Exclusive Report of WM 19 Press Conference

[Guest HartFan86]

He's a friend of mine and he watched the webcast today, here's his report:

 

I missed the first few minutes of today’s live webcast announcing that Seattle would host WrestleMania XIX but here are some notes from the last hour of the approximately 90-minute press conference. I have to say that the crowd on hand was very vocal, very rabid, and that the WWE talent played right along with whatever comments they received from the crowd.

 

Stephanie McMahon individually introduced some of the major players of the Smackdown! brand, beginning with the Undertaker. Each person had a few minutes to speak and here’s a rundown of what was said.

 

The Undertaker: A fan mentions the Takerooni, which for those who aren’t aware was a big off-air practical joke pulled on Taker a few months back when Raw came to Seattle. He laughs it off and says that there is a locker room full of guys just wanting to knock him off and be the first to defeat the Dead Man at WrestleMania …however, on March 30th he will be 11-0.

 

Edge: Makes mention of when the fans come out and give all they have to give to the wrestlers, the guys will put out that much harder and show the fans the time of their lives.

 

Torrie Wilson: Says WrestleMania is the biggest show of the year and she “will definitely leave a lasting impression you will never forget” come March 30, 2003.

 

Kurt Angle: Stephanie prompted the fans into starting the “Your Suck” chants before Angle came out. “So this is the Pacific Northwest…wow, what a dump!” Angle continues by wondering why in the world the WWE would choose to come to Seattle for WrestleMania. If it weren’t for Kurt Cobain and Frasier, no one would even know the city existed. But, on March 30 everyone will know about Seattle. About halfway through, the fans started the “WHAT?” chants which Angle hesitantly went along with and even played up toward the end of his segment.

 

WWE Smackdown! Champion Brock Lesnar & Paul Heyman: Brock came out wearing a cowboy hat, which would be mentioned later on. Heyman says his man will walk into WrestleMania the world champion and will leave the world champion. Lesnar continues by referring to himself as “the face of WrestleMania” - which the Undertaker responded to by saying, “It’s nice to see that the face of WrestleMania has a big black eye.” The two had a short-lived confrontation, with Heyman reminding the champion that he only fights for money. The crowd got on Heyman’s case during the segment by starting a “Yankees suck!” chant.

 

Jim Ross took over the microphone at that moment and mentioned that apparently some of the boys had a little too much of that Seattle coffee this morning. He then introduced a man that several years ago he would have declined to introduce, that being Eric Bischoff.

 

Eric Bischoff made a few comments to start the Raw segment of the show, stating that the Raw brand will not only be well represented at WrestleMania XIX - it will dominate. Stephanie attempted to interrupt with her microphone but Bischoff either didn’t hear her or ignored.

 

The Big Show: Talks about the “real big show” being WrestleMania and promises to make an impact.

 

Bischoff said that the Big Show will no doubt make an impact, much as he does everywhere he goes. At that point, Stephanie interrupted by saying “Just like how Rikishi made an impact on your face last Sunday?” Bischoff threatened to knock her out but Edge responded by saying he didn’t think Eric could.

 

Booker T: States that WrestleMania will be “hotter than a Mexican plate lunch”. Was very enthused and got the crowd going before closing with “Can you did that?,” with the crowd finishing with the “Sucka!” portion.

 

WWE Women’s Champion Trish Stratus: Promises 100% Stratusfaction guaranteed come March 30.

 

Rob Van Dam: “WrestleMania XIX … SAFECO Field … Seattle … cool.” Says he is thrilled to be where he is and that it doesn’t get any bigger than appearing at WrestleMania.

 

WWE Tag Team Champion Kane: Came out with his newly won title. Jokingly noted that every press conference needs a 7-foot monster wearing a black and red mask. He said that he considered himself a freak - but that was okay because freaks are cool and on behalf of himself and the Hurricane - at WrestleMania XIX freaks will rule.

 

WE IC Champion Chris Jericho A big “Fozzy sucks!” chant started up, which prompted Jericho to tell all the Seattle jackasses to shut up. Reminded everyone that he was the first ever undisputed WWE Champion, with Rob Van Dam responding “He hasn’t let anybody forget”. Jericho continues by saying he will once again be the world champion by WrestleMania.

