21- 28th October news/possible spoilers

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What You Didn't See On WWE RAW Last Night

-- Thanks to reader Michael Mills for the following:

Raw was live tonight from Nashville and yours truly was in attendance. The Gaylord Arena was suprisingly empty tonight. The entire non-tv side was near empty, while the tv side was full as usual. Our seats were just next to the ramp and stage, right above the floors. I was able to get a few good sneak peaks behind the stage, but it didn't serve much interest.

The show started off with three contestants from 101.1 The Beat, a local radio station, having a contest on who could do the best Spinerooni! The youngest of the three one it with a pretty d**n good spinerooni, and won the chance to meet the man himself, Booker T.

A dark match with R.C. Haas and a few other jobbers took place at the beginning of the show.
Sunday Night Heat kicked off with Lita getting a huge pop from the crowd. The matches were decent, and the Nashville crowd was starting to get into it.

Lilian Garcia started the show off with her beautiful rendition of the Star Spangled Banner. From there, the show kicked off for the nation, live from Nashville, Tennessee.

In between commercial breaks, the crowd was treated to WWE vignettes, Desire videos, and t-shirt giveaways.

The Katie Vick segment with HHH posing as Kane seemed to have come off really bad live. Its presentation, while neatly done, seemed rather outlandish and obscene to many in attendance. While it did appear that the masses found in humorous, many parents were in fact either leaving with their children during the segment, or just before the segment began. One instance was where a mother and her son, sitting just in front of me, actually got up and walked out once the Warning came on the Titantron. Lots of obscenities and upset fans voiced their opinions throughout the segment. Overall, I think it might have been a bad move by the WWE, and to have saved content such as that for a PPV, but regardless, the segment worked to build HHH as a heel, gain some humor, and help to put over the Kane/HHH angle once more.

For the crowd being so small considering its turnout last year for Raw, and earlier in the year for Judgment Day, there seemed to be a loud roar throughout the night.

The Biggest Pops:
HBK
Booker T
Kane
RVD

Biggest Heat:
Triple H
Lance Storm & William Regal
Jericho
Eric Bischoff

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Randy Orton Update, Torrie Wilson's Father, & More

The following news is derived and re-written from the Torch Newsletter.

Developmental territory sources claim many were pushing for WWE to cut Randy Orton due to the belief that Orton had nothing to offer the company. Obviously that never came to fruition as Orton received quite the push upon switching to the RAW roster mainly because Jim Ross likes him because of his father and college football background.

The original plan was for an actor to play Torrie Wilson's father when the idea was written for her father to catch her during random "T&A" segments such as her recent bikini contests with Nidia and Dawn Marie, as well as her lingerie showdown with Dawn Marie. However, Torrie Wilson suggested that her real father be used, which writers quickly agreed to.

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Locker Room Reaction To HHH/Katie Vick Footage

Apparently, Vince McMahon and some of the other "yes-men" thought the Triple H skit with "Katie Vick" came off as a success on last night's RAW.

A number of people reportedly became vocal in the locker room of their disgust with the angle during the show. Whatever that means, your guess is as good as mine, but the word going around is that some couldn't sit back and not express their concern with such a controversial segment.

The general consensus as far as goals for that particular segment, is that the McMahon's are hungry for another media frenzy like they had with the Billy & Chuck committment ceremony. That is the reason behind an article on WWE.com, that we posted earlier, "apologizing" for the segment and having the executive producer, Kevin Dunn, make an official statement about it.

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Paul Bearer Speaks On Vick/HHH Segment, TE3 Rating, more

Sources: The Wrestling Classics Website, WWE.com, thenewTNN.com

-- Below is a short statement from former WWE employee Paul Bearer, now going by his former gimmick of Percival Pringle III, on the Katie Vick segment aired last night on RAW:

"I am horrified! I never thought that I would ever be proud to say that I do not work for Vince McMahon any longer."

-- If you wish to voice your displeasure, or any other sort of feedback, you can do so by emailing the WWE at [e-mail], or via telephone at [phone].

In addition, if you wish to speak to TNN about the issue, you can give them feedback at their feedback form, located at the website below:

www.thenewtnn.com/mail_form.jhtml

-- And finally, according to Nielsen Media Research, the debut of WWE Tough Enough 3 on MTV last Thursday (17th October) came off with a 1.5 cable rating, and a 2.4 share.

A note of interest is that it was also the highest rated MTV program for the entire day.

