WWE news and notes from Keller

[Guest EdwardKnoxII]

credit to wade

 

TOP STORY: Hogan and WWE have parted ways once again over "creative differences". They made the decision, they being Hogan and Vince, during a phone call a few days after the Smackdown tapings from MSG.

 

The split was apparently cordial and professional and was just a case of not being able to agree on where things should go. The plan going forward was for a mask vs. hair match with Vince, which one would assume Hogan was gonna lose. And Hulk wants his stuff to be treated as a big deal, kinda like how Foley's appearances were considered special, and not to be watered down by being the third rung of a 6-man tag match.

 

Then at the 6-man tag Hulk got mad because the crowd was cheering for him, but Brock and Angle stuck to the script instead of recognizing the chants and getting him into the match. Brock and Kurt did what they're supposed to do, as at TV tapings it isn't normal to deviate from the plans to play into the crowd like they might at a house show. Hulk made reference to this in a radio interview after Smackdown last week, saying that with Angle and Brock in the ring it was him that the MSG crowd wanted to see, and that Vince has lost touch on how to draw money. So to Hulk, drawing money would apparently mean featuring himself above Brock and Angle.

 

And Hulk didn't like doing the job for Big Show, because it was to help build up Show for his match with Brock and Angle, not for a match with Hogan. Making Hulk a transition rebound guy or something.

 

The MSG Smackdown show drew thousands less than Raw had the night before, which was also instrumental in Hogan being upset. And as always, any creative problems could be soothed if Hulk was getting the money he wanted. Word is that he was upset with his WrestleMania payoff.

 

Rumors started quickly that Hogan had interest in getting the XWF up and running again, which may be genuine or may be Hogan trying to strike paralyzing fear into the heart of Vince McMahon in order to get the creative and financial perks that he wants. Hulk had offered to start working house shows in matches against Vince, but in return wanted more creative control in how he was used on TV.

 

In any event, Hulk is gone for now but look for him to make a reconciliation in time for WrestleMania XX, natch.

 

TOP 5 STORIES OF THE WEEK:

 

#1 - Hogan leaves. WWE did not acknowledge the parting, and instead let Hogan break the news on his pal Bubba's radio show.

 

#2 - A cage match with America's Most Wanted and Triple X last week is being considered a match of the year candidate, and maybe the best match in TNA's history.

 

#3 - Roddy Piper was fired.

 

#4 - InDemand told TNA to cut back on the cussing and abuse against women.

 

#5 - Wrestling is coming back to the Mid-South Coliseum in Memphis with the new Memphis Wrestling promotion. The usual Memphis crew is involved, including Jerry Lawler, and Jimmy Hart is leading the "invading XWF" led by Buff Bagwell and Konnan.

 

WWE NEWS:

 

- There's speculation that Vince is cashing in on WWE stock right now because he's concerned that he won't get another phat deal from Viacom when the current deal expires in two years. They can still make a new deal, but it probably won't be for the same big amount as the last one, unless things change between then and now.

 

- A WWE employee read Vince Russo's review of Raw for 1bob, which was only posted briefly before being removed, and said it was a total suck-up to Vince McMahon. One thing Russo went off on was when Mick Foley attacked Evolution and pummeled Triple H in the corner while Hunter stood there and wasn't trying to block the shots. Apparently that's one of Vince McMahon's pet peeves, when guys don't look like they're trying to block the punches.

 

- One source said that Vince's actions on HBO were an accurate portrayal of how Vince is, but in the past he used to pride himself on self-control.

 

- WrestleMania buyrate numbers were below 600,000 at the last word.

 

- Stephanie has been spending more time in executive meetings lately, thus spending less time hanging out at the writers' offices.

 

- Nash was disappointed about being left off Raw, and is telling pals that he doesn't think the writers know what to do with him now.

 

- People say that Dr. Death's tryout didn't result in any long term deal, but did help mend his friendship with JR.

 

- Jamal is telling his homies that he hopes to work in Japan.

 

- WWE will likely take out an ad in Variety this month to list the price they bid on the assets of ECW. Because it's going through bankruptcy court, apparently they're obligated to advertise what they're paying for it. But it's just a formality.

 

- The girl who Kidman sat with at Smackdown is NY area valet Miss Michelle, who is Missy Hyatt's niece.

 

- Orton vs. HBK and Vince vs. Foley are being talked about for SummerSlam, but Mick is denying that he'll have time to prepare and get into shape because of his book schedule.

 

TNA NEWZ:

 

- Sting has a 4-show deal. Since it probably cost a pretty penny to get him, people are looking at it like Panda Energy is more committed than ever to TNA's success.

 

- Vince Russo's Raw review, which was quickly taken down "at the request of TNA", didn't do him any favors inside TNA due to the comments he made about their creative process. He wrote off any problems TNA might have as being the result of the other creative members not being used to working with him, instead of maybe his ideas and concepts sucking ass.

 

- There was no mention of Sean Waltman the week after he appeared as the mystery partner. People who saw him backstage say he looked terrible and friends of his are now openly expressing concern for his well-being.

 

- Jeremy Borash has been getting good reviews for the production work he does. One guy said Borash didn't know anything about it before volunteering to do the job, and then taught himself from scratch.

 

- A TNA outsider laughed about the news that InDemand's Frank Romano has been hired, basically saying that Romano fucked the company by promising them buyrates that they've yet to get, and now they've given him a job.

 

- Joey Styles was to debut a "TNA Talk" segment two weeks ago, where he'd read insider news in a studio format. Oh man, just like on the old GWF show. Joey wouldn't actually come to the shows, he'd tape the segments while he did the voice-overs for the MLW shows, and working for MLW is why Joey is saying he decided to pass on TNA's offer. Former WCW announcer and Torch VIPee forum superstar Mark Madden has also been approached about the gig.

 

CLASSIC TORCH:

 

- Marty Jannetty returned to the WWF and upset Shawn Michaels for the Intercontinental title on Raw. This was Marty's first appearance after being fired for "unprofessional conduct after the 2002 Survivor Series".

 

- A Torch correspondent described a Hershey, PA house show as "the day Hulkamania died", as the show headlined by Hogan/Brutus vs. Money Inc. drew 2000 fewer people than the last show in the arena.

 

- Stan Lane was forced to leave SMW after being pinned in a RnR Express vs. Heavenly Bodies tag title match, with the stip being that whoever took the fall would have to leave. In a Torch Talk, Lane said he'd gotten burnt out and was ready to move on to something else.

 

ON TOPIC WITH JASON POWELL:

 

It's the June hitlist!

 

Hits: "July 25th" TNA show, Foley returns, Piper gets fired and most of the column turns into a rant on Piper.

 

Misses: Vince on Real Sports, Hogan leaves although Hogan's reasons are queer.

 

THE MCNEILL REPORT:

 

Responding to a challenge, he books a TNA event that he would give a perfect score to.

 

MEDIA REVIEW WITH TONY BATALLA:

 

Who? He reviews the HBK DVD. It's pretty darn good.

 

TORCH TALK WITH MICK FOLEY:

 

He wouldn't want to be a wrestling booker, but he'd be open to consulting and helping fine-tune ideas.

 

Wade asked VIPee subscribers for questions they'd like to ask Mick, and a lot apparently dealt with whether he felt any guilt or responsibility for helping set a tone for a harder, bump-oriented style.

 

"Oh, man, you know, I do think that for a long time what others perceived as being my guilt kept me from really enjoying what I had done in wrestling or looking back on it with the type of pride that I should have. And I'm talking about people blaming me for backyard wrestling accidents and things like that. I don't know that I am that responsible, because even back in the early ‘90s before my style was all that popular, the Japanese were doing some really dangerous things. And I'm not talking about as far as barbed wire and explosions, but as far as those damn back suplexes, I think you can look at the really serious injuries... Obviously guys like Edge and Rhyno and Austin who've been on the shelf for a year at a time have been hurt far worse by traditional wrestling moves than I ever was by barbed wire or explosives. I am concerned that kids out there look at me as the guy with the bad physique who made it and think that taking chances was the only reason that it happened. That worries me, because they don't really understand the business and realize there was a lot more to it than that, that I did have some other attributes. They may not be quite as glaring, but they were in that Thurman Munson, Yankee baseball vein in that I tried to do the little things that helped out the other guys and helped tell stories. Yeah, I wish in a way that I hadn't taken quite as many big bumps, especially in front of the small audiences. I'm kind of getting into another area here, but I think it prevented me from really being at my best when I got the big shot with the WWF."

 

Of his traits as a wrestler, which does he think had the most impact on the industry? His promo style, his bumps, or breaking the body stereotype?

 

"Oh, geez, that's a good question. I don't think the promo style had that big of an effect because they actually went the reverse way with it. Even my last year there, I think I adapted really well to the scripted environment but never really felt like home. I don't think the Mick Foley promos were a big part of the wrestling boom, even though I believe that guys who give the heartfelt promos are the answer to part of the problem they are experiencing now. I think that's the reason why a guy like Flair, if he's given the room to run with it, can be successful even at his age. But I think probably breaking the body stereotype may have been my biggest influence on the future of in that there are guys out there who are given a chance to be pretty big stars in the mainstream who may not have gotten that chance before I came around."

 

Next week: more stuff.

 

WADE'S PPV STAR RATINGS (for NWA TNA)

 

AMW vs. Triple X - ****½

D'Lo/Styles - **3/4

Lynn/Credible - **

Kazarian/Sabin - ***

Kash/Watts - *

Sandman/Siaki - *

Jarrett/Raven vs. Douglas/Gilberti - **½

 

Jason: 7.5. Pat: 6.0. Wade: 8.0. Bruce: 7.0.

 

END NOTES WITH WADE:

 

Hogan leaving now probably works out best for everyone, since WWE doesn't need him now but he'll probably get another huge reaction when he comes back in time for Mania. Apparently they're talking about having a lot of past legends show up at Mania, which could maybe be Bret's one farewell appearance. Even guys like Warrior have been brought up, but Wade doesn't consider him likely, and apparently even less likely is Randy Savage cause he and Vince have heat.

 

Then, this is good, Wade goes into last week's Smackdown and how Vince booked his segment with Zach to follow a match without a commercial break. That segment ended up being the highest rated part of the show, higher than the 6-man, but Vince's clever no-commercial plan "inflated" the rating.

 

And EVEN THOUGH previous segments with Vince and Gowen that didn't have these "tricks" did big ratings, like the arm wrestling thing that gained a million extra viewers or something crazy, AND Wade acknowledges this... he says "Vince wanted bragging rights to being a ‘hot act' and hoped nobody would notice the games he played with the format sheet. We noticed." Oh SNAP. That million extra viewers means nothing now that Wade's on the case.

 

END

[Guest Mulatto Heat]

- Marty Jannetty returned to the WWF and upset Shawn Michaels for the Intercontinental title on Raw. This was Marty's first appearance after being fired for "unprofessional conduct after the 2002 Survivor Series".

What the fuck?

 

Anyway, I usually don't say anything about Hogan, but my God, I wish my bank account was as big as his ego. I cannot believe he thought that Brock and Angle should break script and read his mind to accomodate him.

[Guest EdwardKnoxII]

I think that was a typo from the issue notice the "-".

 

Anyway, I usually don't say anything about Hogan, but my God, I wish my bank account was as big as his ego. I cannot believe he thought that Brock and Angle should break script and read his mind to accomodate him.

 

Yeah no kidding. I love this part.

The MSG Smackdown show drew thousands less than Raw had the night before, which was also instrumental in Hogan being upset.

 

Hmm I wonder why it draw less? Could it be the fans were tired of the Mr. America angle. Why the hell is he upset for SD drawing less. The only reason I could see him upset about it is that he's getting a cut from the gate.

[Guest Jobber of the Week]

Make note: The first time ever Hogan has, literally, complained about a guy half his age (Brock 25, Hogan 50) getting a bigger push than him. It used to be kind of a joke, now it's real.

