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Post by Stephanie McMahon's sidekick! on Dec 2, 2002 15:45:01 GMT -5
Undertaker/Big Show Feud, Mysterio's Injury, SmackDown
The following news is derived and re-written from the WrestlingObserver Newsletter:
As of now, there are no immediate plans for an Undertaker return. He currently plans to spend time with his wife, Sara, while she gets back on track after recently giving birth. After that, he will have elbow surgery to remove bone chips. The plan is for him to return to feud with Big Show once everything is taken care of, which could come anytime after Taker gives WWE word that he's ready to return.
Rey Mysterio is set to have his knee scoped this Thursday (12/5), which will be accompanied by some missed ring time. The current plan is for an angle to be set up that explains his absence from TV. Such an angle would likely be shot tomorrow at the Smackdown tapings. It is hoped that Mysterio will be available for work in January.
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Post by Stephanie McMahon's sidekick! on Dec 2, 2002 15:47:18 GMT -5
Eddie Guerrero's Sobriety, Kurt Angle's Reputation, & More
The following news is derived and re-written from the Torch Newsletter.
Eddie Guerrero continues to get get praised by other workers in WWE for his hard work in trying to stay sober. It's not the easiest business to have that sort of problem in, as drinking is just part of the casual time the boys spend together. On a quick side note, Eddie Guerrero reads a book on sobriety everyday as part of his pattern to recovery.
WWE wrestlers will be getting off 10 days for the Christmas and New Years holiday. That amount of time for wrestlers to take off during that holiday every year has now become standard. Both RAW and SmackDown! will be taped that particular week.
Kurt Angle is said to be one of the most liked wrestlers in WWE right now. Angle is said to always be in good spirits, in a great mood, and more than willing to go out of his way to work with the younger talent. Kurt Angle is currently working through a cartilage problem in his knee. Needless to say, toughness is another praise Angle receives quite a bit.
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Post by Stephanie McMahon's sidekick! on Dec 2, 2002 15:50:28 GMT -5
Hulk Hogan's WWE Return, Steroid Use, & More
The following are re-written highlights from Fox News' interview with Hulk Hogan concerning his recently released book:
Hogan makes reference to the tag line used in the commercials for the book, when stating that he was a "fat child with a huge head". Growing up, he also performed in clubs with a teenage rock band. He even once co-owned a body-building gym.
Hulk Hogan makes the obvious statement that his success did not begin until he met Vince McMahon, who helped transform him into an icon in the sports-entertainment world. Hogan feels that Vince was really aggressive with pushing Hogan, and it ended up benefiting both of them.
As for steroid use, Hogan feels that he "should have taken the high road, but instead took the sneaky road" when testifying that he did not use steroids, despite doing the contrary. Hogan claims he did so to protect his image amongst his millions of young fans.
Hogan closes with the following quote, showing how badly he wants to return,
"I hope I get the chance to wind down gracefully with the WWE," he said. "I would love to be remembered as the Babe Ruth of wrestling."
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Post by Stephanie McMahon's sidekick! on Dec 3, 2002 7:24:24 GMT -5
Nidia Dating Angle, Heyman's Role Reduced, & More
The following news is derived and re-written from the Torch Newsletter.
Paul Heyman is scheduled to work a minimum of a month worth of house show dates at ringside during Big Show matches. This is more work on WWE's part in trying to help Big Show get over and established at the main event level.
Paul Heyman no longer produces promos and other backstage segments. Those assignments have been given to Stephanie McMahon, and mid-20 year old writer Dave Laguna. Many have dubbed Laguna as Paul Heyman's right hand man anyway, so there is still some Heyman influence in the promo/vignette work.
The latest on the relationship department in WWE, Nidia is dating Kurt Angle's brother, Eric Angle. Eric works in WWE's developmental system in Louisville, Kentucky, and many may remember him from his short stint on RAW with Kurt Angle during a program between Angle and Undertaker. The two have been dating for several months.
