news/ spoilers 16th-22nd

[Stephanie McMahon's sidekick!]

HHH Injury Update, Edge Buys A House, WWE Wrestlers Get Food Poisoning

Triple H out 2-3 weeks, and that’s good news
TAMPA, Fla. – Dec. 17, 2002 – Various injuries to Triple H’s right thigh will keep the Game out of the ring for two to three weeks. But Triple H was extremely relieved to get that prognosis today, as he feared the injury could have been a lot more serious. Continue reading at WWE.com.

Edge to buy his mom a house
The Canadian heartthrob promised himself and his mom, Judy, that he’d buy her a house once he became a World Wrestling Entertainment Superstar. On Dec. 23, one day after the final SmackDown! taping of the year, Edge will fly to his native Toronto and do just that. Continue reading at WWE.com.

SmackDown! Superstars battle food poisoning
TAMPA, Fla. – Dec. 17, 2002 – After watching the SmackDown! taping tonight, it seemed hard to believe that many of the Superstars on the show are only starting to get over a major case of food poisoning. Continue reading at WWE.com.

[Stephanie McMahon's sidekick!]

SmackDown! Wrestlers Suffer From Food Poisoning

The following report is from WWE.com.
After watching the SmackDown! taping tonight, it seemed hard to believe that many of the Superstars on the show are only starting to get over a major case of food poisoning.

Chris Benoit wrestled Kurt Angle in the main event tonight. Eddie and Chavo Guerrero were also major parts of the taping. All of them seemed like they were 100 percent healthy.

But last night, both Guerreros, Benoit, Dawn Marie, about a half-dozen other SmackDown! Superstars, as well as all of the SmackDown! referees, were dealing with stomach pain. And some of them, as one Superstar put it, were "puking our guts out."

"I thought I had the flu," said referee Mike Sparks. "Then I heard that other guys on the SmackDown! crew were sick. There was some talk that the only isolation we had - the only time we were all together - was on the charter plane (late Saturday night) from Jacksonville to Ft. Lauderdale. We all had the same food."

The prevailing theory around the locker room today is that the turkey sandwiches that were served on that flight were contaminated.

To Read The Rest Please Visit WWE.com:

[Stephanie McMahon's sidekick!]

Dec 30th RAW Update, Smackdown! Leaving UPN, WWE PPV's

WWE will no longer air their PPV programs in Australia, as Armageddon was the last PPV available in the country. NWA-TNA will replace the WWE and is now available in Australia.

The Dec 30th RAW will be an episode entitled "The Best of RAW" Year in Review. The WWE Talent will get the New Years Holiday off to spend time with their family and this week both RAW & Smackdown will be taped over the weekend. RAW will return at the beginning of the year and gear up for it's big 10th anniversary show.

The WWE's contract with UPN Network will expire in August of 2003. As of right now there is no news on whether or not Smackdown! will continue to air on UPN or if they will look at other networks to air the program.

[Stephanie McMahon's sidekick!]

Billy Gunn's Return, Injury Update, Future With Chuck

The following is a Billy Gunn interview with WWE.com. The interview was conducted backstage at Monday's RAW.

WWE.com: So what brings you out here today?

Billy: This is my hometown. I thought I’d come see the RAW guys because I know everybody misses me. I’ve been gone for about a month and a half now and when I’m gone that long everybody has a tendency to miss me (laughs).

WWE.com: How’s your rehab going?

Billy: It’s going good actually. The nerves will probably take a while, but the shoulder’s good. Hopefully that will come back with the rehab and stuff so I won’t have to have anything done to it.

WWE.com: Are you in a lot of pain still?

Billy: Um, no. There’s a little clicking and clacking going on in my shoulder. That’s from a couple torn ligaments that need to be fixed. But it’s just mostly nerve damage. My shoulder went out again and it just killed all the nerves in my arm.

WWE.com: Now, what actually happened?

Billy: Me and Chuck (Palumbo) were wrestling Eddie and Chavo (Guerrero). I went to give Chavo the One-And-Only. I picked him up, and I turned to go get Eddie. He grabbed onto my arm and my shoulder came out and kind of stared me in the face. It twisted all the pins and wires that I already have in there. They didn’t stick it back in for like an hour. That’s what killed all the nerves. It stretched them out.

WWE.com: Does it concern you that this is the second major injury to that shoulder?

Billy: No, brother. I came back from the worst shoulder injury you could ever have. So this is just like a little setback for me right now. It concerned me when the nerves went, but once I had my test and it came back that none of my nerves were damaged, that was the best thing. The test, mind you, was brutal. They stuck like a three-inch needle in like every inch of my arm all the way up into my neck and stuff, hooked it up to a computer and just shocked the living s--- out of me. But I didn’t feel a lot of it. Just the needle sinking through was enough for me (laughs).

