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Post by Stephanie McMahon's sidekick! on Jan 27, 2003 13:59:09 GMT -5
Bret Hart/WWE Update, Edge Storyline Dropped, Cena, More
The following news is derived and re-written from the Torch Newsletter.
The planned Edge vs. A-Train feud has been s Rubbishped from WWE storyline plans. Rather than accept the fact that he made the wrong move by picking A-Train over Matt Hardy, Vince McMahon expressed disappointment in Edge for not carrying A-Train to better matches.
There was a lot of curiosity over the decision to split up John Cena and B2 on SmackDown! recently. Many were curious why a duo, who had seemingly been on a good roll in such a short time, would be split up. No explanation was given for the break-up other than a WWE road agent informing them that he was merely sending a message from the creative team.
Bret Hart was originally invited to appear at the RAW 10th Anniversary special. He chose not to accept because he is still not fully recovered from the stroke he had last year. He mentioned on Dave Meltzer's "Wrestling Observer Live" that he is interested in a one-time appearance on WWE television to give the fans a "goodbye" speech.
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Post by Stephanie McMahon's sidekick! on Jan 27, 2003 14:01:20 GMT -5
SmackDown To 1 Hour? Triple H/Ric Flair, Konnan, More
The following news is derived and re-written from the Torch Newsletter.
Plans within the UPN network to cut SmackDown! to a one-hour show have ceased. Originally, UPN considered slashing the timeslot available for WWE to produce their weekly SmackDown! program to enable them to try airing something else in the timeslot to catch a better demographic.
Triple H has been using Ric Flair as a sounding board recently, somewhat testing what he has planned to say during interviews and seeing what response he gets from one of the greatest mic-men in history.
Konnan will be the guest on tonight's edition of WrestleZone Radio. If anyone wants us to ask Konnan a question on your behalf, simply e-mail me at Matt709@attbi.com.
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Post by Stephanie McMahon's sidekick! on Jan 27, 2003 15:36:51 GMT -5
More On Mick Foley's WWE Return, Goldberg Chat Tonight, more
Some of the following news comes from the WrestlingObserver Newsletter:
If you remember, we reported a while back that Mick Foley was invited to RAW X, but turned it down. At the time, details were scarce, but more have become available. Apparently, Mick Foley was asked to arrive at The World a good ten hours before the show was set to air, to be a part of the rehearsals. Mick was only interested in showing up as the show went live, picking up his award (while cutting a short promo), and leaving. Additionally, Mick did not feel that he should waste his return on something like RAW X, so he ultimately decided to turn down the invitation. There have currently been no talks as to bringing Foley back to WWE TV in another role.
Goldberg will be in a webchat tonight on AOL, beginning at 8 PM EST. If you are in the chat, please send a report in.
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Post by Stephanie McMahon's sidekick! on Jan 28, 2003 14:48:06 GMT -5
Interest In Bret Hart At No Way Out, Austin/RAW Magazine
Many inside WWE, under Vince McMahon but with influence, are pushing for a Bret Hart appearance at No Way Out, which interestingly enough, will take place in Montreal.
There was a similar motion backstage to have Bret appear at RAW X, but nothing came of those plans.
As of right now, a Bret Hart return at No Way Out is a long shot, even if both sides agreed that it would be a one-show deal. Although Vince and Bret are on speaking terms again, the push to bring Bret Hart into WWE for an appearance is not coming directly from Vince, as Vince believes it is too soon in their new relationship for a Bret Hart return.
The RAW Magazine featuring Austin's side of the walkout story is now available on WWEShopzone. The interview is twelve pages and Bischoff announced on RAW last night that it contains choice words on The Rock, HHH, and many other topics.
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Post by Stephanie McMahon's sidekick! on Jan 30, 2003 13:32:51 GMT -5
Nathan Jones Reputation, Hardy's Injury, McMahon Lawsuit
Matt Hardy worked the SmackDown! tapings in Milwaukee last night without any problems. We reported yesterday that Hardy injured his ankle after a spot went wrong during a match with Nathan Jones at a house show. Hardy's ankle was said to be a bit tender at the tapings last night, but nothing he can't work through.
