= = = = = = = = = = [ WCW ] = = = = = = = = = = Many people have been calling last weekend's WCW PPV "the best PPV since Hogan came in". This was really unexpected, as most people were expecting it to be the worst PPV in years, edging out the last two Uncensoreds, the 1995 King of the Ring, etc. MYSTERIO had a great match. ERIC BISCHOFF was put through a table. WCW surprised everyone by *not* jobbing the Horsemen to the NFLers, but instead turned STEVE MONGO MCMICHAEL heel and made him the fourth Horseman. This was no doubt a last-minute booking decision due to LOOSE CANNON BRIAN PILLMAN signing with the WWF. (wcw): STING, MACHO MAN RANDY SAVAGE, and THE TOTAL PACKAGE LEX LUGER are the three WCWers who will take on SCOTT HALL, KEVIN NASH, and the third "outsider". Many people are still expecting Luger to turn and be the third outsider, with NATURE BOY RIC FLAIR possibly taking his place on Team WCW. Insiders are saying that Luger will remain a face and that MABEL will be the third outsider. WCW was impressed with the match REY MYSTERIO JR put on against DEAN MALENKO at the Great American Bash PPV. On Tuesday or Wednesday of this week they signed Rey to work full-time for WCW! He will battle PSYCOSIS at the 7 July 1996 Bash at the Beach PPV. (rspw): DISCO INFERNO is supposed to get a big push starting in July. I'm not sure if this means he'll start getting more wins or if he'll just be getting increased exposure against bigger names. Other rumors have him signing with the WWF when his contract expires RSN. (net): HULK HOGAN was upset at what KEVIN NASH had to say about him on WCW TV ("Blunder in Paradise", etc) and called them up to complain on 11 June 1996. This doesn't seem to have stopped the WWF invaders from talking about "The Huckster" on the 16 June 1996 PPV (replayed on Nitro the next day), however. I'm hoping we can infer from this that Hogan's power is slipping in WCW. (www): KEVIN SULLIVAN may be wrestling less on TV in order to concentrate more on booking. (rspw): ARN ANDERSON took over for KEVIN SULLIVAN again behind the scenes at the recent WCWSN tapings. See the various posts on the net for the results of the matches at the tapings. (net): HARLEM HEAT may have signed on to continue with WCW. SISTER SHERRI will be returning to WCW. (net): After the Great American Bash PPV, MIKEY WHIPWRECK was seen hanging out with the WCW wrestlers at the hotel. WCW has been talking to him about joining their cruiserweight division, but Mikey played dumb when people asked if he'd be in WCW soon. It has also been reported that WCW is interested in signing RAVEN. (torch): DIAMOND DALLAS PAGE was at a recent ECW card. He and RAVEN are friends, so DDP may be helping RAVEN get back into WCW. (net): DUSTY RHODES was originally going to take the jackknife at the PPV, but there were concerns about him getting hurt. (net): Someone stole PUBLIC ENEMY's car (along with all their ring attire). They picked up some underwear at K-Mart and wrestled in that for the night. Their luggage was found in the trash, so they now have their old outfits back. (rspw): HULK HOGAN's movie "Santa with Muscles" should be in theaters in November 1996. (torch): TERRY TAYLOR was given credit by all for getting the two NFLers in shape in time for the Great American Bash PPV. Everyone backstage was happy with the entire PPV. (torch): KEVIN GREENE was still selling the sore knee as he limped around the bar after the PPV. (torch): MADUSA may be involved in the mid-card tag team scene, paired up with a man always taking on two men. (torch): If LOOSE CANNON BRIAN PILLMAN had re-signed with WCW. he and CANADIAN CRIPPLER CHRIS BENOIT would have formed a renegade group separate from the FOUR HORSEMEN. (torch): From 23 June 1996 to 17 July 1996 New Japan Pro Wrestling will have their Summer Struggle series. THE ROAD WARRIORS and BRAD ARMSTRONG will be