The WWE has an issue.....they rented the Pepsi center back in August for next weeks Raw they have now been told a week in advance that they are not allowed to use the building because there is a Lakers/Nuggets playoff game...the building was nearly sold out for Raw...this should be rather interesting.
There are already several stories out about it...
Carmelo Anthony vs. John Cena: Two thugs from the mean streets. Book it.
http://sports.espn.go.com/nba/news/story?id=4176082
Kobe Bryant and the Los Angeles Lakers are scheduled to be at the Pepsi Center in Denver next Monday night.
Problem is, so are John Cena and a bunch of wrestlers.
World Wrestling Entertainment says it is booked at the arena for an episode of Monday Night Raw, the same night the Nuggets are slated to host the Lakers in Game 4 of the Western Conference finals.
WWE spokesman Robert Zimmerman says the organization secured the Pepsi Center last Aug. 15 and has already sold more than 10,000 tickets for the event. He says the organization expects a sellout, with tickets ranging from $20 to $70.
"Even though the Denver Nuggets had a strong team this year and were projected to make the playoffs, obviously Nuggets and Pepsi Center owner Stan Kroenke did not have enough faith in his own team to hold the May 25th date for a potential playoff game," WWE chairman Vince McMahon said in a statement.
Denver is usually done with basketball by now. The Nuggets had lost in the first round five straight years, but as the No. 2 seed in the West are in the conference finals for the first time since 1985.
The Nuggets referred comment to the NBA, which handles scheduling during the playoffs. NBA spokesman Mark Broussard said the league was looking into the conflict.
Zimmerman said the Pepsi Center confirmed in March with the WWE that the organization wanted to keep the May 25 date, and sent a contract on April 15 -- the final night of the regular season -- which WWE signed and returned. Tickets went on sale April 11.
The conflict didn't arise until Sunday, when the Lakers beat the Houston Rockets in Game 7 of the Western Conference semifinals. Had the Rockets won, Denver would have had home-court advantage in the next round, hosting Games 1 and 2 and putting the May 25 game in Houston.
As of Monday afternoon, the schedule on the Pepsi Center's Web site listed WWE for 6:30 p.m. local time and Western Conference finals Game 4 at 7 p.m. Tickets for the wrestling event could still be purchased online.
Pepsi Center officials told the ABC television affiliate in Denver that the Nuggets game will be played as scheduled and that they are working with the WWE to reschedule or move their event.
Credit: F4WOnline.com
The conflict as to who will get an event at the Pepsi Center in Denver next Monday night has lead to WWE sending out a press release moments ago claiming next week's RAW is in danger of being canceled completely.
While that seems almost an impossibility, the press release did in fact talk as if it could happen.
It's possible WWE is using the press release to gain maximum publicity value, as they need it known that they are looking for a replacement venue on very short notice.
UPDATE ON RAW TAPING THAT LOOKS TO BE BUMPED BY NBA PLAYOFFS
by Mike Johnson @ 12:19 PM on 5/18/2009
Jay Landry sent word that when he contacted the Pepsi Center regarding the 5/25 Raw taping that looks to be bumped by the NBA Playoffs, he received the following response from the venue's Guest Relations department via email:
"We are still in meetings with WWE deciding what is going to happen with the show that day. As soon as we get that information we will pass it along to you. Thank you in advance for you patience."
WWE OFFERED ALTERNATIVE VENUE FOR BUMPED RAW TAPING, BUT MAY NOT ACCEPT, OFFICIAL TICKETMASTER STATEMENT ON ISSUE
by Mike Johnson @ 1:47 PM on 5/18/2009
According to one source, WWE has been offered The Denver Coliseum to move the 5/25 Raw taping there. Since it's a smaller building, there may not be enough room for the amount of fans who have already purchased advanced tickets, the belief is WWE probably won't accept that offer.
Ticketmaster issued the following statement this afternoon:
The Denver Nuggets are scheduled to play on Monday May 25th @ 7:00pm. The Pepsi Center is working closely with the WWE and hopes to have information regarding the WWE event at the Pepsi Center soon. Both the Pepsi Center and TM will post information as soon as it is available.
NO REFUNDS are available at this time.
Here is my favorite...the WWE put out piece..
WWE SAYS THEY ARE AT AN 'IMPASSE' WITH DENVER NUGGETS OVER NEXT WEEK'S RAW, VINCE MCMAHON TAKES A SHOT AT THE TEAM'S OWNER
by Mike Johnson @ 5:09 PM on 5/18/2009
World Wrestling Entertainment issued the following press release today:
WWE VS. NBA
May 18, 2009
STAMFORD, Conn., May 18, 2009 – World Wrestling Entertainment®’s live, internationally televised broadcast, WWE Monday Night RAW®, (USA Network, 9:00 PM ET) to take place at the Pepsi Center in Denver next Monday, May 25th is in jeopardy of being cancelled by the Denver Nuggets. The WWE and Denver Nuggets are currently at an impasse in resolving a scheduling debacle by the team and the Pepsi Center.
A sell-out crowd is expected to attend the WWE show at the same time the Denver Nuggets are slated to square off against the Los Angeles Lakers for Game 4 of the NBA Western Conference Finals. WWE has held the May 25th date with the Pepsi Center since August 15, 2008.
“Even though the Denver Nuggets had a strong team this year and were projected to make the playoffs, obviously Nuggets and Pepsi Center owner Stan Kroenke did not have enough faith in his own team to hold the May 25th date for a potential playoff game,” said WWE Chairman Vince McMahon.
Bold part is quite funny if you ask me.