World Wrestling Entertainment [WWE] took ceneter stage on Tuesday.

Their motive: to bring students "ringside" to the inner workings of the international corporation.

Guest Speaker and Executive Vice President of Consumer Products at WWE , Donna Goldsmith, gave students the inside scoop on the renowned wrestling federation.

A large portion of the crowd was comprimised of Media Studies, Marketing and Art majors who filled the Edgerton Center for Performing Arts to nearly half its capacity.

Students seemed particularly responsive to Goldsmith's enthusiastic introduction to the company which specializes in live and televised entertainment.

"As a media studies major it was interesting to hear how the representative started out and what their backgrounds were before working for WWE," said Matt Brucato, senior, Westport.

Through integrated media, the WWE has a number of enterprises ranging from pay-per-view specials and feature films to video games and action figures.

Feature films include See no Evil a horror flick featuring the notorious wrestler Kane, The Marine starring John Cena, and The Condemned starring "Stone Cold" Steve Austin, which will hit theaters soon.

Goldsmith announced the company's recent expansion to Europe and other countries. She explained that the company's key initiative is to be a growing and expanding global corporation.

"It's all about the superstars," said Goldsmith. "The industry of sports entertainment is as much about the celebrity personalities as it is about the action.

"What we do is develop a story around a superstar, which is why some have called it 'a soap opera for guys.'"

Although Goldsmith explained that the company has a growing female fan-base, the demographic is comprised of men ages 15-35.

But apart from the company's fan-base, the WWE is one of the most successful franchises in the entertainment and sports genres.

Goldsmith said, "at a typical event, the WWE makes an average of eleven dollars per cap [per person] while professional sports teams make about three.

"Not to mention some of the more unexpected business ventures like about twenty published books that have made the best sellers lists, and John Cena's rap album that recently went gold overseas."

Many students like Mike Harnois, junior, Mass., we're surprised to learn about the WWE's array of marketing successes.

"It was interesting to see how large a reach a company like WWE has when all along I thought they were just about wrestling," said Harnois.

Aside from being a successful corporation, the WWE is also concerned with its surrounding community and social welfare.

WWE has several programs that aim to give back to the community.

"There is an in school program called Get Real in which superstars bring positive messages to kids about respect, education and leadership," said Goldsmith.

Other community-based programs include Smack Down Your Vote, which encourages young people to vote in local and presidential elections.

The WWE also does a tour in both Iraq and Afghanistan, in which superstars put on a special event for American troops overseas.

The WWE is also involved with the American Cancer Society and the Make-a- Wish Foundation.

Goldsmith shared her professional experience with students who are looking to pursue a career in marketing, public relations.

Students, like Harnois, responded positively to Goldsmith's story. She started out as a secretary and worked her way up to assistant product manager for Revlon. From there, Goldsmith moved onto the Swatch Watch Company then the NBA and now is proud to be a part of the WWE.

"As a huge WWE fan and follower, I appreciate the opportunity WWE has provided for SHU students," said Brucato. "We [students] are now able to get a foot in the door with such a successful and well-rounded company as WWE."

Interactive lectures followed throughout the day where students could ask questions, learn about WWE policies and different genres of work within the company and hand recruiters their resumes.

The WWE's Career Action Day both surprised students and made an impact on the campus community.

Whether you worship Triple H, love the Diva's, like the WWE action figures, or admire the talent of the wrestlers, WWE is more than what meets the eye (and the mat).