WWE.com: Any indication when you might be back?

Billy: No. The thing about nerves is they could all come back in a month. I could have my shoulder looked at and come back in another month. It just depends on the nerves and the nerves are like the most unpredictable thing you have in your body. There’s nothing I can do about them. I can’t do anything to help them along. It’s just got to come back by itself.

WWE.com: Talk about the timing of the injury. Do you think it made you and Chuck go your separate ways too soon?

Billy: Oh no. Chuck is fine without me out in the ring. You know, personally he’s lost because I’m his sidekick. It was more of a setback for me because we had pretty much done our split. I was fixing to go onward and do whatever I needed to do. Of course, the swift kick in the ol’ nuts put the brakes on that (laughs). But I’ll be fine. When I come back, I’ll come back just larger than life like I usually am and just entertain the people like I do so well!

WWE.com: Other than rehab, what are you going to do with your free time?

Billy: Well I’ve been building my new truck outside: F-350, V10, supercharger that I can jump cars, crush cars and go through mud with. We just finished that. I couldn’t do much with it, but a good friend of mine builds trucks and stuff so I just sat around and did a little bit. I’m limited to what I can do with one hand, but it was pretty good. It was cool.

WWE.com: Do you do any competitions?

Billy: I was in a truck show the day after we finished it. Then it got dumped in the muck. It’s just a little hobby. My kids love it.

WWE.com: How’s it feel to be back here today?

Billy: Love it. WWE’s my home because that’s all I’ve known for the past 10 and a half years. To me, this is what I do. This is what I’m good at, whether I’m in the back helping the young guys catch on a little faster. Just being one of the people that they can ask advice because I’m one of the people that’s been here the longest. If it’s happened, it’s all happened to me. And I don’t treat people any higher than me, any lower than me. We’re all doing the same thing. We’re all out there to entertain the people. Some people have a knack for it and some people need to be kicked up a little bit for it. I feel that’s what they look for me to do, to kind of help them catch their niche and not try to copy something. Try to help them develop their own character. That’s the best part of it. I mean, I love getting out in front of the people, and I love helping the guys back here too.

[Stephanie McMahon's sidekick!]

Kevin Nash Return Update - Diesel Comeback, & More

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

It doesn't look like Kevin Nash will be ready to go come Royal Rumble in January. Nash had gone on record as saying he wanted to be back from his quad tear suffered in July by January, forecasting an incredible 7 month absence from an injury the much younger Triple H took 9 months to return from. Nash mainly wanted to be back in time for WrestleMania, which would mean he would need to be in the swing of things again by January, as he wanted a big WrestleMania payoff.

Nash has expressed interest in returning with his old Diesel gimmick as well, but there's no guarantee that he will return with it. If anything, it'd be likely for him to return as Kevin Nash, but with shades of the old Diesel gimmick, as no one would buy him being a big trucker in this day and age.

[Stephanie McMahon's sidekick!]

Torrie Talks About Her Recent Lesbian Role & More

TAMPA, Fla. – Dec. 17, 2002 – You might think that making out with Dawn Marie would stand out as a highlight in anyone’s life. But for Torrie Wilson, the Divas’ infamous hotel room encounter was all business. WWE.com spoke to Torrie backstage before the SmackDown! taping in the St. Pete Times Forum to find out what se thought of the storyline.

WWE.com: What did you think about this storyline between you and Dawn Marie?

Torrie: Actually, to be honest with you, when I was told by Paul Heyman the idea for the storyline, I thought it was a really good idea. I thought it makes her out to be such a good heel and gives her a lot to go on. This is all acting for me, and I know Dawn and I both come from an acting background. So we both know this is our job.

WWE.com: So it wasn’t weird at all, even after the fact?

Torrie: To be honest, no, not really. It was just a TV kiss. It’s not like we tongued each other (laughs). In some ways it was a little easier kissing her than these big, sweaty men I’ve kissed here in the past (laughs).

WWE.com: How was it working with Dawn Marie?

Torrie: I love working with her. She’s so easygoing. We can basically tell each other anything, like if we have any problems with anything. The poor girl. I just gave her a black eye and she still doesn’t hate me.

WWE.com: How’d you give her a black eye?

Torrie: Actually, last Thursday on SmackDown! I went out there and beat her up and I slapped her across the face. The bone in my hand hit her face. I was off target a little.

WWE.com: Was it weird at all that your father and your fiancé were watching the hotel room scene?

