WWE Creative Addition, Hogan Possible for Rumble!!

[Guest wrestling365]

News and notes from my weekend ezine:

 

 

Former WCW booker and NWA wrestler Kevin Sullivan is expected to join

the WWE backroom staff within the next few days. I'm told he is being

brought in as both an agent and as part of the creative team. Sullivan

is widely recognized around the business for being a good idea man. The

impression I get from talking to insiders is that bringing him in will

eventually help to neutralize some of the bad Hollywood scripts churned

out by non-wrestling people who currently sit on the WWE writing

committee. Also for those historians out there, I'm told that any heat

between Sullivan and Chris Benoit (who stole away Sullivan's ex-wife

Nancy a/k/a "Women") was recently laid to rest. In my opinion this is a

great move for the company. His wealth of experience and knowledge will

greatly benefit many of the young talent currently struggling to find

their way.

 

Now the following should be taken as a rumor as I can't completely vouch

for the validity of my source. I can say that this particular source has

been very reliable for me in the past. Here goes... Kevin Sullivan and

WWE road agent Ricky Steamboat are currently part of the festivities at

the Wrestle Reunion fanfest in Tampa, FL. My source has told me that

Sullivan and Steamboat will be flying direct to the Royal Rumble

pay-per-view in Fresno, CA at some point later today on a private jet...

and that jet belongs to none other than Hulk Hogan. So if this story

turns out to be accurate there is a very real chance that Hogan will be

part of tonight's Royal Rumble. Once again, this should be taken as a

rumor or with a grain of salt.

 

With regards to Internet talk of Brock Lesnar being the mystery entrant

for Smackdown in the Royal Rumble match... the extra spot before he got

injured was originally reserved for Rob Van Dam. So there was no long

term plan to have a mystery entrant. Now I wouldn't say Lesnar appearing

is impossible, but highly unlikely based on what people inside the

company have told me. However it should be noted that he does want to

return and there has been recent communication with Vince McMahon.

 

Daniel Puder was a guest on 'The Pain Clinic' radio show out of

Rochester, NY yesterday morning. He said that he's been preparing for

the Royal Rumble with OVW in Louisville all week. He described his first

ever pro match with Bob Holly at a house show as "horrible" and he

basically got the crap beaten out of him. The WWE have also ordered him

to take his personal website down which has been the case with many new

talent recently ala Chris Masters. A funny story from the interview...

Puder said that when they were doing Tough Enough, Al Snow took them to

an indie show and said: "what ever you see here tonight PLEASE don't

do." You can listen in at www.feelthepain.net

 

W365 reader Brandon sent word that Rey Mysterio was a guest on B95 Radio

out of Fresno, CA yesterday afternoon. He talked about breaking into the

business and his time with WCW. He noted that a lot of the major stars

were holding down the younger talent back then. He is a lot happier

these days in the WWE. You can view some pictures of him in the studio

here: http://tinyurl.com/6fta9

 

ECW original Hack Myers was a guest on the 'Between The Ropes' radio

show out of Orlando, FL the other night. He said that he recently spoke

to the WWE's Tommy Dreamer regarding the ECW PPV in June and he said

that it's still just a rumor at this point. It's something they want to

do but it's not locked in stone yet.

 

The rumor concerning former WWE star Andrew "Test" Martin and Stacy

Keibler splitting up is not true. They are still very much an item.

There is MySpace.com web page up describing Test as a 'Canadian guy in

Tampa looking for a good time' but it's a fake: http://tinyurl.com/4o2x7

 

Matt Hardy has opened a new website at www.thematthardy.com and notes in

his web column that he hopes to return to action in March: "I'm not at

100 percent right now, but my goal is to be 100 percent by early March.

When that happens, I'll be cleared by my doctor, and then it could be

anytime. Believe you me, I will be back better than ever before we know

it."

 

Hardy also discusses Lita's recent knee surgery: "Speaking of ACL

injuries, I feel terrible for Amy (Lita) having to endure this painful

road that I've been traveling the last four-plus months. I really hate

that she suffered such a severe injury in such a freakish accident.

