WrestleMania(R) 24 Weekend Commences Tonight In Orlando With The 6th Annual THQ Superstar Challenge
Courtesy of THQ Inc.:
Pinnacle Event at House of Blues to Feature Videogame Competition With World Wrestling Entertainment(R) Superstars and a Performance by P.O.D.
AGOURA HILLS, Calif., Mar 27, 2008 -- THQ Inc. (NASDAQ:THQI), on behalf of THQ/JAKKS Pacific, LLC, will take over the House of Blues in Orlando this evening for the 6th Annual THQ Superstar Challenge. A total of 16 elite Superstars from World Wrestling Entertainment(R) will compete in a single-elimination videogame tournament featuring the internationally acclaimed WWE(R) SmackDown(R) vs. Raw(R) 2008 videogame for the Xbox 360(R) video game and entertainment system from Microsoft.
"The 6th Annual THQ Superstar Challenge is our way of thanking WWE and its Superstars for their commitment to delivering the definitive sports entertainment videogame experience," said Bob Aniello, senior vice president, worldwide marketing, THQ. "The WWE Superstars play a large role in the making of the WWE videogames, and with the tremendous success of WWE SmackDown vs. Raw 2008, our largest cross-platform launch to date with over five million units shipped in our first three months at retail, we are delighted to see everyone come together to enjoy the finished product."
"The 6th Annual THQ Superstar Challenge pushes pre-WrestleMania energy to the next level while celebrating the success of the WWE SmackDown vs. Raw 2008 videogame," said Nelo Lucich, vice president of interactive, JAKKS Pacific, Inc. (NASDAQ: JAKK). "The Superstars are fierce competitors, and those in attendance can look forward to an exciting tournament leading up to the ceremonial crowning of this year's champion."
In addition to the 6th Annual THQ Superstar Challenge, THQ, on behalf of THQ/JAKKS Pacific, LLC, will host a press conference on Friday, March 28 to announce the next addition to the WWE videogame family.
About the 6th Annual THQ Superstar Challenge
The 6th Annual THQ Superstar Challenge will take place at the House of Blues in Orlando on Thursday, March 27, at 7:30 p.m. A total of 16 Superstars will compete in a single-elimination tournament to decide the new king or queen of WWE SmackDown vs. Raw 2008. Reigning Challenge champion Elijah Burke(TM) will defend his title, while his fellow Superstars threaten to steal the show and earn the ultimate bragging rights.
Prior to the Challenge, THQ will host the live finals of its WWE SmackDown vs. Raw 2008 international online videogame tournament, presented by GameStop in North America and Continental Europe, as well as HMV in the United Kingdom. After several weeks of competition via the Xbox LIVE(R) online entertainment network, four finalists will compete in a live championship match at the House of Blues. At stake are two floor tickets to WrestleMania 24 and additional prizes.
Following the Challenge, Grammy-nominated and multiplatinum-selling recording artist P.O.D. will rock the House of Blues stage. Hailing from San Diego, P.O.D. will release its latest album, When Angels & Serpents Dance, on April 8. One of the artist's songs, "Booyaka 619," also serves as the official theme music for WWE Superstar and fellow San Diego native Rey Mysterio(R).
The 6th Annual THQ Superstar Challenge is open to the public. Tickets are $15.00 each and are currently on sale via Ticketmaster.
THQ Superstar Challenge Participants(a)
RAW Roster: Randy Orton(R), Carlito(TM), Santino Marella(TM), Cody Rhodes(TM), Beth Phoenix(TM) and Ashley(TM)
SmackDown Roster: Rey Mysterio, Matt Hardy(TM), MVP(TM), Finlay(TM) and Michelle McCool(TM)
ECW Roster: CM Punk(TM), Elijah Burke(TM), Tommy Dreamer(TM), Kofi Kingston(TM) and Layla(TM)
Hosts: Matt Striker(TM) and Todd Grisham(TM)
(a) Participant roster subject to change
About WWE SmackDown vs. Raw 2008 for Xbox 360
WWE SmackDown vs. Raw 2008 for Xbox 360 lets players take the fight into their own hands with the debut of eight Superstar Fighting Styles. Each fighting style has its own unique strategy with exclusive moves and abilities. A brand new Struggle Submission System gives players intuitive and natural control over their WWE Superstars using the analog sticks. Realism and strategy are at the forefront, as players can now control the amount of pressure they apply during a match. WWE 24/7 Mode, which combines the popular Season and General Manager modes, embraces the intensity of the Superstar lifestyle. Multiple character development options, stat tracking and career goals guide players toward the ultimate achievement of becoming a WWE Legend. In addition, WWE SmackDown vs. Raw 2008 also includes numerous fan-requested updates, including new rosters, more environmental hotspots and improved out-of-ring action and much more.
