haVoc 0 Report post Posted April 20, 2004 Undertaker Still Has Supporters Backstage EVERYONE doesn't hate him..... Despite the fact that the Undertaker has many people against him backstage, he still has a lot of supporters as well. Many look up to 'Taker as the leader of the Smackdown locker room. Many point out the fact that he never left WWE when almost everyone else did. However others are quick to point out that 'Taker always told Vince McMahon that he had gotten offers from WCW, forcing McMahon to increase his offers. It is thought by many that WCW never really made any offers to 'Taker since they would not be able to use the gimmick in WCW. Sable Losing Popularity Backstage Again Attraction to Brock may have something to do with it... After being well liked upon her return to WWE, Sable's popularity is once again sinking backstage. Sable was hated backstage during her previous run with WWE. One of the reasons people have turned against Sable is due to the fact that she was so outwardly attracted to Brock Lesnar even though he was in a relationship with the mother of his child at the time. Credit: Torch Newsletter/411 More WWE Talent Cuts Could Be Coming Johnny Ace has a list of people who could go... More WWE talent cuts could be coming soon. Sources indicate that new Vice President of Talent Relations, Johnny Ace, has a short list of people who could be on the way out. Zach Gowen, Ernest Miller, Kanyon, Goldust, Spanky, Terri Runnels, and Sean O'Haire have all, for one reason or another, departed from the company this year. Most of them were released. Credit: 1wrestling/411 New Japan Announces Intentions To Sign Steve Austin The bidding war for Austin begins... New Japan Pro Wrestling told the Japanese media today that they intend to sign Steve Austin. Austin is currently the biggest name for the Japanese promotions to go after. Austin wrestled for New Japan while under contract with WCW in the early 1990s. Meanwhile, Pride's HUSTLE events will also be an option for Austin. Goldberg works with the HUSTLE series and he and Austin have had interest for awhile now in working a bout together. The two are good friends. Austin has been in talks with HUSTLE for weeks now. One possible option for Goldberg and Austin is to wrestle each other in Japan, then use the footage to air a one time only U.S. PPV. Credit: PWInsider.com/411mania Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
TheFranchise 0 Report post Posted April 20, 2004 I would have thought that Austin/Goldberg would NEVER happen. I never thought about a non-WWE promotion though. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Spaceman Spiff 0 Report post Posted April 20, 2004 More WWE talent cuts could be coming soon. Sources indicate that new Vice President of Talent Relations, Johnny Ace, has a short list of people who could be on the way out. John Heidenreich Tommy Dreamer (great guy, but what good is he doing on the roster?) Jacqueline There's 3 "superstars" that should get released, but won't. Good thing they re-hired Grand Master Sexay! Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Guest BillyTheStud Report post Posted April 20, 2004 I'd say that Tommy Dreamer and Jacqueline are very likely. They don't release useless hosses until several failed pushes, and since Big Johnny has only one he stays Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
C Dubya 04 0 Report post Posted April 20, 2004 Huh, I didn't know that Terri left. I always found her hot in an odd sort of way. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Guest Trivia247 Report post Posted April 20, 2004 well He gotta get the money to Pay Animal's Salary somehow. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Guest JMA Report post Posted April 20, 2004 Huh, I didn't know that Terri left. I always found her hot in an odd sort of way. Well, she was very hot in the nineties. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
ChrisMWaters 0 Report post Posted April 20, 2004 The name Earnest Miller on the cut list reminds me... What ever happened to the more entertaining member of that duo, Lamont? Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
buffybeast 0 Report post Posted April 20, 2004 One of the reasons people have turned against Sable is due to the fact that she was so outwardly attracted to Brock Lesnar even though he was in a relationship with the mother of his child at the time. Why would people dislike Sable for what she chooses to do in her personal life? Sure, going after a man who is in a relationship is scummy. But it wasn't like she was being a bitch to her coworkers the way she was in the late nineties. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Guest Banders Kennany Report post Posted April 20, 2004 The name Earnest Miller on the cut list reminds me... What ever happened to the more entertaining member of that duo, Lamont? He is actually still under contract. He was Dupree's butler in OVW. Management were really high on him and love his ability, so they just sent him back there for the time being until they find a way to bring him back. As for who gets cut, I think Tommy Dreamer, Shannon Moore, Jacqueline and Steven Richards are almost all definite. Jon Heidenreich is gonna stay because he's a hoss. He sucks, but to be fair he didn't really get a failed push because they dropped his gimmick right off the bat and buried him against Rico. Where is he anyway? Injured or OVW? I would say Spike as well if he wasn't Spike DUDLEY. Without the connection to Bubba and D-Von he would be totally nowhere. The bidding war for Austin begins... New Japan Pro Wrestling told the Japanese media today that they intend to sign Steve Austin. Austin is currently the biggest name for the Japanese promotions to go after. Austin wrestled for New Japan while under contract with WCW in the early 1990s. Meanwhile, Pride's HUSTLE events will also be an option for Austin. Goldberg works with the HUSTLE series and he and Austin have had interest for awhile now in working a bout together. The two are good friends. Austin has been in talks with HUSTLE for weeks now. HUSTLE? I've never heard of this. I am assuming this is shootfighting group PRIDE's wrestling