Enigma 0 Report post Posted October 13, 2004 WWE announced the ramifications of the new five-year contract with Sky in the U.K. which runs from January 2005-2010. The various Sky stations will carry all seven first-run shows, Raw, Smackdown, Heat, Velocity, Bottom Line, Afterburn, and Experience. They will also get six of the 14 PPVs as free TV specials. The other eight PPV shows, including the big four of Mania, Rumble, SummerSlam, and Survivor Series would air on Sky Box Office, which means Setanta Sports is being shut out in the new deal. The WWE Classics show, which of late was airing old WCW World Wide shows weekly (they were in 1992, the time of Bill Watts' arrival as of this past weekend) are being axed. The show didn't do much in the way of ratings. In exchange, and this hasn't been announced so it may not be finalized, Sky will be getting another hour of old footage from the proposed WWE 24/7 channel. Marianna Komlos, who worked in 1999-2000 under the name Marianna as well as the mother of Beaver Cleavage, passed away on 9/26 from breast cancer at the age of 35. She had several health problems over the past few year and the descriptions of her death by her fiancé on a bodybuilding web site described her last few hours as really horrible. Komlos was a competitive bodybuilder/nude fitness model, who was a big enough star in that world to have graced the cover of the November 1997 issue of Flex Magazine even though she actually only competed in three bodybuilding contests and no fitness contests. She had a number of magazine layouts and was a contemporary in that world of Torrie Wilson, Victoria (Lisa Marie Varon), and Trish Stratus. She was brought in during a period when both companies were at war recruiting fitness models to try and copy the Sable phenomenon. Komlos had sent in photos and was constantly calling Bruce Prichard looking for work. She had an in because she had met The Rock at a bodybuilding show and he'd get her backstage whenever they were running near where she lived, so a lot of company officials had an idea who she was. WCW had used Torrie Wilson, and then overloaded with people like Tylene "Major Gunns" Buck, Melinda "Midajah" O'Hearn, April Hunter, and others, and both companies were after Stratus. Russo came up with the idea of Beaver Cleavage, and they were looking for a blond with big breasts, and Prichard put two and two together. The angle was former Headbanger Mosh (Charles Warrington) being remade as Beaver Cleavage, doing an illusion of the mother/son incest angle and using music similar to the old "Leaver it to Beaver" TV show. The angle was heavily criticized, a total flop, and quickly dropped. They were remade as Chaz & Marianna, boyfriend and girlfriend. Quickly, they did an angle where Marianna accused Chaz of beating her and even called the "police," but it came out in a male-written soap opera, that the woman was a vindictive bitch who was caught on camera by GTV making it all up because she was mad about being broken up with. At about that time in 2000 in real life, Komlos' sister was found to have breast cancer. She wasn't being used and officially quit to go back home to Vancouver and help her out. In 2002, Komlos was diagnosed with breast cancer, which was already at Stage 4 and the cancer had spread. According to medical literature, breast implants have no link to breast cancer, although they may be associated with other problems. Silicon implants often impede X-rays of the breast in early detection of breast cancer, which is so important in the treatment. Saline implants do not impede X-rays and early detection. She underwent chemotherapy and radiation treatment, and eventually needed both of her breasts removed. Last year she was training to box when the cancer returned and led to a string of health problems. I didn't get to see the Mick Foley/JBL debate in Miami the day before the Bush/Kerry debate. The reports I read indicated both did very well. Foley was the more popular, because the student crowd was more Democratic leaning plus he was more popular. It was actually Foley, two members of the college debating team, and a local state senator against JBL, with similar partners, and the two wrestlers were apparently the standouts. JBL, who based on audience reaction, was getting beat, gave a few one-liners to save face trying to say the odds were stacked against him. At one point when one his college partners was speechless at one point that he knew he was in trouble when before the debate, he was all excited to meet Foley. At another point, he chalked up a negative response to the fact he's a bad guy on TV. The highlights will air on the 10/10 Experience show. The Rock is paying some attention to wrestling (a couple of weeks ago, he