[Guest DokDoyle]

Yep..this recap of The Torch was great...the first time I read it at Seadawg's on Delphi

[Guest bigdunn20]

I have heard from people who have heard from people inside the TNA locker room that Waltman is in a bad way.

 

A BAD way.

[Guest EdwardKnoxII]

Yep..this recap of The Torch was great...the first time I read it at Seadawg's on Delphi

 

Hey I've stated that I've got them from there. I've just never seen them here that's all.

[Guest The Old Me]

Make note: The first time ever Hogan has, literally, complained about a guy half his age (Brock 25, Hogan 50) getting a bigger push than him. It used to be kind of a joke, now it's real.

It doesn't surprise me at all.

[rising up out of the back seat-nuh 0]

- A WWE employee read Vince Russo's review of Raw for 1bob, which was only posted briefly before being removed, and said it was a total suck-up to Vince McMahon. One thing Russo went off on was when Mick Foley attacked Evolution and pummeled Triple H in the corner while Hunter stood there and wasn't trying to block the shots. Apparently that's one of Vince McMahon's pet peeves, when guys don't look like they're trying to block the punches.

 

So, it looks like Vinny R is trying to jump from TNA to WWE. Intriguing...

[Guest Vyce]

I have heard from people who have heard from people inside the TNA locker room that Waltman is in a bad way.

 

A BAD way.

Please elaborate.

 

So, it looks like Vinny R is trying to jump from TNA to WWE. Intriguing...

 

But not surprising.

[rising up out of the back seat-nuh 0]

I don't know what the hell Waltmans on, but if it makes you want to fuck Chyna:

 

JUST SAY NO~!

[Guest The Old Me]

Well put.

[Guest edge-o-matic]

- Marty Jannetty returned to the WWF and upset Shawn Michaels for the Intercontinental title on Raw. This was Marty's first appearance after being fired for "unprofessional conduct after the 2002 Survivor Series".

Am I the only person who sees something wrong with this?

[Guest Kid Kablam]

- A WWE employee read Vince Russo's review of Raw for 1bob, which was only posted briefly before being removed, and said it was a total suck-up to Vince McMahon. One thing Russo went off on was when Mick Foley attacked Evolution and pummeled Triple H in the corner while Hunter stood there and wasn't trying to block the shots. Apparently that's one of Vince McMahon's pet peeves, when guys don't look like they're trying to block the punches.

 

That is the stupidest thing I have ever heard. Just because Vinnie Ru agrees with McMahon on ONE THING, does not change the fact that he bashed everything about the show. Vince has a fragile ego and insulting his product is not the way to get a job.

[Guest teke184]

I have heard from people who have heard from people inside the TNA locker room that Waltman is in a bad way.

 

A BAD way.

I think we all knew he had problems when he got engaged to Chyna... although the stories of him passing out on Somas while he was still in the WWE last year only make it seem that much worse. He's relapsing and bad.

 

If anyone's looking for a choice in the Wrestler Dead Pool, I think we've got a possibility here.

[Guest AndrewTS]

Nash was disappointed about being left off Raw, and is telling pals that he doesn't think the writers know what to do with him now.

 

And Nash is full of shit, because this is the best way to use Nash.

[Guest Zero_Cool]

I'd rather have Nash in the back listening to Steve's jokes.

 

"So then I went onto the ramp with a pillow and blanket and made that son of a bitch lose a match to some jobber!"

 

"That's great, Steve."

 

"Well, I gotta go away now and be loved by the fans."

 

Austin leaves. Kevin cries a bit, then takes a sip of his coffee, and puts on a happy face when Booker shows up.

[Guest Choken One]

Just to continue your saga

 

Booker: Hey, Kev...

 

Nash: Oh, HI Booker! You look great...Good luck on your match tonight.

 

Booker: Oh Cool Man...Thanks...Time to go...Have a good one

 

Nash: WILL DO!

 

:Nash gets up and wanders around the hall:

 

:Steiner walks by on Cell Phone:

 

Nash: Hey! Scott! (Waves)

 

Steiner: Can't you fucking see I'm on the god damn phone you son of a bitch? I'm talking to my parole Officer...Shut the fuck up.

