haVoc

Triple H jobs the title to Benoit. HBK becomes the biggest heel on Raw and Triple H moves to Smackdown.

RIC FLAIR TALKS ABOUT STEROID USE AND WWE by Dave Scherer @ 12:35:22 PM on 3/10/2004 Ric Flair, dressed to the nines in a suit, was the guest on ESPN2’s “Cold Pizza” this morning. The host, Kit, asked Flair where he got the name Nature Boy. He said that he took it from Buddy Rogers after Rogers retired. He was asked how wrestling has changed over the years and he said the biggest difference in the business today is in the marketing of the product, with them being everywhere and going worldwide now. He said that he felt that wrestlers were “probably the most visible athletes in the world”. The host mentioned that it was Flair’s fourth WrestleMania and asked him what was the best part about the show. Flair said that it was being part of Vince McMahon’s vision. He said that Vince took a chance 20 years ago and was ready to suffer the consequences if it failed, but it didn’t. He said that Vince took wrestling to a new, unparalleled level. He said that Mania was as big as any event in the world, including the Super Bowl. Flair then talked about his match on Sunday and put over the Rock. The host then switched topics and brought up steroid use, saying that it’s been in the news of late. She asked what the WWE’s policy was towards steroid usage. Flair said, “No steroid use at all.” By his response, he was saying that it’s not tolerated. He was not saying that wrestlers didn’t use them. I felt that needed to be pointed out. He said that WWE randomly tests for steroids and they are absolutely prohibited. Flair said they were a class 3 narcotic and that they were prohibited by the company. Kit asked what his personal stance on steroid usage was and he said, “I don’t agree with it”. He said he’s not an overwhelming, big guy and he has always relied on his charisma throughout his career. He was asked if he had ever seen guys use them and he said not personally, but he has heard of guys using them. He basically said he would be an idiot to claim otherwise. He said steroids have been used in sports for years now. He said that his book will come out on June 1 and talked about how it will be an autobiography. The host said Flair seemed subdued and not like his character, but he said that’s only because he was on TV, plus it’s morning and he wasn’t awake yet. He said he has been blessed throughout his career and then put over Mania again. Kit thanked Flair and announced he was about to become a grandfather. He said that she was killing him and that he had to wrestle the Rock on Sunday! Flair came off pretty well. It should be noted that Flair was not taken by surprise by the steroid questions. During a run through of the interview yesterday, ESPN brought up steroid related questions to Flair and let him know that they would be in the interview. WWE representatives were there yesterday and today and allowed the questions to be asked. Credit: PWinsider

Angle is being booked as a pretty damn good heel at the moment. He could carry the weight from Brock's absents.

I'm shocked Vince would be cool enough to let Lesnar out of his contract.

One of the Mods need to change the title of this thread so people know Brock quit.

MOTHER FUCKER!

Good for Brock for speaking his mind and actually admitting he's tired and telling Vince he's taking time off. I don't care if it makes him seem like a "cry baby." I don't agree with the "Boo hoo, he was givin' a huge push so he should just shut up and do his job." It's his* job and he has every right to speak his mind. Not everyone is the same. Some guys need the time off. Big reason why some guys like working the indy scene and doing some shows or tours in Japan because after that they can go home and rest up a little before doing it all over again. I'd rather see Brock get called a cry baby by the guys in the back and people on the Internet instead of him over pushing himself and becoming a pill popping alcoholic who will end up dead before the age of 40.

Everyone complains about their job. Doesn't matter what you do or how much you make. Hollywood stars say they love what they do but hate the long hours on the set. Musicians love to be on stage but hate the long hours of traveling on the road. Millionaires who run a huge corporate business complain about the long work stiffs that take time away from their family. Rich sport stars complain about traveling and other things. All those guys complain about the WWE road schedule. Just Brock Lesnar has heat so this is made to be bigger then it should be.

I love that Triple H made a point to say he didn't need to get pinned to lose the title.

Triple H is going to be on Regis and Kelly in a few minutes.

I think it's good Lesnar is speaking up. At least he admits he's getting burned out and needs some time off. I'll take this instead of him becoming a crackhead like some or pulling a bunch of political crap to get his way. It's not like Austin who jobbed the title to Angle, took a few weeks off due to being burned out, then returning on his first night back to win the title. Or like HBK, Hogan, Taker, etc, etc,.