arm, as Austin and Goldberg certainly aren't going to do any shootfights. It's also weird that Austin and B.G. have been speaking of doing a match together for a while and it never went down. It seems like Austin would be able to wrestle if he's fielding offers and talking up his matches, which makes you wonder why the WWE never did it. And a question for people more familiar than puroresu with me.....New Japan is currently Japan's top promotion, correct? Who is number two? I'm assuming the number two won't be able to offer the moeny NJPW can. (If HUSTLE is a wrestling group backed by PRIDE as I surmised, they can put in a bid because of the Goldberg advantage and the dinero lining PRIDE's coffers from shootfighting promotion, but that doesn't necesarily make them number two.) One possible option for Goldberg and Austin is to wrestle each other in Japan, then use the footage to air a one time only U.S. PPV. I bet WWE will use try to use their clout to try to prevent it from being carried on certain providers, as well as not allow them to buy commercial time on their shows. I don't know if they can actually do the first one though. Still, I have my doubts the average American will be willing to shell out big PPV bucks to see essentially one match, because it is doubtful they would have interest in the stars of Japan holding up the rest of the show. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Placebo Effect 0 Report post Posted April 20, 2004 I have an odd feeling Richards will be kept around, if only because he's an established name to keep around for Heat. And he's been consistently booked for quite a while, unlike Tommy Dreamer, who hardly ever works anymore. But then again, this is all Johnny Ace now, so shit's changing. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Jericho2000Mark 0 Report post Posted April 23, 2004 I bet they could promote Austin-Goldberg like a boxing PPV, by selling an entire show on that one match, and hold it in the States. Austin & Goldberg could probably promote it themselves. Then fill the Undercard with a bunch of Indy talent and WWE rejects. Austin-Goldberg might not draw what it would have 5-4 Years ago, but there are definitely people who still wan't to see it. I have no doubt it would be the highest grossing Non-WWE U.S Wrestling PPV in years. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Scroby 0 Report post Posted April 23, 2004 I wouldn't be surprised if Dreamer got dropped, same thing happen to Sean O'haire. SOH got sent down to OVW then released and guess where Dreamer is..OVW. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Fökai 0 Report post Posted April 23, 2004 EDIT: Nevermind. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
haVoc 0 Report post Posted April 23, 2004 The name Earnest Miller on the cut list reminds me... What ever happened to the more entertaining member of that duo, Lamont? He is actually still under contract. He was Dupree's butler in OVW. Management were really high on him and love his ability, so they just sent him back there for the time being until they find a way to bring him back. Adding him to the Dupree/Fifi combo sounds pretty good. Actually, surprised they didn't make him Bradshaw's Virgil yet. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
humongous2002 0 Report post Posted April 23, 2004 I'm surprised that Dreamer is still in WWE, i haven't seen him on HEAT in a long time. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
EdwardKnoxII 0 Report post Posted April 23, 2004 Big Show Gets Knee Surgery; Update On Brock Another big WWE name is out... - The Big Show had knee surgery this past Tuesday and will be out for a few months. - The Minneapolis Star Tribune has put up an article about Brock Lesnar. In it, Brock's agent says that 14 NFL teams has expressed interest in Brock's tryout next month. Brock's agent also stated that Lesnar made about $10 million over four years in wrestling. Credit: PWInsider.com Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
haVoc 0 Report post Posted April 23, 2004 I have a really hard time believing 10 million. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
TheFranchise 0 Report post Posted April 23, 2004 I have a really hard time believing 10 million. As do i, he did wrestle high calibre matches in two WrestleMania's and two Summerslams, but 10m seems suspiciously high. Maybe it would work out if you add all the endorsements and personal appearances and personal items, ie shirts etc. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
2GOLD 0 Report post Posted April 23, 2004 I have a really hard time believing 10 million. As do i, he did wrestle high calibre matches in two WrestleMania's and two Summerslams, but 10m seems suspiciously high. Maybe it would work out if you add all the endorsements and personal appearances and personal items, ie shirts etc. Plus muscle magazines, GNC type product ads, if he got a percentage of merchandise or PPV. It all depends on his contract. 10 million over 4 years, so bout 2.5 million a year....I could see that. Doesn't mean he still has it, but I could see him making that. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
TheFranchise 0 Report post Posted April 23, 2004 Actually, a signing-on fee could be what tops the number off. If Vince saw potential in him, he's have thrown money at him. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
thuganomics 0 Report post Posted April 23, 2004 10 million seems realistic. I wouldn't be surprised if he gave him a half mil just to sign on, plus a developmental deal far superior to any elses. That plus his merchandise sales and repeated PPV bonuses and PPV main event bonuses coupled with the contract he signed a few months ago which was ridiculously high, makes me believe ten mil easy. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Guest Brian Report post Posted April 23, 2004 He had a lot of main events to add on to. I don't think his merch did that well, but he should have signed for pretty good money given his background, and probably reluctance to join immediately, and especially on the heels of Angle's relative success. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
