1/8/98
WARRIOR TO RETURN??
Despite a lackluster return to WCW television last year, the Warrior may once again grace our presence with yet another debut. However, his stage might be of a larger type, that being Prime Time televsion.
Several reports are stating that the NBC/WCW cooperative effort slated for February 14, will be headlined by the superstars widely known by the masses, more specifically the casual wrestling fans. Included in that classification are Hulk Hogan, Macho Man Randy Savage, and now according to speculative reports the Warrior.(deSantes)
WCW GIVES JERICHO ULTIMATUM
Apparently WCW has once again given Chris Jericho a harsh ultimatum for his future in WCW.
This ultimatum is that if Chris Jericho does not re-sign with World Championship Wrestling ASAP, he will be removed from Monday Nitro shows and probably be taken out of any major angles until his contract expires in July.
Jericho has stated in the past, and Mark Madden is reporting, that Jericho will in fact wait until the time when his contract expires to make a definite signing with either WWF or WCW. (Micasa,
G.L.O.W. !!
Do you remember G.L.O.W. ? Sure you do, those were the Gorgeous Ladies Of Wrestling. The very popular women's collaboration was a staple in late night programming during the latter part of the 80's. The popularity from what I recall wasn't so much the competitive nature of the matches, but rather finding enjoyment in viewing women needlessly enacting glorified "catfights." According to informants a resurgence of the program may be evident as soon as this summer.
I would expect the new version to be more disciplined as far as content, however, this could well be another good excuse to tie together sex and wrestling as many are aware through weekly ratings, is very successful. (De Santes)
WCW HOTLINE REPORT
Host: Mark Madden
-----------------------------
Reports by "The Replacement" and the Seeker
-Kevin Nash and Diamond Dallas Page have moved into office.
-Kevin Nash will be on his radio show, avalible on the Internet at WTAE.com. It's on at 12:50 in Pittsburgh.
-Bill Goldberg will wrestle Scott Hall in a Tazer-on-a-Pole match at Souled Out.
-He thinks it'd be cool for him [Goldberg] to beat all the NWO members one by one and then fight Hollywood Hogan at the first NBC special.
-Buff Bagwell may not be with the NWO much longer because of his neck injury, then when he gets better to have him go against them... after he gets kicked out. He's done this too much, you know, Boy who called "Wolf!"?
-Juventud Guerrera will become leader of the LWO, and Psychosis will assume a prominent role, like co-leader.
-Eddy Guerrero went through the Sunroof on his car accident and ended up with a punctured liver and a broken (gasp) pelvis. If he would have had a seatbelt on or if his car wouldn't have had a sunroof, he'd be crushed in the car.
-Tag Team Tournament teams are Benoit/Malenko, the Armstrong Brothers, maybe Disco Inferno and Kidman and the Outsiders probably. Look for it to start soon, like last night but have a false start at first... ahh...
-Rey Mysterio Jr. maybe out of the Cruiserweight Division.
-If Chris Jericho does not sign a contract by January 17th, he'll be taken off Nitro.
-WCW has signed a licensing agreement with Starter Sportswear. Look for WCW wrestlers to start wearing Starter's products.
-In Internet Rumours, Konnan could become the new leader of the LWO. He thinks its a good idea.
-And another Rumour off the Web is that Steve McMichael will be exposed as being the poisoner on Ric Flair and he'll be booted out of the Horsemen, making room for Diamond Dallas Page. He likes this one.
-He doesn't like this one, that David Flair will turn on his dad Ric Flair at Souled Out.
-He thinks he heard Tony Schvione (you get the point) yell "the F-Word" when Luger attacked Goldberg on Nitro. That's one of the seven words you can't say on television. The other six are "Ric Flair is better than Hogan," he says. Well, just not on WCW Television.
-The Giant made his likely last appearence with WCW Tuesday in Gainesville, Florida for the TV Tapings. He just laid down for Lex Luger. Luger and Giant thought it was funny. The crowd didn't. He was on Thunder, Madden. Ohhhh... you don't watch WCW's lower shows, just Nitro.
-Shawn Michaels told his hometown newspaper, in San Antonio that he will retire after his back surgery. Madden says if he can wrestle still, he will. He would've normally done like a whole recap of his career, but he's still not over Hogan's 39 day retirement.
