WWE News: Maryse Update, WGN Hypes the Return of WWE Superstars

– Maryse made the following statement on the WWE Universe website, regarding her recent knee injury:

Last week, while performing in the ring in Raleigh, North Carolina i hit a bad move and dislocated my right kneecap. While backstage it took approximately 35 to 40 minutes to replace it, my kneecap was completely out. No surgery will be needed. I would like to thank Dr. Martha Dodson and our special trainer Larry Heck to save my leg, they really did. Thank you sooo much!!! I want to let all my fans know that im doing great and doing rehabilitation every day in Los Angeles where I live. I’m recovering really fast. Thanks for all the support !!!

– WGN sent out the following press release today:

WGN America Enters WWE(R) Ring With WWE Superstars!

Original Program to Air Exclusively on WGN America Beginning April 2009

NEW YORK and STAMFORD, Conn., Jan. 5 /PRNewswire/ — WGN America and World Wrestling Entertainment(R) (NYSE: WWE) enter the ring with a new television partnership. WWE Superstars, a first run, original program will air exclusively on WGN America, Tribune Broadcasting’s national Superstation.

The action-packed WWE Superstars, part of a new multi-year agreement with WGN America, will be produced by WWE and will feature Superstars and Divas from the entire WWE roster. The hour-long weekly program, scheduled to debut in April 2009, will provide WGN America viewers the chance to see Superstars and Divas from all three WWE franchises in one program. WWE Superstars is scheduled to air on Thursday nights at 8 and 11pm ET with an additional run on the weekend.

“WWE is one of the great American brands on television and we are thrilled to announce our partnership. The addition of WWE Superstars to WGN America’s lineup signals our intention to add more tent-pole programs to our network brand strategy. Going forward, we will play to win,” said Ed Wilson, Tribune Company’s Chief Revenue Officer and Tribune Broadcasting President.

“WWE programming has a tremendous track record of consistently delivering a diverse and advertiser friendly audience. We fully anticipate that WWE Superstars will be a ratings winner for WGN America,” said Kevin Dunn, WWE Executive Vice President of Television Production.

“WGN America is a general entertainment network featuring original and syndicated series, major league sports including baseball and basketball, as well as theatrical movies. We are committed to delivering compelling, original first-run programming for our viewers and WWE Superstars is the perfect illustration of our strategy,” said Sean Compton, Senior Vice President of Programming & Development, Tribune Broadcasting.

ABOUT WGN AMERICA:
WGN America is a broad entertainment network and destination for audiences across America. Part of Tribune Broadcasting Company, WGN America is nationally distributed via cable, satellite and telco with entertainment programming consisting of cable exclusives, first-run programs, blockbuster movies and live sports. www.wgnamerica.com

ABOUT WORLD WRESTLING ENTERTAINMENT:
Additional information on World Wrestling Entertainment Inc (NYSE: WWE) can be found at wwe.com and corporate.wwe.com. For information on our global activities, go to http://www.wwe.com/worldwide/.