Reported by Adam Martin of WrestleView.com
On Thursday, March 29, 2007 at 1:51 PM EST

The following press release was issued by WWE today:

WrestleMania(R) 23 Weekend Commences Tonight in Detroit with Fifth Annual THQ Superstar Challenge
Thursday March 29, 6:00 am ET

Premiere Event at Gem Theatre to Feature Video Game Competition with World Wrestling Entertainment(R) Superstars and a Performance by Nonpoint

AGOURA HILLS, Calif.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--THQ Inc. (NASDAQ: THQI, on behalf of THQ/JAKKS Pacific, LLC, will take over the Gem Theatre this evening for the fifth annual THQ Superstar Challenge. A total of 16 elite Superstars from World Wrestling Entertainment will compete in a bracket-style video game tournament featuring THQ/JAKKS Pacific's internationally acclaimed WWE® SmackDown® vs. Raw® 2007 for the Xbox 360(TM) video game and entertainment system from Microsoft.

"The fifth annual THQ Superstar Challenge in Detroit celebrates the hard work and dedication of WWE and its Superstars throughout the year," said Bob Aniello, senior vice president, worldwide marketing, THQ. "The WWE Superstars participate extensively in the making of our WWE video games, and with the success of WWE SmackDown vs. Raw 2007, it's great to see them come together to enjoy the finished product."

"Over the years, the THQ Superstar Challenge has evolved and grown, becoming an essential part of WrestleMania weekend," said Monty Ross, senior director, consumer marketing, World Wrestling Entertainment. "Among our Superstars, an amazing video game and an engaging performance by Nonpoint, attendees are in for a great night of entertainment."

"With hundreds of fans in attendance and pre-WrestleMania energy at its highest level, the fifth annual THQ Superstar Challenge is the perfect way to jumpstart WrestleMania weekend in Detroit," said Nelo Lucich, vice president of interactive, JAKKS Pacific, Inc. "The Superstars are tremendous athletes and fierce competitors, and it is always an exciting event leading up to the ceremonial crowning of a new champion."

In addition to the fifth annual THQ Superstar Challenge, THQ, on behalf of THQ/JAKKS Pacific, will host a press conference on Friday, March 30 to announce the next addition to the WWE video game family.

About the Fifth Annual THQ Superstar Challenge

The fifth annual THQ Superstar Challenge will take place at the Gem Theatre in downtown Detroit on Thursday, March 29, at 6:30 p.m. A total of 16 Superstars will compete in a single-elimination tournament to decide the new king or queen of THQ/JAKKS Pacific's WWE SmackDown vs. Raw 2007 video game. With Shelton Benjamin(TM)'s retirement after four years as reigning champion, a fresh crop of competitors will put their skills to the test and see what it takes to earn bragging rights among fellow Superstars and WWE fans.

Prior to the Challenge, THQ will host the finals of its online video game tournament in conjunction with WWE, Best Buy, Global Gaming League and Microsoft. After several weeks of competition in the WWE SmackDown vs. Raw 2007 tournament via the Xbox Live® online entertainment network, the two finalists will compete in a championship match in person at the Gem Theatre. At stake are two floor tickets to WrestleMania 23, a WWE Championship Belt and additional prizes.

Following the Challenge, Bieler Bros. Records recording artist Nonpoint will rock the Gem Theatre's main stage. Hailing from South Florida, Nonpoint is currently supporting their Alive and Kicking greatest hits live CD with bonus DVD and writing material for their fifth full-length album. The band's songs, "Bullet With A Name" and "Alive And Kicking," were both featured on the in-game soundtrack for WWE SmackDown vs. Raw 2007.

The fifth annual THQ Superstar Challenge is open to the public. Tickets are $17.50 each and are currently on sale via Ticketmaster.

THQ Superstar Challenge Participants(1)

RAW Roster: Jeff Hardy(TM), Johnny Nitro(TM), Melina(TM), Mickie James(TM), Carlito(TM), Kenny Dykstra(TM) and Coach(TM) (host)

SmackDown Roster: Batista(TM), Ashley(TM), Ken Kennedy(TM), Chavo Guerrero(TM) and MVP(TM)

ECW Roster: Bobby Lashley(TM), CM Punk(TM), Kelly Kelly(TM), Tommy Dreamer(TM), Elijah Burke(TM) and Matt Striker(TM) (host)

(1) Participant roster subject to change

About WWE SmackDown vs. Raw 2007 for the Xbox 360

WWE SmackDown vs. Raw 2007 enables players to experience the thrill of being a WWE Superstar like never before with key upgrades, next generation graphics and new game play features. Environmental hotspots let players use multiple objects in and around the ring, as well as from crowd members, to inflict damage on their opponents. Players can also get closer than ever to WWE fans as they battle in a new interactive fighting area within the crowd. Ultimate control moves and an enhanced season mode with multiple branching storylines let players take the power of the WWE Superstars into their own hands, while a brand new analog control grappling system makes fighting more realistic than ever with intuitive movements and new levels of control. WWE SmackDown vs. Raw 2007 is also packed with significant product upgrades, including an expanded General Manager Mode, updated rosters for both RAW and SmackDown, enhanced online multiplayer game play with voice chat support and more.

For more information about WWE SmackDown vs. Raw 2007 or THQ's current lineup of games, please visit 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. 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. 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, Play Along, Flying Colors, Creative Designs International, Road Champs, Child Guidance, Pentech, Trendmasters, Toymax, Funnoodle, Go Fly a Kite, Color Workshop, JPI and Plug It In & Play TV Games. 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.jakkspacific.com.

Trademarks: All World Wrestling Entertainment Inc. programming, talent names, images, likenesses, slogans, wrestling moves, and logos are the exclusive property of World Wrestling Entertainment 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 Fifth Annual THQ Superstar Challenge and the WWE SmackDown vs. Raw 2007 video game for the Xbox 360, 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/A for the fiscal period ended March 31, 2006, 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.