 

WWE Raw World Champion Triple H: Bischoff bragged about having Triple H on Raw and noted that it was because of that fact that Stephanie had to interrupt him earlier in the Raw portion of the press conference. Triple H had a short-lived stare-down with Brock Lesnar on his way to the podium. A “HBK” chant started up, which prompted the champion to respond with “Oh, I’m sorry - he couldn’t be here. He had an appointment with a wheelchair.” Triple H then commences to making fun of several of the stars already introduced - from Angle thinking he doesn’t really suck, to the Big Show’s suit (which Triple H called a circus tent), to Edge’s open-toe sandals, and finally with Brock Lesnar’s unbelievable impression of Jim Ross (remember the cowboy hat?). Mentions that he has started up a petition, so that by March 30th an act of Congress will provide those on hand at WrestleMania with a Takerooni. Describes the wrestlers on hand as the greatest athletes and entertainers on this planet and finishes up his segment by referring to himself as the REAL world champion of the WWE.

 

Jonathan Coachman then introduced the chairman of the WWE, Vince McMahon, who got a standing ovation from the talent on hand. Vince talked about how few sports events or entertainment events really live up to their hype (someone in the crowd yelled out something about the XFL, which McMahon laughed off), but WrestleMania is the one annual event that does live up to the hype year after year. At this point, he was interrupted by the Godfather and a line of Seattle hos that made their way to the podium in typical Godfather fashion. The Godfather had a few comments to say, no more important than what was previously said about WrestleMania, and then left with his hos - who got both the Coach and Vince to dance with them on their way out.

 

At this point, the forum was opened up to media in the audience for a short Question & Answer segment. Some of the reporters credited who they worked for (most in the Seattle area), but most didn’t.

 

1. Why choose Seattle?

Before answering, Vince answered an audience member’s question by saying the Rock would be at WrestleMania. McMahon stated that it was long overdue and that the Pacific Northwest has many rabid fans.

 

2. A question about the downturn of the company in recent months, despite the good turnout in Seattle during the last TV events.

Vince said that they have good times and bad times and that it’s only temporary. Once WrestleMania rolls around, they will be hotter than ever.

 

3. Who will be performing Triple H’s music at WrestleMania?

Someone in the crowd yelled Fozzy. Triple H said he might have to negotiate something with Jericho - unless Seattle has any good bands to offer.

 

4. A rather ignorant journalist asked McMahon if anyone actually believes that wrestling is real.

Triple H responded by saying “Ladies and gentlemen, the dumbest man in America!” The question got a poor response from the audience as well as the panel as even Brock Lesnar called the man out and challenged him to get in the ring with him and find out. At that point, the reporter walked out of the press conference.

 

5. Will Vancouver, BC get any TV shows or house shows around the time of WrestleMania?

McMahon isn’t sure as of yet but he realizes the market that is in the area, also mentioning Oregon which he’s apparently looking to bring his product back to after a long absence.

 

6. Someone from Fox Sports.net Northwest asked what prevented the WWE from holding a pay-per-view here prior to now.

Vince said they were holding out for the big one.

 

7. Weather permitting, will they open the roof of SAFECO Field for the show?

Vince: “Not only will we open the roof, we’ll blow it off.”

 

8. Another rather ignorant and feeble-looking journalist mentioned some of the smaller former world champions of the WWF/E (Bret Hart, Shawn Michaels, Ric Flair, and Kevin Nash???) and mentioned the fact (???) that the wrestlers today are so much bigger and that there used to be a drug and steroid policy within the company.

Again, the crowd reacted poorly to someone who attempted to make a name for himself by doing some half-assed research and making wrestling look bad. With the crowd booing and Vince not even understanding the question (the reporter was apparently so nervous to be holding a microphone, he could barely spit out his words), Chris Jericho got the audience back into it by asking how excited they were that WrestleMania was coming to town.

 

Jonathan Coachman then thanked the crowd and media for showing up and that individual interviews will be held later on at a separate location. The press conference ended to Limp Bizkit’s “My Way”.

 

Graham Cawthon

The History of World Wrestling Entertainment - http://www.angelfire.com/wrestling/cawthon777

[Guest The Czech Republic]

McMahon stated that it was long overdue and that the Pacific Northwest has many rabid fans.

Especially in Tacoma, real receptive crowd there.

[Guest griffinmills]

Kevin Nash? Jeez what was with that guy? Hadn't Jericho just go through mentioning himself as the first Undisputed Champion a few minutes earlier?

[The Dames 0]

How is this exclusive if the same thing was posted over at 411 a few hours ago?

 

Dames

[Guest alfdogg]

3. Who will be performing Triple H’s music at WrestleMania?

Someone in the crowd yelled Fozzy. Triple H said he might have to negotiate something with Jericho - unless Seattle has any good bands to offer.

I'm not even gonna get started on that one.

[Guest MarvinisaLunatic]

I think it was Big Show who yelled Fozzy, or at least it sounded like his voice..