The cruiser match/es, Eddie/Shelton and the Lesnar/Austin brawl sounds good.

WWE Byte This Report: Foley, Molly, Jindrak Hosts are Dr. Tom and Josh Matthews. 10 Days away from WrestleMania! Josh is most looking forward to the Playboy evening gown match. Segment One: Droz Joined by Droz, who enjoyed his trip to Disney World – although it hit 37 degrees on his last day. He’s feeling a lot better as well and looking forward to seeing the show in Atlantic City. Droz enjoyed Mick Foley’s DVD and would definitely recommend it. He always had a lot of respect for Foley and was in awe of his history after watching the DVD. Droz picks Goldberg for his match against Lesnar, while Dr. Tom and Josh go with Brock. Dr. Tom sees Lesnar as predominantly a wrestler, while he sees Goldberg as a football player, which Droz is pissed at. Before Droz leaves Dr. Tom would like to inform him that ‘matters are being taken care of’, something Josh doesn’t need to know anything about. Droz leaves. While pimping the WWE Hall of Fame Ceremony, Dr. Tom wonders how the other inductees will feel after hearing the inclusion of Pete Rose. Segment Two: Tazz Joined by Tazz, who believes it’s time for the Body Donnas to be inducted into the Hall of Fame, but only if Dr. Tom can find his partner, Chris Candido. Dr. Tom informs us however, that he had recently been in contact with Candido – and that he believes he should get another chance with WWE, as long as he can get his life back on track. Tazz believes Josh is beating off to Michael Cole. On his preparation for WrestleMania XX, Tazz wants to exemplify the passion he has for the sport, so he has to work his rear end off. Tazz hopes the RAW guys will be ready, because their Smackdown counterparts are coming… Tazz leaves. Dr. Tom believes that if you are looking for a hardcore legend, than there is no better person the Mick Foley, as he has doe it all in his career. Mick has been an intricate part of the WWE for a long time, even when inactive. We take a look at the Rock’s return on RAW. Awesome. Segment Three: Mark Jindrak Joined by Mark Jindrak, who is looking forward to his first ever WrestleMania on the active roster. Quick fact: did you know that Josh Matthews and Mark Jindrak used to be roommates, and that Josh still has a poster of Mark above his bed? Straight to the Sean O’Haire questions, as Dr. Tom asks the difference between Mark’s new and old tag team partners. Mark believes that he is a fundamentally different wrestler to Garrison Cade, and while he and O’Haire had similar styles, this was a disadvantage as if they were to face two grounded opponents, they would not be best suited to handle them. Jindrak believes that he has both the best dropkick and the highest vertical leap in the business – a belief that should be clear to long term Byte This viewers. Jindrak asks for some sweet monkey lovin’, but is turned down by the Ultimate Warrior. Mark goes through his beginnings in the wrestling business. He was introduced to WCW through two wrestlers. This rekindled his passion for wrestling, as he met stars he watched while growing up such as Randy Savage. He went into the Power Plant and was the only one out of 26 to be accepted onto the WCW roster. On the differences between OVW and the Power Plant, Jindrak says both the training schools were a good mix for him. He learned hard work and the training regimen in the Power Plant, and how to actually wrestle down in OVW. We welcome the obligatory OVW namecheck to the show! Jindrak believes that Jeter, Babyface, Magnus and Dinsmore should be called up to WWE, and Dr. Tom agrees. Rob of Michigan asks the difference between WCW and WWE. Dr. Tom kicks in his two cents by saying that WCW is not longer around! Bill of Oklahoma City asks if the awesome team of Jindrak and O’Haire will ever team up again. In the most disappointing piece of Byte This news ever, Jindrak doesn’t believe they will get together again – although he thinks that he and Cade could really go somewhere in the tag-team division. Jindrak leaves but we are joined by… Segment Four: Molly Holly She’s feeling confident about her match at WrestleMania XX, and has not even considered the fact that she might get her hair shaved off. But now she thinks of it, she would be devastated if she lost it. On whether Molly would pose for Playboy – she gives a resounding “no”. Mike from Kentucky asks if she has seen the Passion of Christ. Molly saw it and thought it was very powerful, an opinion which Dr. Tom shares. Molly admits she stole the Widow’s Peak (which she gave to Victoria) from a small time wrestler named Roderick Strong. She feels really guilty about it though. On the Molly-Go-Round, it was a variant of a Rey Mysterio front flip off the top rope which she modified. DJ asks if Randy Savage is insane and impossible to work with. Molly doesn’t believe he is actually insane – but that he is hard working, driven and never seems to sleep. Molly misses being the Hurricane’s former SHIT, as she likes to be able to walk down the ramp with a smile on her face and it was fun to be around him. Segment Five: Mick Foley Joined by Mick Foley! He was late to Byte This because…he forgot. Nice – shows how important this show actually is. Even better is that Foley thought he was talking to Brother Love. Ha ha. Monday’s RAW was a big thing for him – he felt like the father of the moment, being the one to introduce the Rock. Rocky has planned a This Is Your Life segment for him this coming Monday; Foley is looking forward to it. It seems like a Batchelor Party before the Wedding of WrestleMania XX. Foley believes that this year there seems about six or seven matches which they will be able to get buys from. It also seems that a lot of the guys feel the need to prove themselves at the PPV – either that they have what it takes, or that they still have what it takes. Everyone wants to steal the show. Foley was happy that Eddie Guerrero won the WWE Title. It was one of the most memorable championship wins. Peter from Ontario asks Foley what the difference between working with guys like Triple H, or guys like Randy Orton is. Mick says he was offered the choice of slipping into a dream match or a match with an unproven when he came back. Foley says that it’s good to help someone like Randy Orton, because this could be his break out feud – one which will propel him into the next decade as one of the premier WWE talents. Nigel from Georgia wants to know if there is any truth the rumour that he is leaving WWE permanently after WMXX. Foley reveals that the WWE has been made available as a playground to him, and it is now more up to whether he can live up to the standards of himself. Dr. Tom asks whether Mick has any advice for the young Foleys out there. Mick says it is vital to get a decent education before. Also, an amateur background is much more important now than it was when he started out. Don’t build your hopes up, as the chances of making it are slim, and the chances of getting hurt are high. As long as you apply yourself, and give it your all – you will be a success. Foley leaves after a final pimp of WMXX. Next week’s guests are Eddie Guerrero and HBK! End of Show. Credit: 411mania

