Vince Russo's detractors in WCW recognise Russo as possessing a wide creative outlook, but also weaknesses which cancels his creative ability out. The anti-Russo group, the vast majority of which are management and office staff, and not workers, view Russo's ideas as producing next to nothing when it comes to boosting house show attendances and pay per view buyrates, and not much more in regard to television ratings. The feeling is that his booking is occurring on a week-to-week basis, and not with any long term planning.
Apparently, Hulk Hogan, who has not appeared on WCW television since the notorious Bash at the Beach 2000 pay per view, is still on speaking terms with the majority of people in WCW. All concerned in the situation, including Hogan, Vince Russo, Booker T and Jeff Jarrett, continue to insist that want happened was legitimate. The general consensus is that what happened started as a work, but may have become something real.
The way in which Rena Mero (Sable) left the WWF will probably result in her never being given another opportunity to work for the company, but some people believe that Mero is eager to return. Mero, on a recent television appearance, was complimentary of Chyna's Playboy pictorial, and in interviews earlier this year, she has played down her WWF exit controversy. WWF color commentator Jerry "The King" Lawler bashed Mero on Thursday's edition of SmackDown!, saying that she is inferior to Chyna, real name Joannie Laurer.
There is still no exact date for a Billy Gunn return. However, it does seem as though Gunn is on the fast track to a return, as he recieved his clearance from doctors on September 24th. Gunn will probably go down to Memphis, the WWF's farm league, to work off some ring-rust. Gunn has been out of action for the post several months due to a rotator cuff injury.
The Chances of Debra working with her husband, Steve Austin upon his return are slim-to-none, at the best. The reason behind this is that Austin having a valet would not suit his on-air personality. If she is going to be involved in an angle with him, she will most likely be on the opposite end, feuding with him.
On the United Kingdom edition of Sunday Night Heat, with matches called by Jonathan Coachman and Michael Hayes, mention was made of Billy Gunn, and possible involvement of him in the Stone Cold Steve Austin hit and run angle. Coachman said that Gunn could be back within a few weeks. Gunn, real name Monty Sopt, was at one time the top candidate for the driver role, but concerns that he is not ready for such a prominent position in the company are now expected to rule him out. Gunn may be backstage at Raw is War and SmackDown! this week, and could work a dark match, as a means of assessing his current condition. Gunn will then be stationed in Memphis for an undefined time period, in order to work on conditioning, ahead of his WWF comeback. It is uncertain whether the former Hardcore and Tag Team Champion will be re-aligned with Road Dogg and X-Pac when he returns to the WWF, but Coachman did refer to him as being an "ex DX member", which showed consistency with the angle in February when Triple H, Road Dogg and X-Pac attacked him, and therefore suggests he will not be back with any members of the group. Then again, despite their recent feud and SummerSlam match, Road Dogg and X-Pac have, for no explained reason, become pals again on television.
Estimations differ as to the exact figure, but, following the recent tumble of WWF stock, Vince McMahon is definitely no longer a billionaire. Forbes Magazine had rated his wealth to be $1.1 billion, although he has since dropped to in the region of $750 million. Of course, stocks fluctuate, and he is likely to re-coup his billionaire status in the near future. Investors, in general, have a very cynical view of professional wrestling, and reacted very negatively to a recent report which outlined only a small drop in expected earnings for the WWF.
Despite being in his home town of Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, the WWF were not expecting anything like the hugely positive reaction that Kurt Angle attained at the SmackDown! taping. When Angle was last in Pittsburgh for a television show, he was booed mercilessly, but even when he ran down the local sports team on SmackDown!, he was cheered.
If the WWF book Big Show as being the driver who ran down Stone Cold Steve Austin, it could cause damage to locker room morale. Show, real name Paul Wight, has been discussed for the role, but should the WWF opt to put him in a program with Austin when he returns, following being sent to Ohio Valley to work on conditioning, it would almost certainly go down badly with the other workers, not only because Wight would be automatically handed a top spot, but also in view of the fact that he is one of the less popular members of the roster. Last August, The Undertaker, real name Mark Callaway, blasted Wight to his face for poor work, and Wight has also angered other co-workers with his attitude.
Mandalay Sports, who have been talked about as a possible interested party in purchasing WCW, have registered the Internet domain name "wcwextreme.com". The group, as reported earlier, have also trademarked the name "World Championship Extreme Wrestling". Eric Bischoff, officially an advisor for WCW, is affiliated with the group.
Dave Scherer from 1Wrestling.com reports that Gorgeous George, Macho Man Randy Savage's former girlfriend is now stripping at clubs. The former WCW and ECW diva will be appearing at a strip club which is called "Al's Diamond Cabaret." The event will run from November 6 to November 11.All I have to say is "WOW!",even though I have seen and have nudes of her.
ECW's Jerry Lynn will be Live Audio Wrestling's special guest tonight. The LAW will be airing from 5:00-6:00 p.m. and they will be taking your calls for Jerry Lynn 416-870-6400. I know I am going to try and call in, since I live in the area.
The WWF has updated StoneCold.com with new videos of the Rattlesnake regarding the Whodunnit angle. To view the videos, go here:
http://www.stonecold.com/whodunnit/new.html
Recently, "Stone Cold" has been complaining about being sore after stunners.Don't expect this to change because the WWF wants to hype up Austin more now than ever.