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Post by Stephanie McMahon's sidekick! on Dec 3, 2002 7:25:35 GMT -5
RAW Notes, HBK/HHH Feud, Royal Rumble; More
Tonight on RAW, HBK vs. Triple H for the World Title at Armageddon in 13 days is expected to be announced.
At tomorrow night's SmackDown! tapings, they are expected to set up their title match as well. Right now, The Big Show vs. Brock Lesnar rematch will be held off until Royal Rumble 2003.
Randy Orton will be hosting the RAW party tonight at The World in Times Square. He will also take part in the annual Christmas tree lighting at 4EST.
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Post by Stephanie McMahon's sidekick! on Dec 3, 2002 7:26:38 GMT -5
WWE International Success; Update on Rock/Spiderman
-- Things on the home-front aren't that good for the WWE as in the United States they can't sellout house shows and not even televised shows anymore, however on the international side the WWE is doing superbly! Over this past weekend, the WWE soldout tickets for their late January tour in Japan & South Korea. However this means if the WWE utilizes their great selling in the international areas, there will be much more touring and travel schedules for the superstars, in return could bring down morale.
-- Over at 1Wrestling.com, the ever so famous Dave Scherer is reporting that a friend of his has an inside scoop about The Rock's bidding for the role of Venom in the next Spiderman movie. Scherer says that the WWE and Rock's asking price for the role is way too high and that he's already "most probably out of the bidding".
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Post by Stephanie McMahon's sidekick! on Dec 3, 2002 7:27:48 GMT -5
Reason For Lex Luger's Absence During WWA Tour
The reason Lex Luger missed the WWA's event at the Wembley Arena in London was because he came down with a bad case of bronchitis.
Luger was checked out by the WWA doctor who informed him to stay secluded to his room for a few days rest.
Lex Luger will be returning to the ring during the WWA tour at the Glasgow, Scotland show. That particular show will be the Retribution pay-per view taping. The PPV will air in America in February of 2003 as Disco Inferno mentioned on a recent appearance of WrestleZone Radio.
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Post by Stephanie McMahon's sidekick! on Dec 3, 2002 7:34:47 GMT -5
Vince McMahon Talks Highly About The Future Of The WWE
Part 1
STAMFORD, Conn. (AP) _ Judged by the lines of loyal fans, who will stand in the cold for hours to witness the flying bodies, the explosions and especially the cheesy intrigue, World Wrestling Entertainment is doing just fine.
``It's a grown man's soap opera,'' says Jovany Rosado, 27, of New Britain, Conn., who attended a recent WWE show in Bridgeport. ``There's a lot of twists and turns.''
But lately WWE, a commercial empire with matches shown in 10 languages and 130 countries, has been taking a pounding in the television ratings on some of its key programs.
The loss of some star performers and competition from other wrestling outfits are weakening its hold on audiences, for whom its plots may be becoming too _ is this possible? _ outlandish.
Average viewership so far this season for the show RAW is 3.1 million U.S. households, down 14 per cent from 3.6 million last season, 20 percent from 2000 and 35 per cent from the 1999 season, according to figures from Nielsen Media Research. SmackDown! has suffered a similar decline.
WWE stock, which reached more than $25 US a share shortly after it went public in October 1999, is now trading at less than $9 on the New York Stock Exchange.
At performances, many fans carry signs praising their favorite wrestlers and questioning the manhood of their enemies. The most devoted wear masks and capes.
Many youths worship the stars, who have written best-selling books and appeared in movies. Most of all, the fans love the melodramatic story lines surrounding the matches.
But lately it seems they're loving them less.
``It's not like everyone suddenly discovered it's fake and they don't want to watch it,'' said Dennis McAlpine, an analyst with McAlpine Associates in Scarsdale, N.Y. ``It just sort of drifted down and they haven't been able to stop it drifting.''
