UNITED STATES SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
WASHINGTON, D.C. 20549
FORM 10-Q

( X )    QUARTERLY REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15 (d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934 
    
  For the quarterly period ended September 30, 2007 
 
or   
 
(     )  TRANSITION REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15 (d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE 
  ACT OF 1934 
 
  For the transition period from ________ to ________
 
  Commission file number 0-27639 

WORLD WRESTLING ENTERTAINMENT, INC.   
(Exact name of Registrant as specified in its charter)   
 
 
 
Delaware  04-2693383 
(State or other jurisdiction of  (I.R.S. Employer 
incorporation or organization)    Identification No.) 
 
1241 East Main Street   
Stamford, CT 06902   
(203) 352-8600   
(Address, including zip code, and telephone number, including area code,
of Registrant’s principal executive offices)
   

Indicate by check mark whether the Registrant (1) has filed all reports required to be filed by Section 13 or 15 (d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the Registrant was required to file such reports) and (2) has been subject to such filing requirements for the past 90 days.

Yes            X          No                  

Indicate by check mark whether the Registrant is a large accelerated filer, an accelerated filer, or a non-accelerated filer. See definition of accelerated filer and large accelerated filer in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act.

Large accelerated filer                                   Accelerated filer          X                          Non-accelerated filer                

Indicate by check mark whether the Registrant is a shell company (as defined in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act).

Yes                        No      

     X    

At October 25, 2007 the number of shares outstanding of the Registrant’s Class A common stock, par value $.01 per share, was 24,055,005 and the number of shares outstanding of the Registrant’s Class B common stock, par value $.01 per share, was 47,713,563.


World Wrestling Entertainment, Inc.
Table of Contents

  Page # 
Part I – FINANCIAL INFORMATION   
     Item 1. Consolidated Financial Statements (unaudited)   
                  Consolidated Income Statements for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2007   
                         and September 30, 2006  2
                  Consolidated Balance Sheets as of September 30, 2007 and December 31, 2006  3
                  Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows for the nine months ended September 30, 2007   
                         and September 30, 2006  4
                  Consolidated Statement of Stockholders’ Equity and Comprehensive   
                         Income for the nine months ended September 30, 2007  5
                  Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements  6
     Item 2. Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations   14
     Item 3. Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures about Market Risk   26
     Item 4. Controls and Procedures   27
Part II – OTHER INFORMATION   
     Item 1. Legal Proceedings   27
     Item 6. Exhibits   27
     Signature   28

1


World Wrestling Entertainment, Inc.
Consolidated Income Statements
(in thousands, except per share data)
(unaudited)

  Three Months Ended   Nine Months Ended
  September 30,        September 30,            September 30,            September 30,
  2007     2006     2007     2006
Net revenues  $ 108,110   $ 93,227   $ 353,012   $ 307,644
                             
Cost of revenues  63,438   55,028   222,059   179,403
Selling, general and administrative expenses  28,917   23,735   80,286   73,708
Depreciation and amortization    2,368     1,968     6,972     6,380
 
Operating income  13,387   12,496   43,695   48,153
 
Investment income, net  1,766   2,589   5,745   6,393
Interest expense  119   215   353   495
Other (expense)/income, net    (841 )   (648 )   (495 )   349
 
Income before income taxes  14,193   14,222   48,592   54,400
 
Provision for income taxes    5,744     5,007     17,959     21,064
 
Net income  $ 8,449   $ 9,215   $ 30,633     $ 33,336
 
Earnings per share – Basic             
     Net income  $ 0.12   $ 0.13   $ 0.43   $ 0.47
 
Earnings per share – Diluted         
     Net income  $ 0.12     $ 0.13   $ 0.42   $ 0.47
 
Weighted average common shares outstanding:         
 
     Basic  71,949   70,907   71,445   70,563
     Diluted  72,469   71,583   72,211   71,282

See Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements.

2


World Wrestling Entertainment, Inc.
Consolidated Balance Sheets
(dollars in thousands)
(unaudited)

  As of      As of
  September 30, December 31,
  2007   2006
CURRENT ASSETS:      
     Cash and equivalents $ 67,059 $ 86,267
     Short-term investments   201,643 161,889
     Accounts receivable, net   50,337 52,113
     Inventory, net   4,672 3,049
     Prepaid expenses and other current assets     17,553   13,803
          Total current assets    341,264   317,121
 
PROPERTY AND EQUIPMENT, NET   70,044 67,972
FEATURE FILM PRODUCTION ASSETS    29,150 53,560
INTANGIBLE ASSETS, NET   2,574 3,328
OTHER ASSETS   13,491   11,304
TOTAL ASSETS $ 456,523 $ 453,285
 
CURRENT LIABILITIES:      
     Current portion of long-term debt $ 910 $ 862
     Accounts payable   15,387 14,909
    Accrued expenses and other liabilities   26,744 25,837
    Deferred income    19,421   20,166
          Total current liabilities    62,462   61,774
 
LONG-TERM DEBT   5,114 5,800
NON-CURRENT TAX LIABILITY   11,407 -
 
COMMITMENTS AND CONTINGENCIES       
 
STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY:      
    Class A common stock   241 233
    Class B common stock   477   477
    Additional paid-in capital   299,601 286,985
    Accumulated other comprehensive income   2,875 666
    Retained earnings    74,346     97,350
          Total stockholders' equity    377,540   385,711
 
TOTAL LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY $ 456,523 $ 453,285

See Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements.

3


World Wrestling Entertainment, Inc.
Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows
(dollars in thousands)
(unaudited)

  Nine Months Ended
  September 30, September 30,
  2007      2006
OPERATING ACTIVITIES:     
     Net income  $    30,633   $    33,336  
Adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash provided    
          by operating activities: 
     Amortization of feature film production assets  25,851   -  
    Revaluation of warrants  727   153  
    Depreciation and amortization  6,972   6,380  
    Realized loss on sale of investments  1,580   1,029  
    Amortization of investment income  (370 ) (899 )
    Stock compensation costs  6,442   4,727  
    (Recovery of) provision for doubtful accounts  (603 ) 178  
    Provision for inventory obsolescence  1,200   1,543  
    Benefit from deferred income taxes  (3,011 ) (2,327 )
    Excess tax benefits from stock-based payment arrangements  (824 ) (1,879 )
    Changes in assets and liabilities:     
          Accounts receivable  2,378   9,282  
        Inventory  (2,824 ) (3,651 )
        Prepaid expenses and other assets  5,819   2,581  
        Feature film production assets  (1,440 ) (18,723 )
        Accounts payable  478   (2,364 )
        Accrued expenses and other liabilities  426   4,082  
        Deferred income    (375 )   (824 )
            Net cash provided by operating activities    73,059     32,624  
 
INVESTING ACTIVITIES:     
    Purchases of property and equipment  (7,989 ) (6,384 )
    Purchase of film library assets  (301 ) (2,485 )
    Purchase of short-term investments  (144,977 ) (47,649 )
    Proceeds from sales or maturities of short-term investments    105,475     101,615  
            Net cash (used in) provided by investing activities    (47,792 )   45,097  
 
FINANCING ACTIVITIES:     
    Repayments of long-term debt  (638 ) (591 )
    Dividends paid  (51,436 ) (50,607 )
    Issuance of stock, net  807   (1,658 )
    Proceeds from exercise of stock options  5,968   14,612  
    Excess tax benefits from stock-based payment arrangements    824     1,879  
            Net cash used in financing activities    (44,475 )   (36,365 )
 
NET (DECREASE) INCREASE IN CASH AND EQUIVALENTS  (19,208 ) 41,356  
CASH AND EQUIVALENTS, BEGINNING OF PERIOD    86,267       101,314  
CASH AND EQUIVALENTS, END OF PERIOD  $ 67,059   $ 142,670  

See Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements.

