Ross Report -- Nov. 1, 2002

[Guest FeArHaVoC]

Ross Report -- Nov. 1, 2002

 

Greetings from under the black 200X Resistol hat while hoping my Oklahoma Sooners are able to hold off the potent Colorado Buffaloes on Saturday in Norman, Okla.

 

Random thoughts and opinion:

 

RAW is still a work in progress and everyone involved in the process is working diligently to make it better. The talent are especially working hard, and that's where it all starts, in my opinion. We are still searching for the correct balance between steak and sizzle, and with everyone's continued efforts, we will find it. I thought Monday's RAW was an improvement over last week's broadcast, and that is a positive sign. Our goal is to have a better show this Monday in Boston, and I feel that we will.

 

SmackDown! was an entertaining broadcast with a well-structured Halloween theme. The crowd in Grand Rapids, Mich., seemed to be hotter than the crowd in Detroit, which always helps any broadcast. The SmackDown! crew is also a hard-working group of talented athletes.

 

Survivor Series has sold out Madison Square Garden to the tune of $1.1 million, and the New York City fans are always vocal and enthusiastic. It looks as if the top two matches at Survivor Series -- the Elimination Chamber and the WWE Championship Match between Brock Lesnar and the Big Show -- are a solid foundation to an interesting pay-per-view. I have seen some sketches of the Chamber, and it is going to be an impressive structure to say the least. I have never seen anything like it since I have been in the business, and it looks like it will be quite the "playground for pain" come Sunday, Nov. 17. I am especially excited about the prospect of seeing Shawn Michaels compete for the World Heavyweight Championship. If Shawn does indeed accept Eric Bischoff's offer, it will be some awesome TV and produce some much-needed magic that only an athlete the caliber of HBK can provide. I can only assume we will find out more Survivor Series matches this coming week on RAW and SmackDown! I am beginning to really like the feel of this event and am looking forward to it.

 

Bradshaw and Ivory are doing a superb job on their world tour and were a big hit this week in South Korea and Japan. Mark Henry joined the group this week and, as always, did a super job interacting with the media.

 

The tour of India is being finalized as we speak and the travel roster has been determined. I am anxious to see how tickets sell when they go on sale in the next few days. This RAW-brand tour will consist of three live events, Nov. 21 in New Delhi, Nov. 22 in Mumbai and Nov. 23 in Bangalore.

 

The RAW brand will tour South Africa beginning on Feb. 27 in Cape Town, Feb. 28 in Durban and March 1 in Johannesburg.

 

Kevin Nash is doing an on-sale appearance this Saturday in San Antonio for our Sunday, Dec. 1 event at the new SBC Center. Kevin will also be in Knoxville, Tenn., where he played college basketball, on Saturday, Nov. 16 for an on-sale promotion for our Dec. 9 RAW event there.

 

Tom Prichard will be traveling to Southern California on Wednesday, Nov. 6, to scout UPW talent.

 

The Kurt Angle Classic amateur wrestling tournament will be held in New Orleans on Nov. 8-9, and Kurt and Brock Lesnar will both be in attendance, along with WWE's Jerry Brisco. If we are lucky, we will find some more great athletes to join WWE some day.

 

Hollywood Hulk Hogan will soon be inducted into the Madison Square Garden Hall of Fame. Induction is tentatively set for Dec. 4.

 

WWE will once again have a float in the Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade, and the theme will be 10 years of RAW. We are getting close to our 500th episode of the Monday night cable tradition.

 

On Friday, Nov. 22 from 5 to 7 p.m., HBK and yours truly will launch the on sale of tickets in Oklahoma City at the Cox Arena for our Dec. 21 RAW taping. Lita will join me in Tulsa, Okla., on Sunday, Nov. 24 at noon for the on sale of tickets for the Dec. 22 SmackDown! taping there. In between, I plan on traveling to Norman to catch the OU-Texas Tech Big 12 football game. Busy weekend in my home state.