After overcoming her career-threatening broken neck, she was finally

back to where she wanted to be and doing awesome. It goes to show how

you can't take your health or physical well-being for granted, as all it

takes is a moment to change things."

 

Trish Stratus has updated her website with details on a few upcoming

projects: "Stacker 2 has signed me on as an official spokesperson, so

watch for a national commercial coming to a TV near you as we just

finished filming! I'll soon have more details as to when the product

will launch and when the commercial will air. For my Canadian fans, I

just shot my third cover for UMM Magazine. We shot some really unique

stuff, I can't wait for you to see it! Imagine 2 RAW Divas and 2

Smackdown Divas dishing the dirt! Well, watch for the upcoming issue of

Stuff, where you can catch me with Stacy, Torrie and Amy. Should be

delicious!" Link: http://tinyurl.com/3us35

 

The IGN website has a good interview up with Shawn Michaels to promote

the Royal Rumble. Here is an excerpt: "The Rumble itself is special for

a couple of reasons. The first, right now, is that the Rumble brings the

two brands together, and that's something that the fans don't get to see

on a regular basis. For those of us who are on the Raw brand, to hook up

with the guys from the Smackdown brand is our chance to go in there and

get a hold of guys that you normally don't get a chance to work with.

For me, that's exciting. That's one of the things that I really enjoy

about this business, and that's getting in there with different styles

and different guys and seeing where you stand. That's the only way to

keep yourself good in this line of work, and that's to be competitive

with other athletes. When you're just in there with the same guys on a

regular basis, I think there's a chance to become a little, I don't want

to say lazy, but I'll say complacent. So to get a chance to go in there

and mix it up with these other guys is exciting. The Rumble is also big

because the winner of the match gets to move on to Wrestlemania, and

it's already time to start thinking about that. Wrestlemania is the time

of the year where careers are made or broken. So that's also a reason to

get excited." Link: http://tinyurl.com/728vl

 

The U.K. Sky Sports website has an interview up with Chris Benoit where

he talks about the possibility of Bret Hart returning to the WWE: "I

doubt whether he would be able to wrestle again, but I would love to see

him come back and do some promotional work, to give him an opportunity

to say thank you to all the fans around the world. I think he

contributed so much to the business. He and Vince made a great team,

they both did a lot of business as a team for this industry and I would

like to see them throw away all the bad feelings between them, shake

hands, and see Bret back even if it is to say farewell to all the WWE

fans." Link: http://tinyurl.com/57h7y

 

WWE.com has an article up on Scotty 2 Hotty who recently returned to the

ring following a testicular cancer scare. Its one of the few non-kayfabe

articles left on the website: http://tinyurl.com/6rl87

 

Michael Tearson sent this in... The sports section of the Saturday 1/29

Philadelphia Inquirer has a terrific large picture of Eagles receiver

Freddie Mitchell after last Sunday's NFC championship game posed with

both the George Halas trophy (NFC championship) and a full sized replica

of the WWE's World Championship belt. Freddie loves to call himself the

People's Champ, and when he celebrates on field he does that hands

across the waist "I want the belt" move we see all the time from

wrestlers.

[TheFranchise 0]

No... No he can't enter the Rumble

[Sonic Reducer 0]

Hopefully Lesnar's the mystery entrant.

 

Interesting Hogan story, however.

[Guest Trivia247]

For some reason I find Hogan's Manipulations with his daughter even more distasteful than his manipulations to stay in the top spots in WCW. Hogan seems to be riding on his Little girl's coat tails to keep himself active in the public eye. I haven't heard Brooke Sing or anything, but let the girl either stand or Fail on her own merits, not because of Hulk's involvement that might taint whatever result comes to Brooke's Career.

[Guest Dazed]

Let's turn this into a game. If Hogan IS in the Rumble, you can continue posting these newsbits. But if he isn't, we'll agree that your rumour filled posts are getting slightly old, and ban you from posting them.

[Guest Coffey]

I thought that Brock signed a contract to wrestle in Japan? Wouldn't that keep him from wrestling in WWE?

