Guest Shaved Bear Report post Posted July 12, 2002 Ross Report -- July 12, 2002 Greetings from under the black 200X Resistol hat from a BBQ-eating, Oklahoma Sooner-lovin' redneck who is lucky enough to have the best seat in the house. Injury update: Kevin Nash tore his quadriceps (thigh) Monday night on RAW and had surgery the next day with Dr. James Andrews in Birmingham, Ala. Nash is still in Birmingham, will begin his rehab there soon and is expected to be out of action six to eight months. Kevin is hell-bent on returning, as he certainly does not want Monday's match to be his last. Triple H has been in Birmingham rehabbing his surgically repaired elbow with HealthSouth and is expected back in the ring in early August. Kane is currently in Australia doing promotional work and is about three to four weeks away from returning from a torn biceps. Maven is still three to four weeks away from returning from a broken fibula, which is healing well. Godfather has been having some neck problems and is currently undergoing therapy. Agent Dave Hebner is beginning physical therapy for his knee. Rhyno will begin light in-ring workouts in August and looks to be on target for a November return. Lita will remain in a hard collar for another month or two, but her neck is healing very well. She is expected to be back in action at 100 percent sometime around WrestleMania. Referee Tim White is rehabbing his shoulder after rotator cuff surgery and will start helping out the SmackDown! team next week as an agent. Jazz is expected to return to action in September or October from ACL knee surgery. All other injured talents previously listed are doing well from all reports and remain on target to return as previously discussed here. Random thoughts, news and opinion ... and numerous cryptic messages that can only be deciphered by those with active imaginations and significant insider sources: Longtime World Wrestling Entertainment staffer Jimmy Miranda passed away today after a long illness at his home near Providence, R.I. Jimmy was a very valuable member of our team and worked for many years in the company selling and managing our merchandise at the arenas. Jimmy was loved by all who knew him and he will definitely be missed by all of us. RAW was bowling-shoe ugly Monday night but will definitely rebound. Not one phase of the show was up to the standards our company has set over the years. Lots of efforts are in the works by a lot of folks to make this week's broadcast much better. SmackDown! was a solid broadcast and was the better show, in my view, than RAW. The opportunity to be able to edit and enhance the production values of SmackDown! helps the show more often than not but, honestly, the SmackDown! crew has been outperforming the RAW crew in recent weeks overall. I did not say the RAW crew has not worked hard, but their peers are getting better results at the end of the day, in my view. Bubba Ray Dudley, who suffered another death in his family, has been unbooked from the live events today and Saturday. Bubba, however, will be at the Bethlehem, Pa., event on Sunday and then at RAW from the Continental Airlines Arena on Monday night. X-Pac has been unbooked from our live events this weekend. I had a nice conversation this morning with my old friend Mick Foley, and he and his family are doing well. Mick is still doing a lot of writing along with making personal appearances around the world. The "Hardcore Legend" seemed very happy, and no one deserves it more than "Mrs. Foley's Baby Boy." Nothing new on the negotiation front with any of the normally discussed talents who names generally come up once a week or so. No one with WWE has talked to Goldberg or with Scott Steiner. Ron Waterman and Chad Collyer (HWA-Cincinnati) have both been eliminated from the developmental roster. I would not be surpassed to see either of them back with us in the future if they both continue to gain valuable ring time. Each are quality human beings and that's really where it all starts. Jeff Hardy does an on-sale autograph signing Saturday morning at KeyArena in Seattle at 10:30. Triple H makes an appearance in Pasadena, Calif., this Saturday for UPN. Rhyno hosts RAW at The World in New York City this Monday night. (Remember, he is from the MEAN STREETS of Detroit!) Booker T is the video-game champion of WWE and is tough to beat, especially on Madden 2002. WWE is participating with Ozzfest with talent appearances at several concerts. Rhyno, Jazz, Scotty 2 Hotty, Perry Saturn, Big Valbowski, Christian, Stacy Keibler, Test, Randy Orton and Mark Henry will all be making personal appearances in Toronto on July 20 at Woodbine Raceway for a charity affair. DDP is going to the U.K. soon to do promotional work for Vengeance, which will air there on Sky Box Office. Expect to see more well-produced vignettes and slick-packaged video features on soon-to-be-arriving and existing talents in the next few weeks. A renewed effort is being put forth in this area to better introduce new talents and to recondition our audience to more established stars. I vividly remember in the early 1980s when Mid South Wrestling got the Rock 'n' Roll Express (Ricky Morton & Robert Gibson) over as big stars literally before they arrived in the territory by using music videos. Man, what a run those two had with the Midnight Express. I would love to see something like that again in WWE. House-show business is soft, even though our live event in St. John's, Newfoundland, this Sunday night looks as if it will sell out. Monday's RAW in the Continental Airlines Arena will probably end up being about 80 percent full, while Tuesday's event in Wilkes-Barre, Pa., could be very close to a sellout come show time. As I have addressed before, our touring business is soft, just as many other touring companies are realizing. The economy is not doing anyone any favors