For more information about WWE SmackDown vs. Raw 2008, please visit www.smackdownvsraw.com or www.thq.com.
About World Wrestling Entertainment, Inc.
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/.
About THQ Inc.
THQ Inc. (NASDAQ: THQI) is a leading worldwide developer and publisher of interactive entertainment software. The company develops its products for all popular game systems, personal computers and wireless devices. Headquartered in Los Angeles County, California, THQ sells product through its global network of offices located throughout North America, Europe and Asia Pacific. More information about THQ and its products may be found at www.thq.com and www.thqwireless.com. THQ, THQ Wireless and their respective logos are trademarks and/or registered trademarks of THQ Inc.
About JAKKS Pacific, Inc.
JAKKS Pacific, Inc. (NASDAQ:JAKK) is a multi-brand company that designs and markets a broad range of toys and consumer products. The product categories include: Action Figures, Art Activity Kits, Stationery, Writing Instruments, Performance Kites, Water Toys, Sports Activity Toys, Vehicles, Infant/Pre-School, Plush, Construction Toys, Electronics, Dolls, Dress-Up, Role Play, and Pet Toys and Accessories. The products are sold under various brand names including JAKKS Pacific(R), Play Along(R), Flying Colors(R), Creative Designs International(TM), Road Champs(R), Child Guidance(R), Pentech(R), Trendmasters(R), Toymax(R), Funnoodle(R), Go Fly a Kite(R), Color Workshop(R), JAKKS Pets(TM) and Plug It In & Play TV Games(TM). JAKKS and THQ Inc. participate in a joint venture that has worldwide rights to publish and market World Wrestling Entertainment video games. For further information, visit www.jakks.com.
Trademarks: All World Wrestling Entertainment programming, talent names, images, likenesses, slogans, wrestling moves, and logos are the exclusive property of World Wrestling Entertainment, Inc. ECW is a trademark owned by WWE Libraries, Inc. ECW is a trademark owned by WWE Libraries, Inc. All other trademarks, logos and copyrights are the property of their respective owners.
Microsoft, Xbox, Xbox 360, Xbox Live, the Xbox logos, and the Xbox Live logo are either registered trademarks or trademarks of Microsoft Corporation in the U.S. and/or other countries.
The statements contained in this press release that are not historical facts may be "forward-looking statements" within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. These forward-looking statements are based on current expectations, estimates and projections about the business of THQ Inc. and its subsidiaries (collectively referred to as "THQ"), including, but not limited to, expectations and projections related to the 6th Annual THQ Superstar Challenge and the WWE SmackDown vs. Raw 2008 videogame, and are based upon management's current beliefs and certain assumptions made by management. Such forward-looking statements are subject to risks and uncertainties that could cause actual results to differ materially from those expressed or implied by such forward-looking statements, including, but not limited to, business, competitive, economic, legal, political and technological factors affecting our industry, operations, markets, products or pricing. Readers should carefully review the risk factors and the information that could materially affect THQ's financial results, described in other documents that THQ files from time to time with the Securities and Exchange Commission, including its Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q and Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal period ended March 31, 2007, and particularly the discussion of risk factors set forth therein. Unless otherwise required by law, THQ disclaims any obligation to update its view on any such risks or uncertainties or to revise or publicly release the results of any revision to these forward-looking statements. Readers are cautioned not to place undue reliance on these forward-looking statements, which speak only as of the date of this press release.
This press release may contain forward-looking statements (within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995) that are based on current expectations, estimates and projections about JAKKS Pacific's business based partly on assumptions made by its management. These statements are not guarantees of future performance and involve risks, uncertainties and assumptions that are difficult to predict. Therefore, actual outcomes and results may differ materially from what is expressed or forecasted in such statements due to numerous factors, including, but not limited to, those described above, changes in demand for JAKKS' products, product mix, the timing of customer orders and deliveries, the impact of competitive products and pricing, and difficulties with integrating acquired businesses. The forward-looking statements contained herein speak only as of the date on which they are made, and JAKKS undertakes no obligation to update any of them to reflect events or circumstances after the date of this release.
THQ
Media Relations:
Jaime Jensen, 818-871-5111
jjensen@thq.com
or
Investor Relations:
Julie MacMedan, 818-871-5125
investor@thq.com
or
JAKKS Pacific
Media Relations:
Genna Rosenberg, 310-455-6235
gennar@jakks.net
or
World Wrestling Entertainment, Inc.
Joe Villa, 203-359-5175
joe.villa@wwecorp.com