stayed up all night watching tapes; he also took some old Championship Wrestling from Florida tapes from the 80s tapes with him when he want to Prague on 10/4 to start filming the movie "Doom."). There are no plans at this point for him, other than possible drop-ins when Raw comes to South Florida or Southern California. With him being out of the country for a while, that won't happen any time soon. Jamie Noble was fired for disciplinary reason having nothing to do with being small or not thinking he had talent. He suffered an infection on his ass cheek and when the company got the doctor's report on it, they discovered something where they felt they had no choice but to let him go. A&E is doing lots of advertising for its 11/5 biography special on Rock, including a huge ad in Newsweek this week to go along with ads on buses in several major cities. Rey Mysterio missed the weekend before last and the TV tapings because of a family vacation he'd put in for months ago. He wasn't able to change his plans even though he was in a title match at the PPV (which, when he made his vacation plans, he was of the impression they had no plans for him). The company was totally understanding about it, although it was indicated to me, had this been Raw, which the people in charge for some reason care far more about, it would have been different. Real bad news for WWE is that Raw drew less than 100,000 viewers, the lowest in its history, on its third week in the new Thursday night time slot in the U.K. That is less than half of what it was averaging in the traditional Friday night slot. Jeffrey Dupree, who is the one year younger of brother of Rene Dupree, will be starting soon in OVW. The 10/25 Smackdown brand house show in Topeka was canceled. The company has sent out numerous contracts to various retired wrestlers or their families similar to the one noted last week offered to the widow of the late Bruiser Brody. We've been hearing from several more superstars from the past. What WWE is sending out is a five-year merchandising contract, which includes such things as video games, merchandise, and even book rights. The former wrestlers (or families of ex-wrestlers if they are deceased) get a $10,000 advance upon signing the contract and at that point, they will get a percentage of anything with their likeness. It's all part of trying to use the history of wrestling as a new marketing tool with the roll-out of the WWE 24/7 deal. The station is having a test roll-out in Pennsylvania and they will have tons of stuff for just $7 per month, including old PPV shows, MSG shows from the 70s and 80s, Nitro from the beginning, old Prime Time Wrestling shows, old ECW shows, as well as profiles on Hall of Famers all each month. Some view this as WWE attempting to buy up and recreate the history of wrestling. Another point of all this is they will sign up as many former stars as possible, making it impossible for TNA to use them. What may be a mistake is, as best we can tell, they are offering the same $10,000 deal to people long gone from the business or families who have long since gotten any money from wrestling that would gladly sign, and some major names of the recent past who have real marketability and made huge money, to where $10,000 would almost seem like an insulting offer, although the bigger names would likely have far more opportunity to make money through merchandise. WWE did well over Christmas with dolls of older wrestlers and everyone knows retro sports jerseys are huge. I don't know if Bruno Sammartino got sent a contract or not, although as everyone knows, he was one of the first people talked with about signing on. Jacqueline Moore (Jacqueline), who was fired in August, is doing a movie called "Night Fever." One of the reasons the WWE house show in Memphis drew well above average is that on the Memphis TV, they were pushing an angle very hard where Jerry Lawler would confront Steve Keirn (WWE agent) about how the Fabulous Ones were born. The segment was taped for Memphis TV, so both sides got something out of it. The angle saw Lawler (a heel) about to reveal how the Fabulous Ones were really created when Cory Maclin came from the audience and jumped Lawler. Anyway, on Memphis TV, they did finish the story as Lawler said in the early 80s (he said 1985, but it was really 1982), Jerry Jarrett was watching MTV and Lawler claimed he bet him $5,000 he could take two of the most useless wrestlers, dress them up, put them in music videos, and make big stars out of them. Lawler said he lost $5,000 on the bet. This is all supposed to lead to Lawler & Rock & Roll Express vs. Maclin & Fabulous Ones. HHH will be one of the hosts of the Mr. Olympia bodybuilding contest on 10/30 in Las Vegas. HHH is