 

Two tag teams in particular are doing some very solid work for the RAW brand. World Tag Team Champions Chris Jericho and Christian, along with William Regal and Lance Storm, are having some excellent matches on the road, and their recent TV work has been very strong.

 

SmackDown! has done an excellent job in establishing some outstanding tag-team scenarios on the UPN broadcasts.

 

I like the potential that Test and Stacy Keibler have as a package. I am anxious to see where they progress this week on RAW.

 

I would love to see Booker T really get into something in which he can sink his teeth.

 

Nice verbal mentions for Scott Steiner on RAW and SmackDown!, but contrary to what was reported on the Internet, Scott was not in Detroit. Scott did, however, visit our Stamford, Conn., offices for a full day of work on Wednesday, consisting of a photo shoot and a video shoot that I'm sure you will be seeing much more of in the coming weeks. I'm not sure when we will see Scott in his first WWE match, and I don't expect him to declare to RAW or SmackDown! any time soon, but I could be wrong. Should be a good story to follow. Personally, I would love to see Scott hang his hat on RAW.

 

Fit Finlay, as has been reported, continues to do a great job "coaching" the female talents. Trish Stratus and Victoria have developed a very good rivalry that I want to see more of in the coming weeks.

 

What's up with the "passionate" Stephanie McMahon-Eric Bischoff kiss Thursday night on SmackDown!? Was there a full moon out?

 

Rob Van Dam needs a red-hot one-on-one program. Personally, I would like to see a series of matches between RVD and Lance Storm because I think they would complement each other well and produce a great in-ring product.

 

Terry Taylor and Arn Anderson with the RAW talent, along with Fit Finlay and Dean Malenko with the SmackDown! talent, are doing an excellent job with their in-ring workouts before live events. These four veterans stress fundamental skills, and it is starting to become noticeable, especially at house shows (non-televised events). In this rebuilding period, our young talents focusing on fundamentals and the art of telling a physical story is a very good thing. This teaching will pay dividends some day.

 

All our agents travel to Louisville, Ky., on a regular basis to teach and scout the prospects at Ohio Valley Wrestling. We are doing all we know to do to help these young talents to learn and progress in hopes of developing future stars for WWE.

 

We have verbally agreed to terms with veteran Rip Rogers to work in OVW regularly as an instructor. Rip has a wealth of experience, and during his active career was always a good ring psychologist, which has become a lost art. At this time, Danny Davis and the Big Boss Man are also instructing in Louisville to round out the staff there.

 

Former WWE Superstar Brian Blair, formerly of the Killer Bees tag team with Jim Brunzell, is running for county commissioner in the Tampa, Fla., area. Brian has always been a very bright, hard-working guy, and I've known him over 20 years. I hope he does well in the election and that the good folks down in the Bay Area exercise their right to vote this Tuesday. I hope Brian is successful in his bid for political office.

 

Kurt Angle has some torn cartilage in his left knee that will need to be 'scoped at some point in the future. An MRI this week revealed the tear, but also indicated that he is OK to continue to compete for now. We will obviously watch Kurt closely and will schedule his surgery when it works best for all involved. Healing time for this procedure is approximately two weeks.

 

Mark Jindrak dislocated his ankle in practice Wednesday in Louisville and will be out of action for six to eight weeks. This is a tough break for this athletic young talent who was showing improvement over the last several weeks. Mark's house-show matches have been a very bright spot for us recently. Mark has overcome injuries before and will again, as we expect great things from him in the future.

 

Lance Storm got his "bell rung" Monday night on RAW when he was kicked in the face, but has no aftereffects, according to our trainers.

 

Kanyon has started his rehab project in OVW. It will be good to see him back in a few weeks.

 

Sean O'Haire returns to the ring this weekend at RAW house shows. Sean is still a little sore but has been cleared to return to work, and he will be closely monitored.

 

Billy Gunn returns to Dr. Jim Andrews' office next week for more evaluation and testing for his shoulder/neck problems.