4


World Wrestling Entertainment, Inc.
Consolidated Statement of Stockholders' Equity and Comprehensive Income
(dollars and shares in thousands)
(unaudited)

              Accumulated    
        Additional   Other    
  Common Stock Paid - in   Comprehensive Retained  
  Shares      Amount      Capital        Income      Earnings      Total
Balance, December 31, 2006 70,998 $ 710 $ 286,985        $ 666 $ 97,350   $ 385,711  
 
Comprehensive income:                  
     Net income               30,633   30,633  
     Translation adjustment             1,122   1,122  
     Unrealized holding gain, net of tax             107   107  
     Reclassification adjustment for losses                  
          realized in net income, net of tax             980     980  
Total comprehensive income                 32,842  
 
Stock issuances, net 316   3   (1,312 )       (1,309 )
Exercise of stock options 452   5   5,963         5,968  
Excess tax benefits from stock based                    
     payment arrangements         824           824  
Dividends paid           699         (52,135 )   (51,436 )
Stock compensation costs           6,442         6,442  
Adjustment to apply FIN 48                       (1,502 )   (1,502 )
Balance, September 30, 2007 71,766 $ 718 $ 299,601     $ 2,875 $ 74,346   $ 377,540  

See Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements.

5


World Wrestling Entertainment, Inc.
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements
(dollars in thousands)
(unaudited)

1. Basis of Presentation and Business Description

     The accompanying consolidated financial statements include the accounts of World Wrestling Entertainment, Inc., and our subsidiaries. We are an integrated media and entertainment company, with operations organized around four principal segments:

Live and Televised Entertainment

  • Revenues consist principally of ticket sales to live events, sales of merchandise at these live events, television rights fees, sales of television advertising and sponsorships, and fees for viewing our pay-per-view and video on demand programming.

Consumer Products

  • Revenues consist principally of the direct sales of WWE produced home videos and magazine publishing and royalties or license fees related to various WWE themed products such as video games, toys and books.

Digital Media

  • Revenues consist principally of advertising sales on our websites, sale of merchandise on our website through our WWEShop internet storefront and various broadband and mobile content.

WWE Films

  • Consists of the production of filmed entertainment featuring our Superstars. Two feature films were released in 2006 and one film was released in 2007. We participate in revenues generated under the distribution of the films through all media after the print and advertising costs incurred by our distributors have been recouped and the results have been reported to us.

     All significant intercompany balances have been eliminated. Certain prior year amounts have been reclassified to conform to the current year presentation. The accompanying consolidated financial statements are unaudited. In the opinion of management, all adjustments (consisting of normal recurring adjustments) considered necessary for a fair presentation of financial position, results of operations and cash flows at the dates and for the periods presented have been included. The results of operations of any interim period are not necessarily indicative of the results of operations for the full year.

     The preparation of financial statements in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America requires our management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities and disclosures of contingent assets and liabilities at the date of the financial statements and the reported amounts of revenue and expenses during the reporting period. Actual results could differ from those estimates. Certain information and note disclosures normally included in annual financial statements have been condensed or omitted from these interim financial statements; these financial statements should be read in conjunction with the financial statements and notes thereto included in our Form 10-K for the transition period ended December 31, 2006.

     Beginning on January 1, 2007, we switched our fiscal periods to a calendar basis with a fiscal year end on December 31. All references to years in this report relate to calendar years.

6


World Wrestling Entertainment, Inc.
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements
(dollars in thousands)
(unaudited)

Recent Accounting Pronouncements

     In September 2006, the Financial Accounting Standards Board (FASB) issued Statement of Financial Accounting Standards (SFAS) No. 157, Fair Value Measurements (SFAS 157). SFAS 157 provides a common definition of fair value and establishes a framework to make the measurement of fair value in generally accepted accounting principles more consistent and comparable. SFAS 157 also requires expanded disclosures to provide information about the extent to which fair value is used to measure assets and liabilities, the methods and assumptions used to measure fair value, and the effect of fair value measures on earnings. SFAS 157 is effective for us on January 1, 2008. We are currently assessing the potential effect of SFAS 157 on our financial statements.

     In February 2007, the FASB issued SFAS No. 159, The Fair Value Option for Financial Assets and Financial Liabilities Including an amendment of FASB Statement 115 (SFAS 159). SFAS 159 expands opportunities to use fair value measurements in financial reporting and permits entities to choose to measure many financial instruments and certain other items at fair value. SFAS 159 is effective for us on January 1, 2008. We are currently assessing the potential effect of SFAS 159 on our financial statements.

     In July 2006, the FASB issued FASB Interpretation No. 48, Accounting for Uncertainty in Income Taxes (FIN 48). FIN 48 clarifies the accounting for income taxes by prescribing a minimum probability threshold that a tax position must meet before a financial statement benefit is recognized. As a result of the implementation of FIN 48 on January 1, 2007, we recognized a $1,502 increase in the liability for unrecognized income tax benefits, with a corresponding decrease in the opening balance of retained earnings.

2. Share Based Compensation

     Effective May 1, 2006, the beginning of our previous fiscal year, we adopted SFAS 123(R) using the modified prospective method. Prior to May 1, 2006, we accounted for stock option grants using the intrinsic value method. Compensation expense relating to restricted stock unit grants was recognized over the period during which the employee rendered service to the Company necessary to earn the award. In accordance with the modified prospective method, results for prior periods have not been restated. Stock based compensation cost was approximately $2,199 and $1,933 for the three months ended September 30, 2007 and 2006, respectively, and $6,442 and $4,727 for the nine months ended September 30, 2007 and 2006, respectively. We have not issued options since June 2004.

     The following table summarizes stock option activity as of September 30, 2007 and changes during the period then ended:

              Weighted
    Average
  Number of Exercise
Activity  Options Price
Outstanding as of January 1, 2007  1,715,300   $ 13.14
Granted  -      
Exercised  (452,512 ) $ 13.19
Cancelled or expired    (48,461 )   $ 12.53
Outstanding as of September 30, 2007  1,214,327   $ 13.14
Exercisable as of September 30, 2007  1,057,429   $ 13.18

7


World Wrestling Entertainment, Inc.
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements
(dollars in thousands)
(unaudited)

2. Share Based Compensation (cont’d)

     The following table summarizes restricted stock unit (“RSUs”) activity as of September 30, 2007 and changes during the period then ended:

    Weighted
  Number of   Average
  Restricted Stock Grant Date
Activity      Units     Fair Value
Outstanding as of January 1, 2007  1,087,138   $    14.60
Granted  150,750   $    16.32
Vested  (388,626 )  $    16.27
Forfeitures  (112,821 )  $    14.93
Dividends  44,409   $    15.69
Outstanding as of September 30, 2007  780,850   $    15.05

     Total compensation costs related to the RSU grants above, based on the estimated value of the units on the grant date is $2,263, net of estimated forfeitures, and is being amortized over the vesting period, which is three years.

