News from the observer

[Guest bps "The Truth" 21]

The reason why the handicap match of Triple H vs. Stephanie/Chris Jericho was changed to a 3 way match was to break up Stephanie and Jericho's "business relationship". This idea for a 3 way was the only plausible idea that the writing team could come up with to separate Stephanie from Jericho.

 

Many within the WWF believe that Chris Jericho was a complete failure as the Undisputed champion, blaming it on his style of wrestling and citing that he couldn't draw heat on his own. The reason believed for pairing Stephanie McMahon with Jericho was that Jericho couldn't draw the heat needed for Wrestlemania. Some say that the addition of Stephanie "saved" the World Title match at Wrestlemania. (!!!)

 

There's an apparent feeling that nobody wants to say anything negative about Stephanie whatsoever in case it ever comes back to them since she's a major creative force in the WWF.

 

Word has been getting around about how many wrestlers Triple H badmouths at WWF production meetings, which I guess he attends when deciding what goes on the television shows. Any wrestlers who say anything negative about Triple H, whatsoever, will apparently be buried by Triple H at the meetings.

 

Kurt Angle just recently inked a new WWF contract, which is presumed to be a 5 year deal.

 

TAKA Michinoku claimed in Japan that he was sent a new contract from the WWF, since his current deal expires in June. TAKA is undecided on whether he wants to come back to the WWF, as he wants to wrestle in Japan, especially since he's starting his own promotion in April.

 

As it has been reported, Rey Misterio Jr. strongly leaning towards joining the WWF, if he hasn't already done so already. However, when in negotiations with the WWF, many in the wrestling industry warned him not to join the WWF, given the WWF's history of not pushing smaller wrestlers (example: TAKA Michinoku, who might not sign with the WWF, as mentioned above).

 

There is some interest in bringing in former ECW superstar Super Crazy to be in the new WWF Cruiserweight division.

 

There is a small chance that the WWF might bring back Jerry Lynn for the Cruiserweight division. Of course, there's some heat towards Lynn due to the fact that he wrestled a week after getting released by the WWF since it was felt he was milking his knee injury. The decision to release Lynn was actually made in November, and it was only a matter of time before it would have happened, as the WWF waited until he was finally cleared to wrestle.

 

There is a feeling in the WWF that it isn't the right time to split the roster and television shows up. It's felt that the wrestling industry isn't as strong as it used to be to make the split truly work.

 

When Ken Shamrock was backstage at Wrestlemania 18, he kept pitching his idea about his WWF return to management. His idea was to work 4 to 6 shows per month, while devoting time to the Mix Martial Arts promotion he wants to start up in the United States. Shamrock's deal with Pride ended with his most recent bout with Don Frye, so he's available to work with the WWF now, whether it's a part time basis or not.

 

The WWF would like Scott Steiner to get treated by a neurologist for his continuous nerve problems in his foot, the main injury keeping him from joining the WWF officially. Steiner, right now, is trying to help his condition through opting to do physical therapy.

 

New Japan wrestler Naoya Ogawa was backstage at Wrestlemania, as he was there for a photo opportunity for magazines with Jim Ross, Shane McMahon, and Hulk Hogan. Ogawa talked to head talent director, Jim Ross, about the possibility of him working in the WWF. Ross told Ogawa to send a videotape and learn to speak conversational English.

 

[ Credit: Dave Meltzer's Wrestling Observer Newsletter ]

[Guest]

I was about to post this:) WWF must be full of idiots. They can't tell the reason Jericho failed as champ was the way he was booked? There is nothing wrong with his wrestling "style". Being booked to be Stephanie McMahon's personal servant and not even being able to beat Rikishi clean was the problem. Hardly ever being in the main event was the problem. Not being made to look dominant until the last 2 shows before Wrestlemania was the problem. Either WWF is stupid as fuck as to why he was a failure as champion or they really know why and they buried him on purpose.

[Guest Judas14]

The reason why the handicap match of Triple H vs. Stephanie/Chris Jericho was changed to a 3 way match was to break up Stephanie and Jericho's "business relationship". This idea for a 3 way was the only plausible idea that the writing team could come up with to separate Stephanie from Jericho.

 

Many within the WWF believe that Chris Jericho was a complete failure as the Undisputed champion, blaming it on his style of wrestling and citing that he couldn't draw heat on his own. The reason believed for pairing Stephanie McMahon with Jericho was that Jericho couldn't draw the heat needed for Wrestlemania. Some say that the addition of Stephanie "saved" the World Title match at Wrestlemania. (!!!)

 

There's an apparent feeling that nobody wants to say anything negative about Stephanie whatsoever in case it ever comes back to them since she's a major creative force in the WWF.