[Guest wrestling365]

Let's turn this into a game. If Hogan IS in the Rumble, you can continue posting these newsbits. But if he isn't, we'll agree that your rumour filled posts are getting slightly old, and ban you from posting them.

 

Okay how about I meet you half-way... if Hogan doesn't show in Fresno (i.e. doesn't appear on the PPV or isn't seen backstage) I give my word I'll never post another news-bit again. I'll comment on others, but never post one myself... shake???

[tbondrage99 0]

My God yes! Bring Hogan in! Bring Hogan in the rumble and let him win!!! ...And dammit Im not being scarcastic!!

[Guest eBayBrison]

God I hope Hogan isn't in the rumble. I hope Lesnar isn't either (dispite him being a big draw). I hope it's a legend..... like.........er...... Marty Jannetty~! Okay now I'm being sarcastic.

 

Brison

[Hunter's Torn Quad 0]

It's almost impossible Hogan is the mystery entrant. If he is, it would be the ultimate example of being a mark for the pop. Hogan's return can generate one big buy rate boost, and you don't get that without advertising it like crazy. Not to mention the fact that he won't be winning, and you know Hogan isn't making his return with a loss. Same deal with Lesnar. Doing the mystery guy deal with either Hogan or Lesnar would be bad business. When either guy returns, and they both will at some point, the best thing for business is hype the hell out it beforehand.

[Fökai 0]

I thought that Brock signed a contract to wrestle in Japan? Wouldn't that keep him from wrestling in WWE?

He can't sign a contract with another promotion until the roster freeze on his WWE contract expires (March 15th, 2005).

[Guest eBayBrison]

I thought that Brock signed a contract to wrestle in Japan? Wouldn't that keep him from wrestling in WWE?

He can't sign a contract with another promotion until the roster freeze on his WWE contract expires (March 15th, 2005).

I heard the same thing though. WWE agreed to let Brock sign with some Japanese promotion. It's just he can't wrestle with them until the freeze expires. I think that's where Coffey is mis-understanding.

 

Brison

[Guest Dazed]

Let's turn this into a game.  If Hogan IS in the Rumble, you can continue posting these newsbits.  But if he isn't, we'll agree that your rumour filled posts are getting slightly old, and ban you from posting them.

 

Okay how about I meet you half-way... if Hogan doesn't show in Fresno (i.e. doesn't appear on the PPV or isn't seen backstage) I give my word I'll never post another news-bit again. I'll comment on others, but never post one myself... shake???

 

Yeah, okay.

 

HTQ - You'd almost think that was the reason for the bet.

[The Tino Standard 0]

I really don't think those guys flying on Hogan's jet to Fresno is that big of a deal. They're all buddies from the wrestling industry, and maybe Hogan is just doing them a favor.

 

- Wait a minute! Hulk Hogan doing a favor for someone in the wrestling industry and not having an ulterior motive?! Surely, I must be losing it.

[Fökai 0]

I heard the same thing though. WWE agreed to let Brock sign with some Japanese promotion. It's just he can't wrestle with them until the freeze expires.

None of the promotions have gotten to the negotiation stage with Lesnar - they're busy falling over themselves trying to get his services.

[AndrewTS 0]

Am I the only one worried about KEVIN SULLIVAN COMING IN?!

 

"The impression I get from talking to insiders is that bringing him in will

eventually help to neutralize some of the bad Hollywood scripts churned

out by non-wrestling people who currently sit on the WWE writing

committee."

 

I'm speechless.

[Precious Roy 0]

Any truth to the rumour that the IRON SHIEK will be the "mystery entrant"?

[Precious Roy 0]

Am I the only one worried about KEVIN SULLIVAN COMING IN?!

 

"The impression I get from talking to insiders is that bringing him in will

eventually help to neutralize some of the bad Hollywood scripts churned

out by non-wrestling people who currently sit on the WWE writing

committee."

 

I'm speechless.

I really don't think it matters. He might have a couple ideas used, maybe have a slight influence on the direction of a minor program, but it's still the Stephanie and Hunter show. At the very least I'd say it can't hurt anything, because his influence will be so miniscule and shit like "The Dog" and Varsity Club 2000 won't fly, and because anyone with his level of experience is better than guys who previously made a living writing sitcoms and failed pilots.

