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On the WWE Network, Barrios claimed they were in the "middle of some fairly intense negotiations" and didn't want to comment further for fear of "losing leverage" in that process. He said the roots of the Network began several years ago when the company decided that with all the content they owned, they needed to better monetize it. They eventually decided that the Network was the best way to go about doing that. He said that cable operators need content and WWE owns that and has a brand with a far reach that people want to watch. He estimated they would spend up to $45 million on the Network this year.
After one question that was more an attack on the things WWE is doing wrong, Barrios consented that WWE's Studios division was a "disaster" over the last year. He said that they are getting away from their new model of releasing films themselves for small theatrical runs and then via DVD and instead returning to their initial plan of working with partners on straight to DVD product. Barrios referred to 2011 as an "absolute execution disaster" for the Studios. He said Marine 3 would feature a top star in the leading role, which as we've reported, was always the plan as a way to rehab the franchise. Barrios said the company will spend upwards of $20 million over 6-9 projects this year, which is not a lot of money in the film world. He said they need to prove themselves and that the last year was an "expensive lesson."
Note from Mike: While 2011 was a terrible year for their Studio, it should be pointed out that they actually delivered their best film, from a quality standpoint, in "That's What I Am", which was far and away the best acted, produced and written film they have produced to date.
UFC was brought up and Barrios said that the belief that UFC has an effect on WWE business is a "misconception". Barrios claimed that they were a PPV business while WWE's business was "primarily TV." Barrios claimed that WWE's ratings blow "UFC out of the water", which would be true.
Note from Mike: It should be noted that any WWE PPV that falls on the same weekend of a UFC event is drastically hurt by the UFC event, even when that WWE event is Wrestlemania, so while Barrios is correct in terms of the differences, there is absolutely a cause and effect there.
Barrios was asked why they don't have different, regular tours going worldwide so they can continuously service those countries. (The reality is they don't have the talent pool and regular tours would kill those markets over time due to oversaturation). Barrios presented the argument that the international markets want to see the same talents that are featured on WWE broadcasts, but the company is trying to spotlight international talents that can work for those markets, using Great Khali in India as an example.
Barrios was asked about the next generation of talent. He said the roster is "turning over now" and they don't know who the next big name will be yet. He said that fans end up picking who the next big name is and namedropped Sin Cara, Jinder Mahal and Alberto Del Rio as international names who could blow up as stars.
Note from Mike: Jinder Mahal? Really? REALLY?
Barrios stated that the brand was as strong as ever and one area they are targeting is consumer products internationally, specifically mentioning India noting they have a tremendous TV outlet there but aren't currently generating revenue with merchandise and product. He suggested their relationship with Mattel for WWE action figures should help them with that area.
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