BoboBrazil 0 Report post Posted August 12, 2003 Originally Matt Hardy vs. Chris Benoit was scheduled for the U.S. Title finals, but it was changed when Eddie Guerrero's character took off so strong... If WWE wrestlers were polled right now, Guerrero would be considered the hottest act in WWE. Nobody begrudges his success, either, since he's considered a good guy who has more than paid his dues and is so versatile as far as personality, promos, and working in the ring. There is fear that McMahon isn't going to recognize how over Guerrero is because Guerrero isn't the bodytype he normally sees big money in... Bill Goldberg walked out of a storage closet on Raw for his match against Flair this week... Nick Dinsmore played the role of Doink on Smackdown two weeks back. Aaron Stevens played the role of the Easter Bunny on the PPV... Paul Heyman may or may not have been involved in the Brock Lesnar turn, but because he didn't get physical clearance from doctors after his physical late last month, his return was delayed. His building disc, a result of taking F5s, has not healed enough yet... Kidman and Torrie Wilson were on their honeymoon last week in Bermuda... The company is in the process of training a backstage interview woman named Rue for Smackdown. She's been at the last few tapings and is expected to debut on television shortly... The Smackdown writing crew is said to be going out of its way to find a role for Nikita, a female developmental worker. Although her start date has been pushed back several times, the latest word is that she will debut shortly... Although Smackdown writer Dominic Pagliaro has been criticized in some circles for not knowing enough about the wrestling business, he is praised in others for being "the only writing team member who doesn't act like he knows everything and has all of the answers." Those in favor of his work say Pagliaro is the only writing team member who is approachable when it comes to wrestlers who would like to make changes to what the writing team has formatted. He works mostly with lower card wrestlers which is an area that Vince McMahon isn't as involved or a hardliner about. Meanwhile, Bruce Prichard continues to have the reputation as someone who will only work with the top wrestlers, and Dave Lagana is considered the worst of the Smackdown crew when it comes to accepting suggestions or criticism from the lower card wrestlers... TNA's Alexis Laree has come up in several talent discussions. At one point, the creative team was even attempting to come up with an angle for her character... Last week's TORCH stated that the first Elimination Chamber involving Hunter and Michaels was earlier this year. It was actually last November at Survivor Series... Vince McMahon told a group of wrestlers at the Raw house show on Sunday that they should pay close attention to what he does because he knows how to draw heel heat and most everyone else doesn't... Rey Mysterio vs. Kidman appears to be off of SummerSlam at this point, even though that was the plan at one point... Rather than laying off more wrestlers, Jim Ross has gone to booking a group of lower card wrestlers part time at house shows on a rotational basis, but those wrestlers are still earning enough money to get by despite the scaled back dates. It's better than getting laid off, too, which many of them feared would happen at various times over the past year... John Cena took the loss to Undertaker at the PPV in stride, despite some people in the locker room expressing serious disappointment in how far Taker went to protect himself in the match even though he was winning. Cena considers it an honor to be working with someone at Taker's level at this point in his career, which is an attitude that is going endear him to management (and Taker, for that matter). Taker is held in high regard by most everyone in WWE, although some of the veteran wrestlers do see his actions primarily being self-preservation oriented rather than always doing what's best for the company... Some eyebrows have been raised in reaction to ads in New York for the next MSG house show. On the local ads, WWE promotes a four way title match with Brock vs. Angle vs. Big Show vs. Undertaker. Then, another frame comes up, "with special referee Mr McMahon" followed by a promised appearance by Stephanie McMahon. No mentions of the red-hot Eddie Guerrero or John Cena or Sable, but Stephanie was mentioned... Neil Lawi has been hired to be VP of Publicity for WWE. Dan Levy has been hired as VP of Brand Marketing. Both report to Executive VP of Marketing, Kurt Schnieder... When Triple H was unable to go on the Australian tour due to his torn groin, Goldberg was willing to make to the trip as a replacement, but WWE hadn't applied for him to get a working visa for the trip, so he logistically couldn't go... Ultimo Dragon speaks broken English, but enough to get by and talk through the basics of his matches with his opponents before matches. He still works a Japan/Mexico style where he's very "businesslike" in his matches rather than interacting with the crowd, which is why his push subsided so quickly. Vince McMahon was expecting a second version of Rey Mysterio Jr., and instead got something completely different - not worse, but different, and threw him off his plan... There haven't been any major uproars about Zach Gowen being treated as one of the wrestlers now that he's moved on from his "novelty act" position with Roddy Piper and Vince McMahon... Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