WWE officials acknowledge the decline in ratings but say its programs remain among the top-rated on U.S. cable television.
``Clearly we don't have, at the moment, everything the audience wants to see,'' said WWE chairman Vince McMahon, who with wife Linda, who is chief executive, built up the company. ``It's just a matter of time before it goes through the roof again.''
He said the company expected a temporary setback after WWE split its wrestling stars into separate television programs following the acquisition last year of its longtime rival, World Championship Wrestling. The move required a change in viewer habits, but in the long run will lead to more stars emerging, McMahon predicted.
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Post by Stephanie McMahon's sidekick! on Dec 3, 2002 7:35:27 GMT -5
Part 2
WWE, with a recent slump in profits, also has new ventures involving books and movies to boost the bottom line. Wrestling icon Hulk Hogan just released an autobiography.
McMahon said WWE is developing new stars to replace some popular ones who have left, to the distress of hardcore fans.
Stone Cold Steve Austin, who pleaded no contest last week to a charge of assaulting his wife, was suspended after he didn't show up for a performance. Another wrestler, called Triple H, has been out with injuries while one known as The Rock has been busy making movies.
Also gone is Mankind. ``He got dropped on his head too often,'' McAlpine said.
WWE's been generating some intrigue outside the ring lately, too.
A former general manager of the company's entertainment complex in Times Square was accused of stealing more than $400,000, while the chief financial officer and chief marketing officer were fired.
A female wrestler, 6-foot-2, 230-pound Nicole Bass, took a claim of sexual harassment to a circus-like trial in federal court in New York. The case ended in a victory for the company last month.
The company also continues to tangle over the trademark WWF, which it claims for the World Wrestling Federation, with an environmental group that is known for protecting pandas and wants the letters for the World Wildlife Fund. WWE lost that battle, but is fighting over damages.
WWE recently received a settlement from a TV watchdog group and an apology from the lawyer for a 12-year-old boy who killed a six-year-old girl in Florida in 1999. The lawyer had claimed the boy was imitating TV wrestling moves when the girl was killed.
Linda McMahon said most of the legal troubles are resolved, but analysts aren't as worried by them as by the ratings, which drive advertising revenue.
They want to see the show creating a buzz, as it did recently with a show about two gay wrestlers tying the knot. During a commitment ceremony, they turned out to be straight.
``We're seeing a gradual and modest improvement in attendance and television ratings,'' said Michael Tew, an analyst with Bear Sterns. He cited, for instance, a recovery in fall ratings for Smackdown!
``I think the company has just been able to more effectively create better story lines,'' he said.
The fans will let them know for sure.
``Every night we have one of the biggest focus groups,'' said Gary Davis, a WWE spokesman, as a recent RAW show began in Bridgeport. ``The worst thing in the world is silence. If they're silent, you're dead.''
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Post by Stephanie McMahon's sidekick! on Dec 3, 2002 14:49:54 GMT -5
Several Past WWE Superstars To Return
The latest rumor making the rounds is that WWE is attempting to get basically every superstar who ever appeared on RAW to come back for the 10th anniversary show next month. If the reports earlier in the month about crowd reaction having a lot to do with how Vince McMahon promotes his company, it would be interesting to see if any "familiar faces" at the 10th anniversary show stick around for longer than the one-shot deal.
WWE was going to promote this show as the 500th episode of RAW, but Monday Night Football did that last month. So, WWE decided to go the 10th anniversary route. Originally, the date was believed to be in late December, but on the RAW retro website, when you vote for your favorite RAW moment, it says tune in on January 14th to see if your favorite moment was choosen. Pretty interesting date as January 14th falls on a Tuesday.
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Post by Stephanie McMahon's sidekick! on Dec 3, 2002 14:52:16 GMT -5
Scott Steiner Update, Steve Austin's WWE Return, & More
Scott Steiner isn't expected to be at tonight's SmackDown! tapings. We ran an error in our RAW report earlier claiming his decision was final based on his segment at RAW, but it's not. The guessing game will continue to play out another week or so.