     In July 2007, the Company began issuing performance stock units, (“PSUs”) in addition to RSUs.  The concept behind granting PSUs is to further align the interest of our employees with our shareholders. The July 2007 issuance of approximately 475,000 PSUs is subject to performance goals established for the last two quarters of 2007.  If these goals are met, the shares granted will vest in equal annual installments on the first three anniversaries of their issuance date.  Total compensation cost related to the PSUs, based on the estimated value of the units on the issuance date, net of estimated forfeitures, is $6,948.  The compensation expense is being amortized over the service period, which is approximately three and one-half years.

3. Stockholders’ Equity

     We paid quarterly dividends of $0.24 per share on all Class A and Class B common shares, or $17,222 and $51,436 for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2007, respectively, and $17,024 and $50,607 for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2006, respectively.

4. Earnings Per Share

     For purposes of calculating basic and diluted earnings per share, we used the following weighted average common shares outstanding:

  Three months ended Nine months ended
  September 30,   September 30,   September 30, September 30,
  2007       2006       2007       2006
Basic  71,948,679  70,907,016  71,445,334    70,563,430
Diluted  72,468,619  71,583,176  72,210,936    71,281,771
Dilutive effect of outstanding options and restricted stock units  519,940  676,160  765,524    718,341
Anti-dilutive outstanding options  174,400  277,000  174,400   277,000

8


World Wrestling Entertainment, Inc.
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements
(dollars in thousands)
(unaudited)

5. Segment Information

     During 2006, we expanded the number of our reportable segments to four in order to better to reflect the manner in which management analyzes our performance including our digital media and feature films businesses. We have also reclassified certain other operations between the reportable segments. All prior year segment information has been adjusted to reflect the current presentation. We do not allocate corporate overhead to each of the segments, and as a result, corporate overhead is a reconciling item in the table below. There are no inter-segment revenues. Revenues derived from sales outside of North America were approximately $23,728 and $81,197 for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2007, respectively, and $19,808 and $72,102 for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2006, respectively. Unallocated assets consist primarily of cash, short-term investments, real property and other investments.

  Three Months Ended Nine Months Ended  
  September 30,  September 30,  September 30, September 30,
  2007      2006      2007      2006 
Net revenues:             
     Live and Televised Entertainment  $ 68,566   $ 65,593   $ 234,495   $ 219,541  
     Consumer Products  18,962   21,779   82,808   71,043  
     Digital Media  7,779   5,855   22,906   17,060  
     WWE Films    12,803     -     12,803     -  
     Total net revenues  $ 108,110   $ 93,227   $ 353,012   $ 307,644  
Depreciation and amortization:         
     Live and Televised Entertainment  $ 925   $ 857   $ 2,738   $ 2,645  
     Consumer Products  323   303   1,055   1,151  
     Digital Media  210   64   625   381  
     WWE Films  -   -   -   -  
     Corporate    910     744     2,554     2,203  
     Total depreciation and amortization  $ 2,368   $ 1,968   $ 6,972   $ 6,380  
Operating income:         
     Live and Televised Entertainment  $ 23,051   $ 20,782   $ 73,923   $ 71,793  
     Consumer Products  10,769   11,446   46,866   37,887  
     Digital Media  1,668   573   3,906   1,946  
     WWE Films  2,532   (332 )  (14,331 )  (1,230 ) 
     Corporate    (24,633 )    (19,973 )    (66,669 )    (62,243 ) 
     Total operating income  $ 13,387   $ 12,496   $ 43,695   $ 48,153  

  As of
  September 30, December 31,
  2007       2006
Assets:           
     Live and Televised Entertainment  $   76,676 $   77,083
     Consumer Products    4,403   14,982
     Digital Media    9,551   6,128
     WWE Films    39,148   56,299
     Unallocated       326,745     298,793
     Total assets  $   456,523 $   453,285

9


World Wrestling Entertainment, Inc.
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements
(dollars in thousands)
(unaudited)

6. Property and Equipment

     Property and equipment consisted of the following:

  As of
  September 30,       December 31,
  2007       2006
Land, buildings and improvements  $ 58,172   $ 56,084  
Equipment  51,724   45,752  
Corporate aircraft  20,829   20,829  
Vehicles    634     634  
  131,359   123,299  
Less accumulated depreciation and amortization    (61,315 )    (55,327 ) 
     Total  $ 70,044   $ 67,972  

     Depreciation and amortization expense for property and equipment was $2,045 and $5,917 for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2007 as compared to $1,665 and $5,229 for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2006.

7. Feature Film Production Assets

     Feature film production assets are summarized as follows:

  As of
  September 30, December 31,
  2007       2006
Feature film production assets:         
In release, net of amortization  $   27,611 $   34,104
Completed but not released    -   18,558
In development      1,539     898
Total  $   29,150 $   53,560

     Two of our feature films, See No Evil and The Marine, were released in 2006 and our third film, The Condemned, was released domestically on April 27, 2007.

     We estimate that approximately 62% of “In release” film production assets, net of accumulated amortization, are estimated to be amortized over the next twelve months. Approximately 80% of “In release” film production assets, net of accumulated amortization, are estimated to be amortized over the next three years.

     Unamortized feature film production assets are evaluated for impairment each reporting period. If the estimated revenue is not sufficient to recover the unamortized asset, the asset will be written down to fair value. During the second quarter we recorded an asset impairment charge of $15,662, which reflected our expectations related to the performance of The Condemned. As of September 30, 2007, we do not believe any additional capitalized assets included in Feature Film Production Assets are impaired.

     In addition to the capitalized production costs related for these three films, we have also capitalized certain script development costs for various other film projects. Capitalized script development costs are reviewed periodically for impairment, and are expensed if a project is deemed to be abandoned. During the nine months ended September 30, 2007 we expensed $257 of previously capitalized development costs for abandoned projects. There were no costs incurred in the prior year for abandoned projects.

10


World Wrestling Entertainment, Inc.
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements
(dollars in thousands)
(unaudited)

8. Intangible Assets

     Intangible assets consist of acquired sports entertainment film libraries, trademarks and trade names. We have classified these costs as intangible assets and amortize them over the period of the expected revenues to be derived from these assets, generally from three to nine years.

     Intangible assets consisted of the following:

  As of
  September 30, 2007
  Gross   Net
  Carrying       Accumulated       Carrying
  Amount Amortization   Amount
Film libraries  $   7,605 $ (5,758 )  $   1,847
Trademarks and trade names      3,708   (2,981 )      727
  $   11,313 $ (8,739 )  $   2,574
 
  As of
  December 31, 2006
  Gross   Net
  Carrying Accumulated Carrying
  Amount   Amortization   Amount
Film libraries  $   7,304 $ (5,077 )  $   2,227
Trademarks and trade names      3,708   (2,607 )      1,101
  $   11,012 $ (7,684 )  $   3,328

     Amortization expense was $323 and $1,055 for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2007 as compared to $303 and $1,151 for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2006.

     The following table presents estimated future amortization expense:

     For the year ending December 31, 2007  $   329
     For the year ending December 31, 2008    1,307
     For the year ending December 31, 2009    896
     For the year ending December 31, 2010      42
  $   2,574

11


World Wrestling Entertainment, Inc.
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements
(dollars in thousands)
(unaudited)

9. Short-term Investments

     Short-term investments consisted of the following as of September 30, 2007 and December 31, 2006:

  September 30, 2007
    Unrealized
  Holding   Fair
  Cost       Loss       Value
Fixed-income mutual funds and other  $   60,835 $  (1,269 )  $   59,566
Municipal auction rate securities      142,077    -       142,077
     Total  $   202,912 $  (1,269 )  $   201,643
 
  December 31, 2006
    Unrealized  
    Holding Fair
  Cost       Loss       Value
Fixed-income mutual funds and other  $   89,990 $  (3,101 )  $   86,889
Municipal auction rate securities      75,000    -       75,000
     Total  $   164,990 $  (3,101 )  $   161,889

10. Income Taxes

     In July 2006, the FASB issued FASB Interpretation No. 48, Accounting for Uncertainty in Income Taxes (FIN 48). FIN 48 clarifies the accounting for income taxes by prescribing a minimum probability threshold that a tax position must meet before a financial statement benefit is recognized. As a result of the implementation of FIN 48 on January 1, 2007, we recognized a $1,502 increase in the liability for unrecognized income tax benefits, with a corresponding decrease in the opening balance of retained earnings.