-Sable will not only be in April's Playboy magazine, but will also be on the cover. She may be in her black cat suit or naked except for her Women's Title belt. He says strip her of the title.
-Aside from WCW's 2/14 NBC Special and the WWF's IYH PPV on the same day, Masa Saito will wrestle his retirement match against Scott Norton on a New Japan card.
WWF ATTITUDE VIDEO GAME
WWF Attitude (PSX / N64)
WWF wrestling is the hottest phenomenon in America and it's about to get hotter with WWF Attitude! Featuring over 40 top WWF Superstars including Rocky Maivia, Stone Cold Steve Austin, The Undertaker, and De-Generation X and a first-time ever Create-Your-Own-Pay-Per-View Mode, Attitude is set to blow away the competition. There are also new specialty matches including Hell in the Cell, Lumberjack, and King of the Ring, 1-to-4 player action, incredibly realistic 3D graphics, expanded create-a-wrestler mode, and over 400 signature moves for each wrestler. WWF Attitude is going to open a can of whoop ass on the competition for Sony PlayStation and Nintendo 64.
1/7/98
INFO ON THE NEW NWO
Kevin Nash has announced on his website that there will only be six members of the new nWo; Scott Hall, Hollywood Hogan, Lex Luger, Scott Steiner, Buff Bagwell, and himself (note the absence of the Giant). Where does this leave Konnan, Sting and Savage - former members of the now defunct NWO Wolfpac? They are expected to remain faces, and fued with the NWO.
More information on this topic will be available soon. (Tom Claffey)
MORE ON RATINGS
• Livewire on 1/2 did a 2.1. ... The Goldberg Special that aired on TBS on 1/2 did a 2.8 rating. ... Superstars on 1/3 did a 1.7 rating. ... Sunday Night Heat on 1/3 did a 4.3 rating.
• MONDAY NIGHT RATINGS
- Nitro: 5.0, Hourly ratings of 5.5, 4.6, 4.8
- Raw: 5.8, Hourly ratings of 5.7, 5.8
Nitro did a 4.7 composite going head-to-head with Raw in its last two hours. Also, WWF posted the following statement on their website: "WWF.COM would like to thank a certain announcer down south (Tony Schiavone) who helped Mick Foley's match on Raw draw an amazing 5.9 rating."
*Ratings courtesy of Georgie and WWF.COM and Joe DeLeon
HBK UPDATE
Shawn Michaels has also told San Antonio television and radio stations that he is infact retiring from professional wrestling.
He did a one-on-one interview with CBS affiliate, KENS-5 Eyewitness News from his home in San Antonio. The news station noted that he will be undergoing back surgery next Tuesday. Michaels said that the injuries are getting to him, and his life with his wife is getting bigger. He plans on opening a wrestling gym in April. (Joe DeLeon)
JIM ROSS COMMENTS ON TONY BALONEY
Jim Ross on Bischoff:
It's interesting that we are having so many sellouts and we have so much to be thankful for in our lives here in the wrestling business, and
that a so-called, self-proclaimed, "how in the heck did he get the job" wrestling executive with another company predicted the fall of the WWF in
1998, and I just don't think that's going to happen. It didn't happen ...
Ross on Schiavone:
Somewhat of a humorous ... but it is really sad when you stop and think about it. I'll not exclude myself from saying stupid things. I've done it before. I probably will do it again. I hope I get the opportunity to do it again. But my former understudy, Tony Schiavone, once again embarrassed himself Monday night revealing that Mankind would win the WWF title on Raw's taped broadcast, in what many folks believed was an attempt to keep viewers from tuning out of Uncle Ted's program on Monday night, and hurting the Raw
show. But instead, this whole situation is being ... Tony Schiavone is being taken to task by fans on the internet for such an amateurish and uncreative attempt at negative broadcasting. I really feel sorry for the very insecure Schiavone, because of the direction he receives, it really doesn't give him any good choices to go the right way. However, we do appreciate Tony's generous and thought provoking reference to Raw on Uncle Ted's network Monday night. We appreciate your business.
* Thanks to Dave Corbin and MiCasa and Tim Hooks for this transcript.
