Proof That Austin Will Be At ‘Mania 25? (Image), Major WWE Changes

Partial Source: The Wrestling Observer Newsletter (F4WOnline.com)

» As a result of declining house show numbers, WWE has started booking smaller buildings in major cities. One example includes last weekend’s show in Vancouver. Instead of using the big arena where the NHL’s Canucks play, they held the house show at the 5,500-seat secondary arena and sold it out. This also occurred in Bakersfield, California where instead of using the major arena in the town, they sold out a much smaller convention center. This new business change has allowed WWE to cut down on costs by booking cheaper buildings since they aren’t going to sell 8,000 tickets to a non-televised house show in many markets.

» Here are some recent attendance figures. Last Friday’s Raw brand house show in Vancouver, BC, drew a sellout in advance of 5,500. The 2/7 Raw show in Victoria, BC, drew 5,000. Last Sunday’s show in Sacramento did 9,500. Last Friday’s Smackdown show in Kennewick, Washington drew 2,000. Last Sunday’s Smackdown show in Bakersfield, California drew a sellout in the 2,500-seat convention center.

» WWE has a new marketing strategy as they’re pushing themselves as “The Best Value In Entertainment.” This new strategy is as a result of the struggling economy so they’re pushing the fact that they are charging lower prices to arena events than most major league sports and entertainment events. WWE’s also pushing that their pay-per-view events are priced cheaper than either boxing or mixed martial arts events, saying they are the best family bargain.

» Eric passed on a link to a WrestleMania 25 poster making the rounds featuring Steve Austin on the front at this link. Whether this confirms reports that WWE has scheduled an Austin retirement match on the show remains to be seen as it isn’t known if this poster was created by WWE or is a fake. So take it for what it is worth at this point but I’ve definitely heard strong rumblings over the last two weeks that Steve will be a part of the event in some form.

EXCLUSIVE ‘POSTER: PROOF THAT STEVE AUSTIN WILL BE AT ‘MANIA 25 >>>!!