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WWE Cheapest Sport To View Live, Promoter Screwing Wrestlers Again

Source: TheHonkyTonkMan.com, Various

-- Thanks to The Honky Tonk Man for the following:

"Brian Dixon, a longtime UK promoter has stopped several of the UK guys working for the "Real Wrestlers Tour" promoted by Jake Roberts.

"Dixon says he will cancel ALL their dates with him if they work with us. A couple are still coming." said a Roberts spokesperson."

-- In a recent interview with Koko B. Ware, it was revealed that around Christmas time last year, Koko’s house was burnt down. Everything in the house was ruined and lost, with Frankie the bird, who had been in the Ware family for 15 years and had been a huge part of Koko’

This USWF are having a benefit show this Saturday (October 26th) to help Koko through this difficult time financially.

-- And finally, there is a story on Forbes.com which outlines the average price for the premiere events of different sports.

Wrestling is mentioned, with WrestleMania of course being the premiere event in question, and with an average ticket price of $60, it is the cheapest price from all of the top sporting events.

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More Confirmed Matches For UFC 40 - Vendetta

UFC 40: Vendetta takes place live on pay-per view on November 22nd. Everyone knows about the highly anticipated showdown between Ken Shamrock and UFC Light Heavyweight champion Tito Ortiz. However, that won't be the only eye-appealing fight on the show.

UFC Welterweight champion, Matt Hughes, will defend his title against a man who hasn't fought since January, Gil Castillo. Also, a former three-time Canadian jiu-jitsu champion, Carlos Newton, will take on relatively unknown Pete Spratt. The undefeated Robbie Lawler, youngest competitor in UFC, will take on a submission and kickboxing expert in Tiki Ghosen. A man mixed-martial arts fans desperately want to see challenge Tito Ortiz, Chuck Liddell, will be taking on Brazilian Renato "Babalu" Sobral.

You can order tickets for UFC 40: Vendetta by going to Ticketmaster.com, or by calling [phone]. UFC 40 will be live only on pay-per view, November 22nd. For more information on UFC, and mixed-martial arts in general, I reccommend everyone check out MMAWeekly.com.

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RAW Rating Sinks From Past Weeks

Many will not be surprised to know that the RAW rating for last night fell from the past two weeks. Whereas it came in at 3.8 in those weeks, it scored a 3.7 this week.

In this situation, one has to look at the positives and negatives. There was all kinds of heat about the HHH/Katie segment, so that would definitely contribute negatively. However, the rating stayed in a good range due to coming off a decent PPV in No Mercy.

WWE really cannot afford to fail on this Kane "screwing HHH" angle because the ratings are certainly not guaranteed to hold and more bad shows will mean lower ratings.

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Scott Hall Causing Controversy In NWA-TNA

The following news is derived and re-written from the Torch Newsletter.

NWA-TNA released a press release claiming there was no heat between them and Scott Hall for Hall missing the last two shows in a row.

Apparently Scott Hall received a call at the airport two weeks ago informing him that he didn't have a babysitter for his children, which caused him to call NWA-TNA management informing them that he wouldn't be able to make it.

NWA-TNA was said to be fine with the situation, and scheduled a "call-in interview" for the show that night. However, when NWA-TNA called Hall during the show for the interview, Hall simply ignored his phone. NWA-TNA understood the situation since it was on short notice for Hall, but were curious as to why he had to miss the next week's show when he had more than enough time to find someone to watch his kids.

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Undertaker's Absence, HHH/Katie Vick, Survivor Series

WWE management was said to be sad that no media outlets covered the HHH/Katie Vick segment from this past Monday's RAW. The reason behind the segment when they planned to do it was that it would garner a lot of mainstream attention. However, no media outlets mentioned so much as a word about it, to WWE's surprise. How can WWE be surprised when just a few months ago they worked the mainstream media with the committment ceremony?

As reported earlier, Undertaker was involved in an angle at last night's SmackDown! tapings that will explain his absence from WWE television for a few months. Last night was his last television appearance for WWE for quite some time due to his wife's pregnancy, and his elbow injury. Due to the fact that Undertaker will be out well past Survivor Series, the current plan is to have Brock Lesnar vs. Big Show as the main-event, now that Big Show is a SmackDown! superstar.