AndrewTS 0 Report post Posted August 12, 2003 So Brock injured Heyman too? Geez... Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Red Hot Thumbtack In The Eye 0 Report post Posted August 12, 2003 Vince McMahon told a group of wrestlers at the Raw house show on Sunday that they should pay close attention to what he does because he knows how to draw heel heat and most everyone else doesn't And ratings, can't forget about the ratings. Ultimo Dragon speaks broken English, but enough to get by and talk through the basics of his matches with his opponents before matches. He still works a Japan/Mexico style where he's very "businesslike" in his matches rather than interacting with the crowd, which is why his push subsided so quickly. Vince McMahon was expecting a second version of Rey Mysterio Jr., and instead got something completely different - not worse, but different, and threw him off his plan... Do these people not fucking bother to do even the slightest bit of research regarding high profile wrestlers they are going to bring in? Yes he is different, apparently he's worse to, or else we'd see him in a nice little CW feud instead floating. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
AndrewTS 0 Report post Posted August 12, 2003 "Do these people not fucking bother to do even the slightest bit of research regarding high profile wrestlers they are going to bring in?" Two words--"Nathan Jones." Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Kahran Ramsus 0 Report post Posted August 12, 2003 Do these people not fucking bother to do even the slightest bit of research regarding high profile wrestlers they are going to bring in? Yes he is different, apparently he's worse to, or else we'd see him in a nice little CW feud instead floating. I agree with your point, but let's face it. Rey IS better than Dragon. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Downhome 0 Report post Posted August 12, 2003 So Brock injured Heyman too? Geez... OMG, Brock Lesner is a killer BAH GAWD!@ Seriously though, how many people has he put out of action now? Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Downhome 0 Report post Posted August 12, 2003 Do these people not fucking bother to do even the slightest bit of research regarding high profile wrestlers they are going to bring in? Yes he is different, apparently he's worse to, or else we'd see him in a nice little CW feud instead floating. I agree with your point, but let's face it. Rey IS better than Dragon. Rey may be better than Ultimo, but Ultimo is better than the majority of the guys on TV right now. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
LooseCannon25 0 Report post Posted August 12, 2003 I understand why they're dissapointed with Ultimo Dragon though......the U.S. fans are like the total opposite of JApanese fans where they appreciate the sport, the fighting spirit.......Typical casual U.S. fans like the entertainment, characters, excitement, garbage. Ultimo just goes about his biz in the ring without much excitement or charisma......I personally like the guy, but others may think he's boring to watch Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Downhome 0 Report post Posted August 13, 2003 I understand why they're dissapointed with Ultimo Dragon though......the U.S. fans are like the total opposite of JApanese fans where they appreciate the sport, the fighting spirit.......Typical casual U.S. fans like the entertainment, characters, excitement, garbage. Ultimo just goes about his biz in the ring without much excitement or charisma......I personally like the guy, but others may think he's boring to watch The fans at WCW shows really seemed to enjoy his matches. Of course, that was WCW fans. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Mecha Mummy 0 Report post Posted August 13, 2003 Well, the Vengeance crowd seemed to really enjoy his match and signiature moves when he faced Kanyon on Heat.... Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
LaParkaYourCar 0 Report post Posted August 13, 2003 In WCW Ultimo played to the crowd a lot more than he is now. Or atleast to the camera. He loved making little faces or comments at the camera with Sonny Ono after his matches. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
LooseCannon25 0 Report post Posted August 13, 2003 I'm not claiming h'es not entertaining./.....im just trying to state what WWE thinks....Like i said....i like the guy Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
iliketurtles 0 Report post Posted August 13, 2003 Bill Goldberg walked out of a storage closet on Raw for his match against Flair this week... Buwhahahaha! I knew it! Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Red Hot Thumbtack In The Eye 0 Report post Posted August 13, 2003 Kahran Ramsus Posted on Aug 12 2003, 04:42 PM -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- QUOTE Do these people not fucking bother to do even the slightest bit of research regarding high profile wrestlers they are going to bring in? Yes he is different, apparently he's worse to, or else we'd see him in a nice little CW feud instead floating. I agree with your point, but let's face it. Rey IS better than Dragon. Well Dragon definitely has little clue about working a WWE, or even North American, style. He can't sell a match to the fans well here. I guess what I'm really saying is what is the point of bringing the guy in, when they don't understand what he does, and he doesn't understand what they do. It's not even a smart mark thing, it's simply a question about their business sense. Wasting the money, and messing with the fans. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