 

Word has been getting around about how many wrestlers Triple H badmouths at WWF production meetings, which I guess he attends when deciding what goes on the television shows. Any wrestlers who say anything negative about Triple H, whatsoever, will apparently be buried by Triple H at the meetings.

In other words welcome to WCW 1997-98 but with the following alterations:

WCW/WWF

Hogan=HHH

Bischoff=Steph

Flair=Jericho

Nash=Hogan

[Guest Tony149]

I've read the Steph/HHH/Jericho stuff before. There's some weird thinking going on there.

[Guest bps "The Truth" 21]

Well...according to Meltzer...it doesn't matter what people know...or think...

 

If you speak out against Steph or HHH...you are screwed.

 

On a side note...I like Super Crazy...bring him in for the cruiser division.

[Guest AM The Kid]

Wow, there are quite alot of politics going on right now. Poor guys...Triple H and Stephanie are the King and Queen of the WWF and they can't do a thing about it. Jericho is screwed.

[Guest]

I totally understand why Steve Austin left. He doesn't want to put up with this backstage politics bullshit like he had to do in WCW when Hogan came in and buried his push he was about to get to main event. The same thing is happening now with WWF only its HHH and Steph on top. Somehow the clique always manages to end up on top. Isn't that weird?

[Guest The Man in Blak]

I would definitely be interested in a Cruiser division with Rey-Rey, Super Crazy, TAKA, and Lynn...if they can grab 'em all.

 

This is kind of related, but just to clear this up again...has Jericho officially re-signed with the WWF yet?

[Guest bps "The Truth" 21]

Considering the Kliq couldn't draw when they were last on top...and the NWO had/has already run its course...and if anyone had the balls to tell HHH...his face run is bombing...

 

yes.  It is VERY weird.

[Guest AM The Kid]

I'm 100% behind Austin now also. This is unbelieveable, if this crap continues the WWF really is doomed...and I don't usually think that.

[Guest bps "The Truth" 21]

No one knows, man in blak.

 

Even the reports that come out about the subject say that it is unclear.

[Guest Tony149]

I think the WWF knows HHH face run isn't setting the world on fire. They're probably just going to ride it out and see if he catches on. If that's anybody else...the World Title is off them.

[Guest The Man in Blak]

Well, I'm going to be a little more skeptical / cautious before I jump on too much information.  I mean, with all this chaos swirling around, it's just way too convenient that the WWF tried to impose a quasi "media blackout."

 

Either they're trying to work everybody...

...or they're trying to keep a closed door on a very explosive locker room situation.

[Guest Tony149]

Either they're trying to work everybody...

...or they're trying to keep a closed door on a very explosive locker room situation.

 

I think Vince is trying to hide the situation backstage. He's been know to be tight with information. Working the net and/or even the wrestlers isn't a good thing for morale. Ask WCW. If they're working...then guys would lose trust in management.

[Guest goodolemr]

remember how Internet fans used to criticize the backroom politics of WCW time and time again, but nothing ever changed. It won’t change here unless Vince McMahon does something. He has final control over his product; it’s on his shoulders to do something.

 

Jericho’s title reign was a failure because of Steph’s inability as a writer. I was listening to LAW a few weeks ago and they had a good point. WWF has too many writers, but not enough bookers. Writers like to get a little too cute with the storylines. Look at the stuff leading into Wrestlemania. Edge/Booker T doing battle over a shampoo endorsement deal. Triple H/Steph/Jericho doing battle over an injured dog.  

 

Those are two examples of complete nonsense.

 

Why should Edge and Booker T wrestle one another? It’s simple: Because they’re wrestlers. They want to move up the rankings. They want to get noticed by the ‘championship committee.’ They both want to become WWF Champion! Whatever happened to that in wrestling? A guy works his way up ranks and earns a title shot.

 

Back to Steph/Triple H for a minute. I have to wonder about the Internet fans impact on this. The storylines in the WWF haven’t been up to par in along time. I believe the downward spiral started way back when the Triple H/Angle/Steph love triangle can to an anti-climax, a conclusion that only two people could have been happy with. Steph is the head booker or writer (Whichever she prefers to call herself) so the buck stops at her desk. Wrestlers may be afraid to speak up, but the Internet Fandom has rightfully been criticizing her for the lack of quality storylines on WWF TV. Triple H isn’t an Internet darling anymore either. He’s being viewed by many as a one-man power trip, who’s trying to bury everyone else in the company to protect his ‘spot.’

 

The genie is out of the bottle on Triple H and Steph. Everyone knows what they’re about. They’re clearly  trying to put themselves ahead the best interests of the WWF product.

 

The question is, what can be done about them?

[Guest AM The Kid]

Absolutly nothing, thats what.