Torrie: Yeah. More than that, I don’t know if my dad really watched it. I was just in catering with him just now and I noticed as they were airing that he was looking at his plate of food. He did not look at the TV once (laughs)! It was a little scary for me to watch it with all of the boys in the back crowded around the monitor. That was a little intimidating.

WWE.com: Your fiancé seemed to be enjoying it.

Torrie: Yeah. He didn’t have a problem with it at all. I actually think that the way they built it up, he thought it was going to be a lot worse than it was. He even said, “You know. That wasn’t that bad at all.”

WWE.com: Would you do this again if you had to?

Torrie: For the right storyline. I realize this is my job and it’s all entertainment, and I don’t take anything that seriously.

WWE.com: Is your father going to continue to be on TV?

Torrie: To be honest I don’t know. I think he’s going to be around for a few more weeks at least, yeah.

WWE.com: How do you feel about that?

Torrie: I’m really happy for him. I don’t think anybody expected this to last more than a month or two and it’s going on over three months now. He’s had a longer run than some wrestlers have (laughs). He’s going to have good stories to tell for the rest of his retirement years.

WWE.com: You’re acting seems to be constantly improving. Have you been working on that on your days off?

Torrie: No. You know what? I actually was taking a lot of acting classes and pursuing acting when I lived in L.A. I did that for about two years and that was about three years ago. For me, it’s a lot easier to act and get into character when I have something going and I do have a character to get into. Sometimes, especially for the girls, when you’re a good girl it’s hard to find a character and you feel very vulnerable out there because you’re just so exposed and it’s hard to act.

[Stephanie McMahon's sidekick!]

Royal Rumble Promo Poster, Austin/HHH Relationship, Smackdown!

The relationship between Steve Austin and HHH could play a large role in where Austin ends up when he returns. As has been reported, Austin and HHH are not on good terms as of right now and there are some who believe this will push Austin over to Smackdown! rather than a return to RAW as had previously been planned. Also, a large interest will be placed on whether or not Scott Steiner is able to pick up the slack that an Austin return would have had to RAW, thus enabling the WWE to use Austin to bump the Smackdown! ratings. No matter what the scenario may be, you can expect Austin to play out much like Steiner when he returns, appearing on both shows until he is placed only on one.

As of right now it looks as though the WWE will try their best to work with UPN and keep Smackdown! on the network. As I reported yesterday, the contract that the WWE has with UPN to air Smackdown! expires in August of 2003.

Thanks to Josh Adkins for sending in the following:

The WWE has released their Royal Rumble 2003 Promotional Poster, which features a glossy HHH surrounded by a ring. The WWE is sure to hype the upcoming match between Scott Steiner & HHH at the Royal Rumble and have indeed begun that with this poster.

[Stephanie McMahon's sidekick!]

Kurt Angle's Injury/Return Update, Lesnar/Dawn Marie, more

Kurt Angle underwent successful arthroscopic knee surgery yesterday in Birmingham, Alabama. As seen on last night's SmackDown!, WWE edited out the segment in which Brock Lesnar "injured" Kurt Angle with repeated shots to his knee, so it should be interesting to see what they do regarding Angle's condition at Sunday's SmackDown! tapings. Kurt Angle is expected to be back in action before Royal Rumble.

Dawn Marie and Chavo Guerrero will be appearing on WWE's Byte This! webcast today at 4 PM EST.

[Stephanie McMahon's sidekick!]

Big Bossman's Return, DDP/WWE Update, more

The Big Bossman, who has not been seen on WWE TV in quite some time, will be hosting the RAW party at The World this Monday. As a reminder, RAW will be taped tomorrow, so will not be live when it airs on TV this Monday.

It was reported on this website a while back that DDP was no longer with WWE. As you know, he suffered a neck injury many months ago that ended his career as an in-ring wrestler, although there was some talk of him pursuing another role on WWE TV. In the end, however, he was released. Sources state that this release is due to a contractual clause that stated if he suffered an injury that would cause him to miss five or more months of ring time, the contract would be terminated. DDP considered a comeback, but Vince McMahon and Jim Ross agreed that it would risk even more severe injury.

[Stephanie McMahon's sidekick!]

Preview Of January Issue Of WWE Magazine

Credit: WWE Magazine

Here is a preview of the January issue of WWE Magazine:

Cover: Scott Steiner - Big Poppa's Pumped

Poster: Scott Steiner (Both Sides)

Show of Strength: A giant's rage has been unleashed, and it's time to fear Big Show

He's Your Hookup: Big Poppa Pump is kicking ass and taking names--holla if ya hear me!