[Guest wrestling365]

Any truth to the rumour that the IRON SHIEK will be the "mystery entrant"?

 

No I talked to Shiek last weekend and he said that he was mis-quoted/mis-understood on the radio show the rumor stemmed from. He has to walk with a cane now after a 2003 auto accident. He has talked to WWE officials recently though and might be involved at the Hall of Fame at Wrestlemania 21, but that's ultimately up to Vince or the people getting in Vince's ear...

[Guest Hass of Pain]

None of this seems overly credible to me.

[Lil' Bitch 0]

The Iron Sheik can barely walk and that was BEFORE the car accident he got into.

 

The WWE have also ordered him to take his personal website down

 

I never got this. They did the same thing with Randy Orton and Paul London. WTF?

[Guest Fook_Theta]

I'll take Kevin Sullivan over any of the current creative/booking. Sad state of affairs, but I cannot fathom how you can't see it the same way.

 

Honestly I wish they'd bring Sullivan in with Steamboat, have them show up in the crowd or on stage with Malenko and cut a "shoot" promo saying they're tired of watching Flair and Triple Ass(thanks Chyna!) fuck around. Call Vince out and kick his stupid ass. Have JR and Tazz or whomever is doing commentary make a huge deal about them and run an invasion-type angle.

 

Probably make a trio of Sugar Shane Helms, Val Venis, and Nova or Rosie the next night on Raw, or play it out for a few weeks.

 

It would breath some life into the midcard and might end up being a show stealer atleast for some people.

[what 0]

For some reason I find Hogan's Manipulations with his daughter even more distasteful than his manipulations to stay in the top spots in WCW. Hogan seems to be riding on his Little girl's coat tails to keep himself active in the public eye. I haven't heard Brooke Sing or anything, but let the girl either stand or Fail on her own merits, not because of Hulk's involvement that might taint whatever result comes to Brooke's Career.

He's trying to use his name to get his daughter publicity. His daughter is a nobody.

[Mole 0]

Ahh, not one thing he said was true.

 

What is this, "WrestlingHotNews.com" or something.

[Fökai 0]

I never got this. They did the same thing with Randy Orton and Paul London. WTF?

Very interesting, indeed.

 

On the other hand, many wrestlers have very successful websites (Jericho, Helms, Batista, Trish, Victoria, etc), and the WWE haven't asked them to take their site down (at least not publicly).

[Guest Super Pissed Smark]

No, I guess none of it is, but at least part of it

 

Sullivan

is widely recognized around the business for being a good idea man. The

impression I get from talking to insiders is that bringing him in will

eventually help to neutralize some of the bad Hollywood scripts churned

out by non-wrestling people who currently sit on the WWE writing

committee.

 

made me laugh and laugh and laugh.

 

[Guest wrestling365]

No, I guess none of it is, but at least part of it

 

Sullivan

is widely recognized around the business for being a good idea man. The

impression I get from talking to insiders is that bringing him in will

eventually help to neutralize some of the bad Hollywood scripts churned

out by non-wrestling people who currently sit on the WWE writing

committee.

 

made me laugh and laugh and laugh.

 

 

 

"if you really think im stupid then why odnt we do this.... ask me some academically related that you consider difficult and actually know the answer to, and ill do the same. tread carefully though.... you will lose. "

[Guest Super Pissed Smark]

Is that your quote I'm using in my sig? If it is, I'll be happy to change it to reflect that.

[Guest eBayBrison]

The battle of the newbs has erupted...... here we go....

 

On-Topic: I found the perfect person to be in the RR tonight....... Sting...... er...... it would be cool but not possible. That would just be awesome. Especially if he rappelled into the ring (I know this isn't possible too, due to the Owen Hart incident). But I could just imagine it. Would blow me away.

 

Brison

[jester 0]

Am I the only one worried about KEVIN SULLIVAN COMING IN?!

No, you can count me in among the worried.

 

Sullivan was politicking and holding down since before it was cool.