The general consensus backstage as pertains to Nathan Jones is that he is a bit unappreciative of the position he is in and doesn't really show the type of respect that he should be showing to his fellow peers. Many are unhappy that despite his attitude and poor in-ring skills, he is still getting an incredible amount of time simply because he is a big guy who was in jail for a while.
Apparently, Vince McMahon is scheduled to be deposed in the Larry Zbyszko lawsuit over the "Living Legend" term today.
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Post by Stephanie McMahon's sidekick! on Jan 30, 2003 13:36:26 GMT -5
Next NWA-TNA Surprise Return, Hardy/Hurricane Injury Update
Tony Schiavone will be making his televised wrestling return on tonight's NWA-TNA pay-per view. Larry Zbyszko, Raven, and Mike Sanders will be on the show as well, but no Dusty Rhodes. Also, despite the big return of Tony Schiavone, another "surprise return" will take place on the PPV tonight. Check out 1NWATNA.com for more NWA-TNA news, as well as results after the show tonight to find out who made this week's surprise appearance.
Latest word on Matt Hardy's injury suffered during the Milwaukee house show match against Nathan Jones is an MCL sprain. He'll be working a reduced schedule (less house show dates) for a couple of weeks, but it's nothing he can't work through on television.
The Hurricane suffered an ankle injury this past Monday night on RAW as well, and is expected to miss action for around two weeks
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Post by Stephanie McMahon's sidekick! on Jan 30, 2003 13:38:30 GMT -5
Rock/Austin At WrestleMania, Goldberg, Victoria Injured
The plan is to go with The Rock vs. Steve Austin at WrestleMania in March if the deal with Bill Goldberg does not come through. As of right now, that deal is not looking likely as there is a big road block in negotiations in the form of money per match, and the amount of matches each side is looking for.
As far as The Rock is concerned, it looks as though he may only be working the match with Hulk Hogan at No Way Out, followed by the likely Steve Austin match (slight possibility of Goldberg) at WrestleMania. Initially, it was believed that Rock would be working WrestleMania and the following pay-per view, Backlash. However, now it seems as if we can look forward to the one-two combo of No Way Out and WrestleMania, and hopefully savor that flavor for a while as Rock will be gone for quite a bit afterwards.
Victoria has been working with a pretty banged up knee lately. She hopes to work until WrestleMania where she wants to get surgery on the knee and take the required absence from in-ring competition. This could be why Jazz was brought back this week, leaving Trish with another dominant heel female to work with in Victoria's absence.
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Post by Stephanie McMahon's sidekick! on Jan 31, 2003 15:09:56 GMT -5
HHH's Critics, Steve Austin's Return, WWE PPV Changes
The following news is derived and re-written from the Torch Newsletter.
It was Triple H's idea to pull his pants down and show his bare-ass at the RAW 10th Anniversary special. Apparently, HHH wanted to mock his critics who claim he doesn't show-ass (show vulnerability or weakness) in his feuds with babyfaces on WWE television. HHH came up with the idea to literally "show-ass" at the special as a way of mocking his critics.
WWE is starting to get serious about trying to make their brand extension more legitimate. Talk has stirred once again about running seperate pay-per views with the RAW and SmackDown! brands. If it takes, expect the pay-per view schedule to remain the same regarding the major four - WrestleMania, Royal Rumble, Survivor Series, and SummerSlam. That would leave the No Way Out, Backlash, Vengeance, etc. type pay-per views to be split up between RAW and SmackDown!
Vince McMahon was dead-set on bringing back "Stone Cold" Steve Austin at the RAW 10th Anniversary special due to the significance of the event and the fact that Austin was involved in almost every major award. Almost everyone was against the move as they felt Austin's return had to be saved for a major TV show or PPV. In the end, McMahon was talked out of his decision to bring Austin back at the event, and convinced to save it for a pay-per view, rather than a "shock TV" type non-promoted RAW return.
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