The new tatoo on the Undertaker's neck, "Sara", is for his new wife which he married in July in Tampa, FL.
The Big Bossman is home rehabbing an injured knee. He could be back in mid-October
Steven Regal's comments on his return to the WWF: "I was addicted to painkillers and it didn't matter which one," Regal said. "I spent four months in rehab and when I came out, WWF owner Vince [McMahon] said I would be welcomed back here anytime.
"When I was on the painkillers, I would just come home and lock myself in a room and not come out until it was time to leave again," Regal said. "I don't ever want to feel like that again. I'm in the best shape of my life and I feel good. But I don't tell anyone what and what not to do when it comes to being addicted like I was because people don't listen. I know I didn't."
Steve Blackman on the weapons used in the WWF's Hardcore division: "We don't ever reuse a weapon," said Blackman. "In every town, someone either goes to the Walmart or Home Depot and gets new trash cans. They take the old ones out and put them on the WWF auction site."
WWF CEO Linda McMahon, CFO August Liguori and VP Investor Relations Tom Gibbons appeared on Conference Call at 2:30 PM ET today to talk about the recent tumble of the WWFE's stock price. It was revealed during the conference that the WWF are considering taking legal action against the Parents Television Council for circulating false information about the company. McMahon said that the PTC have named certain advertisers as pulling WWF sponsorship, despite never having been sponsors at all. McMahon explained that talking to sponsors about the company's operations is the best way of neutralising the PTC's campaign.
Mick Foley has said that Vince McMahon asked him to be the driver in the Stone Cold Steve Austin hit and run angle, but he was not interested because he does not want to wrestle. Foley has been one of prime suspects for being the driver, along with Shawn Michaels and The Rock.
The WWF have announced a brand new pay-per-view television series called "WWF Fanatic". The monthly series will offer viewers an inside look at the most popular WWF Superstars and pay-per-view events, and is based on the WWF's highly successful home video series. Each WWF Fanatic Series special will be hosted by a WWF Superstar and will include exclusive, never-before-seen footage. The first instalment in the WWF Fanatic Series will be The Rock: The People's Champ, which premieres on October 1st.
Rey Mysterio Jr. and Juventud Guerrera will wrestle in a ladder match on Monday Nitro. Guerrera suffered a leg injury only two days ago at the Thunder taping, but will be fit enough to work the bout. Regarding the injury, when Guerrera was lain on the ring canvas, Konnan became furious at the Wilkes-Barre, Pennsylvania, crowd for booing Guerrera.
The Undertaker is suffering from a pulled groin muscle, and as a result, did not work television this week. Undertaker, real name Mark Callaway, was not booked for the weekend house shows, but would probably be unable to work them in any case. It is expected that Callaway, a former three-time WWF World Heavyweight Champion, will not be at either Raw is War or SmackDown! next week.
As speculated previously, it is now confirmed that Taka Michinoku aggravated the injury he suffered at the Royal Rumble during Tuesday's television tapings. Michinoku was hurt taking a face first bump, landing in a way that separated his shoulder.
WWFE stock took a huge tumble in after-hours trading yesterday, following news that the company's profits would be up to 10% down from earlier estimates. Wall Street reacted extremely negatively to the news, probably looking at the drop in revenue far too superficially, and believing the WWF machine has been derailed. While elements of merchandising and advertising income will be down, the core business is showing no signs of decline, and the latest pay per view, Unforgiven, is believed to have achieved huge numbers.
There apparently have been no discussions between ECW and WWF in regard to doing an inter-promotional feud, although Vince McMahon will probably be given something in return for allowing ECW to remain on TNN. When ECW wrestlers were allowed to invade Raw is War a few years ago, it was because WWF business was down, and they were looking to spark interest in the product. Now, business is booming, especially with Stone Cold Steve Austin back on television, and the need for a joint angle is not prevalent.
Former seven-time World Heavyweight Champion Bret Hart might be back on television next week; it depends on whether WCW desire to utilise the "Hitman". Hart can be called to appear on the company’s television at any time, although he is only receiving half pay due to a head injury.
Numerous people in the WWF think that Mick Foley could be making a return to the ring to work a program with Stone Cold Steve Austin, after being revealed at the hit and run driver. Terry Funk said during a recent radio interview that he believes Foley, a very good friend of his, would be tempted back into the squared circle. Foley captured the WWF World Title on three occasions, and last wrestled at WrestleMania 2000, where he was eliminated from the Fatal Four-Way main event by Triple H.
Although they are one of the most over tag teams in the business, Edge, real name Adam Copeland, and Christian, real name Jay Reso, are expected to part ways soon. The belief is that Edge will be given a steady push in the heavyweight singles ranks, while Christian - who is probably a better worker, but is almost certainly the less over - could be moved back into the Light Heavyweight Title ranks.
Some people in WCW are saying that Vince RussoÂ’s days in WCW are numbered, and that he could be gone imminently. However, there are a number of people in the company that are supporting Russo, such as Scott Steiner and Kevin Nash. Goldberg is not actively supporting Russo, but he rarely speaks highly about anything in WCW at all.
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