= = = = = = = = = = [ WCW ] = = = = = = = = = = (from ESPN): KEVIN GREENE will get $100,000 for one tag match with STEVE MONGO MCMICHAEL against NATURE BOY RIC FLAIR and his partner. Some sources are saying this has been turned into a six-man tag match, adding Flair's current rival RANDY MACHO MAN SAVAGE and THE ENFORCER ARN ANDERSON to the mix. Nitro WILL go to the two-hour format STARTING 27 May 1996. It will then begin airing at 8/7/6/5pm for the live version, with the movie staying at its regular time of 10/9/8/7pm. I assume they will continue to show a replay of Nitro after the movie for the benefit of the people on the West coast who don't have VCRs. This would start the replay at 12/11/10/9pm and end it at 2/1/12/11pm. Several hotlines (as well as the Miami Herald) are reporting that both SCOTT HALL and KEVIN NASH may debut on this first two-hour Nitro. I was under the impression that Diesel couldn't wrestle in WCW until 10 June 1996. The Torch reports that Razor may debut on the 3 June 1996 Nitro with Diesel coming in for the 17 June 1996 Nitro. I guess we'll see which source is best depending on which of these three weeks Diesel debuts on. :-) (from AOL): When KEVIN NASH debuts on the 10 June 1996 Nitro (as reported a few months back) it will be against ALEX WRIGHT and he will be bringing back the VINNIE VEGAS gimmick (which was originally a parody of VINCE MCMAHON in response to the WWF having TED DIBIASE as a parody of TED TURNER). New news on the "Blood Runs Cold" teasers: Late last week, most sources are guessing it would be used for SCOTT HALL's return and would be something close to ECW's "IceMan" gimmick when DEAN MALENKO was there. (Scott will be programmed against HULK HOGAN as soon as Hulk is back from his movie deal--but then note the next item). Now the hotlines are all saying that the Blood Runs Cold promos are for a team of three ninjas, one of whom will be Adam Bomb (who I reported last week had decided to help out his wife's business rather than re-sign with the WWF or jump to WCW--apparently he will be done helping her out by the time this angle starts). Maybe they'll bring back "YOSHI KWAN" CHAMPION as one of the other ninjas, as he was a great worker. (from AOL): There are rumors that HULK HOGAN's "Santa" movie has been dropped and Hulk may replace TOTAL PACKAGE LEX LUGER (who would have been late anyway) in the title match against THE GIANT. This is given credibility by a comment Hogan made at one of the NBA playoff games where he said he would be facing the Giant on an upcoming Nitro. (from RSPW): The reason the WWF is toning down the Million Dollar Corporation is because TED DIBIASE is considering an announcing position with WCW when his contract is up. (from hotline): THE BELFAST BRUISER may have left WCW. Most sources have the world title staying on THE GIANT until the 27 October 1996 Halloween Havoc PPV where he is expected to drop it to RANDY MACHO MAN SAVAGE. Since The Giant is slated to face THE TOTAL PACKAGE LEX LUGER at the 16 June 1996 Great American Bash PPV, expect him to win the battle royal at the 19 May 1996 Slamboree PPV. One thing that was not mentioned in last week's Hack Notes concerning the Disney/MGM tapings is that WOMAN was holding the World Heavyweight title when RIC FLAIR was in a match against BRAD ARMSTRONG set to air 25 May 1996 on WCW Pro. JEEVES may manage BOBBY EATON when TAYLOR and LORD STEVEN REGAL kick Eaton out of the BLUE BLOODS in July 1996. (from RSPW): WILDCAT WILLY is no longer being played by BRADY BOONE or PAT TANAKA. It is now aparently the same guy who plays JEEVES of the BLUE BLOODS. KONNAN is booked in a championship feud against TOTAL PACKAGE LEX LUGER, so I'm assuming he will no longer be dropping the title to JUSHIN THUNDER LIGER (unless he wins it back on Nitro the next day). (from RSPW): Madusa pinned female opponents on episodes of WCW Pro set to air 25 May 1996, 1 June 1996, and 29 June 1996. Her leg was taped and she appeared to be limping. (from WWW): Jacques Rougeau stated in the "Eco-Vedette and Journal de Joliette" that he has convinced WCW to tour the province twice a year beginning in July 1996 with a show at Olympic Stadium. (from Torch): WCW is running profitable house shows on a regular basis for the first time ever. Last weekend they drew two $50,000-plus gates in Tennessee. (from Torch): MEN ON A MISSION are scheduled to debut in mid-June 1996. No word on what their name will be (if McMahon can lay claim to M.O.M). (from RSPW): BIG BUBBA ROGERS has joined the DUNGEON OF DOOM with a biker gimmick. I didn't se WCWSN, but the man in the limo is supposed to be SIR OLIVER HUMPERDINK. I reported his arrival in last week's Hack Notes. The Sunday WCW Main Event will have its format changed, showing new matches instead of its current "best of" format. The Saturday morning WCW Pro will now be used to show the highlights of the previous week. The 18 May 1996 Torch included another ton of stuff from the Charleston Post and Courier from ERIC BISCHOFF about JOHNNY B BADD. Most of it had already been posted in RSPW, so I'll only re-print the two items I don't recall having seen: "The third mistake was on my part because I overreacted to that. I overreacted because Johnny was a guy that everybody who has worked here during the time I've worked here has wanted