RAW GOING TO THE DOG SHOW
According to the USA Network schedule, WWF Raw is War will be pre-empted on 2/8 in the United States by the Westminster Kennel Club Dog Show, and will be shown the following Saturday (2/13) at 8:00pm EST.
It's kind of a disappointment not to see it live, since Raw on 2/8 will be held for the first time ever at the Sky Dome in Toronto, Ontario, Canada. WWF's Valentine's Massacre PPV is on 2/14. (Joe DeLeon)
1/6/98
NEWSPAPER ARTICLE SAYS HBK WILL PROBABLY RETIRE AFTER SURGERY
Wrestling champ ready to retire
By Ihosvani Rodriguez -- San Antonio Express-News
Tuesday, January 5, 1999
Shawn Michaels, "The Heartbreak Kid," will be breaking the hearts of wrestling fans everywhere.
The World Wrestling Federation superstar has picked what has become the year of the wrestler to turn in his tights.
The San Antonio native likely will retire from the ring after he undergoes back surgery next Tuesday.
"It's a matter of looking at the risk vs. rewards ratio. I need to start thinking about the second part of my life," Michaels said from his North San Antonio home Tuesday afternoon. "It's time to say, 'That's a wrap.' "
Last year, Michaels, 33, received a serious back injury after he was tossed through a table during a match against The Undertaker.
Doctors told him 14 years of being body-slammed and enduring backbreakers — however choreographed they might have been — virtually destroyed two disks in his lower back.
"It's the most excruciating pain anyone can ever endure," Michaels said.
Doctors from the medical team that treated former New York Jets player Dennis Byrd were among those consulted by Michaels.
On Tuesday, San Antonio surgeons will try to fuse Michaels' disks back together. Michaels' doctors could not be reached for comment Tuesday evening.
Michaels — who played high school football for the Randolph Ro-Hawks and whose real name is Michael Hickenbottom — said he's going to continue working for the WWF.
His primary role will be "commissioner" for the wrestling organization, serving as spokesman and front man as the WWF expands its audience globally.
After spending several years toiling in minor wrestling federations, Michaels quickly rose through the ranks in the world where showmanship and charisma are rewarded with fame and fortune — and marked with a championship belt.
"I've accomplished many things in the ring, including reaching the top as a world champion," Michaels said. "If I hadn't won the title, then perhaps I would still be trying to get back in the ring one way or another, but you have to start thinking about your personal life."
Michaels will continue to work with local wrestling legend Jose Lothario on a wrestling school set to open in April and continue his efforts with local charities, he said.
To explain his absence while he recovers from back surgery, Michaels was "pummeled" by WWF wrestlers on "Monday Night Raw," then tossed through a car windshield.
WWF INJURY UPDATE
X-Pac injured his neck at the Madison Square Garden House Show in December. He had an MRI on Monday, but the results were negative. He is undergoing other tests.
The first day Hawk returned to training in the WWF Training Camp, he injured his back. He was sent home for treatment, but the injury turned out not to be serious.
Mark Canterbury finally had his neck surgery, which will keep him out of the WWF for another two to three months. When he returns, he may not team up with Dennis Knight again. Currently, Knight is doing a weird angle with The Acolytes.
Thrasher will undergo surgery on 1/19 for a torn meniscus. He'll be out of action for three months, and it looks like that Oddities vs. Headbangers fake Tag Team Title match will be scrapped. Mosh will wrestle in singles in the meantime.
[Jim Ross, Joe DeLeon and Mike Samuda]
DESPITE THE BALONEY FROM TONY, RAW AND MICK WIPE OUT NITRO
Here are this week's ratings--
RAW ... 5.7 ... 5.8 ... Composite ... 5.75
NITRO ... 5.5 ... 4.6 ... 4.8 .. Composite ...5.0
Head to Head... RAW beat NITRO ... 5.75 to 4.7
That is the highest rating Raw has ever received.
HEAT ... 4.3
(Georgiann Makropoulos)
GUERRERO INJURY UPDATE
According to Dave Meltzer, Eddie Guerrero is a "lucky man," to have survived such a horrifying automobile accident. Joe De Leon of course touched upon the incident earlier this week, and additional reports are stating that Guerrero may have been thrown from his vehicle upon impact about 100 feet or so from the wreckage. Meltzer described, Guerrero as having been projected through the sunroof of the car, ironically due to not having his seat belt fastened, and landing in some soft sand, which obviously played a key role in his survival.
Due to the required time for rehabilitation, Eddie Guerrero's replacement as leader of the Latino World Order, if it were to indeed still be continued in WCW storylines, would in most likliehood go to Juventud Guerrera. (DeSantes)
TONY BALONEY IN TROUBLE FOR SAYING THE F-WORD??
On the most recent Nitro, many of us heard the remarks made by Tony Schiavonne about Mick Foley and his winning of the WWF World Title. However, the biggest and most controversial thing that Tony said that night may have gone unnoticed.
When Lex Luger dealt his hand and joined the NWO by attacking Goldberg, Schiavonne could be heard saying the words, "What the f***'s going on?" (Parrish)
1/5/98
EDDIE GUERRERO INJURY UPDATE
Eddie Guerrero has gone into the hospital and will remain there until this Saturday (1/9), after being involved in a single car accident on New Year's Eve.
He is said to be doing very well, considering all the injuries he suffered (fractured hip, puntured liver, among others). The factured hip is reportedly not as bad as most though, and his liver is doing very well. (Joe DeLeon)
DEAN MALENKO INJURY UPDATE
Dean Malenko was injured at the WCW House Show in Columbus, Georgia. He was helped back to the locker room when he started limping. It was first thought it was a break, but it turned out to be a severe sprain. (Joe DeLeon, Dave Scherer)
BRET HART UPDATE
Bret Hart hasn't been on television lately because WCW is reevaluating his role, since he received a huge pop in an off-air run-in last week (probably because of his movie). Although Hart is currently out of action with a groin injury, he could still make television appearances, but WCW has decided not to put him on.
Hart's apperance on MAD TV will air on the 1/16 episode. (Wade Keller, Joe DeLeon)
MCMAHON RESPONDS TO USA TODAY ARTICLE
The following comes courtesy of WWF.COM:
Wrestling Promotions Go Beyond Ridiculous
By Paul Fuller -- USA Today [Letters section]
Monday, January 4, 1999
Professional wrestling, as promoted by Ted Turner's World Championship Wrestling (WCW) on TNT and TBS cable channels and by Vince McMahon's World Wrestling Federation (WWF) on USA Network, has an enormous fan base and following for its entertainment value.
Children of all ages are influenced by the barrage of television programming, action-figure toys and video games that depict these performers. As a boy growing up in Indiana, I was enamored of such wrestling "heroes" as Dick the Bruiser. It was always good vs. evil, and that has prevailed to the present.
I still enjoy watching wrestling as entertainment on television, and my 11-year-old son also is caught up in the wrestling rage that exists today.
Recently, however, there has been a disconcerting turn of events brought out by McMahon, owner of the WWF. After viewing a recent Monday night RAW IS WAR and WAR ZONE, I think any parent would be appalled by the despicable promotion of wrestling. McMahon seems to think sex, exploitation of women, sadomasochism and domination belong in family viewing. I do not.
The one example that can be mentioned portrayed a pimp--The Godfather--who wanted to enlist another woman into his "whore train." When she refused, he shouted to the crowd, "Pimpin' ain't easy." I understand from a recent (PBS) documentary that McMahon thinks he has to resort to such filth to attract a fan base.
To Turner's credit, his WCW promotions do not employ these lurid displays of sex and filth. The Nitro Girls' dance at the beginning of the show is tastefully done, and the overall theme is still the good guy vs. the bad guy.
Professional wrestling is a good theatrical sporting event that has endured both good times and bad. Its resurgence in recent years, however, needs to be monitored by TV executives to ensure it retains its entertainment value for children and does not erode into displays of sexual exploitation, exhibitionism and moral degradation. And parents need to be aware there are promoters like McMahon who don't care what is presented, as long as it helps his ratings.
Paul Fuller
Satellite Beach, Fla.
———————
Mr. McMahon Responds:
January 4, 1999
Mr. Paul Fuller
Satellite Beach, Florida
Dear Mr. Fuller:
It’s obvious that you just don’t Get It! Much like Hollywood Studios, the World Wrestling Federation produces programming for different age groups. At 10 AM Eastern on Saturday and Sunday mornings on USA Network, the World Wrestling Federation produces programs that are PG rated. Sunday at 7 PM Eastern, Sunday Night Heat, the rating is PG LV. Next Monday night primetime, 9 PM to 11 PM, the rating is TV 14. Let that be your guide as to what is appropriate for your 11 year old son.