in our line of work, but it always comes back to one thing: If we have what the audience wants to see, they will purchase tickets and will be there. We are not providing that product at this time, obviously. We are in a rebuilding process, and it is going to take some time to develop new stars competing in new rivalries and new matches. It is not going to happen overnight and could, and probably will, take several months to jump-start our business with these new hands. In the meantime, we have to steer the course and realize this is not going to be fixed tomorrow. For us "old timers," we have seen this many times before. Our business, like so many other businesses, is very cyclical. There is absolutely no doubt in my mind that we will rebound and, when we do, it will be because we have established some NEW talents, enhanced some of our existing talents, gotten some people healthy, and changed the creative mix, especially on the top side of the cards. In the meantime, I fully expect to see all our stars, as they always do, bust their asses each and every night for our paying customers and our TV audiences. Our shelves are certainly not bare, as I believe we have the most talented roster assembled in recent memory. Plus the talent in our developmental area is full of potential, from where I sit. Certainly seems to me that there could be no better time for a young talent to step up and deliver in WWE than now. When business is down, all bets are off and everyone on the roster should get an opportunity to impress and make a difference. I feel that, especially nowadays, none of us can truly say what is going to be popular or not. Today's audience is more unique than ever before and more demanding. Everyone who follows the business certainly has an opinion, but that's all they are ... individual opinions. Time will tell what works and what does not and who gets "over" and who does not. Should be an interesting trip for all of us. "Sources" who said yours truly was thinking about resigning, retiring, etc., were dead wrong. As Senior Vice President of Talent Relations, I am, however, attempting to do a better job of managing and am definitely delegating more projects to our staff members. John Laurinaitis has been assigned the position of managing the developmental area, along with SmackDown! agent duties and expanded duties at our TV events. According to Internet reports, "John's power base is increasing," which seems to be of particular interest to some. I am a whole helluva lot more interested in results than how much "power" someone has or does not. For the record, John is doing a tremendous job, as is Fit Finlay, among the many agents who really work hard without much fanfare. I do, however, plan on working out of Florida some the next few months to finish our next cookbook and the stories that are to accompany it. I read an interesting story about Jerry Lynn and his brief tenure in WWE recently, and to set the record straight I have never had one cross word with Jerry, nor have I ever disliked any of his work, physical or verbal. Jerry got injured and we paid for his medical bills, surgery, etc., as we should, and then were informed that, creatively, the company did not have plans for Jerry at that point in time. Jerry received his full pay until he was medically released to return to work elsewhere, and I would not be surprised if the Minneapolis veteran was not given an opportunity to work here again in the future. Jerry is a very talented performer in my view. My thanks to David Preston of Norman, Okla., for sending me the piece of OU Sooners turf from their practice field and a piece of brick from Memorial Stadium. I also was surprised this week to receive a 1954 calendar in absolutely mint condition featuring the "stars of the NWA," including Lou Thesz and Verne Gagne. We have some great fans out there and these two items really helped make my week. Take care and have a great week! J.R. (Boomer Sooner) Discuss. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Guest Respect The 'Taker Report post Posted July 12, 2002 Yeeeouch, Raw gets flamed again by Mr. Ross...the guy can sure as hell criticise but when it comes to MAKING THE ALTERCATIONS IN ORDER TO BETTER THE SHOW...he's all talk, as i havent seen one dramatic improvement in quite some time. This has been the Kevin Nas..i mean Taker Mark Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Guest art_vandelay Report post Posted July 12, 2002 Ron Waterman and Chad Collyer (HWA-Cincinnati) have both been eliminated from the developmental roster. I would not be surpassed to see either of them back with us in the future if they both continue to gain valuable ring time. Each are quality human beings and that's really where it all starts. MAH GAWD! What did they do? Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Guest LJSexay Report post Posted July 12, 2002 RON IS OUT????????????????? *&%@!^*&!%#$!&%$#@^!% Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Guest BoboBrazil Report post Posted July 12, 2002 Well this sucks. I was looking forward to seeing Ron Waterman. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Guest Respect The 'Taker Report post Posted July 12, 2002 WE GET TO SEE RHYNO ON RAW NEXT MONDAY...WOOOOOOOO!!!!!! Sorta left that out of my last post... This has been GORE GORE GORE!!! The Taker Mark Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Guest Downhome Report post Posted July 12, 2002 Wow, thanks for that revalation JR, I had no clue we are in a rebuilding process right now. At least WWE is admitting there is a problem, where they go from here however, THAT is what will turly matter in the long run. RAW was bowling-shoe ugly Monday night but will definitely rebound. Not one phase of the show was up to the standards our company has set over the years. Lots of efforts are in the works by a lot of folks to make this week's broadcast much better. Is it really safe for JR to speak that straight forward about anything, or is it that WWE is finally realizing that the product is very sub par at the moment once and for all? X-Pac has been unbooked from our live events this weekend. Let the comments begin, I'm sure many of you will jump on this on. Ron Waterman and Chad Collyer (HWA-Cincinnati) have both been eliminated from the developmental roster. I would not be surpassed to see either of them back with us in the future if they both continue to gain valuable ring time. Each are quality human beings and that's really where it all starts. Is there really a reason to be supprised at this, specificly Ron Waterman? He was gettin up there in age, mid-late 30's I believe. Still though, it is one talent that I would have LOVED to see on TV, but that doesn't look to be a possibility for right now. Expect to see more well-produced vignettes and slick-packaged video features on soon-to-be-arriving and existing talents in the next few weeks. Anyone care to start the guessing as to who will be showing up now? Can you say some EZ-Money!? A renewed effort is being put forth in this area to better introduce new talents and to recondition our audience to more established stars. I vividly remember in the early 1980s when Mid South Wrestling got the Rock 'n' Roll Express (Ricky Morton & Robert Gibson) over as big stars literally before they arrived in the territory by using music videos. Man, what a run those two had with the Midnight Express. I would love to see something like that again in WWE. If you are serious about it, let's go for it. Otherwise, don't get my hopes up, I want it to improve! Now, on a side note, is it just me or does JR seem to just getting more and more agravated week after week? To be totally honest, it wouldn't suprise me to see him quit, leave, etc... Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Guest Anglesault Report post Posted July 12, 2002 Nect week on Raw: X-Pac beats Booker in Madden 2002. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Guest The Superstar Report post Posted July 12, 2002 If Booker T ever DID beat the nWo, it would be on Madden only And to the mods/admins, you can delete my RR post, which I posted a minute after Bear's Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Guest Zero_Cool Report post Posted July 12, 2002 It sucks that Waterman was released, considering that he was looked at us one of the best guys in development. You guys watch, on Tuesday morning or whatever, we'll find out that Jarrett brought him in. Also, did J.R. bash the RVD/Brock/Heyman/Dreamer segment from RAW? I guess he didn't notice the crowd going apesh*t. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Guest BifEverchad Report post Posted July 12, 2002 House-show business is soft, even though our live event in St. John's, Newfoundland, this Sunday night looks as if it will sell out. Monday's RAW in the Continental Airlines Arena will probably end up being about 80 percent full, while Tuesday's event in Wilkes-Barre, Pa., could be very close to a sellout come show time. WoW, he actually mentioned my good ol' hometown of St. John's, Newfoundland in the Ross Report! well, thats ONE plus from this week's column.. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Guest art_vandelay Report post Posted July 12, 2002 Expect to see more well-produced vignettes and slick-packaged video features on soon-to-be-arriving and existing talents in the next few weeks. A renewed effort is being put forth in this area to better introduce new talents and to recondition our audience to more established stars. I vividly remember in the early 1980s when Mid South Wrestling got the Rock 'n' Roll Express (Ricky Morton & Robert Gibson) over as big stars literally before they arrived in the territory by using music videos. Man, what a run those two had with the Midnight Express. I would love to see something like that again in WWE. Perhaps the overwhelmingly positive responses to the Mysterio vignettes have began a trend. As long as any of the showcased talents aren't named Glacier, or anyone else that is bound to suck, I'm all for it. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Guest Downhome Report post Posted July 12, 2002 As long as any of the showcased talents aren't named Glacier, or anyone else that is bound to suck, I'm all for it. So, would you be ok with his Coach gimmick? Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Guest Anglesault Report post Posted July 13, 2002 If Booker T ever DID beat the nWo, it would be on Madden only Booker will win by DQ when X-Pac hits the re-set button right before Booker wins. And then the nWo will beat him down with a controller. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Guest Human Fly Report post Posted July 13, 2002 Not one mention of Jericho's contract. I'm surprised. I had a nice conversation this morning with my old friend Mick Foley, and he and his family are doing well. Mick is still doing a lot of writing along with making personal appearances around the world. The "Hardcore Legend" seemed very happy, and no one deserves it more than "Mrs. Foley's Baby Boy." Translation: Mick we need you! Come back! Booker T is the video-game champion of WWE and is tough to beat, especially on Madden 2002. Translation: Booker is one of the most over wrestlers of are company. We still aren't going to do anything with him though. He a strong hand when it comes to video games though! the company did not have plans for Jerry at that point in time Translation: It's not like the WWE can give everyone such high profile roles as Crash Holly or a D-Lo Brown. What did you expect us to do, let him wrestle? Hey, but now that's he's ripping it up in another company being apart of some of the most talked about action of the year, maybe we'll try and steal him. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Guest Caliban Report post Posted July 13, 2002 Amazing, JR responds to a Jerry Lynn interview in Powerslam! Did anyone else read that interview? Jerry was on top form! Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Guest AM The Kid Report post Posted July 13, 2002 No Waterman? At least he admits RAW sucked. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Guest Shaved Bear Report post Posted July 13, 2002 without waterman things can get very dry yea i know it was lame Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Guest CoreyLazarus416 Report post Posted July 13, 2002 Where was this Jerry Lynn interview where he was on "top form" and pretty much said he was being held back? URL? Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Guest Nevermortal Report post Posted July 13, 2002 Booker T is the video-game champion of WWE and is tough to beat, especially on Madden 2002. This is obviously a follow up of the "The Talent Should Be Watching Matches, not playing video games" statement of last week. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Guest Trivia247 Report post Posted July 13, 2002 Ok.... lets try this... JR Creatively the Company just didn't have anything for Jerry Lynn? Isn't there a better excuse? I Mean JR is VP of Talent Relations did he give Jerry Lynn the pink slip by saying Sorry for some unknown reason we are releasing you because we haven't thought anything for you. Even though your a talented wrestler we just don't care enough about you to put you into a Feud. Jerry Lynn will probably become one of the biggest familar names of NWA TNA and the WWE will have to eat their words. JR forgets they hired Lynn before and fired him before as well in the mid 90's before ECW and WCW. For some reason there some Paradoxal reason why the WWE just dislikes him whenever they hire him. Like ordering Shark at a sea food resturant because it sounds cool to say hey..I want some shart...but then you get it and pay for it, and you don't like it. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Guest 4Life Report post Posted July 13, 2002 Dave Scherer always gets a hardon each time Ross mentions IWC. Ross always somehow "speaks only to him" and no one else. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Guest TheBlurricane Report post Posted July 13, 2002 whooo hooo my first post. what?? no Ron Waterman?? Yeah he's getting up in age, that's exactly why they need to do something with him. I bet I could beat Booker T in Madden 02.......well maybe not. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Guest bps "The Truth" 21 Report post Posted July 13, 2002 So...he points out that RAW sucked... would it kill him to say that the highlight of the show was RVD? yeah...probably would Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Guest RavishingRickRudo Report post Posted July 13, 2002 It's amazing how they are going to start to do "more well-produced vignettes and slick-packaged video features on soon-to-be-arriving and existing talents in the next few weeks," AFTER they fuck up Chris Benoits return... Cause you know, KANES return means so much more. I have $10 going on Benoit vs. Booker opening RAW on Monday. Depending on how it is presented I may or may not bitch about it... So who can get the 'Ross fears the Ace Crusher' sign on TV the fastest? Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Guest TheHulkster Report post Posted July 13, 2002 A renewed effort is being put forth in this area to better introduce new talents and to recondition our audience to more established stars. I vividly remember in the early 1980s when Mid South Wrestling got the Rock 'n' Roll Express (Ricky Morton & Robert Gibson) over as big stars literally before they arrived in the territory by using music videos. Man, what a run those two had with the Midnight Express. I would love to see something like that again in WWE. If there is one think you can't knock about WWE, it's the production and the quality of their vignettes. If this means more sleek looking vignettes and less shitty acted backstage segments, then I'm glad they are doing it. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Guest Austin3164life Report post Posted July 13, 2002 Kevin Nash tore his quadriceps (thigh) Monday night on RAW and had surgery the next day with Dr. James Andrews in Birmingham, Ala. Nash is still in Birmingham, will begin his rehab there soon and is expected to be out of action six to eight months. Kevin is hell-bent on returning, as he certainly does not want Monday's match to be his last. Place your bets for the date which the Nash "Desire" videos take place....... Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Guest Dangerous A Report post Posted July 13, 2002 I'm just glad to hear HHH taking more time off(til August) as he was expected to be back by the end of this month. I think HHH needs to take more time off. Whatever it takes to get back in Main Event shape. And please, no desire video for you second comeback, HHH. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Guest Zero_Cool Report post Posted July 13, 2002 Man, where did those "X fears X" signs comes from? I remember "Hogan fears Sting". Anyway, let me think up smarkish "X fears X" signs...note, these are all cheasy and have probably been done before.. Stephanie fears Lucy (okay, bad start) Jericho fears da 'net Hogan fears Rogain - ?? Big Show fears workrate Vince fears Change Scott Keith fears Scotsman Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Guest Cataclysm911 Report post Posted July 13, 2002 Random thoughts, news and opinion ... and numerous cryptic messages that can only be deciphered by those with active imaginations and significant insider sources: Best. Sentence. Ever. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
