By James Caldwell, Torch assistant editor

WWE CFO George Barrios covered several WWE business topics during a presentation Monday at the J.P. Morgan Global Technology Conference. The following are highlights of Barrios's comments.

-- Barrios discussed throughout the 35-minute presentation the importance of WWE's forthcoming TV Network, which he described as a "potential game-changer" for WWE. Barrios said the current plan is to roll out a formal TV Network in some form within the next 12-18 months after the groundwork is taken care of internally.

Barrios said one aspect is ready - digitizing their video library - which they are calling "Project Evergreen." Barrios noted WWE is taking some of their $4-5 million capital expenditure investment to develop new filmed content for the Network. The other aspect is continued discussions with potential TV partners to establish the look & feel of a Network.

"I've said publicly if we're successful to the degree I think we can be successful, it's a game-changer for the company," Barrios said at the end of the conference.

Barrios noted when WWE first announced plans to roll out a TV Network, the plan was a traditional TV Network model, but massive changes to the media industry have led them to re-think a potential hybrid model. This was covered during WWE's first quarter conference call last month.

-- Regarding current talent issues, Barrios described WWE's mindset as "one step back, two steps forward" trying to establish new stars in light of recent retirements and injuries over the past 12 months.

Barrios acknowledged the last nine months has been a "headwind," which they've experienced on PPV and live events. He noted those business segments, which are "more transactional in nature," are most affected. "If people are making a decision and the storylines are a 'B+' instead of an 'A,' that might be affecting business," he said.

Barrios gave a formal description of Triple H's new role in the talent department. He essentially broke down Hunter's role as a liaison between new talent and TV production trying to bridge the gap as a "talent coordinator and developer."

"Hunter's role is going to be focusing on the creation of characters within that (talent relations) department," Barrios said. "Who better to teach than someone who has done it himself?"

-- Barrios identified why WWE has a Studios department producing movies: talent have left WWE in the past to do movies, so they want to keep talent in-house and WWE can assemble a portfolio of movies to either sell to other networks or fill their own Network.

Barrios noted the change to the current hybrid model allows them to produce a larger slate of movies at lower risk which they can put out in theaters simply to say the have movies in theaters before distributing mainly through DVD.

-- Barrios fielded the "UFC question," saying WWE's internal belief is the company is in a separate market than UFC. He described WWE as a "mini Disney" where the "center of gravity" audience is kids & family as opposed to UFC, where you wouldn't see kids at live events.

Barrios also addressed what he described as a "common misconception" that WWE's business is weaker than when many people were fans ten years ago. Barrios said WWE's brand tends to be "very personal," in that people think WWE was big when they were fan and now it's not as big because they're not a fan.

Barrios claimed WWE's business is just as strong - if not stronger - than it was ten years ago, which could be defended due to WWE diversifying their revenue streams to make up for losses in the core business.

-- Barrios said the international markets in key countries like Russia, China, Brazil, and India will be a "big part" of WWE's business in 3-5 years.

-- Barrios noted WWE's Board of Directors decided to cut the dividend as part of the New WWE initiative. He said WWE was paying out 160 percent of cash flow under the previous dividend policy, and the new policy will be a 70 percent payout, giving WWE more flexibility to run the business.

Barrios said the previous policy was decided under the previous management & Board of Directors make-up, so new decision-makers reviewed the policy and made an appropriate decision to slash the dividend.

Link: Barrios's full presentation can be heard at JPMorgan.com.

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