monday, Jan. 11 and Monday, Jan. 18 giving fans the chance to communicate directly with their favorite WWE Superstars. WWE will support the promotion through WWE Superstar and Diva meet and greets at select Kmart stores, as well as in-store radio and in-store TV broadcasts. In addition "Royal Riches" will be promoted in WWE Magazine, live events and online.

In select markets (tentative schedule below) Kmart and WWE will conduct in-store appearances and autograph sessions with WWE Superstars including:

Jan. 10 (Minneapolis): Ted DiBiase - 3 to 5 p.m. at 14230 Burnhaven Dr., Burnsville, Minn.

Jan. 16 (Birmingham): Ted DiBiase - 1 to 3 p.m. at 5980 Chalkville Mountain, Birmingham, Ala.

Jan. 23 (Chicago): Rey Mysterio - 1 to 3 p.m. at 3443 W. Addison, Chicago, Ill.

Jan. 26 (Columbus): Ted DiBiase - 6 to 8 p.m. at 5005 Olentagy River Rd., Columbus, Ohio

Labels: 2010 royal rumble

Posted by Matt Loede at 2:17 PM | Permalink | Comments

Source: PWInsider.com

- The current plan is to not shoot any major angles for the Royal Rumble pay-per-view until the 4th or 11th of January which means the December 21st and 28th RAW shows will be kind of “lame-duck” shows that are used to further build guys like Kofi Kingston and Sheamus.

The original plan was to shoot a big Rumble angle at the January 11th RAW but that probably has changed to the 4th after TNA announced their big special.

Labels: 2010 royal rumble

Posted by Matt Loede at 3:10 PM | Permalink | Comments