     At the adoption date of January 1, 2007, we had $10,382 of unrecognized tax benefits, all of which would affect our effective tax rate if recognized. At September 30, 2007, we have $11,407 of unrecognized tax benefits.

     We recognize potential accrued interest and penalties related to uncertain tax positions in income tax expense. We have approximately $3,011 of accrued interest related to uncertain tax positions as of September 30, 2007.

     We file income tax returns in the U.S., various states and various foreign jurisdictions. With few exceptions, we are subject to income tax examinations by tax authorities for years on or after April 30, 2004.

     As of September 30, 2007, we do not have any tax positions for which management believes it is reasonably possible that the total amounts of unrecognized tax benefits will significantly increase or decrease within the next twelve months. Based upon the expiration of statutes of limitations in several jurisdictions, the company believes it is reasonably possible that the total amount of previously unrecognized tax benefits may decrease by approximately $2.2 million within 12 months of September 30, 2007.

12


World Wrestling Entertainment, Inc.
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements
(dollars in thousands)
(unaudited)

11. Legal Proceedings

World Wide Fund for Nature

     There has been no significant development in this legal proceeding subsequent to the disclosure in Note 12 of Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements in our Transition Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2006, except as follows:

     By order and judgment dated April 2, 2007, the English Court of Appeals reversed the High Court, ruling that the Fund is not entitled in point of law to seek restitutionary damages against us. On May 1, 2007, the Fund filed a petition to the House of Lords for leave to appeal the judgment of the Court of Appeals. On June 28, 2007, the House of Lords refused to grant leave to appeal.

Shenker & Associates; THQ/Jakks

     There has been no significant development in this legal proceeding subsequent to the disclosure in Note 12 of Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements in our Transition Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2006, except as follows:

     With regard to the Shenker & Associates matter, on May 1, 2007, Stanley Shenker and Jim Bell were sentenced by the United States District Court for the District of Connecticut in connection with their criminal conduct directed towards us, for which they previously pled guilty. Shenker was sentenced to thirty-three months in prison and Bell was sentenced to eight months in prison. We have received approximately $0.8 million out of the previously reported $2.8 million that Shenker is required as part of his sentencing to pay to us as restitution. No assurances can be given that we will be successful in collecting the entire $2.8 million.

     With regard to the Connecticut state court matter, on March 30, 2007, we filed a motion to cite in and to amend complaint in order to add new claims against the existing defendants, THQ, Inc. and THQ/Jakks Pacific, LLC, and new defendants, Jakks Pacific, Inc., Jack Friedman, Steve Berman, Joel, Bennett, Brian Farrell, and Stanley Shenker and Associates, Inc., and Shenker. The new claims relate to the defendants’ conduct in connection with the corruption of WWE’s agents, Shenker and Bell, and collusion to secure the WWE videogame license for THQ/Jakks.

IPO Class Action

     There has been no significant development in this legal proceeding subsequent to the disclosure in Note 12 of Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements in our Transition Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2006, except as follows:

     On July 2, 2007, based upon the Second Circuit’s ruling (previously disclosed in our 10-K) that the certification of this proceeding as a class action was invalid, the plaintiffs and issuer-defendants filed a stipulation with the court terminating the proposed settlement.

Other

     In July 2007, we received letters from the U.S. House of Representatives Committee on Oversight and Government Reform and the U.S. House of Representatives Subcommittee on Commerce, Trade, and Consumer Protection, requesting certain information relating to our drug testing policies. We have responded accordingly.

13


Item 2.

Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations

Background

     As previously disclosed, we changed our financial reporting to a calendar basis beginning with calendar year 2007. This change is intended to simplify our communication with shareholders and enables us to report our financial results in a timeframe consistent with the majority of our media and entertainment peers.

     In 2006 we expanded the number of our reportable segments to four in order to better reflect the manner in which management analyzes our performance, including our digital media businesses and the production of feature films. We have also reclassified certain other operations between the reportable segments. All prior year information has been adjusted to reflect the current presentation. The following analysis outlines all material activities contained within each segment.

Live and Televised Entertainment

  • Revenues consist principally of ticket sales to live events, sales of merchandise at these live events, television rights fees, sales of television advertising and sponsorships, and fees for viewing our pay-per-view and video on demand programming.

Consumer Products

  • Revenues consist principally of direct sales of WWE produced home videos and magazine publishing and royalties or license fees related to various WWE themed products such as video games, toys and books.

Digital Media

  • Revenues consist principally of advertising sales on our websites, sale of merchandise on our website through our WWEShop internet storefront and various broadband and mobile content.

WWE Films

  • Consists of the production of filmed entertainment featuring our Superstars. Two feature films were released in 2006 and one film was released in 2007. We participate in revenues generated under the distribution of the films through all media after the print and advertising costs incurred by our distributors have been recouped and the results have been reported to us.

14


Results of Operations

Three Months Ended September 30, 2007 compared to Three Months Ended September 30, 2006
(Dollars in millions, except as noted)

Summary

September 30, September 30, better
Net Revenues 2007      2006      (worse)
Live and Televised Entertainment $ 68.6 $ 65.6 5 %
Consumer Products 19.0 21.7 (12 %)
Digital Media 7.7 5.9 31 %
WWE Films   12.8   - NA
Total $ 108.1 $ 93.2 16 %

September 30, September 30, better
Cost of Revenues: 2007      2006      (worse)
Live and Televised Entertainment $ 42.3 $ 41.7 (2 %)
Consumer Products 6.9 9.1 24 %
Digital Media 4.3 4.2 (2 %)
WWE Films   9.9   - NA
Total $ 63.4 $ 55.0 (15 %)
Profit contribution margin 41% 41%

September 30, September 30, better
Operating Income: 2007      2006      (worse)
Live and Televised Entertainment $ 23.1 $ 20.8 11 %
Consumer Products 11.1 11.8 (6 %)
Digital Media 1.7 0.5 240 %
WWE Films 2.5 (0.3 ) 933 %
Corporate    (25.0 )   (20.3 ) (23 %)
Total operating income $ 13.4 $ 12.5 7 %

     Our Live and Televised Entertainment segment revenues benefited from strong performances both at international and North American live events. Our Consumer Products segment was negatively impacted by a decline in home video based revenues, primarily due to the timing of new releases. Our Digital Media revenue increase reflects additional advertising and wireless based content revenue. Our operating income in the current quarter was also positively impacted by the recording of revenue for our feature films, specifically The Marine.