a huge bodybuilding fan and even did the announcing two years ago when the Olympia was on PPV. It's going to be back on PPV this year, but I believe HHH's role will be for the live audience. Several years ago as a present, Stephanie McMahon gave HHH life-sized posters of all the Olympia winners. Teddy Long, Chris and Nancy Benoit, as well as former Knoxville promoter Bob Polk and Georgia office worker Bobby Simmons were also at the Jim Barnett funeral. Long and the Benoits arrived late due to a miscommunication regarding the starting time. The McMahon family as well as the families of the Briscos and Dory Funk all sent flowers. Todd Romero, who we wrote about a few weeks ago, how now signed the deal to be a new announcer for WWE. He was a Kansas City sports anchor (as was Jonathan Coachman), who was let go for that job in February 2003, and has worked in real estate since then. He intends to continue his real estate job. He said he's being groomed for a play-by-play job and that he hopes this will get him close to his ultimate goal, which is an NFL play-by-play job. I'm not sure if that was my goal, that this would be the path I'd take, but working for WWE definitely beats being out of the business completely. There has been some talk in the Kansas City media on Romero going to WWE, with nothing indicating he has a long-time interest in the product. Right now, they've wanted a play-by-play guy ready to take over at some point for Jim Ross, since every time they've given Coachman the shot, he's been a disaster. But they really need to be looking at people who have at least some product knowledge, and if this guy's goal is NFL and he's looking at this as a stepping stone broadcast job, well, I guess he's probably good looking or something, and that's just how things are decided here. Upcoming house show line-ups have Chavo Guerrero returning as a babyface, although it seems he's going to get no push since he's working prelims with Carlito, who has been pushed so hard on TV. Because this actually became an internet headline because Honky Tonk Man reported that Kane had given notice and was leaving, here is the situation. Kane's contract is nowhere close to expiring. He was asked at TV and said he had no contractual or other problems with the company. He has not given notice. Nothing has changed regarding production of the movie in Australia he's scheduled to do shortly (if he had given notice, they would be in a panic there, so that’s the guaranteed sign nobody believes there are significant problems). He has made millions over the past eight years, but is also in the process of building a huge new home. Several sources indicated there was no story and nobody, at least in power, was even talking about it after Kane gave the reassurance there was nothing to it. After the Ric Flair deal, as noted, that was the only major topic of conversation. Terry Gordy's son Ray spent a few weeks in Louisville being evaluated by WWE officials. 9/20 Raw tapings in Tucson drew 3,500 but the big success was the 9/21 Smackdown tapings in Phoenix at 6,600. The only weekend show we got a report on was 10/1 in Portland for Raw which drew an estimated 2,000 and the 10/2 house show in Burlington, VT drew a nearly full house. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
JoeDirt 0 Report post Posted October 13, 2004 Thanks SD. The Jamie Knoble ass cheek infection thing is weird. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
snuffbox 0 Report post Posted October 13, 2004 Jamie Noble was fired for disciplinary reason having nothing to do with being small or not thinking he had talent. He suffered an infection on his ass cheek and when the company got the doctor's report on it, they discovered something where they felt they had no choice but to let him go. Hmmm. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
claydude14 0 Report post Posted October 13, 2004 Steroids? They can be injected in the ass. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Guest The Shadow Behind You Report post Posted October 13, 2004 Knoble did team with Billy Gunn for a short while... Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