 

Jazz has started working out in practice sessions in OVW and is expected to be back in WWE rings in December from ACL surgery.

 

Rhyno will spend most of November and December in Louisville rehabbing from his neck surgery. Rhyno is scheduled to be released from doctor's care sometime in December. He was at the TV tapings this week in Michigan and looked excellent. If Rhyno's verbal skills develop like his physical skills have, this young man has the potential to be a real player in this company. I like his chances.

 

Maven is about a week or two away from returning to the ring from his ankle injury.

 

Rey Mysterio is going to need to get one of his knees 'scoped, probably sometime in December. Again, recovery time for this particular procedure is approximately two weeks and no more than four weeks.

 

All other injured talents are progressing on schedule, according to our medical staff.

 

By the end of the year or early January, it looks as if we will have Jazz, Kanyon, Rhyno, Maven, Mark Jindrak and Mark Henry ready to get back on RAW or SmackDown!

 

The WWE Anthology CD is an awesome piece of business. It will be on sale Nov. 12.

 

The Rock is back in Los Angeles continuing production for "Helldorado." This film is scheduled to wrap at the end of January, but those things never seem to end on schedule. I hope he is ready to go for WrestleMania in Seattle on March 30, 2003.

 

You may have the answer, but I'm not 100 percent sure that Brock Lesnar can actually F5 the Big Show. Time will tell, but it will not be easy nonetheless.

 

We did some great business on the Rebellion tour, and for that we are thankful. This tour came off without a hitch, which is a credit to the talent and staff, not to mention the overwhelming support of our WWE fans who made it very easy for the talent to work in front of. I hope our SmackDown! guys are getting some rest this week, because they need it after the travel they just did.

 

I really enjoyed the Matt Hardy-Tajiri match on SmackDown! Both these guys are players in my view. Tajiri never fails to deliver, and Matt is beginning to come in to his own with his new "Mattitude." Tajiri will probably be a part of the RAW South Korea/Japan live-event tour in January, as he will be there for his baby's birth.

 

John Cena impressed many folks with his verbal skills on Thursday's SmackDown! I personally think Cena has the potential to be one helluva antagonist in the future. Great athlete with a good attitude who simply needs to continue to learn from Fit Finlay, and he will.

 

Happy birthday to my lovely wife Jan, who is STILL much younger than her very lucky husband!

 

Take care and count your blessings. And don't believe the 12-point spread with the Sooners and the Buffaloes. This one is going to be a Slobber-Knocker, take it from me. ABC has the game Saturday afternoon, so you know where I will be: in my La-Z-Boy with my stomach tied up in knots. Must be a guy thing. Don't forget to check us out Monday night from Boston for live RAW. We will do our best to entertain you ... guaranteed! J.R.

 

(BOOMER SOONER!)

[Guest bps "The Truth" 21]

RVD mention this week.

 

"Rob Van Dam needs a red-hot one-on-one program. Personally, I would like to see a series of matches between RVD and Lance Storm because I think they would complement each other well and produce a great in-ring product"

 

And it's calling for a demotion.

[Guest Anglesault]

Rob Van Dam needs a red-hot one-on-one program. Personally, I would like to see a series of matches between RVD and Lance Storm because I think they would complement each other well and produce a great in-ring product

 

Oh for Christ sakes. Someone, ANYONE, get Hunter out of that god Damned Booking meeting.

 

I like the potential that Test and Stacy Keibler have as a package. I am anxious to see where they progress this week on RAW.

 

 

I would love to see Booker T really get into something in which he can sink his teeth.

 

Next week on Raw: Booker eats Fried Chicken while wearing those fake big candy lips you get on halloween (That he obviously stole when he mugged some poor kid)

 

Kurt Angle has some torn cartilage in his left knee that will need to be 'scoped at some point in the future.

 

Oh, goodie. Now they have another reason not to push him.

