My tape source for Nitro taped this week's over last week's before I
had a chance to watch it so I missed Scott Hall's Nitro debut. Then
*I* taped over this week's (3 June) Raw before watching it (all I saw
was the end of the HHH vs Jake match). To make matters worse, I'm
1700+ articles behind in RSPW. If there's anything in this week's
Hack Notes that doesn't make sense--this may be the reason.
= = = = = = = = = = [ WCW ] = = = = = = = = = =
I know it was reported a few weeks ago in Hack Notes that everyone
(including ERIC BISCHOFF) in WCW is getting fed up with HULK HOGAN and
he may be on his way out. Then with the horrid buyrate for the
Hoganless PPV and Nitros (the latter I attribute to the poor time
slot, but I'm sure Hogan believes he is the sole factor) there were
rumors that Hogan was here to stay. Now multiple hotlines are
reporting that "Hogan's days are numbered".
(www): NATURE BOY RIC FLAIR may be making a face turn to team with
Sting against the WWF team. If he does, and if RANDY MACHO MAN SAVAGE
is part of the face team, they're going to have to do some major angle
to explain how SAVAGE and FLAIR are buddies.
(hotline): KEVIN NASH will be controlling his own angles. Let's just
hope he can keep his ego in check before he becomes another HULK
HOGAN. Apparently, several WCW wrestlers who aren't happy with Hogan
are buddying up to Nash. Clique mark II?
(hotline): HULK HOGAN's contract is coming due and "the suits" don't
want to re-sign him. Someone reported on RSPW that Mean Gene's
hotline (I know, I know) reported recently that Hogan got a one year
extension to his contract.
(hotline): TED DIBIASE will be coming into WCW as "ZILLIONAIRE TED"
and will be DIAMOND DALLAS PAGE's benefactor (instead of SIR OLIVER
HUMPERDINK).
(aol): Announcers CHRIS CRUISE and DUSTY RHODES got in a small fight
at a recent taping for WCW Pro. Cruise made a comment about Dusty's
weight. Dusty threw Cruise up against a wall. Dusty later apologized
for the incident.
(hotline): When KEVIN DIESEL NASH debuts on the 10 June 1996 Nitro, he
will jackknife ERIC BISCHOFF through the announcers table. They think
this will get Nash over as a heel. :-)
(wcw): The 24 June 1996 Nitro will be in Charlotte, NC. Expect the
FLAIR fans to be out in full force (with signs smuggled in) as The Man
takes on TOTAL PACKAGE LEX LUGER. There should be an excellent brawl
as THE PUBLIC ENEMY take on THE NASTY BOYS. DISCO INFERNO will job to
EDDY GUERRERO as well. Too bad the "section D" heel section seems to
have dissolved about 5 years back...
(torch): MARCUS ALEXANDER BAGWELL will wrestle in BOOTYMAN's place at
the 16 June 1996 Great American Bash PPV, taking on DIAMOND DALLAS
PAGE. Booty Man probably didn't want to put Page over cleanly (that's
three people, for those keeping track at home; but Booty is the only
one who didn't quit WCW over it). KONNAN will beat a jobber in a mask
instead of dropping the title to STING (who will now face LORD STEVEN
REGAL).
The trio of WWFers in WCW will obviously have SCOTT HALL and KEVIN
NASH. The third member has been rumored to be LEX LUGER, JEFF
JARRETT, BRET THE HITMAN HART, UBAS, or BAM BAM BIGALOW.
If my "it would be cool if..." comment about YOSHI KWAN/BLOOD RUNS
COLD was the basis of all the rumors, it has rolled all the way down
to the Weekly Observer Newsletter. If this generates enough talk that
WCW considers it and hires CHRIS CHAMPION, I'll have to see if I can
get a kickback from him. ;-)
Wrestlers rumored to be heading into WCW: KEVIN NASH (June 10), MEN ON
A MISSION (mid-June), SIR OLIVER HUMPERDINK, BIGALOW, THE QUEBECERS
(as THE FRENCH CONNECTION (July)), TED DIBIASE (as an announcer in
late August, for at least three years), BRITISH BULLDOG DAVEY BOY
SMITH (end of September), JEFF JARRETT (November), CHRIS KANYON, PAT
TANAKA, MEAN MIKE ENOS (either as THE MAULER or as one half of DOWN
AND DIRTY), CHIP MINTON (olympian), CHRIS JERICHO, LANNY POFFO (as
GORGEOUS GEORGE III), CHAVITO GUERRERO
HIGH VOLTAGE (fresh out of the WCW Power Plant) and THE ROCK AND ROLL
EXPRESS had their Nitro debuts on 3 June 1996.
Wrestlers rumored to be gone from WCW: BELFAST BRUISER (also rumored
to be back in a couple months, late fall, or early 1997 (though he
denies it)), RENEGADE, BUNKHOUSE BUCK, SHARK (now back working but
without a contract), THE ROAD WARRIORS (going to Japan for 4 weeks and
probably won't return to WCW), DISCO INFERNO.
INJURIES: ROAD WARRIOR HAWK (ankle).
= = = = = = = = = = [ WWF ] = = = = = = = = = =
(www): BRITISH BULLDOG DAVEY BOY SMITH has given his 90 day notice to
the WWF. He has been really unhappy with THE HEARTBREAK KID SHAWN
MICHAELS and his Clique. He also hasn't been happy with the money
he's been making in the WWF. Since he is currently their top heel
(and involved in an angle with the top face), he feels he should be
making more than the mid-carders. BBD and DIANA haven't been happy
with the way the HBK angle was to resolve, though this wasn't a big
factor in his choosing to leave. There are rumors that BBD had to be
restrained at MSG to keep him from jumping the Clique after the card
was over. Guess he won't be getting the tag straps with OWEN HART (as
reported in an earlier Hack Notes). On Tuesday, word broke out that
Smith may have come to an agreement with Titan to stay.
(hotline): OWEN HART has given his notice and wants to jump to WCW.
(hotline): THE 1-2-3 KID wants to get out of his WWF contract early in
order to jump to WCW.
(net): LOOSE CANNON BRIAN PILLMAN has chosen the WWF over WCW.
Another source says he has a meeting with WCW this week. Another
source said he skipped his meeting with WCW last week but interviewed
by phone. A fourth source says he skipped his meeting with WCW last
week but his attorney negotiated with WCW via phone. Get the feeling
we won't know anything until he shows up on TV?
(www): The WWF has sent a memo to all their boys regarding HIV testing
that they plan to do in the future.
(hotline): HUNTER HEARST HELMSLEY's push is off at least until this
summer for taking part in th Clique-fest at MSG.
(bu): All four of the WWF Samoans (FATU, his two hoodies, and
YOKOZUNA) have given their notice.
(aol): DISCO INFERNO may join the WWF roster.
(torch): RAD RADFORD states that the standard contract with the WWF is
that they "guarantee a minimum of ten dates a year at a minimum of $50
a shot". Other wrestlers have stated similar things, including the
"90 day notice" and feel that they have to be on their toes or they
can find themselves with no income until the end of their contract.
(wwf): The winner of the King of the Ring will be a big surprise, as
opposed to THE MAN THEY CALL VADER, who everyone believes it will be.
There are rumors that HEARTBREAK KID SHAWN MICHAELS only apologized to
the boys in the locker room because he was asked to by McMahon.
(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 both just turned
heel in the USWA), DOUG FURNAS, DAN KROFFAT, BRET THE HITMAN HART, JIM
THE ANVIL NEIDHART (in July, though the WWF denies that he's coming
in), MR PERFECT CURT HENNIG (wrestling by mid-November), BUDDY LANDEL
(October), SID VICIOUS (though the WWF denies it), MARC HENRY
(olympian)
Wrestlers rumored to be heading out of the WWF: THE BODYDONNAS,
BRITISH BULLDOG DAVEY BOY SMITH, 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), GOLDUST (20 stitches from hitting the ringpost
wrong), BODYDONNA SKIP (elbow, out until early- or mid-July)
QUOTE: "Ted DiBiase has had his last hurrah in the World Wrestling
Federation but likewise a number of other individuals have had their
last hurrah. No longer associated with the World Wrestling Federation
in any manner Big Daddy Cool Diesel as well as The Bad Guy Razor
Ramon. And it has been reported that both of these individuals intend
to pawn themselves off as the stars they once were here in the World
Wrestling Federation, and to furthermore perpetuate some sort of ruse
that they are still representing the WWF while actually under contract
to a rival organization." --Vince McMahon
(aol): The WWF sent this letter to Scott Hall last week:
Dear Mr. Hall:
This letter will serve to put you on notice of your deliberate
infringement of Titan's intellectual property rights in connection
with your appearance this past Monday on the WCW's Nitro show. Having
reviewed the tape of your appearance, the text of the various
statements made by you during your appearance and the explicit
references to past and ongoing story lines of Titan Sports, it is
obvious that you were attempting by your appearance to suggest to the
consuming public that you and others from the WWF were now going to be
appearing on Turner networks in WCW programming as part of some
interpromotional matches. The entire theme of the program, buttressed
by WCW personnel afterwards, was that WWF wrestlers were going to be
wrestling WCW performers, and that you were leading a group of WWF
talent in that effort. This is, of course, completely false and was
intended to confuse the viewing public.
To further this attempt to mislead and confuse the public, you
stayed completely within the character portrayal of Razor Ramon, a
registered trademark of Titan Sports, during your appearance on Nitro.
Indeed, both you and WCW personnel never even mentioned the name you
intend to wrestle under at WCW, choosing instead to tell the audience
they knew who you were. You dressed like Razor Ramon and utilized the
Hispanic accent given to you by Titan as part of the character
portrayal.
Titan, of course, has no objection whatsoever to you portraying a
new or different character devised either by you or the WCW but will
vigorously exercise its rights in connection with your attempt to pawn
off or suggest to the consuming public that your WCW appearances are
in the character of Razor Ramon, in the capacity as a WWF wrestler, or
as part of some interpromotional matches involving WWF participation.
Accordingly, this is to advise you that Titan has exercised its rights
under the contract it had with you and will be withholding future
payments from you until this matter is further clarified. Titan
further reserves all rights it has to take any and all further action
as may be appropriate.
= = = = = = = = = = [ 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.
(hamilton): BRIAN PILLMAN was at the 1 June 1996 ECW card and trash
talked everyone and everything, including calling the GANGSTAS
"niggers" and beating up MIKEY WHIPWRECK with a crutch. STEVE
RICHARDS brought in DEVINE BROWN (of the HUGH GRANT scandal) but RAVEN
said she wasn't a big enough whore for him. PEACHES (SANDMAN's wife)
will eventually be brought in. STEVE RICHARDS and THE BLUE MEANIE
came out dressed like THE BLUE BLOODS.
(rspw): Much anticipation for the 8 June 1996 match between DEVON
STORM and SABU.
(net): PPV#1 may not get off the ground until December 1996.
(torch): PPV#1 is scheduled to be taped on a Friday, airing on the
following Sunday. I'll be sure to put a "spoiler" warning when I post
results Friday night. :-)
(torch): PAUL VARELANS may train full time with TAZ and ELIMINATOR
KRONUS at the ECW training school.
INJURIES: Just about everyone. Worth mentioning: STEVE RICHARDS is
recovering nicely, SANDMAN (knee), 2 COLD SCORPIO (staph infection in
a leg after having a knee drained)
= = = = = = = = = = [ MISC ] = = = = = = = = = =
(hamilton): The 1 June 1996 World Wrestling Peace Festival (WWPF) had
a rather small turnout (6500 in a 18000-seat arena). When ERIC
BISCHOFF was announced, the place erupted with a "Bischoff sucks"
chant (Eric smiled and waved; he should consider a heel turn) and then
a "We want Vince" chant. In the best match of the card, REY MYSTERIO
JR and ULTIMO DRAGON won by pinfall over PSICOSIS and HEAVY METAL.
(aol) The next WWPF will be a two-day event in Mexico City. The dates
have been announced as 30 April and 1 May 1997 (Wednesday & Thursday)
but with all the confusion with the 1996 WWPF, expect the dates to
change several times before then.
(torch): The WWPF lost money.
(www): Verne Gagne's AWA will restart, with its first show on 13 July
1996 in Rochester, Minnesota. I will be there. Send email if you're
interested.
(hack-man): Former wrestler Stan Kowalski (who now runs UCW/UWF here
in Minnesota) carried the Olympic torch through a mile (or is that a
kilometer?) of St Paul as it makes its way to Atlanta.
(hack-man): 8 June 1996 7:30pm IWA card in St Paul Prom Expo Center:
Black Top Bully, Nailz, etc.
(hack-man): 15 June 1996 UCW card in St Paul at the Sports Garden.
Derrick Starfire Dukes, The Punisher, Tony DeNucci, Wayne "The Train"
Bloom, etc
MUSIC: DIAMOND DALLAS PAGE is using a cheap ripoff of Nirvana and OWEN
HART is using a cheap ripoff of The Artist Formerly Known As Prince.
INJURIES: KOUJI KANEMOTO (broken leg, out 2+ months)
= = = = = = = = = = [ RATINGS ] = = = = = = = = = =
25-27 May 1996 (from hotlines, RSPW, WWW, and Entertainment Weekly):
Raw = 3.3 (live)
Action Zone = 1.6
WWF Mania = 1.1
Nitro = 2.8 (first hour=2.7; second hour=2.8)
Nitro Repeat = 1.2
WCWSN = 2.0
WCW Pro = 1.1
WCWME = didn't seem to be on
I fear that by the time Nitro catches up to Raw (again) it will be
time for Nitro to start at Disney, which should drop their ratings
back down around 2 again. The NBA and the Olympics are really Vince's
best friend when it comes to the Monday Night Wars.
Actually, the numbers just came in for 3 June 1996:
Nitro = 3.0 (first hour=2.8; second hour=3.2)
Nitro Repeat = 1.1
Raw = 2.3
For Torch subscription info, write to
Wade Keller
This week has a condescending column from John Williams, a not-so-hot
interview with Rad Radford, and not much in the way of news, but is
usually a good read.
You may also send a question for Alex Marvez to answer
Some decent free hotlines:
(212)859-3500 NY info hotline
(313)252-2200 x0928 ML Curly info hotline
(410)385-9530 Chad Austin hotline
(215)602-2856 Philly hotline (mostly ECW)
(612)362-3608 Minnesota World TV Wrestling hotline
(612)649-4924 Minnesota Mick Karsh hotline
Having just figured out how to do mailing lists efficiently, I will
now offer to send out Hack Notes each week via email (as well as
posting it to RSPW, RSPWI, and putting it on my web page). Back
issues are also available on my web page. To be added to the mailing
list, send me email. I take no responsibility if I forget to send it
out to the mailing list when I post it, as I tend to forget things
from time to time.
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.