Pro wrestling: WWE chairman promotes $1M giveaway
By DERRIK J. LANG
AP Entertainment Writer
LOS ANGELES — Wrestling fans eager to get their hands on Vince McMahon's money will have to jump through a few hoops first.
The World Wrestling Entertainment chairman announced during last week's "Monday Night Raw" that he would give away $1 million of his own wealth to viewers, but he didn't specify when or how it would be distributed.
The cash will be given away as part of a lengthy promotional sweepstakes, McMahon and the WWE told The Associated Press.
For a chance to win a part — but not all — of the $1 million, viewers must pre-register on WWE.com and then watch the beginning of "Raw" each week to receive a special code, which viewers must tell McMahon if he calls them during the live broadcast.
The code will change each week of the promotion and will not be revealed until the beginning of each episode.
"People can view this as my own version of an economic stimulus plan to benefit our viewers," McMahon told The Associated Press.
While the USA Network series continues to be one of the most watched shows on cable TV, its ratings have recently declined. Last Monday's episode received the lowest ratings in five years, according to Nielsen Media Research.
McMahon said his goal with the giveaway, which begins June 9, is to reward loyal "Raw" fans and draw new and former viewers back to the show.
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