[Guest TheArchiteck]

I also want to see Booker in a nice entertaining fued. I figure they would fued with Rosie and Jamal....but no one cares about them anymore.

BTW...why did they just basically make them seem worthless now?

[Guest bps "The Truth" 21]

Because they suck.

 

And they hurt people.

[Guest TheArchiteck]

Ok.....maybe your right about the last part.

But they don't suck that bad....I think they can give an exciting match.

[Guest Zack Malibu]

I dug the 3 Minute warning, but they were visibly stiff and sloppy. It's kind of like when RVD was busting people open last year, so they shunted him down the card a bit.

[Guest jester]

*RAW is still a work in progress and everyone involved in the process is working diligently to make it better. *

 

Are they quietly admitting defeat? Come on, it's your show! You can put anything you want on it!

 

 

*I like the potential that Test and Stacy Keibler have as a package. I am anxious to see where they progress this week on RAW.*

 

Actually, I like the angle that Stacy's horrible officiating keeps giving Test wins. Played right they could make an interesting heel combo.

 

*I would love to see Booker T really get into something in which he can sink his teeth.*

 

What, are you asking us for permission? We're not the ones holding him down.

 

*Nice verbal mentions for Scott Steiner on RAW and SmackDown!, but contrary to what was reported on the Internet, Scott was not in Detroit.*

 

They really need to learn how to work the Internet. Whether or not this is true, the only time they mention the IWC is when they're making snarky shoot comments or telling us that we were wrong. That only stirs up more rumor mongering and negative thoughts.

 

*Fit Finlay, as has been reported, continues to do a great job "coaching" the female talents. Trish Stratus and Victoria have developed a very good rivalry that I want to see more of in the coming weeks.*

 

GOD DAMN IT, I hate people who use quotation marks improperly. If Finlay is actually coaching the female wrestlers, no quotes are necessary. Or is Finlay calling it "coaching" when in fact he's doing something else entirely with the Divas?

 

*Rob Van Dam needs a red-hot one-on-one program.*

 

We know. You're supposed to give him one. Here's an idea: have him beat HHH clean three straight times, the last victory being at a PPV. Clean. Despite Flair interference.

[Guest AndrewTS]

RVD mention this week.

 

"Rob Van Dam needs a red-hot one-on-one program. Personally, I would like to see a series of matches between RVD and Lance Storm because I think they would complement each other well and produce a great in-ring product"

 

And it's calling for a demotion.

I agree. If it was Lance in the process of getting a sustained singles push, yes, I'd love to see the match. They've torn it up in the ring on Heat in the past. Maybe a mere 3-star, but that's not BAD by any stretch.

 

Yet, more like he wants RVD shunted down the card.

 

But of course, when has much of what JR said ever come into play lately?

[Guest cabbageboy]

First off, RVD isn't going to feud with Lance Storm....retarded idea. I mean yeah I guess it would be a good enough match but RVD is so beyond feuding with Storm at this point it's not even funny.

[Guest converge241]

"RAW is still a work in progress "

 

umm raw has been going on how long?

it should be a finely tuned machine

 

and i know he means the latest new direction and all but really...it never should have gotten to the point where they needed to reboot again, and, again... the system should be deisgned to have slight shifts and not an overwhelming change and still prosper

[Guest geniusMoment]

Earlier Ross put over the Storm-regal team and later talks about how he wants a RVD-Storm feud. either Ross is talking about two different lance storms or he is so full of bullshit his eyes are brown. How can lance be both in a tag team and be a featured singles wrestler. I mean its not like he is a 7 foot piece of crap with a gimmick that people haven't given a damn about since 1999

[Guest snowfan]

Ok.....maybe your right about the last part.

But they don't suck that bad....I think they can give an exciting match.

and as an added bonus act as goodwill ambassadors for the WWE to hospitals everywhere....

 

the whole key to Pro Wrestling is NOT legitimately hurting folks everytime you go out.