JoeDirt 0 Report post Posted October 13, 2004 Steroids? They can be injected in the ass. I don't think Vince would fire someone for using steroids... It has to be worse than that. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Vyce 0 Report post Posted October 13, 2004 HHH will be one of the hosts of the Mr. Olympia bodybuilding contest on 10/30 in Las Vegas. HHH is a huge bodybuilding fan and even did the announcing two years ago when the Olympia was on PPV. It's going to be back on PPV this year, but I believe HHH's role will be for the live audience. Several years ago as a present, Stephanie McMahon gave HHH life-sized posters of all the Olympia winners. You know, of all of the homoerotic behavior associated with HHH over the years, this has got to be right up there near the top of the list. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Guest DeathBecomesYou Report post Posted October 13, 2004 Terry Gordy's son Ray spent a few weeks in Louisville being evaluated by WWE officials. He'd be a good signing I reckon, but since he's not a hoss I guess he's got no chance. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Dandy 0 Report post Posted October 13, 2004 They already said Noble was fired for an insurance claim. This was the "injury" he had, I guess. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
4hartthreat 0 Report post Posted October 13, 2004 Um, so there wasn't really anything in there going into more detail on the Flair-Vince argument? Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Guest LooneyTune Report post Posted October 13, 2004 Anyone actually know what kind of drugs (I'm assuming) cause you to have serious infection on your ASS? Also glad to see WWE is signing Rene Dupree's brother, who is probably less talented than he is, making him the new "Worst Wrestler Ever". At least Rene has the french dance to get over...what will his brother do? The Jedi Walt? Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Red Hot Thumbtack In The Eye 0 Report post Posted October 13, 2004 Anyone actually know what kind of drugs (I'm assuming) cause you to have serious infection on your ASS? It's not from drugs, it's from either a dirty needle or dirty site of application. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Dobbs 3K 0 Report post Posted October 13, 2004 What's the remark about Bruiser Brody and that contract about? I missed that one. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
RavishingRickRudo 0 Report post Posted October 13, 2004 The WWE wants the rights to use the images of old(er) wrestlers without getting sued. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Guest Loss Report post Posted October 13, 2004 There's also another bonus to that, and I wonder if even WWE has picked up on it. One complaint you often hear about the way wrestling is run is that the guys don't have any real retirement plan and that they're spit out after they're no longer of use. It's not a huge amount of money, especially to guys who are used to making far more, but it at least creates a situation where retired wrestlers can still make money after they're retired. This is a good thing. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
RavishingRickRudo 0 Report post Posted October 13, 2004 Yeah, that's the first thing I thought "Hey, this is a nice thing to do". Of course, they're really just protecting their asses and I wonder if the people signing the contracts really know the worth of what they're signing over. But then again, they're making _nothing_ on all the "best of" tapes floating around the internet, so something is certainly better than nothing. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
The Amazing Rando 0 Report post Posted October 13, 2004 HHH will be one of the hosts of the Mr. Olympia bodybuilding contest on 10/30 in Las Vegas. HHH is a huge bodybuilding fan and even did the announcing two years ago when the Olympia was on PPV. It's going to be back on PPV this year, but I believe HHH's role will be for the live audience. Several years ago as a present, Stephanie McMahon gave HHH life-sized posters of all the Olympia winners. You know, of all of the homoerotic behavior associated with HHH over the years, this has got to be right up there near the top of the list. Man, even his WIFE knows he's a bit fruity. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Guest Loss Report post Posted October 13, 2004 Agreed, Rudo. People like Randy Savage and the Ultimate Warrior, Hell, even Backlund or the Horsemen or Hall and Nash or Steamboat are getting severely underpaid if all they're getting is $10,000. They can certainly make way more money than that off of the nostalgia of the above-mentioned names. For people like Greg Valentine and Tito Santana and Rick Martel, it's a good thing. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Open the Muggy Gate 0 Report post Posted October 13, 2004 9/20 Raw tapings in Tucson drew 3,500 but the big success was the 9/21 Smackdown tapings in Phoenix at 6,600. Smackdown doing better than RAW? Woah! Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
SamoaRowe 0 Report post Posted October 13, 2004 9/20 Raw tapings in Tucson drew 3,500 but the big success was the 9/21 Smackdown tapings in Phoenix at 6,600. Smackdown doing better than RAW? Woah! Further evidence that people are sick of Triple H Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