15


     The following chart reflects comparative revenues and key drivers for each of the businesses within our Live and Televised Entertainment segment:

  September 30,      September 30,      better
Live and Televised Entertainment Revenues   2007   2006   (worse)
Live events $ 20.1 $ 17.3 16%  
     Number of North American events 63 94 (33% )
     Average North American attendance 5,500 4,300 28%  
     Average North American ticket price (dollars) $ 38.92 $ 35.17 11%  
    Number of international events 15 8 88%
    Average international attendance 9,200 10,600 (13% )
    Average international ticket price (dollars) $ 77.75 $ 66.30 17%  
Venue merchandise $ 3.9 $ 4.4 (11% )
    Domestic per capita spending (dollars) $ 10.15 $ 11.12 (9% )
 
Pay-per-view $ 18.8 $ 19.7 (5% )
    Number of pay-per-view events 3 3 -  
    Number of buys from pay-per-view events 1,063,000 1,125,800 (6% )
    Average revenue per buy (dollars) $ 17.33 $ 16.43 5%  
    Domestic retail price (dollars) $ 39.95 $ 39.95 -  
 
WWE 24/7 $ 1.4 $ 0.6 133%  
 
Television advertising $ 1.6 $ 1.1 45%  
 
Television rights fees $ 22.8 $ 22.5 1%  
     Domestic $ 14.8 $ 14.7 1%  
     International $ 8.0 $ 7.7 4%  
 
Total $ 68.6 $ 65.6 5%  
Ratings        
    Average weekly household ratings for Raw   3.7   3.9 (5% )
    Average weekly household ratings for SmackDown 2.6   2.1 24%  
    Average weekly household ratings for ECW 1.4 2.1 (33% )

  September 30,      September 30,      better
Cost of Revenues-Live and Televised Entertainment   2007   2006   (worse)
Live events $ 14.7   $ 13.9   (6% )
Venue merchandise 2.5   3.0   17%
Pay-per-view 6.7   7.0   4%
24/7 0.4     0.4   -  
Advertising 0.4   0.1   (300% )
Television   16.6   16.0   (4% )
Other 1.0   1.3   23%  
Total $ 42.3 $ 41.7   (1% )
    Profit contribution margin 38% 37%    

16


     Live events revenues increased primarily as a result of our international tours as we held fifteen international events in the current quarter as compared to eight international events in the prior quarter. These international events generated a 17% increase in average ticket price. North American events generated $13.5 million as compared to $14.0 million in the prior year. North American average attendance was approximately 5,500 in the current quarter as compared to 4,300 in the prior quarter, an increase of 28%. The average ticket price for North American events was $38.92 in the current quarter as compared to $35.17 in the prior quarter. The decline in the overall number of events was due to the production of twenty-seven stand-alone ECW® events in the prior quarter. In the current quarter, our ECW events were co-branded and included as apart of our SmackDown events. The profit contribution margin remained unchanged at 27% in the current quarter as compared to the prior quarter.

     Venue merchandise revenues reflected decreases in sales at our international venues and per capita spending of approximately 9% by our fans at our North American events. The per capita spend in the current quarter was negatively impacted by a decline in the number of T-shirts sold at arenas, due to the continued expansion of our domestic licensing program, resulting in the availability of our products at an increasing number of retail outlets. The decline in venue merchandise cost of revenues reflected the expiration of a consulting service agreement and, as a result, the profit contribution margin increased by 4% to 36% in the current quarter.

     Pay-per-view revenues decreased by approximately $0.9 million in the current quarter, reflecting an overall decrease in the number of buys. Two of the pay-per-view events, The Great American Bash and SummerSlam, generated slightly higher buys than the prior year quarter. The third event, Unforgiven, generated 27% fewer buys than the prior year, driving the overall decline in buys and revenue for the quarter. Pay-per-view contribution margin remained unchanged from the prior quarter.

     WWE 24/7, our subscription based video-on-demand service, generated a 133% increase in revenues in the current quarter as the number of subscribers increased significantly as our roll-out to cable households continued. Currently, WWE 24/7 is offered in approximately 75% of video-on-demand enabled homes in the United States.

     The increase in domestic television rights fees was primarily due to the rights fees received for our ECW programming in the current quarter. The $0.7 million increase in television cost of revenues is due to an overall increase in the costs incurred to produce televised events.

     The following chart reflects comparative revenues and certain drivers for selected businesses within our Consumer Products segment:

  September 30,   September 30,   better
Consumer Products Revenues   2007      2006      (worse)
Licensing  $ 9.4   $ 7.2   31%  
Magazine publishing  $ 3.9   $ 3.1   26%  
     Net units sold  1,176,500   830,000   42%  
Home video  $ 5.7   $ 11.4   (50% ) 
     Gross DVD units shipped  541,921   904,729   (40% ) 
Total  $ 19.0 $ 21.7   (12% ) 
  
  September 30,   September 30,   better
Cost of Revenues-Consumer Products   2007      2006      (worse)
Licensing  $ 2.0   $ 1.8   (11% ) 
Magazine publishing  2.8     2.3   (22% ) 
Home video    1.8   4.5   60%  
Other  0.3 0.5   40%  
Total  $ 6.9 $ 9.1   24%  
     Profit contribution margin  64%   58%    

17


     Licensing revenues were $9.4 million as compared to $7.2 million in the prior year quarter, reflecting increases in apparel and toy sales. Revenues increased by approximately $1.2 million in both the apparel and toy categories as compared to the prior quarter.

     Magazine publishing revenue increased by 26% in the current quarter. We published three issues of WWE Magazine in both the current and prior quarter. We also published two special edition issues in the current quarter as compared to one special edition issue in the prior quarter. The profit contribution margin for magazine publishing increased in the current quarter to 28% as compared to 26% in the prior quarter.

     Home video net revenues were $5.7 million as compared to $11.4 million in the prior quarter. The decline in revenues primarily reflects changes in the timing of new releases. There were no new titles released in the current quarter, excluding the monthly releases of our pay-per-view events.

     The following chart provides performance results and key drivers for our Digital Media segment:

  September 30,   September 30,   better
Digital Media Revenues   2007      2006      (worse)
WWE.com  $ 4.6   $ 2.6   77%  
WWEShop    3.1     3.3   (6% )
     Average revenues per order (dollars)  $ 53.58   $ 50.05   7%  
Total  $ 7.7    $ 5.9   31%  
 
  September 30,   September 30,   better
Cost of Revenues-Digital Media   2007      2006      (worse)
WWE.com  $ 1.8   $ 1.7   (6% )
WWEShop    2.5       2.5   -  
Total  $ 4.3 $ 4.2   (2% )
     Profit contribution margin  44% 29%  

     WWE.com revenues reflect an increase in the revenue generated by advertising sales on our website and additional wireless based content, including a multi-year deal with AT&T Wireless to provide exclusive WWE content, including videos and ring tones.

     WWEShop revenues were $3.1 million as compared to $3.3 million in the prior year quarter. The number of orders processed during the current quarter declined by 9%, but was offset, in part, by an increase in the average per order spend by our customers.

WWE Films

     Revenues from our WWE Films segment were $12.8 million in the current quarter. This is the first quarter in which revenue was recorded as WWE only participates in revenues associated with our film projects when the distribution and advertising costs incurred by our distributors have been recouped and the results have been reported to us. The revenue recorded in the current quarter relates to our feature films The Marine and See No Evil, for which we recorded $11.4 million and $1.4 million, respectively.

     Our capitalized feature film production asset balance is expensed in proportion with the recognition of revenue. As a result, we have expensed approximately $9.9 million of feature film assets, yielding approximately $2.8 million in profit contribution for feature films. We expensed $8.5 million and $1.4 million for The Marine and See No Evil, respectively.

18


Selling, General and Administrative

     The following chart reflects the amounts and percent change of certain significant overhead items:

  September 30,   September 30,   better
  2007      2006      (worse)
Staff related  $ 13.0   $ 11.2   (16% )
Legal, accounting and other professional    5.0   2.8   (79% )
Stock compensation costs  2.2   1.9   (16% )
Advertising and promotion  0.9   1.2   25%  
All other  7.8     6.6   (18% )
Total SG&A  $ 28.9 $ 23.7   (22% )
SG&A as a percentage of net revenues  27% 25%

     Staff related expenses increased due in part to the continued build-up of our Digital Media content and advertising sales force. The increase in legal, accounting and other professional fees reflect costs associated with the Chris Benoit tragedy and the review of our Talent Wellness program.

  September 30,  September 30,  better
  2007       2006       (worse)
Depreciation and amortization  $ 2.4   $ 2.0   (20% )
 
Investment income, net  $ 1.8 $                2.6 (31% )

     The decline in investment income reflects realized losses of $0.8 million on the sale of securities.

  September 30,   September 30,    
  2007      2006                       
Provision for income taxes  $ 5.7   $ 5.0    
Effective tax rate    40% 35%

     The current period effective tax rate reflects provisions for capital losses that are not currently deductible.

19


Nine Months Ended September 30, 2007 compared to Nine Months Ended September 30, 2006
(Dollars in millions, except as noted)

Summary

  September 30,     September 30,   better
Net Revenues   2007      2006      (worse)
Live and Televised Entertainment  $ 234.5   $ 219.5   7%
Consumer Products  82.8   71.0   17%  
Digital Media  22.9   17.1   34%  
WWE Films  12.8    -   NA  
Total  $ 353.0 $ 307.6   15%  
 
  September 30,   September 30,   better
Cost of Revenues:   2007      2006      (worse)
Live and Televised Entertainment  $ 151.1   $ 138.9   (9% ) 
Consumer Products  31.4   29.0   (8% ) 
Digital Media  13.7   11.5   (19% ) 
WWE Films    25.9     -   NA  
Total  $ 222.1 $ 179.4   (24% ) 
Profit contribution margin  37% 42%    
 
  September 30,   September 30,   better
Operating Income:   2007      2006      (worse)
Live and Televised Entertainment  $ 73.9   $ 71.8   3%  
Consumer Products  47.2   38.2   24%  
Digital Media  3.9     2.0   95%  
WWE Films    (14.3 )   (1.2 )   (1091% )
Corporate  (67.0 )   (62.6 ) (7% )
Total operating income  $ 43.7 $ 48.2   (9% )

     Our Live and Televised Entertainment segment revenues benefited from an increase in our live event revenue and an increase in our television rights fees. Our Consumer Products segment reflected a 53% increase in licensing based revenues, driven by our strong sales of our videogame, apparel and toy lines. Our Digital Media segment benefited from additional advertising and wireless based revenues. Revenue in the current period was positively impacted by the recording of revenue for our feature films. These increased revenues and the associated profit partially offset the film asset impairment of $15.7 million for our film The Condemned recorded in the second quarter.

20



     The following chart reflects comparative revenues and key drivers for each of the businesses within our Live and Televised Entertainment segment:

September 30, September 30, better
Live and Televised Entertainment Revenues 2007      2006      (worse)
Live events $ 68.4 $ 59.3 15 %
     Number of North American events 184 223 (17 %)
     Average North American attendance 6,400 5,200 23 %
     Average North American ticket price (dollars) $ 40.42 $ 36.61 10 %
     Number of international events 45 34 32 %
     Average international attendance 7,500 9,600   (22 %)
     Average international ticket price (dollars) $ 75.54 $ 68.10 11 %
Venue merchandise $ 14.5   $ 14.0 4 %
     Domestic per capita spending (dollars) $ 11.41 $ 11.10 3 %
 
Pay-per-view $ 74.4      $ 74.9      (1 %)
     Number of pay-per-view events 11 11  -
     Number of buys from pay-per-view events 4,068,600 4,536,000 (10 %)
     Average revenue per buy (dollars) $ 17.65 $ 15.79 12 %
     Domestic retail price (dollars) $ 39.95 $  34.95 * 14 %
 
WWE 24/7 $ 3.8 $ 1.6 138 %
 
Television rights fees $ 68.6 $ 63.9 7 %
     Domestic $ 44.3 $ 40.9 8 %
     International $ 24.3 $ 23.0 6 %
 
Television advertising $ 3.7 $ 4.8 (23 %)
 
Other $ 1.1 $ 1.0 10 %
Total $ 234.5 $ 219.5 7 %
Ratings  
     Average weekly household ratings for Raw 3.9 4.1 (5 %)
     Average weekly household ratings for SmackDown 2.7 2.5 8 %
     Average weekly household ratings for ECW 1.5 2.2   (32 %)
  * Domestic retail price increased to $39.95 in June 2006

September 30, September 30, better
Cost of Revenues-Live and Televised Entertainment 2007      2006      (worse)
Live events $ 49.2 $ 44.0 (12 %)
Venue merchandise 9.0 10.4 14 %
Pay-per-view 36.6 33.8 (8 %)
24/7 1.5 1.4 (7 %)
Television 49.4   43.4 (14 %)
Advertising 0.6 0.7 14 %
Other   4.8   5.2   8 %
Total $ 151.1 $ 138.9 (9 %)
     Profit contribution margin 36% 37%

     Live events revenues increased as a result of the 23% increase in North American average attendance and a 10% increase in the average ticket price at these events as well as increased international attendance. Included in the forty-nine international events in the current period were seventeen events constructed as buy-out deals with local promoters that provided us with guaranteed revenues and limited the potential risk of producing these events in emerging markets. In the prior year, twelve of the international events performed were constructed as these buy-out deals. The overall profit contribution margin increased from 26% in prior year period to 28% in the current period.

     Venue merchandise revenues increased due to a 3% increase in the per capita spend by our fans. The decline in venue merchandise cost of revenues reflects an expiration of a consulting services agreement.

     Pay-per-view revenues decreased due to a 7% decline of total buys for the eleven events that occurred in the current period, with the exception of WrestleMania 23, which generated more than 1.2 million buys, representing the highest selling pay-per-view event in our history. As the domestic retail price of our pay-per-view events was increased by $5.00 to $39.95 in June 2006, five events in the prior year included this increased domestic retail price. The increase in domestic retail price mitigated the decline in the overall number of buys in the current period. The increase in pay-per-view cost of revenues in the current period reflects the higher costs associated with the production of WrestleMania 23 in Ford Field as compared to the prior year WrestleMania which was held in a smaller venue. The profit contribution margin for pay-per-view decreased to 51% in the current period from 55% in the prior year.

21


     WWE 24/7, our subscription based video-on-demand service, generated a 138% increase in revenues in the current period as the number of cable systems and subscribers has expanded significantly from the prior year. WWE 24/7 is currently offered in approximately 75% of video-on-demand enabled homes in the United States.

     Advertising revenues, primarily comprised of the sale of advertising on our Canadian television programs and sponsorships, decreased by approximately 23% from the prior year period. The decline in advertising revenues, and the corresponding decline in the advertising cost of revenues, reflects a reduction of sponsorship related activities in the current period.

     The 8% increase in domestic television rights fees was primarily due to an increase in the rights fees received for our ECW programming in the current period. The $6.0 million increase in television cost of revenues is due to an overall increase in the costs incurred to produce televised events, including the production of four television shows internationally as well as the direct costs for the production of our weekly ECW television program.