tekcop 0 Report post Posted August 13, 2003 (edited) Bill Goldberg walked out of a storage closet on Raw for his match against Flair this week... Vince McMahon told a group of wrestlers at the Raw house show on Sunday that they should pay close attention to what he does because he knows how to draw heel heat and most everyone else doesn't... Well... how about getting Lawler out of the commentator's box and have him teach them. Y'know since they can't themselves... EDIT: I'm a moron. Edited August 13, 2003 by tekcop Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Guest BionicRedneck Report post Posted August 13, 2003 Ultimo had some of the best WCW PPV matches of the 90s with Dean and Rey. Not to mention matches in Japan that make guys like Kurt Angle's best look shit. So, basically, Vince is a twat. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Bored 0 Report post Posted August 13, 2003 When Triple H was unable to go on the Australian tour due to his torn groin, Goldberg was willing to make to the trip as a replacement, but WWE hadn't applied for him to get a working visa for the trip, so he logistically couldn't go... I'm not a Goldberg fan but I thought I'd point this out since no one else will and since everyone jumped all over Goldberg last week when the report was he refused to go. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Guest BionicRedneck Report post Posted August 13, 2003 I'm not a Goldberg fan but I thought I'd point this out since no one else will and since everyone jumped all over Goldberg last week when the report was he refused to go. Shhhhhh. You're not allowed to say things like that. Just like you're not allowed to bring up the fact that Goldberg sold his shoulder at Bad Blood better than guys like RVD ever have. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
AndrewTS 0 Report post Posted August 13, 2003 I'm not a Goldberg fan but I thought I'd point this out since no one else will and since everyone jumped all over Goldberg last week when the report was he refused to go. Shhhhhh. You're not allowed to say things like that. Just like you're not allowed to bring up the fact that Goldberg sold his shoulder at Bad Blood better than guys like RVD ever have. Oh, he's allowed. It's just that a) this is old news and b) it's Goldberg--who gives a shit? Plus, hardly anyone saw Bad Blood anyway. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Vyce 0 Report post Posted August 13, 2003 TNA's Alexis Laree has come up in several talent discussions. At one point, the creative team was even attempting to come up with an angle for her character... Please God no. As a fan of Alexis, I don't want her hired. No one hit me with that tired old "It's everyone's dream to be in the WWE" bullshit either. I like Alexis. I don't want her a) as Vince's latest love slave, or b) as another meaningless woman wrestler lost in the shuffle of RAW, or c) paired off with a heatless monstrosity like Billy Gunn in a futile attempt to get them over. I want BETTER for her than that. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
AndrewTS 0 Report post Posted August 13, 2003 I don't want her a) as Vince's latest love slave, or b) as another meaningless woman wrestler lost in the shuffle of RAW, or c) paired off with a heatless monstrosity like Billy Gunn in a futile attempt to get them over. I want BETTER for her than that. You forgot d) jobbing to Torrie 17 times. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
ChrisMWaters 0 Report post Posted August 13, 2003 I don't want her a) as Vince's latest love slave, or b) as another meaningless woman wrestler lost in the shuffle of RAW, or c) paired off with a heatless monstrosity like Billy Gunn in a futile attempt to get them over. I want BETTER for her than that. You forgot d) jobbing to Torrie 17 times. 17 is a little too few, isn't it? Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Silence 0 Report post Posted August 13, 2003 I don't want her a) as Vince's latest love slave, or b) as another meaningless woman wrestler lost in the shuffle of RAW, or c) paired off with a heatless monstrosity like Billy Gunn in a futile attempt to get them over. WWE would either have her job to Torrie Wilson in pointless bikini matches or have Alexis job to Trish for the Women's title(assuming Trish gets it the 4th time, which she will eventually) over and over until Alexis starts jobbing on Heat to Jacqueline. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Silence 0 Report post Posted August 13, 2003 You forgot d) jobbing to Torrie 17 times. Shit, you beat me to it. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
The Czech Republic 0 Report post Posted August 13, 2003 The company is in the process of training a backstage interview woman named Rue for Smackdown. She's been at the last few tapings and is expected to debut on television shortly... It's Rue McLanahan. Picture THAT. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
AndrewTS 0 Report post Posted August 13, 2003 I think Nikita was the chick who was supposed to show up as Vince's illegit daughter--I hope that's not happening... Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Guest JMA Report post Posted August 13, 2003 I agree with your point, but let's face it. Rey IS better than Dragon. Well, he's faster and better at high-spots. But I think Dragon is a better mat-worker and sells more. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Silence 0 Report post Posted August 13, 2003 It's Rue McLanahan. Picture THAT. I don't know of her but let me make some guesses: Big breasts, ugly face, bad interviewing skills? Big breasts, pretty face, bad interviewing skills? Or just some old lady with bad interviewing skills? Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Guest Mulatto Heat Report post Posted August 13, 2003 Originally Matt Hardy vs. Chris Benoit was scheduled for the U.S. Title finals, but it was changed when Eddie Guerrero's character took off so strong... This is why I always take anything from the Torch with a grain of salt, and why they're inferior to the Observer in my book - I thought Billy Gunn was originally slated for the U.S. Title finals, and I do believe it was the Torch that said this. There is fear that McMahon isn't going to recognize how over Guerrero is because Guerrero isn't the bodytype he normally sees big money in... That's odd because there are similarities between Eddie's body type and Vince's. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
razazteca 0 Report post Posted August 13, 2003 It's Rue McLanahan. Picture THAT. I don't know of her but let me make some guesses: Big breasts, ugly face, bad interviewing skills? Big breasts, pretty face, bad interviewing skills? Or just some old lady with bad interviewing skills? I'm guessing its the Golden Girl. As for the Ultimo Dragon issue...........its a Conspiracy. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites