Byte This recap

[Guest MideonMark]

WWE Byte This! Recap – 05/30/2003

By Michael Hoffman

 

Hosts: Howard Finkel, Dr. Tom Prichard

Guests: Jim Ross, Ric Flair

 

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Ross says that the cookbook describes the difference between barbequing and grilling. The cookbook also includes “Top 10” lists and interesting stories from his career. He feels that WWE fans will be interested in the stories in the book, while non-WWE fans will enjoy the recipes.

 

Ross then details the many appearances he is making to promote the cookbook, including many book signings. He says that the best market research is being able to meet face to face with fans and hear their opinions.

 

Ross will also be featured on a special on Food Network on Tuesday, June 17. He may also be doing a cooking segment on Regis and Kelly toward the end of June.

 

Ross hopes that his autobiography will be completed by the end of next year. He, Austin, and Dennis Brent are putting the finishing touches on the Stone Cold Steve Austin autobiography. He says that he will need to find the time between performing on Raw, on the PPV’s, completing his Talent Relations duties, and watching Oklahoma Sooners football to write his book.

 

Regarding the state of WWE, Ross says that he is learning to take an optimistic view toward things. He says that the economy is struggling at the moment, and that the United States has shifted its priorities. He says that WWE needs to focus on developing younger talent, mentioning the OVW talent participating in house shows recently. He is happy with things, but admits that they could be doing better. He says that the members of the creative team have a thankless job at times, with many people second-guessing their performance. He mentions injuries that need to be healed, and that the younger talent needs to seize the opportunity they are given. He feels the “glass ceiling” theory is a lame excuse being used by some of the talent. He believes that eventually, the office does notice hard work; workers need to maintain a positive outlook.

 

About his impending autobiography, Ross says that he has had an amazing range of bosses, from the independent companies through WWE. He has enjoyed his career, has a lot of stories to tell, and feel that he was lucky enough to be in the right place at the right time. He is still a fan at heart, and says that when he stops being a fan is the day that he retires.

 

Ross recognizes that the fans love the wrestling business and want everything to be perfect, but reiterates that the workers and writer are human. It is inevitable that some shows will be better than others, but that they strive to be better next week than this week.

 

Ross does some final shilling for the cookbook, his barbeque sauce, and the Austin book.

 

Jim Ross leaves the show.

 

Out-think the Fink Time: At which WrestleMania did Jim Ross debut? (WrestleMania 9)

 

Finkel and Prichard talk briefly about the WWE show in Portland this Saturday night, their first appearance in Portland in over 10 years. The show is a near sell-out.

 

Ric Flair joins the show.

 

Flair starts by talking about his memories of working with Don Owen in Portland, starting in 1981. He says Owen was one of the classiest guys in the business, a great pay-off man, and someone who cares for the people he employed. He says that he was honest, sincere, and well respected.

 

Flair details his problems in WCW, which resulted in him losing his passion for the business. He feels that Bischoff took him for granted, and after a period of time, he became worn down and no longer enjoyed what he was doing. He says that he has never considered wrestling his “job” but as his “passion,” but that the way he was booked in WCW affected the way he carried himself in and out of the ring.

 

Flair recaptured his enthusiasm when he realized that he still had two sons – David and Reid – who looked to him as a role model in their lives. He decided that he needed to teach them by his example in the way he conducted himself as a man. He says, “For lack of a better term, I ‘snapped’ one day.”

 

Flair admits that he is not an Internet guy, saying he can’t even turn on a computer.

 

Prichard talks about the tribute given to Flair after the 05/19 Raw, and says that Flair, after all his accomplishments, is still humble in the locker room, and is willing to help out younger talent. He mentions that there truly is no other performer than Flair.

 

Flair says that he had lost all sight of how he was perceived in wrestling. He says that the tribute was the biggest moment of his career. He says that there is nothing more rewarding than the respect of your peers, which he has always had, but lost sight of that fact after his treatment in WCW. He says, however, that he does not blame anyone but himself for how he was treated.

 

He mentioned some of the recent tragic deaths, and points out that the business is not to blame. People make personal decisions on how they conduct themselves, and themselves are responsible for the consequences.

 

Flair talks about helping the young talent. He mentions than Vince McMahon had asked him a year ago to work with them but given his state of mind at that time Flair was not sure he could help. He says that he has now cleared a big hurdle in his life, and feels like a 25-year-old again.

 

Flair says that his first run with then the WWF was probably the most exciting of his career. He mentions the great talent he worked with during that time – Hogan, Piper, Hart, Hennig – and says that working with those names couldn’t get any better. (MBH – Flair also had a main event program with Randy Savage, who he does not mention.) Flair left the company after he received a very lucrative offer from WCW, which he still considered his home. Flair remembers McMahon’s words when he told him of the offer: “What’s best for you is best for me.”

 

Flair again mentions that he has not been able to perform at the level he should until recently, and states that he hopes to give Shawn Michaels a great match at the PPV.

 

Flair says that he would never imagine that he would feel as well as he does for his age. He says positive mental attitude is the key to succeeding at anything. He says that he had lost the ability, in his opinion, to put on a great match, due to his loss of enthusiasm.

 

He says that in his match with HHH, Hunter wrestled exactly the way Flair has wrestled: He simply made his opponent look good. Flair says that he hopes his is remembered for being able to enhance the careers of his fellow workers. He says that aspect of the business is very important.

 

Flair has already written a book and says that it is due to be released March 1, 2004. He says that he has talked with many publishers and hopes to have it published in time for WrestleMania.

 

Flair says that one of his 1989 matches with Ricky Steamboat is probably his greatest match in NWA/WCW. He says that he has not yet had is greatest match in WWE. He considers his match with Hunter to be his best so far. He wishes that he had been in a proper state of mind when he wrestled Undertaker last year, because he feels that he was not able to perform at the level he should have.

 

He hopes that he and Shawn Michaels can steal the show at the PPV. He says that he has been watching himself, which he doesn’t like to do, to find things that he can improve upon before his match with Michaels.

 

Flair feels that Brock Lesnar has done a phenomenal job during his run as champion. He says that he taken the high level position given to him and has excelled because of his attitude, training, and background in amateur competition.

 

Flair hopes he has another opportunity to wrestle Kurt Angle. He again states that he was disappointed with his previous performance with Angle, which was caused by his lack of focus.

 

Chat room question asks why Flair wears his kneepads so far down his legs. “Because I have skinny calves,” Flair responds.

 

Flair feels that Hunter is a quality person from a great family. He is very flattered that Hunter thought so much of him as a youngster, and genuinely feels that Hunter is the best wrestler today. He feels the three best are Angle, Michaels, and Hunter. He says that the ability to perform at the highest levels four or five days a week makes them the greatest performances.

 

Flair talks about the thrill of both rosters to perform and feels that as long as the workers continue to perform at their best, at both televised and non-televised events, that the attendance will eventually rise again.

 

Ric Flair leaves the show.

 

Howard and Dr. Tom continue to discuss the renewed excitement that Flair has shown, and his effect on the entire roster.

 

Finkel apologizes for the technical problems earlier in the show as the show concludes.

[Guest RavishingRickRudo]

He believes that eventually, the office does notice hard work; workers need to maintain a positive outlook.

 

AAAAAAAAAAAAHAHAHAHAHAHA

[Guest Anglesault]

He believes that eventually, the office does notice hard work; workers need to maintain a positive outlook.

 

AAAAAAAAAAAAHAHAHAHAHAHA

Now, come on, Ric. He said "eventually." That desn't mean anytime soon or anytime within reason, so it's not like he lied.

[Guest Lightning Flik]

He believes that eventually, the office does notice hard work; workers need to maintain a positive outlook.

 

AAAAAAAAAAAAHAHAHAHAHAHA

Ditto on the laughter.

[Guest AndrewTS]

"He, Austin, and Dennis Brent are putting the finishing touches on the Stone Cold Steve Austin autobiography."

 

Translation: writing a paragraph or two. "Autobiography," my ass.

 

"He says that in his match with HHH, Hunter wrestled exactly the way Flair has wrestled: He simply made his opponent look good. Flair says that he hopes his is remembered for being able to enhance the careers of his fellow workers. He says that aspect of the business is very important. "

 

How about teaching HHH that he should be doing that?

[Guest AndrewTS]

"Flair feels that Hunter is a quality person from a great family. He is very flattered that Hunter thought so much of him as a youngster, and genuinely feels that Hunter is the best wrestler today."

 

Flair is such a whore.

[Guest RavishingRickRudo]

I'm glad all of the big shows hard work is finally paying off. I am also glad that Chris Benoits lazy, uninspired, and might I add 'selfish' behaviour is being punished.

[Guest INXS]

I thought his second best match ever in the WWF/E was against Taker at WM18.

[Guest EternallyLazy]

I thought his second best match ever in the WWF/E was against Taker at WM18.

I thought it was a good match considering they basically just punched each other for 20+ minutes... but I was entertained by it so whatever. But second best match ever in WWE/F? No... not even close. I say his best was against Savage at Mania 8 and second best was his iron man match against Bret

[TheOriginalOrangeGoblin 0]

I cna't beleive he didn't mention Savage while talking about 92.

 

The Mania 8 match is my favorite Mania match ever and easily Flair's best WWF match. The HHH one isn't even close.

[Guest Mindless_Aggression]

Yes indeed, HHH and Shawn Michaels are the elite of the business.

 

Are we sure Ric hasn't gone senile?