     The following chart reflects comparative revenues and certain drivers for selected businesses within our Consumer Products segment:

Nine Months Ended
September 30, September 30, better
Consumer Products Revenues      2007      2006      (worse)
Licensing $  37.7 $ 25.7 47 %
Magazine publishing $ 10.5 $ 9.1 15 %
     Net units sold 3,268,100     3,050,200 7 %
Home video   $ 33.9 $ 35.9 (6 %)
     Gross DVD units shipped   2,669,171 2,577,142   4 %
Other $ 0.7 $ 0.3 133 %
Total $ 82.8 $ 71.0 17 %

September 30, September 30, better
Cost of Revenues-Consumer Products 2007      2006      (worse)
Licensing $ 9.4 $ 6.7 (40 %)
Magazine publishing 8.1 6.6 (23 %)
Home video 13.2   15.4 14 %
Other   0.7   0.3   (133 %)
Total $ 31.4 $ 29.0 (8 %)
     Profit contribution margin 62% 59%

     Licensing revenues increased due to higher sales of videogames, apparel and toys in the current period. Videogame revenues increased by approximately $5.0 million in the current period, driven by the retail success of our SmackDown vs. Raw 07 game, which was released on three platforms versus two platforms for its prior version. In addition, royalties earned from the sale of toys increased by approximately $4.2 million in the current period, reflecting higher sales both domestically and internationally. The success of the apparel program in the United States, South Africa, the United Kingdom, and Australia helped to generate an increase of approximately $3.3 million in the current period. The increase in the licensing cost of revenues reflects higher commissions paid to international licensing agents and amounts paid to our talent based on higher sales.

     Magazine publishing revenue increased by 15% in the current period. In July 2006, we began publishing a new publication titled WWE Magazine that replaced our two former Raw and SmackDown magazines. We published nine issues in the current period as compared to sixteen issues in the prior period. We also published five special edition issues in the current period as compared to nine special issues in the prior period. The increase in editorial costs associated with the creation of WWE Magazine and additional newsstand promotion resulted in higher magazine publishing cost of revenues.

22


     Home video revenues decreased by 6% in the current period primarily due to the changes in the timing of new releases as there were no new titles released in the third quarter, excluding the monthly releases of pay-per-view events. There are several new titles scheduled for release in the upcoming 4th quarter, including titles on some of the most popular current WWE Superstars. Although the number of gross DVD’s shipped in the current period have exceeded the prior period by 4%, the prior period included several multi-disc titles with higher sales prices. The profit contribution margin rose to 61% in the current period as compared to 57% in the prior year, reflecting improved distribution costs lower production costs.

     The following chart provides performance results and key drivers for our Digital Media segment:

September 30, September 30, better
Digital Media Revenues      2007      2006      (worse)
WWE.com $ 12.0 $ 7.7 56%
WWEShop 10.9 9.4 16%
     Average revenues per order (dollars) $ 50.78 $ 44.36 15%
Total $ 22.9 $ 17.1 34%
 
September 30, September 30, better
Cost of Revenues-Digital Media 2007   2006   (worse)
WWE.com $ 5.7 $ 4.5 (27%)
WWEShop     8.0   7.0   (14%)
Total $ 13.7   $ 11.5 (19%)
     Profit contribution margin   40%   33%

     WWE.com revenues increased primarily due to additional web advertising and wireless content. In March 2007, we announced a multi-year deal with AT&T Wireless to provide exclusive WWE content, including videos and ring tones.

     WWEShop revenue reflects a 16% increase in the number of orders processed to 208,100 in the current period and higher per order amounts spent by customers. This increase in the number of orders processed was also the primary driver for the increase in the cost of revenues.

WWE Films

     Revenues from our WWE Films segment were $12.8 million in the current period. This is the first period in which revenue was recorded as WWE only participates in revenues associated with our film projects when the distribution and advertising costs incurred by our distributors have been recouped and the results have been reported to us. The revenue recorded in the current period relates to our feature films The Marine and See No Evil, for which we recorded $11.4 million and $1.4 million, respectively.

     Our capitalized feature film production asset balance is expensed in proportion with the recognition of revenue. As a result, we have expensed approximately $9.9 million of feature film assets, yielding approximately $2.8 million in profit contribution for feature films. We expensed $8.5 million and $1.4 million for The Marine and See No Evil, respectively. In addition, we recorded a $15.7 million film asset impairment charge relating to the performance of our April 2007 release, The Condemned.

23


Selling, General and Administrative

     The following chart reflects the amounts and percent change of certain significant overhead items:

  September 30, September 30, better
  2007       2006       (worse)
Staff related  $ 37.7   $ 34.2   (10 %) 
Legal, accounting and other professional  10.8   9.7   (11 %) 
Stock compensation costs  6.4   4.7   (36 %) 
Advertising and promotion  3.5   4.2   17 % 
All other    21.9     20.9   (5 %) 
Total SG&A  $ 80.3   $ 73.7   (9 %) 
SG&A as a percentage of net revenues  23%   24%    

     Staff related expenses increased due in part to the continued build-up of our Digital Media content and advertising sales force. The increase in legal, accounting and other professional fees reflect costs associated with our Talent Wellness program. Stock compensation expense in the current period includes amortization of restricted stock unit and performance stock unit grants issued to employees.

  September 30, September 30,  better
  2007       2006        (worse)
Depreciation and amortization  $   7.0   $   6.4   (9 %) 
 
Investment income, net  $   5.7  $   6.4 (11 %) 
                 

     The decline in investment income reflects realized losses on the sale of securities.

 
September 30, September 30,
2007   2006
Provision for income taxes  $ 18.0   $ 21.1      
Effective tax rate    37% 39%

     The decrease in the current year tax rate reflects increased tax exempt investment income, partially offset by increased realized investment losses.

Liquidity and Capital Resources

     Cash flows from operating activities for the nine months ended September 30, 2007 and September 30, 2006 were $73.1 million and $32.6 million, respectively. Working capital, consisting of current assets less current liabilities, was $278.8 million and $255.3 million as of September 30, 2007 and December 31, 2006, respectively.

     Cash flows used in investing activities were $47.8 million for nine months ended September 30, 2007 and cash flows provided by investing activities were $45.1 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2006. Our investment policy is designed to preserve capital and minimize interest rate, credit and market risk. Capital expenditures for the nine months ended September 30, 2007 were $8.0 million as compared to $6.4 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2006. Capital expenditures for the remainder of 2007 are estimated to range between $10.0 million and $15.0 million, reflecting significant projects related to television equipment, including the implementation of high definition broadcasting. Additional projects include wireless content delivery and video management systems and building improvements.

     Cash flows used in financing activities were $44.5 million and $36.4 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2007 and September 30, 2006, respectively. Total dividend payments on all Class A and Class B common shares in the nine month period ended September 30, 2007 were approximately $51.4 million as compared to $50.6 million in the prior year period ended September 30, 2006.

24


Contractual Obligations

     In addition to long-term debt, we have entered into various other contracts under which we are required to make guaranteed payments, including:

  • Various operating leases for office space and equipment.

  • Employment contract with Vincent K. McMahon, which runs through October 2009, with annual renewals thereafter if not terminated by us or Mr. McMahon, as well as a talent contract with Mr. McMahon that is coterminous with his employment contract. Mr. McMahon is currently waiving all of his compensation under these agreements, except for a salary of $850,000 per year beginning in January 2007.

  • Employment contract with Linda E. McMahon, which runs through October 2009, with annual renewals thereafter if not terminated by us or Mrs. McMahon. Mrs. McMahon is currently waiving all of her compensation under these agreements, except for a salary of $500,000 beginning in January 2007.

