= = = = = = = = = = [ WCW ] = = = = = = = = = = In one of the closest things I've ever seen on RSPW to a unanimous decision, most people seem to be giving ERIC BISCHOFF a lot of credit for actually coming up with something unexpected for the debut of RAZOR RAMON. Even though everyone knew he would be on the program, no one expected his entrance to be what it was. I've been hearing phrases like "the best angle since Pillman's 'Loose Cannon' persona". (hotline): CHRIS JERICHO may be headed to WCW, where he could form a tag team with CHRIS BENOIT. (AOL): KEVIN DIESEL NASH will be coming into WCW as GLACIER of the Blood Runs Cold deal. He is still apparently set to beat ALEX WRIGHT on the 10 June 1996 Nitro. From RAZOR RAMON's comments on Nitro (I'm going from reports as I haven't had time to pick up my tape of it yet), he will be joining two other wrestlers jumping from the WWF and going up against three WCW stars (probably STING, SAVAGE, and HOGAN). One of the two groups will no doubt be the "Blood Runs Cold" trio, and DIESEL will no doubt be one of the guys teaming with RAZOR. A hotline predicted that TOTAL PACKAGE LEX LUGER could be the third WWF team member, sent as a spy on 4 September 1995 (which would be the much anticipated heel turn for Luger). Since TED DIBIASE's contract with the WWF is up in late August 1996 (and he just gave his 90-day notice), many RSPWers feel he will be the manager of the WWF guys in WCW. All the speculation is that the WWF guys will run all over the WCW guys until HULK HOGAN squashes them all (no doubt pinning all three by himself at the same time in a cage). I have to wonder if the rampant rumors (on RSPW, the WWW, hotlines, and the Torch) of Yoshi Kwan being part of the "Blood Runs Cold" Ninja trio has anything to do with the aside in my 15 May 1996 Hack Notes where I said: "Maybe they'll bring back 'YOSHI KWAN' CHAMPION as one of the other ninjas, as he was a great worker". If so, I only meant it as a "wouldn't it be cool" kinda of thing, not as info that came from anyone (yet another reason why I *try* to keep commentary confined to my follow-ups to my Hack Notes instead of *in* it). (AOL): RODDY PIPER and HULK HOGAN have been having a clash of egos in Canada while filming for a movie ("The Overlords"). I'm unsure if this is the same as the "Santa" movie that was reportedly axed. This is also interesting as THE OVERLORDS is a tag team that had a tryout recently with the WWF. MIKE TENAY and DUSTY RHODES will be announcing on Nitro for half of each show. The other half will be HEENEN/BISCHOFF. Replace Rhodes with FLAIR and they'd have something... RANDY MACHO MAN SAVAGE is scheduled to do a run-in during the FLAIR/ANDERSON vs MONGO/GREENE match at the 16 June 1996 Great American Bash PPV. There are more and more rumors/speculation about LEX LUGER getting all the gold (except the Cruiser title) in WCW. He currently holds the WCW TV title and half of the tag titles. He was given another shot at the WCW World title when DIAMOND DALLAS PAGE wa stripped of the title shot. He is supposed to be feuding with Konnan over the WCW US title (which WCW wants off Konnan as he isn't much help in getting the AAA guys into WCW). You do the math. (AOL): PEDRO MORALES (who has been doing the Spanish dubbing for Mexico WCW telecasts) will be in KONNAN's corner for a few weeks before Konnan drops the US strap. (WWW): Indie Peach State Wrestling may have a working agreement with WCW. This is interesting, as LOOSE CANNON BRIAN PILLMAN plans to do an interview for PSW on 7 June 1996. (torch): TED DIBIASE has been rumored to have a multi-year ~$250,000 per year contract offer from WCW to manage and/or as an announcer. (torch): TERRY TAYLOR has been