 

Nash: Sorry.

 

Nash buys a Diet Pepsi out of the vending machine as Trish walks up...

 

Trish: 'Cuse me.

 

Nash: Oh, Hey...Trish! How are your doing?

 

Trish: Good...

 

(She buys her water and walks away)

 

Nash thinks to self "Wow. I'm gonna marry her. I felt chemistry"

 

Nash walks some more but gets sore and notices Austin's office is 25 paces away and decides against it and slinks into the nearby dressing room.

 

Hurricane and Gerwitz are seen in the corner debating over comics per usual...

 

Nash: Hey, Guys...Whatca reading?

 

Gerwitz: Comics...What Else do we read?

 

Nash: Oh Yeah...I had a comic book once...

 

Gerwitz: Yeah I know...Oh yeah...I forgot to write the main event again...be right back Shane.

 

Nash spots good old buddy Shawn in the corner reading as well..

 

Nash: Hey Buddy...Whats Up? What you reading?

 

HBK: Bible.

 

Nash: Cool...What's it about?

 

HBK: Umm...I forgot to tip the limo driver...I'll be back...

 

Nash: Ok. Be careful.

 

Austin storms into the room

 

AUSTIN:NASH! Where is your ass? I need you right now!

 

Nash: (eyes light up) Yes! What Can i do? You want me to squash RVD tonight?

 

Austin: Not tonight...Look..I ordered a Piazza but I can't drive on account of a suspended Licence...Here's 20 bucks...Keep the change. Thank You.

 

Nash: YES! I'M BEING USED! WHOO! TAKE THAT HURRICANE!

[Guest bigdunn20]

I have heard from people who have heard from people inside the TNA locker room that Waltman is in a bad way.

 

A BAD way.

Please elaborate.

Like death pool bad, seriously.

[Guest the 1inch punch]

Just to continue your saga

 

Booker: Hey, Kev...

 

Nash: Oh, HI Booker! You look great...Good luck on your match tonight.

 

Booker: Oh Cool Man...Thanks...Time to go...Have a good one

 

Nash: WILL DO!

 

:Nash gets up and wanders around the hall:

 

:Steiner walks by on Cell Phone:

 

Nash: Hey! Scott! (Waves)

 

Steiner: Can't you fucking see I'm on the god damn phone you son of a bitch? I'm talking to my parole Officer...Shut the fuck up.

 

Nash: Sorry.

 

Nash buys a Diet Pepsi out of the vending machine as Trish walks up...

 

Trish: 'Cuse me.

 

Nash: Oh, Hey...Trish! How are your doing?

 

Trish: Good...

 

(She buys her water and walks away)

 

Nash thinks to self "Wow. I'm gonna marry her. I felt chemistry"

 

Nash walks some more but gets sore and notices Austin's office is 25 paces away and decides against it and slinks into the nearby dressing room.

 

Hurricane and Gerwitz are seen in the corner debating over comics per usual...

 

Nash: Hey, Guys...Whatca reading?

 

Gerwitz: Comics...What Else do we read?

 

Nash: Oh Yeah...I had a comic book once...

 

Gerwitz: Yeah I know...Oh yeah...I forgot to write the main event again...be right back Shane.

 

Nash spots good old buddy Shawn in the corner reading as well..

 

Nash: Hey Buddy...Whats Up? What you reading?

 

HBK: Bible.

 

Nash: Cool...What's it about?

 

HBK: Umm...I forgot to tip the limo driver...I'll be back...

 

Nash: Ok. Be careful.

 

Austin storms into the room

 

AUSTIN:NASH! Where is your ass? I need you right now!

 

Nash: (eyes light up) Yes! What Can i do? You want me to squash RVD tonight?

 

Austin: Not tonight...Look..I ordered a Piazza but I can't drive on account of a suspended Licence...Here's 20 bucks...Keep the change. Thank You.

 

Nash: YES! I'M BEING USED! WHOO! TAKE THAT HURRICANE!

thats actually really fucking funny

[Guest AndrewTS]

After Choken's addition:

 

Nash: Well...I'm going now, bye.