[Guest Tony149]

I believe the downward spiral started way back when the Triple H/Angle/Steph love triangle can to an anti-climax, a conclusion that only two people could have been happy with. Steph is the head booker or writer (Whichever she prefers to call herself) so the buck stops at her desk.

Wasn't the HHH/Steph/Angle storyline supposed end with Steph going with Kurt? I read that was the plan, but HHH didn't like the idea.

 

 

As for Steph as writer. Some are going to jump on that one. Steph said she was the "Director of TV writing". I belive she even bragged about writing Survivor Series 2000 (If I remember correctly). Of course Vince has final say, but Steph does some writing with the rest of her team.

[Guest cobainwasmurdered]

fucking god damn shit!

 

ok now that i have that outta my system... no fuck it! i'm sick of hearing about this behind the scenes backstabbing. fuck are they trying to show how closly they can mimic the mistakes of wcw?

[Guest teke184]

According to some sources, a few people in the WWF suggested a similar storyline for Jericho, but it was torpedoed because a similar one had already been denied for the HHH-Steph-Angle storyline.

 

The real question is how long Vince is going to shove his head up his ass and let this stuff go on.  He's been surviving the past year by hotshotting every big angle that he could in an attempt to keep the ratings somewhat stable, but he's running out of ways to do that.  He's already blown four big angles since June (Invasion, Flair's return, HHH's return, nWo) and he's running out of stuff to use if The New Clique completely destroys locker room morale, tv ratings, and the PPV buyrates.

 

 

Also, I think that Steph taking credit for Survivor Series 2000 shows exactly how much of an idiot I think she is, as Survivor Series 2000 is the biggest example of cartoony crap I can think of in the Attitude Era, between the Double Doink in Angle's title match and HHH no-selling death.

[Guest TheHulkster]

Triple H is not be as over as he should be, being the champ, but a lot of you people should suck it up and admit that Jericho was even less over as a heel. Blame the booking all you want, the WWF presented Chris Jericho with an opprotunity. They feuded him with their biggest star and had him go over their two biggest stars in one night. Yet, many of you will not admit that Jericho is to blame for not being a credible champion. Kurt Angle was given the same exact push in 2000-2001 and he remains over to this day. Chris Jericho as a heel champ, as talented as he is, doesn't sell tickets. He's better off as a babyface. When he was a face, the fans were into him and he was credible. Putting him with Stephanie was a decent idea on paper, seeing as how stephanie is one of the most hated individuals in the WWF, but it didn't work. Chris Jericho, like it or not, wasn't ready to headline Wrestlemania.

[Guest bps "The Truth" 21]

Jericho was over just fine up until the Steph/HHH feud.

 

Go back and watch the Vengeance, The Rumble and No Way Out.

 

He was over...despite the booking.

 

Then he ran into the two person power trip...and he started walking dogs.

[Guest cobainwasmurdered]

the only oppurtunity jericho had was to look good  buying stephanie lotion, and taking a mother fucking dog for a walk. anytime they had jericho act like a real bad ass heel, people sat up and took notice. but he was fucked over because he wasn't banging the boss's daughter

[Guest teke184]

Jericho was ignored for the most part between Jan. 7 and Wrestlemania.  Any blame for him not being over should lie with the bookers for putting a tattoo across his head that read "transitional champion."

 

Hell, they even did a promo about it where everyone in the WWF had been coming up to Rock to talk about their potential match against him at Wrestlemania, despite the fact that The Rock had been off TV for most of the month and had yet to win the title.

[Guest TheHulkster]

Jericho got "the lone old lady in row 2, section B is only booing me because im facing the Rock" heat.

[Guest bps "The Truth" 21]

That's brilliant, The Hulkster.

 

BRILLIANT!

 

Tell me, is it a prerequisite to using Hulk in your screen name to be a complete moron, who can't back up their thoughts?

 

You and HoganMadeWrestling should get along real well.

[Guest cobainwasmurdered]

fuck that's funny

[Guest TheHulkster]

YOu can't deny it, so you attack me personally. I think I know who won this arguement.

[Guest bps "The Truth" 21]

I already did deny it...and told you to go watch the video evidence to support my claim.

 

At which point you came back with another ludicrous statement.

[Guest cobainwasmurdered]

you win the arguement? how? Jericho had great heel heat till stephanie sucked it away. she's more of a black whole than test.

 

back up your arguments, have evidence to support your opinions.

[Guest TheHulkster]

I seen those shows. Compare his heat to Kurt Angle's Heat and tell me who would make a better heel champion. Hell, compare his heat to William Regal's heat and tell me who would make a better heel champ. Just because he's a smark favorite, doesn't mean we have to rewrite history.