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WWE News
WWE News: WWE executive interviewed on TNA as competition, analysis of WWE's view of TNA Jun 29, 2009 - 12:20:18 PM
WWE's president of international business, Andrew Whitaker, says the difference between WWE and TNA according to WWE's view is that WWE is "entertainment" and TNA is "pro wrestling."
The quote came in an interview with indiantelevision.com with a focus on WWE's international business in Asia, specifically India. TNA programming airs on a separate sports channel from WWE's Indian partner, Ten Sports.
Whitaker was asked how WWE views TNA as competition in the market, but Whitaker first gave the company line about "all forms of entertainment" being competition to WWE for dollars in the marketplace.
"For any sports or entertainment company, whether you are Manchester United, U2, or WWE, the biggest concern is the enormous proliferation of content in the market," Whitaker said.
Whitaker added: "However, WWE is a significant force within entertainment and pop culture. Within our specific entertainment genre, we clearly are the industry leader. While TNA is pro wrestling, WWE is entertainment."
Caldwell's Analysis: The quote from Whitaker was the final question in the 12-question interview, which Whitaker navigated with corporate-speak and "re-stating of WWE press release facts" about WWE's reach in the marketplace. Most answers to the question on how WWE views TNA end with the first quote about all forms of entertainment being competition to WWE, so it was interesting to see Whitaker actually address TNA by name.
As for the distinction of WWE as "entertainment" and TNA as "pro wrestling," Whitaker was getting across the point that WWE views itself as a more diversified entertainment company compared to TNA, which it apparently views as simply a 'rasslin promotion.
Link:WWE executive interview.
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