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It seems investors are unhappy that one of THQ's most important relationships continues to be in flux. After the news that the company was extending its renewal notice with the WWE on October 28, its stock has lost 12 percent of its value, according to GameIndustry.biz. When compared to its worth on September 23, the company is down 26 percent.

THQ's convoluted relationship with JAKKS Pacific and the WWE is fully explained here, but it suffices to say that things are pretty messy right now, and it seems the stockholders are getting impatient for tidiness.

THQ announced today that World Wrestling Entertainment has extended a deadline that allows the publisher to renew its licensing contract. The extension lasts until December 21, 2009 -- the original deadline was November 1. If signed, the agreement would be good through December 31, 2014.

THQ is cool with the WWE, but it's not very chummy with JAKKS Pacific, its longtime partner in the WWE licensing venture. The wounds also run deep between JAKKS and the WWE. When asked for comment on the license renewal and further details regarding the three-way deal, a THQ representative told Joystiq that the publisher plans to renew its contract with the WWE, and then added, "Beyond that, I cannot comment."

The business, politics and legal issues are certainly complicated. We spoke with Wedbush Morgan analyst Michael Pachter who laid out multiple scenarios, but in the end he believes the most likely outcome is that the joint venture between THQ and JAKKS will be terminated. If JAKKS enforces its (believed to be one-year) non-compete clause, then no WWE games can be produced. Neither side would benefit from that, however.

Pachter suggests that the WWE's renewal deadline was extended to give THQ and JAKKS time to settle their issues. What it sounds like to us: THQ and WWE want to move forward as a couple, and the previous arrangement, featuring JAKKS as the third wheel, has worn out its welcome. Check out Pachter's complete analysis after the break.

Other than a recent countdown offered by THQ, we haven't heard much about the publisher's next effort in its longtime wrestling franchise, WWE Smackdown vs. Raw 2010. Today though, THQ announced an October 20 release date for the game, along with a clear marketing push towards online play.

Nelo Lucich, a senior VP at licensor JAKKS Pacific, leads the charge, saying, "The vast array of creative and online options allow players the ability to create their own unique Superstars, right down to their tattoos and customized ring gear." He goes on to tout the game's "Community Creations interface" and other options for online play, remaining confident. And maybe he should be, considering the game's October release now has a much better chance of standing out in a delay-riddled holiday season than ever before.

This might be the weirdest variant of the reviled countdown site yet. We know exactly what the countdown is for -- WWE Smackdown vs. Raw 2010 -- and, since it's an annual sports franchise, we don't really expect surprises. But there it is, counting down three days until we'll see the roster, media, downloads, list of features, and other areas of what promises to be a bog-standard game website.

Of course, the big attraction here is what the new game will look like. However, since that was revealed on Late Night With Jimmy Fallon, that leaves ... the downloads? Who will appear on the downloadable desktop wallpaper. FIND OUT in three days!

You may not know this, but THQ and JAKKS Pacific have been locked in a vicious courtroom tussle over payment for work on some of THQ's WWE titles. See, THQ and JAKKS had a deal wherein THQ was to pay JAKKS 10% of money accrued from the sale of the JAKKS-developed WWE games; however, the two ALL CAPS companies were set to renegotiate that deal when JAKKS jumped the gun, signing a new contract without THQ's consent. And, as you've probably guessed, that's when THQ sicked the lawyers on 'em. Today, the result of this ongoing cage match are in and THQ managed to pin JAKKS for the 1-2-3.

In the end, THQ was able to get that 10% figure lowered to only 6%, which will save the company "approximately" $23 million. JAKKS is surely upset: before the suit, the company was set to receive $57 million for its efforts in developing WWE titles; now that figure is a much lower $34 million. And what have we learned here? In the fantastical world of WWE, signing important documents without the consent of your business partner might make for great television but ... wait, we need to rethink this lesson ...

Source - THQ Prevails in JAKKS Pacific Arbitration Dispute
Source - JAKKS Pacific Announces Result in THQ Arbitration

JAKKS is more than happy to reenter into its WWE licensing deal with THQ, but the gaming company isn't so sure it's ready to make a commitment. After JAKKS signed on the dotted line to extend its gaming agreement with the wrestling group for five years, THQ sued the toymaker, saying it wasn't ready to make a decision and that JAKKS had no right to sign the agreement without THQ's consent.

There were some reportedly shady dealings when JAKKS originally got the contract -- perhaps THQ wants to get the whole pie for itself. Who knows? Either way, the two companies have entered into arbitration, so hopefully the tiff won't have an impact on releases.

According to the analysts at Cowen and Company, several of THQ's key franchises – think WWE, SpongeBob SquarePants and Saints Row – are in a slump. GI.biz details the firm's findings and all signs point to the publisher posting a "substantial" loss this fiscal year.