to fire. They wanted to get rid of him because they didn't believe in him. I believed in Johnny. I have given Johnny opportunities. I protected Johnny. We all think Johnny's a great wrestler now, but a year ago you guys were filleting him like he was a fish. He wouldn't have had that opportunity to become a great wrestler if I hadn't given it to him... if I shake hands with somebody and say this is our deal, I'll cut off my arm before I go back on my word. Johnny said he'd like to leave on good terms, and I don't think agreeing on a deal, giving me an ultimatum and telling me five minutes before we get on an airplane is necessarily the greatest way to part company. And I looked him in the eye and said, 'No, you're not leaving on good terms and I sincerely hope you know what you're doing because you're not coming back.' I meant it when I said it. But in reality, as much as I'm still a little disturbed by what happened, I've had time to get over it personally." INJURIES: SCOTTY RIGGS required 24 stitches from a 22 April 1996 TPE table shot. ROAD WARRIOR HAWK injured his ankle ad will not be able to wrestle at the 19 May 1996 Slamboree PPV; no word on a replacement. = = = = = = = = = = [ WWF ] = = = = = = = = = = (from WWW): McMahon isn't happy with the lack of reaction MANKIND is getting in the WWF. (from AOL): TAMMY SYTCH and CHRIS CANDITO (SUNNY and SKIP BODYDONNA) plan to finally get married this summer. The WWF will no doubt make a big deal about it. (from hotline): BRET THE HITMAN HART may be back in the ring as soon as the 18 August 1996 Summerslam PPV. (from Prodigy): JIM THE ANVIL NEIDHART will be working a few shows over the next couple months to gauge fan interest. (from RSPW): After several week of rumors of CARL LEDUC going to WCW to be with THE FRENCH CONNECTION as well as having a tryout at the recent WWF Superstars tapings, it appears that he won't be coming to either fed in the near future. Paul LeDuc (Carl's father) called up several members of the local media in Canada and said that Carl would be working for the WWF full-time when he in fact only signed an agreement to work if booked on three shows (two of which have been canceled) in the province. According to Paul this past Tuesday the WWF realizes that Carl is not ready and will help him by booking him dates in Europe and Puerto Rico over the next few months so that he gain experience. (from AOL): TONY ANTHONY and TRACY SMOTHERS have signed on with the WWF. They will most likely use a similar gimmick as they had in SMW where they wrestled as "The Thugs" when JIM CORNETTE lost "The Gangstas" to ECW. The reason SAVIO VEGA has been continually pushed despite what most people believe to be substandard wrestling talent is that he is part of GORILLA MONSOON's clique. (from AOL): More on the rumors (which have been around for the last six months or so) of JERRY LAWLER's son BRIAN CHRISTOPHER joining the WWF. Latest rumor is that he will be a face. (from UK): Odds-on favorite to win the King of the Ring is THE MAN THEY CALL VADER, followed by a championship match at the 21 July 1996 In Your House PPV against THE HEARTBREAK KID SHAWN MICHAELS. (from RSPW): The Samoans that have been showing up at FATU's matches will be known as THE GANGSTAS OF PARADISE. The one that isn't SAMU is TONGA KID's (and YOKOZUNA's?) brother. (from AOL): No new news on what gimmick JOHNNY GUNN will be given in the WWF. (from Torch): The WWF pulled in $190,000 at their recent Hamilton, Ontario house show with 12000 paid in the audience. INJURIES: GOLDUST, BRITISH BULLDOG DAVEY BOY SMITH, 1-2-3 KID, THE MAN THEY CALL VADER. = = = = = = = = = = [ ECW ] = = = = = = = = = = From Hack-Man: ECW is still not being shown on Prime-owned Midwest Sports Channel. = = = = = = = = = = [ MISC ] = = = = = = = = = = (from AOL): WWPF change: due to an injury in Japan, TERRY FUNK will not be able to compete at the event in California. Most likely replacement for his match against KONNAN and BIGALOW: CHRIS JERICHO (who did the job for MIKEY WHIPWRECK in an excellent match on 10 June 1996). The Minnesota RSPW Mutants have 2 shots @ live wrestling this weekend: PROMOTION: Northern Premier Wrestling&Pro Wrestling America DAY: Friday 17 May 1996 TIME: 7:00PM WHERE: Sal's Sports Bar in St Joseph WHO: "The Judge" Randy Gusto with Sheik Adnon El Kasie -vs- Kenny "Sodbuster" Jay with boxer Scott LeDou as special ref "Dynamite" Dan Jesser/Wayne "The Train" Bloom -vs- Blacktop Bully/JB Trask Buck "Rock and Roll" Zumhoff -vs- The Hater Horace the Psychopath -vs- "Luscious" Lenny Lane Scotty Z If anyone wants to carpool to this, send me email. PROMOTION: Ultimate Championship Wrestling DAY: Saturday 18 May 1996 TIME: 8:00PM WHERE: Sports Garden in St Paul WHO: Mr Dynamic King of the Hill Wayne "The Train" Bloom The Punisher = = = = = = = = = = [ RATINGS ] = = = = = = = = = = 4-6 May 1996 (from hotlines, RSPW, WWW, and Entertainment Weekly): Raw = 4.1 Action Zone = 1.6 WWF Mania = 1.3 Nitro = 1.9 Nitro Repeat = 1.1 WCWSN = 2.5 WCW Pro = 1.5 WCWME = 1.9 For Torch subscription info, write to Wade Keller As always, the info in this post comes from various sources, wrestlers, hotlines, online forums, newsletters, and web pages. All names are trademarks of someone else. :-) This article is copyright 1996 Otto E Heuer. All rights reserved.