I didn't expect much due to WM this Sunday. I expected more storylines then matches. But, fuck! That Raw sucked and I never come out and say that. That crowd might as well have stayed home. They were pathetic. Austin confronting Lesnar on Smackdown sounds interesting, though.

I'm not looking forward to the "This is your life" segment at all. I hated it the first time back before I even knew anything about ratings. I don't focus on ratings and buy rates. Just what I* like. Also, this will be the night where Benoit and HBK finally get the best off Triple H and leave him laid out. Then everyone go crazy the rest of the week expecting Triple H to win at WM. As if most don't expect that already.

I don't care why Brock wants time off, or how he does, but he should take it. All guys should take a month or two off so they don't get burnt out. After some time at home and rehabing old injuries their begin to miss the ring and they will return fresh and ready to go. Of course there will always be a few who go home and get fat and return out of shape. But they can be sent back home w/out pay until they get in better shape. These guys don't get an off season. A few months or even a few weeks off the road would help a ton.

I like the idea of Brock/Angle as tag champs if they get to work with TWGTT. But like everyone else, it wouldn't make sense. Let Angle continue on with Eddie and let Brock and Big Show destroy the tag division until TWGTT makes the huge upset and beats them for the titles. The next month or two after Mania is usually just filler until Summer anyway. Aw, fuck it! WWE will pull the ultimate swerve and send Triple H to SD after Mania where he'll beat them all for the next two years... including Edge.

The guy is protected by the contract. I applaud him finally starting to use it for something other than selfishness. It won't last too long, but I'll enjoy it for now. Yeah, because you always hear about Big Show being selfish.

How is a hunting knife illegal? Or is it illegal to carry one? The lesbian mothers of his child must be so ashamed!

Undertaker, unless Hogan and/or Bret shows up. Bret I don't see happening. Hogan I do.

Where is this retiring stuff coming from? Angle has been saying himself he plans to continue working.

I doubt Ace has the type of power to decide who wins and loses at Wrestlemania 20.

But Angle's a hypocrite because he also "lies, cheats and steals." Or at least has over the years. Angle isn't the little angel he's trying to make himself up to be.

Has it been explained how the Cruiser Open will work?

You crack me up, Anglesault. You want Kurt Angle to booked like a super human and be given a God push, but want him to retire at the same time.