MillenniumMan831 0 Report post Posted October 13, 2004 Agreed, Rudo. People like Randy Savage and the Ultimate Warrior, Hell, even Backlund or the Horsemen or Hall and Nash or Steamboat are getting severely underpaid if all they're getting is $10,000. They can certainly make way more money than that off of the nostalgia of the above-mentioned names. For people like Greg Valentine and Tito Santana and Rick Martel, it's a good thing. Well, $10,000 is $10,000. Plus, it said they'd get a percentage of anything w/ their likeness (How much this would be? Who knows?). So, they could either pout about having their likeness used, sue (which can be a long, stressful, expensive, consuming process), or take the cash and be ok w/ it. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Guest Loss Report post Posted October 13, 2004 I'm just saying a $10K downside for someone like Randy Savage is kind of insulting, and he's the same guy who chose to sit on the sidelines in WCW for free because he thought he was being underpaid. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
MillenniumMan831 0 Report post Posted October 13, 2004 I see your point. But it'd be absolute hell for WWE to try to determine the fair market value of so many of the former wrestlers individually. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Guest Loss Report post Posted October 13, 2004 I see your point. But it'd be absolute hell for WWE to try to determine the fair market value of so many of the former wrestlers individually. Oh no doubt. I hope there's a clause somewhere in the contracts though, that allows them to renegotiate the downside after the first year. That way, they can cut their losses on guys like The Iron Sheik and give guys like Savage and Warrior raises in cases where it's warranted. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Guest whitemilesdavis Report post Posted October 13, 2004 The sad thing about that is guys like Savage and Warrior are set for life, while guys that would get cut - Sheik, etc. probably really need the money. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
benoit4hor 0 Report post Posted October 13, 2004 Wait it a minute, Noble had a rash on his ass and they didn't turn it into an angle with Heidenreich? Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Guest Sylvan Grenier Report post Posted October 13, 2004 9/20 Raw tapings in Tucson drew 3,500 but the big success was the 9/21 Smackdown tapings in Phoenix at 6,600. Smackdown doing better than RAW? Woah! 6,600 is a "big success"? WOAH! Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
The Mandarin 0 Report post Posted October 13, 2004 Jamie Noble was fired for disciplinary reason having nothing to do with being small or not thinking he had talent. He suffered an infection on his ass cheek and when the company got the doctor's report on it, they discovered something where they felt they had no choice but to let him go. Jeez, what is Bradshaw dipping those baby carrots in? Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
The Amazing Rando 0 Report post Posted October 13, 2004 9/20 Raw tapings in Tucson drew 3,500 but the big success was the 9/21 Smackdown tapings in Phoenix at 6,600. Smackdown doing better than RAW? Woah! 6,600 is a "big success"? WOAH! well nearly doubling Raw (which is supposed to be the Flagship Show) is pretty good and shows that fans care about it and that's it not "the B show" in their eyes. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Guest Your Winner... Report post Posted October 13, 2004 Agreed, Rudo. People like Randy Savage and the Ultimate Warrior, Hell, even Backlund or the Horsemen or Hall and Nash or Steamboat are getting severely underpaid if all they're getting is $10,000. They can certainly make way more money than that off of the nostalgia of the above-mentioned names. For people like Greg Valentine and Tito Santana and Rick Martel, it's a good thing. I'd say that the percentages would be varied between the superstars, obviously depending on their popularity and amount of footage they appear in. At least $10,000 is a nice sweetener to sign on but the bigger money is in the percentages/royalties they'd receive. As mentioned $10,000 wouldn't do much for the Savages, Steamboats, Warriors etc but they'd see the big picture in the amount of footage they'd be appearing in and the dollars that would flow. The era that would be most popular in regards to books, merchandise etc would the 80's to 90's and those superstars are the ones who are gonna clean up from this sort of deal, just by sitting around on their arse! Thats my dream job! Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