[Guest The Hamburglar]

RVD....in a red hot feud? BWAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA. What's Rob gonna do, get mildly irritated at people? Or just not care about them at all like he usually does? I do like the RVD Survivor Series promo though. The whole kung-fu skill through serenity thing is the right way for his character to go. I'm betting on RVD to take the title at SS anyway, there are no other real options.

[Guest Anglesault]

No, RVD won't win, because we want him pushed. They refuse to push someone new to the top. Their definition of "pushing someone new" is this mess we have on Smackdown where we are being lined up for a terrible main event at SurSer.

[Guest The Hamburglar]

Yes, "they" are focused only on irritating and confounding "us", whoever the fuck "we" and "us" are. I know I personally wouldn't really be put out if RVD never moves past the stage he's at now. Anyways, if you think the Smackdown match is going to main event over the Elimination Chamber you need to stop drinking lighter fuel. Brock-Show is a side attraction, much like the Undertaker - Insert Big Useless Wrestler Here matches of old. I would have preferred Brock-someone good, but its hardly the end of the world.

[Guest Anglesault]

I would have preferred the guaranteed near ***** Angle/Benoit match, but hey, when life gives you a lemon, throw it back and bitch until you get an orange.

 

much like the Undertaker - Insert Big Useless Wrestler Here matches of old

 

I thought that happened two weeks ago....

[Guest The Hamburglar]

Wait, I thought the Angle-Benoit feud SUXXXXORZED?! No, but all would be good if they happened to have their great matches at a different time slot and fighting over a piece of metal!!!! The actual wrestling matters not, its all about DA POLITICZZZ. Oh, and the Taker thing....Ho ho ho. Brock owns all and is in fact the best champ since Austin. The Brock-Angle feud will be titanic in its awesomeness. Anyways the Brock-Taker Cell match was great, furthering my opinion that Brock has it stuck in his mind to bump bump bump like a crazy mad fellow.

[Guest Anglesault]

Wait, I thought the Angle-Benoit feud SUXXXXORZED?! No, but all would be good if they happened to have their great matches at a different time slot and fighting over a piece of metal!!!!

As opposed to fighting in the midcard for no valid reason? Damn straight. At least this feud would be simple enough to book, where you don't have to invent a new petty reason for them to hate each other each week.

 

Oh, and the Taker thing....Ho ho ho. Brock owns all and is in fact the best champ since Austin.

 

::does quick mental scan of al champions since 98.::

 

Hoo boy, now that's an honor. Hunter was still better anyway.

 

Anyways the Brock-Taker Cell match was great

 

I heard "slow, but..." Haven't seen that match, but unless the "but" is something monumental, it gets filed in my "not good" category.

[Guest The Hamburglar]

You haven't seen the match, so its ridiculous to file it under any category. As for Brock's reign, I was referring to it being the best since Austin's heel run with the title. As far as storylines and general drive he gave to the company, 2000 Triple H was a better champion then heel Austin, who suffered from too many shitty storylines and character inconsistencies. Its interesting that only on this board is there a large amount of animosity towards Brock, which recently has dwindled to pretty much you on your own. Maybe if you actually watched his matches instead of dementing over "earned pushes" you might actually see what others see in them.

[Guest Anglesault]

You haven't seen the match, so its ridiculous to file it under any category. As for Brock's reign, I was referring to it being the best since Austin's heel run with the title

So you are saying that Brock stands at the top of a pile of steaming shit.

 

Maybe if you actually watched his matches instead of dementing over "earned pushes" you might actually see what others see in them.

 

Everytime I try, I and up getting an absolutely terrible match, and you all start handing excuses out.

[Guest humongous2002]

RVD and Lance Storm??????????WTF? RVD is going to midcard limbo, he should've been champ already but he is not a hoss, by gawd!!!!FU JR.

[Guest AndrewTS]

We are still searching for the correct balance between steak and sizzle, and with everyone's continued efforts, we will find it.

 

It's not steak or sizzle--it's a pile of what comes out of the hind end of the animal.

