WWE issued the following press release today:
MyNetworkTV Pins Down First Week of October 2008 For Tag Team of WWE® Television Events
May 19, 2008
NEW YORK, N.Y., May 19, 2008 â” The WWE on MyNetworkTV will kick off a night early with a first ever broadcast presentation of âWrestleManiaâ on Thursday, October 2nd at 8:00 p.m. (ET/PT), announced the networkâs president, Greg Meidel. This special presentation featuring the best moments of âWrestleMania XXIVâ including Floyd Mayweather vs. Big Show® will be followed by the premiere of âWWE SmackDownâ on Friday, October 3rd at 8:00 p.m. (ET/PT).
In making the announcement, Meidel stated, âWeâre thrilled to bring fans even more of their favorite WWE action on MyNetworkTV. These side-by-side primetime events are sure to deliver two nights of edge-of-your-seat, action-packed entertainment.â
âWWE SmackDownâ will be presented on MyNetworkTV weekly on Fridays and showcase a star-studded cast of WWE Superstars, including Edge®, Rey Mysterio®, Batista®, MVP┢ and Undertaker®. It will feature all the action, excitement, drama and great athleticism that have made it for nine years one of the most popular programs among males on broadcast television, and one of the top ten English language prime time programs among Hispanic households.
WWE Chairman Vince McMahon added, âWhat better way to introduce MyNetworkTV viewers to the WWE brand than to schedule our first-ever broadcast television debut of â~WrestleMania.ââ
âWrestleManiaâ is one of the biggest annual sports entertainment events. In addition to the Mayweather/Big Show match, this yearâs lineup featured the retirement of the legendary Ric Flair following an emotional loss to Shawn Michaels, as well as the crowning of the Undertaker as the new World Heavyweight Champion and Kane as the new ECW Champion. Additional celebrity appearances included a performance of âAmerica the Beautifulâ by John Legend, special guest hostess Kim Kardashian, BunnyMania Lumberjack Match Master of Ceremonies Snoop Dogg and Raven-Symoné along with 50 children honored by WWE in its largest ever Make-A-Wish event. âWrestleMania XXIVâ was the highest grossing live event for both the WWE and its venue, The Citrus Bowl in Orlando, Florida.