We See the Future: Peer into our crystal ball as we see what's in store for 2003

One Sadistic Stylist: Mock Rico at your own peril--the best-dressed man in sports-entertainment has an ax to grind

When Divas Attack: The psychotic Victoria is completely unhinged--and completely dangerous

Attention All Losers: You, too, can be as cool as Matt Hardy. All you need is Mattitude!

No Survivors: The titles all changed hands at an unforgettable Survivor Series

[Stephanie McMahon's sidekick!]

McMahon Possibly Out Of Ideas, Goldberg Signing, More

(The Following Has Been Derived From The Observer)

It's recently been reported that sources that are close to the situation, are saying Vince McMahon is starting to get frustrated with his inability of attracting more mainstream viewers to WWE again. He now admits that he has run out of ideas to bring them back. He has stated that the shock TV angles no longer work, which used to be a key factor in keeping an audience.

Many have said this may become a reason why the WWE would sign Bill Goldberg and to try attract future WWE viewers.

[Stephanie McMahon's sidekick!]

Hulk Hogan Speaks On Wrestling Vince, Andre, more

Thanks To Scott Simpson for these notes of Hulk Hogan on News 680 Radio in Toronto Friday morning:

- Andre would put him in his place if he was too aggressive in the ring. Andre didn't like him at first. "I was kind of a threat, and at the time I was the second-biggest guy in the wrestling business. Soon after I got into wrestling, we started getting the 6'10", seven-foot monsters like John Studd. But at the time, I was the first guy that really had a tan and was in shape and really lifted weights -- most of the wrestlers had the big bellies." Took a long time to win Andre over. Spent much time in Japan, uncomfortable riding the bus with Andre.

- "Sometimes there wasn't an entertainment situation in wrestling in Japan. Sometimes the Americans were actually fighting against the Japanese, because sometimes there were political problems or they didn't like us. Andre saw that I wouldn't back down, and somehow or another along the way I gained his respect, thank God."

- Why does Vince call him Monster? Because with Hogan on board, it just got so huge.

- Toronto or New York? "I have to say, Toronto's probably my first home. The way people treat me, it's just unbelievable. They've had a lot of new guys come along and steal the show. I opened the door many years ago, many guys have walked through it. I was telling my manager Jimmy Hart, my gosh, if I could start life over again and live another life, I'd live in Canada. People treat me like I won the Stanley Cup, Super Bowl and World Series all in one."

- On returning to the ring: "I hope so. I'm ready to come back. I still have a few weeks left after the first of the year on my contract with the WWE. That's my home. I'd love to end up being the Babe Ruth of the WWE. I haven't had my last match, without a doubt." With Vince McMahon? "That would be f....well, I hope not the last match. If I come back to the WWE, I'd like to just slap the taste out of his mouth just to get some momentum. But I haven't had my last match, and I hope that when I do have a bunch of matches and my last match all in one, I hope it is with the WWE."

[Stephanie McMahon's sidekick!]

Note On Tonight's WWE RAW Tapings In Oklahoma City

Just a brief note to all ProWrestling.com fans, the final WWE RAW of 2002 (scheduled to air on Dec. 30th) will be taped tonight in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma.

Much like SmackDown! every Tuesday, if you are attending tonight's RAW taping in Oklahoma City, we would appreciate it if you sent us in a report from the show.

If you are attending tomorrow night's tapings of WWE SmackDown! in Tulsa, Oklahoma, we would appreciate a report of that as well.

[Stephanie McMahon's sidekick!]

Note On Tonight's WWE RAW Tapings In Oklahoma City

Just a brief note to all ProWrestling.com fans, the final WWE RAW of 2002 (scheduled to air on Dec. 30th) will be taped tonight in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma.

Much like SmackDown! every Tuesday, if you are attending tonight's RAW taping in Oklahoma City, we would appreciate it if you sent us in a report from the show.

If you are attending tomorrow night's tapings of WWE SmackDown! in Tulsa, Oklahoma, we would appreciate a report of that as well.

[Stephanie McMahon's sidekick!]

Full List Of Confirmed Matches For Tonight's RAW

Sam Cobb, who is attending tonight's RAW tapings in Oklahoma City, passed along word that the following matches are listed on the arena program:

World Tag-Team Championship Match:
-Booker T & Goldust (c) vs. Chris Jericho & Christian

Santas Little Helper Match:
-Trish Stratus, Stacy Keibler, & Jacqueline vs Victoria, Molly Holly, & Ivory

Handicap Match:
-Kane & Rob Van Dam vs. Rosey & Jamal & Rico

Singles Match:
Test vs. D'Lo Brown

Also in the house tonight:
-Shawn Michaels
-Scott Steiner
-Triple H
-Batista