  • Service contracts with certain of our independent contractors, including our talent, which are generally for one-to four-year terms.

     Our aggregate minimum payment obligations under these contracts as of September 30, 2007 were as follows:

  Payments due by period
  ($ in millions)
        After   
       2007        2008 to 2010        2011 to 2012        2012        Total 
Long-term debt (including interest expense)  $     0.7 $     4.0 $   2.7 $     0.4 $     7.8
Operating leases  0.8 3.7 1.3 1.3 7.1
Talent, employment agreements and other commitments  8.6   16.4   3.7   12.5   41.2
Total commitments  $     10.1   $   24.1   $   7.7   $   14.2   $   56.1

The non-current tax liability of $11.4 million is not included in the table above.

     We believe that cash generated from operations and our existing cash and short-term investments will be sufficient to meet our cash needs over the next twelve months for working capital, capital expenditures and payment of quarterly dividends.

Application of Critical Accounting Policies

     There have been no additional changes to our accounting policies that were previously disclosed in our Transition Report on Form 10-K for our fiscal period ended December 31, 2006 or in the methodology used in formulating these significant judgments and estimates that affect the application of these policies. Amounts included in our consolidated balance sheets in accounts that we have identified as being subject to significant judgments and estimates were as follows:

  As of
       September 30, 2007      December 31, 2006
Pay-per-view accounts receivable    $  18.1 million     $  19.6 million  
Home video reserve for returns  $    5.6 million   $   8.5 million  
Publishing newsstand reserve for returns    $  4.3 million     $  4.1 million  
Allowance for doubtful accounts  $    1.4 million   $   2.1 million  
Inventory obsolescence reserve    $  5.7 million     $  4.9 million  

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Recent Accounting Pronouncements

     There are no other accounting standards or interpretations that have been issued, but which we have not yet adopted, that we believe will have a material impact on our financial statements.

Cautionary Statement for Purposes of the “Safe Harbor” Provisions of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995

     The Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995 provides a “safe harbor” for certain statements that are forward-looking and are not based on historical facts. When used in this Quarterly Report, the words “may,” “will,” “could,” “anticipate,” “plan,” “continue,” “project,” “intend”, “estimate”, “believe”, “expect” and similar expressions are intended to identify forward-looking statements, although not all forward-looking statements contain such words. These statements relate to our future plans, objectives, expectations and intentions and are not historical facts and accordingly involve known and unknown risks and uncertainties and other factors that may cause the actual results or the performance by us to be materially different from future results or performance expressed or implied by such forward-looking statements. The following factors, among others, could cause actual results to differ materially from those contained in forward-looking statements made in this Quarterly Report, in press releases and in oral statements made by our authorized officers: (i) our failure to maintain or renew key agreements could adversely affect our ability to distribute our television and pay-per-view programming; (ii) our failure to continue to develop creative and entertaining programs and events would likely lead to a decline in the popularity of our brand of entertainment; (iii) our failure to retain or continue to recruit key performers could lead to a decline in the appeal of our storylines and the popularity of our brand of entertainment; (iv) the loss of the creative services of Vincent K. McMahon could adversely affect our ability to create popular characters and creative storylines; (v) a decline in general economic conditions could adversely affect our business; (vi) a decline in the popularity of our brand of sports entertainment, including as a result of changes in the social and political climate, could adversely affect our business; (vii) changes in the regulatory atmosphere and related private sector initiatives could adversely affect our business; (viii) the markets in which we operate are highly competitive, rapidly changing and increasingly fragmented, and we may not be able to compete effectively, especially against competitors with greater financial resources or marketplace presence; (ix) we face uncertainties associated with international markets; (x) we may be prohibited from promoting and conducting our live events if we do not comply with applicable regulations; (xi) because we depend upon our intellectual property rights, our inability to protect those rights, or our infringement of others’ intellectual property rights, could adversely affect our business; (xii) we could incur substantial liabilities if pending material litigation is resolved unfavorably; (xiii) our insurance may not be adequate to cover liabilities resulting from accidents or injuries that occur during our physically demanding events; (xiv) we will face a variety of risks as we expand into new and complementary businesses such as feature films; (xv) through his beneficial ownership of a substantial majority of our Class B common stock, our controlling stockholder, Vincent K. McMahon, can exercise control over our affairs, and his interests may conflict with the holders of our Class A common stock; (xvi) a substantial number of shares will be eligible for future sale by Mr. McMahon, and the sale of those shares could lower our stock price; and (xvii) our Class A common stock has a relatively small public “float”. The forward-looking statements speak only as of the date of this Quarterly Report and undue reliance should not be placed on these statements.

Item 3. Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures about Market Risk

     In the normal course of business, we are exposed to foreign currency exchange rate, interest rate and equity price risks that could impact our results of operations. Our foreign currency exchange rate risk is minimized by maintaining minimal net assets and liabilities in currencies other than our functional currency.

Interest Rate Risk

     We are exposed to interest rate risk related to our debt and investment portfolio. Our debt primarily consists of the mortgage related to our corporate headquarters, which has an annual interest rate of 7.6%.

     Our investment portfolio currently consists primarily of fixed-income mutual funds and municipal auction rate securities, with a strong emphasis placed on preservation of capital. In an effort to minimize our exposure to interest rate risk, our investment portfolio’s dollar weighted duration is less than one year.

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Item 4. Controls and Procedures

     Under the direction of our Chairman and Chief Executive Officer, as co-principal executive officers, and our Chief Financial Officer, we evaluated our disclosure controls and procedures and internal control over financial reporting and concluded that our disclosure controls and procedures were effective as of September 30, 2007. No change in internal control over financial reporting occurred during the quarter ended September 30, 2007, that materially affected, or is reasonably likely to materially affect, such internal control over financial reporting.

PART II. OTHER INFORMATION

Item 1. Legal Proceedings

     See Note 11 to Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements, which is incorporated herein by reference.

Item 6. Exhibits

(a.) Exhibits

10.20   

Employment Agreement, as of May 20, 2007, between the Company and Joel Simon (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.1 to the Current Report on Form 8-K filed July 26, 2007).*

 
10.21

World Wrestling Entertainment, Inc. 2007 Omnibus Incentive Plan, effective July 20, 2007 (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.2 to the Current Report on Form 8-K filed July 26, 2007).*

 
10.22

Form of Agreement for Performance Stock Units to the Company’s employees and officers under the Company’s 2007 Omnibus Incentive Plan (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.3 to the Current Report on Form 8-K filed July 26, 2007).*

 
10.23

Form of Agreement for Restricted Stock Units to the Company’s employees and officers under the Company’s 2007 Omnibus Incentive Plan (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.4 to the Current Report on Form 8-K filed July 26, 2007).*

 

31.1 

Certification by Vincent K. McMahon pursuant to Section 302 of Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002 (filed herewith).

 

31.2

Certification by Linda E. McMahon pursuant to Section 302 of Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002 (filed herewith).

 
31.3

Certification by Frank G. Serpe pursuant to Section 302 of Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002 (filed herewith).

 
32.1

Certification by Vincent K. McMahon, Linda E. McMahon and Frank G. Serpe pursuant to Section 906 of Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002 (filed herewith).

____________________
* Indicates management contract or compensatory plan or arrangement.

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SIGNATURE

     Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned, thereto duly authorized.

  World Wrestling Entertainment, Inc. 
  (Registrant) 
 
 
Dated: November 2, 2007  By:  /s/ Frank G. Serpe   
    Frank G. Serpe   
  Chief Financial Officer 

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