However, as far as your opinion as to what you think professional wrestling should be, good vs. evil, good guy vs bad guy, your taste seems to be stuck in a time warp, the same time when you were "enamored of such wrestling heroes as Dick the Bruiser".
If you want this type of simplistic intelligence insulting programming, we suggest that you watch Ted Turner’s WCW. However, if you’re looking for contemporary sports entertainment which treats "professional wrestling" as an action/adventure soap opera, then the World Wrestling Federation is your ticket. With the sexuality of 90210, the subject matter of NYPD Blue, the athleticism of the Olympics combined with reality based storylines, the World Wrestling Federation presents a hybrid of almost all forms of entertainment and sports combined in one show.
I regret that your misquotes and one sided commentary is so biased as to not see the World Wrestling Federation for what it truly is. Obviously, you just don’t Get It!
Sincerely,
Vince McMahon
Chairman
P.S. In an effort to reach you via phone, directory assistance claims that there is no Paul Fuller listed or unlisted in Satellite Beach, Florida.
1/4/98
SNOW STORM SCREWS UP BRUISERMANIA.COM
I've finally made it through the snow and am able to update today. Things are still a bit hairy here, so please don't give up on me yet. This bad weather has forced me to cancel the BWF Bruiser Bedlam for 1/3/99 and, hopefully, we'll be back this weekend with another exciting show. Here's the news...
EDDIE GUERRERO HURT IN CAR ACCIDENT
Word is that Eddie Guerrero was involved in a car accident on New Year's Eve.
He broke his hip and punctured either his liver or lung. He is currently recuperating at home, with help from a nurse. (Joe DeLeon)
SHAMROCK SURGERY
Ken Shamrock will undergo arthroscopic elbow surgery on 1/5 by Dr. Frank Jones.
He'll be out of action until the Royal Rumble, where he will take on Billy Gunn for the Intercontinental Title. He'll probably make a few television appearances before the 1/24 PPV, but after surgery, he will fly down to New Orleans, Louisiana to coach Jerry Bohlander, Mikey Burnett, and possibly Mark Coleman in the UFC, according to Dave Meltzer. (Joe DeLeon)
MORE INJURIES
The latest WCW injures are Scott Hall with a twisted knee, Stevie Ray with a muscle pull in his back, and Ciclope with a blood build-up in his knee.
Meltzer says that Hall suffered the twisted knee on the 12/21 Nitro, and it could of been a factor to why his Starrcade match with Bam Bam Bigelow was cancelled. WCW wasn't sure if Hall could work the match, but they went ahead and advertised it on the 12/26 Saturday Night show anyway. There is also word that WCW just decided to keep Hall and Bigelow off the card, because they were scheduled to interfere in the main event (Kevin Nash vs. Goldberg) or it could of been time constraints. Hall couldn't do much this past Monday either in his match with Brian Adams.
We all know that Kidman has an injured groin and torn rotator cuff, but he's still working with the injuries, and says he'll rehabilitate while WCW shows go on. (Joe DeLeon)
WWF SHOW IN DETROIT ALSO CANCELLED DUE TO SNOW
Due to weather and travel conditions in the motor city, the WWF House Show, scheduled at Joe Louis Arena for tonight (1/2), was cancelled.
Tickets for the event can be exchanged for Raw is War tickets for 4/12, live at Joe Louis Arena. This can be done only at the respective box offices. Refunds will also be given and can also be done at the box offices. The deadline for both of the above is March 5th.
The on sale date for the 4/12 Raw is War, which was this Monday (1/4), has been postponed as well.
[Information courtesy of the Joe Louis Arena Hotline / Brad Hendrix and Joe DeLeon]
WRESTLING PROMOTER SAM MUCHNICK DIES
Sam Muchnick, one the five most influential men in the history of pro wrestling worldwide, passed away on December 30, 1998, in St. Louis, the city out of which his wrestling empire grew. He was 93. (Jess McGrath)