[Guest INXS]

Crap! Can't believe I forgot about WM8 against Savage. That's the first right there. Second would be against Hennig. Isn't the Iron Man match against Bret only in bootleg?

 

I also think the night Bret won the championship from Flair, that match sucked. Those two could have and have done much better.

[Guest Choken One]

I'm thinking You people didn't CATCH the WWE part of his statment...

 

I think he was refering to his second run...

[Guest wildpegasus]

It sounds like Flair might be mixing some kayfabe mixed in with the interview.

 

So Jim Ross says hard work gets rewarded. That's the biggest lie of the year. Bar none. End of story.

[Guest wrestlingbs]

I would take what Flair said about HHH as a grian of salt. After all, this is the same guy who said on TV in 2001 that WCW was the greatest promotion in the world today. Not only was that obviously bull, but he said pretty much the same thing LATER THAT YEAR when he arrived in the WWE.

 

As for JR saying that the glass ceiling was a "lame excuse", then what was that thing over in WCW? You know, the thing JR always pointed out about WCW during the Invasion?

[Guest godthedog]

1) v. bret hart (iron man match)

2) 1992 royal rumble

3) v. randy savage

[TheFranchise 0]

Okay, WHY do i not remember Flair and Hart in an iron man match?

[Guest OnlyMe]

I don't *think* it was televised

[Guest Kotzenjunge]

Arn Anderson's spinebuster MADE Flair/Undertaker.

[Guest Quik]

I wonder if JR will scream and slobber all over fans as he signs his book.

 

"Hi JR, can you sign this for me?"

 

"BAH GAWD KANG IT'S GONNA BE A SLOBBERKNOCKER TONIGHT WHEN YOU'LL BE READIN MY BOOK BAH GAWD~!"

 

"Uh, right... my name's Paul."

 

"PAUL?! BAH GAWD PAUL THAT'S THE SAME NAME AS THAT DAMNED SEVEN-FOOT MONSTER THE BIG SHOW~! THAT HOSS'S GOT A BRIGHT FUTURE IN THE WWE, BAH GAWD~!"

 

"Riiiiight. Say, you're making me kinda uncomfortable... could ya sign the book?"

 

"ARE YOU RUSHIN' ME? RUSHIN? BAH GAWD, THE ROCK USED TO RUSH QUARTERBACKS AT THE UNIVERSITY OF MIAMI~! AND THAT BRADSHAW WAS AN OAKLAND RAIDER BAH GAWD~! THOSE TWO ARE HOSSES, AND I FEEL THAT BRADSHAW HAS UNLIMITED POTENTIAL AND IS THE FUTURE OF WWE~!"

 

"Bye."

 

"CHRIS BENOIT NEEDS TO LEARN TO WORK THE WWE STYLE BEFORE WE CAN PUSH HIM~!"

[Guest Austin3164life]

Damn talk about a company man, claiming that Triple H and HBK are the two best in the business (not to mention saying that his match with Triple H was his second best?).

[Guest LJSexay]

I wonder if JR will scream and slobber all over fans as he signs his book.

 

"Hi JR, can you sign this for me?"

 

"BAH GAWD KANG IT'S GONNA BE A SLOBBERKNOCKER TONIGHT WHEN YOU'LL BE READIN MY BOOK BAH GAWD~!"

 

"Uh, right... my name's Paul."

 

"PAUL?! BAH GAWD PAUL THAT'S THE SAME NAME AS THAT DAMNED SEVEN-FOOT MONSTER THE BIG SHOW~! THAT HOSS'S GOT A BRIGHT FUTURE IN THE WWE, BAH GAWD~!"

 

"Riiiiight. Say, you're making me kinda uncomfortable... could ya sign the book?"

 

"ARE YOU RUSHIN' ME? RUSHIN? BAH GAWD, THE ROCK USED TO RUSH QUARTERBACKS AT THE UNIVERSITY OF MIAMI~! AND THAT BRADSHAW WAS AN OAKLAND RAIDER BAH GAWD~! THOSE TWO ARE HOSSES, AND I FEEL THAT BRADSHAW HAS UNLIMITED POTENTIAL AND IS THE FUTURE OF WWE~!"

 

"Bye."

 

"CHRIS BENOIT NEEDS TO LEARN TO WORK THE WWE STYLE BEFORE WE CAN PUSH HIM~!"

lmao

[Guest AndrewTS]

Damn talk about a company man, claiming that Triple H and HBK are the two best in the business (not to mention saying that his match with Triple H was his second best?).

You say "company man," I say "whore."

[Guest godthedog]

Okay, WHY do i not remember Flair and Hart in an iron man match?

done at a house show match in boston garden, not available on any official wwf videos. some fan taped and circulated it, & it lurks in the heart of every bootlegger's tape collection. it's like the black album of wwf matches.

[Guest Choken One]

THE BLACK ALBUM? How you get that comparison?