Steve Austin has been in contact with WWE since his sentence from the assault trial. Austin is still less than thrilled with the creative on the RAW side, which makes their decision obvious, put him on SmackDown! Whether or not they actually do it, is a completely different story.
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Post by Stephanie McMahon's sidekick! on Dec 4, 2002 5:59:20 GMT -5
Smackdown Notes, Stephanie News, HBK's Title Run
The final Smackdown rating scored a 2.7 rating, with a 5 share. That number is not horrible for Thanksgiving, although nothing to be happy about either. The positive from the rating is that ABC's heavily promoted "Dinotopia" only scored a 2.9 rating on a larger network.
The recent (and already infamous) Stephanie/Howard Stern interview was replayed on E! last night.
There is lots of disappointment backstage with the current direction of the RAW title, with another HBK/HHH match set for Armageddon. Many hoped that some positive would come from HBK's win, where HBK would put over a rising star such as RVD, Jericho, or Booker, as opposed to losing the title to HHH, who had it going into Survivor Series. This angle, according to many, makes it seem as if the only purpose of HBK winning was for a loud pop in Madison Square Garden, right after his win during November's PPV.
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Post by Stephanie McMahon's sidekick! on Dec 4, 2002 6:00:17 GMT -5
Possible Austin Return Dates: RAW/Royal Rumble
WWE has been showing classic "Retro Raw" clips featuring Austin on the last few Raws, leading to speculation that Austin could be back very soon. WWE rarely features anything on its TV shows with wrestlers with whom they are on bad terms, and the clips depict Austin clearly getting the better of Vince McMahon.
No date has been reported for an Austin return, but there are rumors that he could return at the 10th Anniversary Raw, or at Royal Rumble in January.
A Royal Rumble return is most likely for Austin, due to the fact that it is a Pay-Per-View, and it will draw a higher rating, and push Raw's rating the following night.
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Post by Stephanie McMahon's sidekick! on Dec 4, 2002 14:56:01 GMT -5
Sting Speaks On Possibly Going To WWE, & More
The following are excerts from an interview with Sting on TheSun.co.uk:
Q: Do you think you may return full time in either the WWE or Japan?
ANSWER: I honestly don't know. I have no plans but I am not going to close the door on coming back. So far my tour of Europe has been pretty good and I would go to Japan.
I would say my chances of going to Japan or back to Europe are better than me going to the WWE.
Q: What do you think about the current state of the WWE and the wrestling business in general?
ANSWER: It just seems that notoriously over the years the wrestling business has had ups and downs. And it seems to be on a down right now
There is only one big organisation to work for now which is a bad thing, as I think the world needs two big wrestling groups.
Right now it is kind of frustrating to see what is going on because of the rise in shock TV that continues to this day. They've pushed it beyond comprehension almost. I can't believe it.
Things like the necrophilia angle that the WWE did are pushing things too far. When I tune in and watch I think how can I plug myself into that? That is one of the reasons I can't see myself in the WWE.
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Post by Stephanie McMahon's sidekick! on Dec 5, 2002 5:21:24 GMT -5
Scott Steiner's Backstage Reputation, Kurt Angle, & More
The following news is derived and re-written from the Torch Newsletter.
Kurt Angle has been vocal backstage on several occassions for wanting the WWE to hire more mid-sized workers who can keep up with himself and the other good workers on the SmackDown! roster.
Although Scott Steiner has a reputation for keeping to himself backstage, like we reported last week, he is friends with such superstars as Rikishi and Chuck Palumbo, both working on the SmackDown! side. Some predict that Steiner will have trouble with Torrie Wilson if he lands in on the SmackDown! brand due to a rocky relationship with her stemming from their time together in WCW. Steiner has always had a reputation of being short-tempered in general, but more so towards the female talent.
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