instructing STEVE MONGO MCMICHAEL and KEVIN GREENE on the finer points of wrestling at the WCW Power Plant wrestling school. RIC FLAIR and ARN ANDERSON worked with the NFLers also, though they didn't want to at first. (torch): THE GREAT MUTA backed out of the 16 June 1996 Great American Bash PPV apparently because he didn't want to job to DIAMOND DALLAS PAGE. Ummm... Wasn't this (part of) the reason THE BELFAST BRUISER left the country? (WWW): THE ROAD WARRIORS quit WCW (on 28 May 1996 according to the Torch). This is the second time in the last few months they have quit due money issues (their salaries compared to HALL and NASH). (WWW): The October 1996 Halloween Havoc PPV will have another Monster Truck match. HULK HOGAN will take on RANDY MACHO MAN SAVAGE this year. Wrestlers rumored to be heading into WCW: KEVIN NASH, LANNY POFFO, MEN ON A MISSION (mid-June), SIR OLIVER HUMPERDINK, BIGALOW, JEFF JARRETT, THE QUEBECERS (as THE FRENCH CONNECTION (July)), TED DIBIASE (as an announcer in late August), CHRIS KANYON, PAT TANAKA, MEAN MIKE ENOS (either as THE MAULER or as one half of DOWN AND DIRTY), CHIP MINTON (olympian). Wrestlers rumored to be gone from WCW: BELFAST BRUISER (also rumored to be back in a couple months), RENEGADE, BUNKHOUSE BUCK, SHARK (apparently back), THE ROAD WARRIORS. INJURIES: ROAD WARRIOR HAWK (ankle). = = = = = = = = = = [ WWF ] = = = = = = = = = = Due to a power outage, only two matches were seen on the 26 May 1996 WWF PPV. Three of the four matches "millions" missed were played out again live on the 28 May 1996 replay (along with the taped versions of the other two matches). The match with JAKE THE SNAKE ROBERTS was neither replayed nor re-wrestled. The WWF pretty much copied the same UNDERTAKER angle as when he "died" last year (all heels attack UT). (WWW): The reasons being given for HEARTBREAK KID SHAWN MICHAEL's tantrum after his match at the 26 May 1996 In Your House PPV is that he was upset because BRITISH BULLDOG DAVEY BOY SMITH's music was playing after the match instead of the planned silence. (WWW): There are rumors that Vince took out the Clique's MSG celebration on HUNTER HEARST HELMSLEY in a meeting on 20 May 1996. This is what I was wondering if Vince would do when I heard about it on 19 May 1996, as HALL and NASH were gone anyway, 1-2-3 KID wasn't there, and SHAWN MICHAELS has to be kept happy. (Torch): Keller thinks HHH's June push has been taken away as a reprimand. (AOL): The rumors have resurfaced about MR PERFECT CURT HENNIG managing HUNTER HEARST HELMSLEY and possibly being behind the DIANA SMITH/SHAWN MICHAELS deal. (hotline): SUNNY is now managing the SMOKING GUNNS. (AOL): HEARTBREAK KID SHAWN MICHAELS will be covered up by just his WWF belt for his Playgirl spread. Both AHMED JOHNSON and SUNNY have been pissing off other WWF wrestlers in the locker room, bragging about how over they are. (WWW): There are rumors of CHRIS CANDITO and TAMMY SYTCH having a threesome with another WWF person. This will not be turned into a WWF angle for the BODYDONNAS. (WWW): Vince is unhappy with the lack of weight loss by YOKOZUNA at his recent vacation to the Duke University fat farm, though he *did* manage to lose 35 pounds and will be returning. (torch): Keller reports that the final count of paid attendance at the MSG card was 16534 paid, which makes for a $319411 gate (plus over $100000 in merchandize). (WWW): GOLDUST will feud with YOKOZUNA. "Shoot me Frankie" --Unnamed penguin in Bloom County In a dark match at the Raw tapings, THE ULTIMATE WARRIOR pinned THE MAN THEY CALL VADER after three clotheslines in less time than it takes to say "the man they call Vader". AHMED JOHNSON and THE ULTIMATE WARRIOR both received "steroid" chants at the Raw tapings. (WWF): Harvey Wippleman started refereeing matches at the Raw tapings. He will at least start out as a face ref, instead of the heel ref rumors that had been going around. (WWF): King of the Ring tournament: T M T C Vader-------+ |-Vader----+ Ahmed Johnson-------+ | |-Vader----+ Ultimate Warrior----+ | | |-(DCO)----+ | Goldust-------------+ | |-Vader----+ Henry O Godwin------+ | | |-???