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Terri/Ivory Topless, Controversial HBK Commentary, more

Source: TheHonkyTonkMan.com, Reader Information

-- Below is an excerpt from a very controversial commentary on TheHonkyTonkMan.com. Everything below is written by The Honky Tonk Man himself, and expresses the views and thoughts soley of HTM. To read the commentary in its entirety, head over to TheHonkyTonkMan.com:

"I have written on a few occasions about the "Oh Brother Tour," wrestling's answer to men of the cloth. Names such as "The Show Stopper" Shawn Michaels and "Red Rooster" Terry Taylor have popped up in my "Oh Brother" commentaries. I have said that I did not believe one ounce of their bullnuts. I was criticized by a few, "Cussing Cowboy" Bill Watts for one, who called me angry, and applauded by a few more for commenting on a subject (religious wrestlers) no one wants to dissect.

Let me lay it out this way, and please, if you think O.J. didn't kill two people and Clinton didn't leave a semen stain on Monica's dress, don't read this or any more of our commentaries here at the most controversial website on the net.

Fact # 1: Michaels is a born again believer in something. We know this because he said so himself. His life is in order, he prays to God. God tells him to go back to the WWE. God tells him to wrestle. God must tell him more than just this, wouldn't you think? He says he prays everyday. About what? I know what you right wingers are going to say now. "HTM, what a man prays about his personal business and you shouldn't pry into it." Well, hell's bell's, why shouldn't I? If he steps up to the plate and says God is telling him something, then he is in his own way trying to sell his bill of goods to us to make us think this is what you have to do to get back into the ring. Isn't there more to it than that? Does his God just speak to him about a match and nothing else? Why does his God say nothing about the WWE storylines and the points they are trying to get across to the public?…"

-- Recently, WWE.com launched a new subsite, the Divas Undressed area. Unfortunately, it seems that they did not check the pictures they’re uploading all too well, as there are a couple of shots of nudity.

In one of Ivory’s pictures, there is a see through top, akin to the sort of pictorials that WWE often throws in as a treat to fans. This was clearly intended to be uploaded by WWE, but the second picture clearly is not.

The second picture, this time of WWE’s new found backstage interviewer, Terri, is on her 5th picture. She is leaning onto the top a chair, with a cigar in hand. Also hanging out, is her right breast.

With WWE recently uploading a topless picture of Jackie to the site, and pictures of Torrie Wilson and Trish in see-through tops in the past, they are either attempting to act as if they are making huge mistakes, or they are simply very, very bad at checking before uploading content.

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Undertaker Gone From WWE, Seriously Injured, & More

- Just two days after his battle with Brock Lesnar in the Hell In The Cell, The Undertaker sat down with WWE.com to discuss numerous issues. Here's a transcript of the interview.

Undertaker has some swelling in his lower back, causing him pain. He hopes it will subside with rest and has no plans to see a doctor for it yet. He did mention that the pain was more on his left side, not the right, where he has had problems with his hip.

He talked about continuing the match despite all the blood he was losing, saying it made him more aggressive. He discussed the feelings going into the match, knowing it would be brutal. Undertaker needed 18 stitches to close his head.

He felt this was the most brutal of all the Hell in the Cell matches, despite not having a huge bump off the top. He said that the original intent of the Cell was for two men to be trapped inside with one emerging victorious, and that is what they accomplished on Sunday. He said that he hoped they have redefined the match now to where someone doesn't have to always fall off the top.

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Mick Foley's WWE Return Cancelled, Kevin Nash Update

Although WWE announced their "big surprise" on last week's Byte This! informing fans that Mick Foley would join the show this Friday, it appears that there was a change of plans. Foley has been removed from the list of guests to appear on the show, with it now just being Eric Bischoff and the Jackass cast member, Steve O.

Kevin Nash appeared at the Mr. Olympia show this weekend. Those who were in Las Vegas for the event told me that he was very nice to fans and didn't look bad for someone who has been injured for a while.

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Batista & Stacy Take Caution Over Recent Sniper Attacks

The following article comes from WWE.com:

NASHVILLE, Tenn. - Oct. 21, 2002 - A resident of the Northern Virginia/D.C. metropolitan area, Batista is like all parents in the area in this time of sniper shootings. He wants to be close to his kids.

But as a World Wrestling Entertainment Superstar, he doesn’t have that luxury. Instead, he can only leave his two daughters, 12 and 10, at home with his wife, and pray for the best.

“A couple (of the shootings) have been very close,” Batista said. “The first thing you think about is your kids. You don’t want them at the bus stop. You don’t want them at the park.”

He said a recent shooting was so close to one of his daughter’s schools that the entire building went into a state of lockdown.

He said he particularly enjoys taking his daughters out to dinner on his days off, but they rarely if ever do that lately. His wife works at a restaurant “and business is just non-existent,” he said. “And if people are eating out, they don’t want a window seat.”

