STAMFORD CONN. July 31 2002 – Having made itself into a global television and live event powerhouse World Wrestling Entertainment Inc. has established WWE® Films to focus its efforts on expanding its role within the film and television industries and has appointed Joel Simon to be the new division’s president. Simon a well-known producer of feature film and television will be based in WWE’s® new Los Angeles office.

"We’re very excited to open WWE® Films in Los Angeles. This new division will focus on developing movie and television projects " said WWE® CEO Linda McMahon. "In Joel Simon we have someone with the tenure and expertise to make this new venture a success. WWE® Films will create and produce new and exciting material that will appeal not only to our loyal fans but to a larger public as well."

Mrs. McMahon said Simon will create feature film opportunities in which WWE® will play a role as producer. The success of The Rock® and the theatrical feature with Universal The Scorpion King is one example of the type of opportunity WWE® will continue to seek in feature films by placing WWE® Superstars in prominent roles. In addition Simon will develop new television projects – such as movies specials or series-that will benefit from an affiliation with WWE® or its Superstars. WWE® will finance its own overhead and development for these projects.

Simon said he was thrilled with the opportunity. "WWE® is a powerful brand that is an untapped creative resource for Hollywood " he said. "I believe that WWE® has created a new breed of action-adventure hero one with a ready-made audience. WWE® attracts a strong youth-oriented audience the type of moviegoers and viewers who can financially make or break a film. My job is to show how the WWE® brand and its Superstars can be used to best advantage to bring its global audience of teens and young adults to new film and television projects."

Simon comes to WWE® from his own production company Joel Simon Productions formed in October 2001. He was formerly president of Quincy Jones Media Group and Quincy Jones/ David Salzman Productions. He was also a Producer/ Partner in Todman/Simon Productions. Among his feature production credits is X- Men and X- Men 2 (due in 2003) Til Death Do Us Part (due in 2003 starring Michael Douglas) Wild Wild West Hard to Kill and Married to the Mob. For television he produced the series The People Next Door for CBS/ Lorimar as well as movies of the week for NBC/ Warner Brothers and Turner Network Television. He also produced the five- hour documentary Say It Loud for VH-1.

Scott Stuber President of Production Vivendi UNIVERSAL Entertainment said  "We had a great experience working with WWE® on The Scorpion King and the hiring of a pro like Joel Simon to head WWE® Films demonstrates the company’s commitment to playing a meaningful role in the film industry."

Leslie Moonves President and Chief Executive Officer of CBS said "WWE® has a proven track record for producing popular television shows.  Expanding their brand is a natural next step and Joel Simon is a good guy to have leading that effort."

World Wrestling Entertainment Inc. (NYSE: WWE) is an integrated media and entertainment company headquartered in Stamford Conn. with offices in New York City Chicago Toronto and London. Additional information on the company can be found at wwe.com and corporate.wwe.com. Information on television ratings and community activities can be found at parents.wwe.com.

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