By James Caldwell, PWTorch assistant editor

The impression WWE management gave during Thursday's quarterly conference call with investors is that WWE is entrenched in the re-evaluation stage of a future Network launch.

After promising specific launch announcements during the past two conference calls over the previous six months, WWE set a timeframe of "within the next three months" to announce distribution partners.

Asked during the call what speed bumps WWE is encountering that's holding up the Network launch, WWE CEO Vince McMahon said, "We're continuing to develop new strategies going forward. We're not too sure which one looks best."

McMahon added, "The hold up is on our end. It's not on the end of our distributors." McMahon added that WWE is re-evaluating which of two options works best in the long-term - a traditional cable network or a hybrid, which is where WWE was last year. McMahon added the desired model is "one in which will give us a lot more flexibility - and that's one of the differences we're looking at it."

McMahon also discussed WWE's desire for complete control over the Network, not wanting to involve another company as co-owner. "We still want to go at this alone and own 100 percent of it," McMahon said. "Control is extremely important and what goes on the Network and the lack of restrictions."

WWE CFO George Barrios jumped in during the discussion to say WWE is not in a position to discuss subscriber benchmarks or profitability goals due to the lack of a firm model and still going through negotiations. Barrios stressed there are a "lot of different models to discuss" and the model that creates the most long-term shareholder value will be favored.

During opening statements, McMahon stressed that WWE is making "key hires" for content development and negotiations are ongoing. Before being grilled during the Q&A, McMahon said the negotiations are "moving along quite well, actually."

Whether or not WWE Network launches in 2012 remains to be seen. However, WWE will continue to incur start-up costs in anticipation of a launch. Barrios noted the amount of staffing/administrative costs will continue to go up during the year as they hire more people.

The range of incremental costs anticipated in 2012 is $10-15 million. Barrios noted the range is due to potential changes in the pace of hiring and additional costs that could be incurred when the Network actually launches. WWE reported in Thursday's earnings release that first quarter network-related staffing costs were $2.1 million, which, based on the full year range, is a low-end figure going forward in each quarter in 2012.

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