Batista said he calls home frequently - he even did that before the sniper scare - and that his kids should be fine with their mom.

“They’re mother is overprotective,” he said. “They’re in good hands.”

Batista describes living in the area right now as “eerie, surreal, creepy.”

“It’s really strange being at a gas station and seeing people ducking while they’re pumping gas,” he said. “Christian and (Chris) Jericho connected at Dulles (Airport, in D.C.) and they were a little spooked out by it. It’s affected people all over.”

Meanwhile, Stacy Keibler, a Baltimore native, said the closest shooting was 45 minutes from her house.

Over on the SmackDown! brand, referee Mike Sparks is a resident of suburban Richmond, Va., about 10 minutes from the most recent shooting. He has two kids, ages 6 and 2.

“It really bothers me,” Sparks said. “Especially on this trip. When I left home (on Saturday), there hadn’t been (any shootings) for about a week. The same day I left, there was a shooting. That night, I was getting ready to go overseas (for a week, for the upcoming international tour).

“I just hope they catch him. And I think they need to make an example out of him.”

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Goldberg's New Look, Randy Orton's Heel Turn, & More

Over at Bill Goldberg's official website, someone asked Goldberg in the "Question & Answer" section if he was considering getting another tattoo. Goldberg responded and said he had already gotten a new tattoo. The new tattoo is on his forearm and is a skull with blood dripping out of its' mouth.

Two weeks ago on RAW, Randy Orton cut his first heel promo in WWE. During that promo, he plugged an e-mail, [e-mail]. It appears as though when you send an e-mail to that address, you receive an automatic reply message from Randy Orton. The reply message is basically a heel promo in text, where he gloats at how much fans love him. The message even says that although his shoulder is injured, the rest of his body isn't, and he said the ladies know what he means.

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Update On WWE/Huge New Talent, RAW Mistake, more

-- Thanks to Brad d**ens for the following information on the wrestler who faces Albert on Velocity last Saturday, 19th October 2002:

"This week's edition of Velocity, taped in Toronto Canada, featured a young up-and-comer by the name of Bobby Rood, in a try-out match for the World Wrestling Entertainment.. As the eager "local boy" made his way to the ring in front of the curious audience, his oversized opponent, Albert, stood in the middle of the ring waiting..

"The Natural" Bobby Rude (spelt Rude normally) has been a superstar in Canada for the last few years, after training with Shane "The Glamour Boy" Sewell, he started wrestling in Atlantic Grand Prix Wrestling.. Recently, Rude has wrestled mostly out of eastern Canada’s Real Action Wrestling and Atlantic Coast Wrestling, winning both of those top singles titles, and clearly emerging as the true superstar of the region.. Rude was a member of the biggest heel faction to ever tour Eastern Canada, called The Kardinal Sinners with Kowboy Mike Hughes, Kingman & The Acadian Giant (aka Kurrgan of WWF fame).. Rude was extremely over as a heel, with his ability to create an amazing amount of heat from a crowd of only 100 fans.. When Rude left the Sinners, he became the most popular wrestler on the tour, showing his awesome versatility..

Back to the try-out; In what traditionally would have been a squash match, Bobby was given a considerable amount of time to showcase his skills.. The commentators spoke positively about Rood during the match that saw him climb the ropes and deliver picture perfect missile dropkick and nearly scored a pinfall on his hairy opponent.. Even the uninformed crowd took notice when Albert's shoulders were nearly pinned to the mat.. Albert rebounded and finished Rood off with the dreaded boot to the head for the win.. That was not the end of it though, Albert started to leave, only to return to the ring and destroy Rood with the baldo bomb!

Yeah, he lost.. So what? He looked great, and that's what counts in a try-out match.. He didn't botch anything and was solid the entire match.. I hope that management was paying attention because Rood could light up their cruiserweight division with the right push.. Even in a poorly paired match-up, Rood managed to pull in an impressive performance, imagine how great he would be when matched up with Jamie Noble, Crash Holly or Shannon Moore.."

-- Thanks to Andy Steven for pointing out that if you would like to know anything more about the near 7ft monster, former WWA champ Nathan Jones, who is currently on trial with WWE, you can go to nathanjones.vze.com/.

-- And finally, thanks to five readers for pointing out a RAW mistake.

"If you notice at the end of Raw when Kane abducted HHH, they didn't block off the license plate number and as Kane drove away you could see the trunk pop open. It then shuts a couple of seconds after he drives off."