The firm states that the 22% Q4 year-over-year decline of the WWE franchise, which it calls one of the last "bastions of strength" at the publisher, is of particular concern, while poor little SpongeBob saw a 19% decline over the prior year. Saints Row 2 also isn't doing too hot, with the firm expecting the gangsta-fied sandbox title to move just 900K units over the next year in the US. Though the original Saints Row performed better on a single console, 2006 also had a very different software landscape (read: Grand Theft Auto IV wasn't out yet). Let's see if this holiday season changes THQ's plans to focus on a few "core" titles yearly.

Tons of bling to get in this WWE game. There are 7 (!) Gold Trophies to acquire ... but only 2 Bronze Trophies.

Who doesn't like the word "exclusive"? While this may not be the biggest news ever, WWE fans will certainly appreciate knowing PlayStation Network will be home to a few exclusive costumes when DLC is made available in January. The first Roster Pack will be available for $4.99 and will include the following:

• Evan Bourne - playable Superstar
• Ted DiBiase - playable Superstar
• Charlie Haas - playable Superstar
• Chris Jericho - alternate attire
• Kelly Kelly - holiday costume (EXCLUSIVELY ON PS3)
• Maria Santa - holiday costume (EXCLUSIVELY ON PS3)
• Masked Kane - alternate attire (EXCLUSIVELY ON PS3)
• MVP - alternate attire (EXCLUSIVELY ON PS3)
• Edge - alternate attire (EXCLUSIVELY ON PS3)

[Via PlayStation.Blog]

We knew things had to slow down at some point, and it looks like that "some point" would be now. This week's PSP releases offer a bit of Tom Clancy's patented war thrills, while Europe gets a slightly early taste of WWE's latest.

NA Games:

• Tom Clancy's EndWar

EU Games:

• Pro Evolution Soccer 2009
• Tom Clancy's EndWar
• WWE Smackdown vs. Raw 2009

Asian Games:

• No new releases

Surprisingly, we're writing the "no new releases" line for Asia. Who would have thought that was actually ever going to happen?

Lesser wrestling fans may find it difficult to decide which version of the annual WWE Smackdown vs. Raw game to get this year, but the choice should be made easy for true rasslin' aficionados. THQ just announced a Collector's Edition for WWE Smackdown vs. Raw 2009, and it's exclusive to the PS3.

The Collector's Edition includes an extra Blu-ray disc with "a behind-the-scenes documentary on the making of the videogame, as well as more than two hours of WWE footage." The North American version with have a "steel cage packaging," while Europe and Asia will get their bundle in a mini-ring -- because you're not hardcore enough to step into a steel cage, son. The press release was shy on a price unfortunately; however, with a Sunday, November 9 release so close, we should have that info soon enough.

[Via press release]

While promoting THQ's SmackDown Vs. Raw in London, the WWE's Randy Orton told Eurogamer that he wants to see more violence in games. He believes parents shouldn't be worrying about games when some don't even know their kids are watching shows like South Park.

The 28-year-old pro wrestler, who became a dad for the first time last month, believes movie violence has way more "f*cked up sh*t" than games. The man who makes a living off professional violence points out that playing Mortal Kombat when he was younger didn't hurt him in the long run. So, what's the father of a newborn play when he's not "too covered in poop"? Orton says he plays Mario Kart, but he doesn't use the wheel because he thinks it's "just a gimmick."

[Via GP]

Not much was revealed about WWE Legends of WreslteMania, a new wrestling title to hit next year. All that's known so far about the game is that it's being made by THQ and JAKKS Pacific, and that it will come out March 2009 to coincide with Wrestlemania 25.

Other than that, everything is up for speculation -- especially that coveted roster. If the game's title wasn't enough of a hint, it looks like stars who've appeared at Wrestlemania will be the only ones making it into the game. Please THQ, whatever you do, don't include the likes of Tyson and non-wrestler personalities that have been at the big WM. That will just be disappointing. And, the "Macho Man" better not be missing this time.

[Via press release]

Ripped from the headlines: Using WWE Smackdown vs. Raw 2008's create-a-wrestler mode, THQ has done their own take on the Democratic presidential rivalry. They designed characters who sorta resemble presidential candidates Barack Obama and Hillary Rodham Clinton, as long as you're told who they're supposed to be first.

The two politicians run out and play to the crowd, then face off, totally about to wrassle, when the clip unfortunately ends. We wanted to see what Senator Clinton's finishing move was! We wanted to learn the candidates' positions on the issue of "folding chairs: now or later?"

You know, we wouldn't mind fake physical combat as a campaign method. It's not like anyone talks about real policy at debates anyway.

We didn't know wrestling was still popular enough to warrant an annual release, but over the weekend THQ dropped the trailer for WWE: Smackdown vs. Raw 2009. The video showcases the latest feature for the upcoming title, co-op story mode. While we're sure there is still a group of fans clamoring for a "chair-shot to the face" good time, we wonder if we really need another WWE game every year? Madden's annual release already gets us annoyed but we understand the reasoning behind it, but does including one new addition and swapping some characters in the roster really need another $60 price tag?