 

Raw a "work in progress." I fail to see any progress whatsoever--at least from the reports I read since I can't bear to watch it anymore.

[Guest cynicalprofit]

You may have the answer, but I'm not 100 percent sure that Brock Lesnar can actually F5 the Big Show. Time will tell, but it will not be easy nonetheless.

 

Just admit it JR, you know who we are and do give a fuck what we think because, A) we watch your product, and B) we buy your products. If you and your boss hate us so much, why do you constanly steal stuff we talk about?

[Guest Trivia247]

Raw is SHIT in progress... Progressing would be to end this OZ 6 feet under Jerry Springer crap.

 

Im not oppose to Storm vs RVD because they would make a awesome match, but the arguement is that It doesn't matter they would have a Awesome match, because if RVD isn't Main Eventing or facing a maiN eventer then its Crap. No matter how many springboard Space flying tiger drops are involved.

[Guest NoCalMike]

RVD vs. Lance Storm would be a great match, but I'd prefer to see it higher in the card instead of curtain jerking, or setting up the women's title match heat. Oh and the guy who mentioned JR talking about the Storm tag team greatness, yet saying RVD and Storm should have a feud, well honestly I hurt my stomach muscle laughing so hard when I read that.

[Guest Rob Edwards]

RAW is still a work in progress and everyone involved in the process is working diligently to make it better. The talent are especially working hard, and that's where it all starts, in my opinion.

 

Well yeah you need the talent to work hard but based on recent Raw storylines I'm a bit worried about what this "work in progress" will end up as

 

I would love to see Booker T really get into something in which he can sink his teeth.

 

What like a proper push or something?

 

I'm not sure when we will see Scott in his first WWE match, and I don't expect him to declare to RAW or SmackDown! any time soon

 

Looks like they may well be going with the old free agent angle on this one then. It could work as long as they get it over with fairly quickly

 

Fit Finlay, as has been reported, continues to do a great job "coaching" the female talents.

 

Heh just the thought of some of the divas being trained by someone as tough as Finlay makes me laugh!

 

At this time, Danny Davis and the Big Boss Man are also instructing in Louisville to round out the staff there

 

Lord knows we need to safeguard the next generation of Big Bossmans

 

By the end of the year or early January, it looks as if we will have Jazz, Kanyon, Rhyno, Maven, Mark Jindrak and Mark Henry ready to get back on RAW or SmackDown!

 

Well other than Henry thats good for both shows, If they have the sense they'll post Kanyon to Smackdown where his style will fot better and everyone else to Raw

 

You may have the answer, but I'm not 100 percent sure that Brock Lesnar can actually F5 the Big Show. Time will tell, but it will not be easy nonetheless

 

Well it's either that or the shooting star JR, i'm pretty sure it wouldn't have been booked unless he can

[Guest FeArHaVoC]

Earlier Ross put over the Storm-regal team and later talks about how he wants a RVD-Storm feud. either Ross is talking about two different lance storms or he is so full of bullshit his eyes are brown. How can lance be both in a tag team and be a featured singles wrestler

Have Regal feud with Dreamer at the same time. That way they can throw in some Tag matches, or mix it up before a Blow off PPV Match. Regal/Storm Vs RVD/Dreamer, RVD Vs Storm, Dreamer Vs Regal, Regal Vs RVD, Dreamer Vs Storm. It would be some good matches. you know what would have made a RVd Vs Storm feud really good? IF THERE WAS A FRIGGEN MID-CARD TITLE. Um, what was that belt there? Um, Interconti something?

 

Lets face it, Raw isn't going to fix itself over night. Triple H isn't going anywhere anytime soon. Kane's a Hoss. HBK is Back.

 

After a while, starting mixing Jericho & Christian into the mix with the other four guys. Hell, throw Booker T & Goldust into it if they need too. It's been working for Smackdown. I can look past the Crappy Main Eventers, as long as I'm getting good matches at the same time.