------+ | | Justin H Bradshaw---+ | | | |-Roberts--+ | Jake Roberts--------+ | | |-Roberts--+ | Hunter H Helmsley---+ | |-Vader S C Steve Austin----+ | |-Austin---+ | Bob Holly-----------+ | | |-Austin---+ | Savio Vega----------+ | | | |-Vega-----+ | | Marty Janetty-------+ | | |-Wildman--+ Wildman Marc Mero---+ | |-Wildman--+ | Skip Bodydonna------+ | | |-Wildman--+ Owen Hart-----------+ | |-O Hart---+ Yokozuna------------+ Wrestlers rumored to be heading into the WWF: TONY "DIRTY WHITE BOY" ANTHONY, TRACY SMOTHERS, DUANE JOHNSON (son of ROCKY JOHNSON), THE PUNISHER, WILD BILL IRWIN, TOM "JOHNNY GUNN" BRANDI, ALEX PORTEAU, BRIAN CHRISTOPHER (son of Jerry Lawler, even though Brian just turned heel in the USWA), DOUG FURNAS, DAN KROFFAT, BRET THE HITMAN HART, JIM THE ANVIL NEIDHART, MR PERFECT CURT HENNIG (wrestling by mid-November), BUDDY LANDEL (October), SID VICIOUS, MARC HENRY (olympian). Wrestlers rumored to be heading out of the WWF: THE BODYDONNAS, MANKIND, MILLION DOLLAR MAN TED DIBIASE, BOB BACKLUND (may retire), SUNNY (I really doubt this, but it has been reported by numerous sources). INJURIES: 1-2-3 KID (concussion), THE MAN THEY CALL VADER, THE ULTIMATE WARRIOR (arm) BAD QUOTE: "I'm going to wet your lips and stick you to the ceiling until winter" --Jerry Lawler to a black fan 27 May 1996 GOOD QUOTE: "Cornette, you're the only tennis player I know who doesn't have any balls" --Ultimate Warrior 28 May 1996 = = = = = = = = = = [ ECW ] = = = = = = = = = = (Hack-Man): ECW is still not being shown on Prime-owned Midwest Sports Channel. They have been given the option of airing it but feel it wouldn't pull in as many viewers as what they are airing instead (usually repeats of baseball). If anyone feels like letting them know that there are ECW fans going through withdrawal, they can be reached at (612) 330-2669. (AOL): LOOSE CANNON BRIAN PILLMAN plans to do an interview from a wheelchair at ECW arena 1 or 8 or 9 June 1996. (RSPW): BEULAH is in The Best of Cheri Special Issue #82. Her stage name there is TRINITY. (AOL): ECW may have PPV#1 as early as August 1996. (AOL): PAUL E DANGEROUSLY sent a letter earlier this month to rival promoter DENNIS CORALUZZO urging him to ban blood at his NWA promotion. My guess is that Paul is more concerned about fans jumping to the NWA since Paul banned the blade in ECW. (AOL): SABU, HACK MYERS, and AXL ROTTON are in Japan for a BJPW (Big Japan) card. = = = = = = = = = = [ MISC ] = = = = = = = = = = (AOL): AOL has apparently revoked LOOSE CANNON BRIAN PILLMAN's account. His wife's account still seems to be active, however. (AOL): LOOSE CANNON BRIAN PILLMAN is set to meet with WCW late this week. He met with the WWF last week. INJURIES: KOUJI KANEMOTO (broken leg, out 2+ months) = = = = = = = = = = [ RATINGS ] = = = = = = = = = = 18-20 May 1996 (from hotlines, RSPW, WWW, and Entertainment Weekly): Raw = 3.1 Action Zone = 2.1 WWF Mania = 1.1 Nitro = 2.3 Nitro Repeat = 1.0 WCWSN = 2.0 WCW Pro = 1.2 WCWME = 1.9 Slamboree = 0.4 (6308 paid out of 7791, for a $104760 gate) There is a great interview in the 1 June 1996 Torch where Shawn Michaels talks about his Clique. For Torch subscription info, write to Wade Keller You may also send a question for Alex Marvez to answer 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.