in for most of the series, with NATURE BOY RIC FLAIR, MACHO MAN RANDY SAVAGE, THE GIANT, and either STING or TOTAL PACKAGE LEX LUGER coming in for the final two shows. The match on the 17 June Nitro between REY MYSTERIO JR and DEAN MALENKO had some of the best moves I've seen since EDDY GUERRERO used to wrestle on Nitro. The off-the-top-rope Frankensteiner on the outside of the ring had me hitting the rewind button several times. People are saying it paled in comparison to the PPV match--can't wait for it to come out on tape! Blood Runs Cold/Glacier & the Three Ninjas will finally be revealed in July, possibly at the 7 July 1996 Bash at the Beach PPV. WCW hyped the replay of the Great American Bash like mad on Nitro, and between ERIC BISCHOFF's bump, MYSTERIO's match, and the MONGO turn--I wouldn't be surprised if it was the most-watched replay of a PPV in history. BOBBY "THE BRAIN" HEENEN jumped *over* the top rope as MACHO MAN RANDY SAVAGE chased him on the 17 June 1996 Monday Nitro in Heenen's best bump in years. There were rumors spread by the mainstream media that WILLIAM REFRIGERATOR PERRY was going to join WCW (I seem to recall last year that he had trained at the WCW Power Plant). Now the rumors are that he isn't joining any wrestling federation. Wrestlers rumored to be heading into WCW: KEVIN NASH, 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 (some time in late October/early 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, RAVEN, MIKEY WHIPWRECK 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, HARLEM HEAT INJURIES: ROAD WARRIOR HAWK (ankle), JOHNNY GRUNGE (broken arm & thumb) = = = = = = = = = = [ WWF ] = = = = = = = = = = (wwf): MR PERFECT CURT HENNIG will be the special guest ref. (www): JIMMY SHOULDERS (dressed up like SUNNY) has been managing the BODYDONNAs at indie shows. He may be known as "CLOUDY". (net): SCOTT HALL has filed a lawsuit against Titan for withholding his paychecks. (www): If OWEN HART and BRITISH BULLDOG DAVEY BOY SMITH nab the tag straps and AHMED JOHNSON manages to get the IC title from GOLDUST, then there may be a match with SHAWN MICHAELS & Ahmed taking on Owen and DBS with all three titles being on the line at the 21 July 1996 In Your House PPV. (net): YOKOZUNA will be back after more weight loss. FATU may be back after this summer. There are weak rumors of PAUL BEARER turning on THE UNDERTAKER. This makes little sense so I wouldn't put too much stock in it. The WWF is threatening MATT BOURNE with legal action if he doesn't stop using the DOINK gimmick on the indie circuit. (wwf): HUNTER HEARST HELMSLEY hinted that he may take on MR PERFECT CURT HENNIG as his manager. (torch): THE MAN THEY CALL VADER no-sold a bunch of the ULTIMATE WARRIOR's finishing moves and did an unscripted walk to the locker room in Chicago on 9 June 1996. (torch): Titan has signed announcer KEVIN KELLY to take over some of VINCE MCMAHON's announcing duties. (torch): The WWF is trying to make HUNTER HEARST HELMSLEY sign a three-year deal before Vince will give him the push he was supposed to be getting this summer. Sports Entertainers 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 (either on 23 or 24 June with a new gimmick), MR PERFECT CURT HENNIG (wrestling by mid-November), BUDDY LANDEL (October), SID VICIOUS (the WWF no longer denies it), MARC HENRY (olympian), RON SIMMONS, DISCO INFERNO, THE KILLER BEES, GREG "THE HAMMER" VALENTINE, RAVISHING RICK RUDE, BARRY WINDHAM, JOHNNY SWINGER (THE KING OF SWING) Sports Entertainers rumored to be heading out of the WWF: THE BODYDONNAS, MANKIND, YOKOZUNA, FATU, BOB BACKLUND (may retire), BOB HOLLY, SUNNY (I really doubt this, but it has been reported by numerous sources). INJURIES: 1-2-3 KID (concussion), THE MAN THEY CALL VADER (leg), THE ULTIMATE WARRIOR (arm/shoulder), GOLDUST (20 stitches from hitting the ringpost wrong), BODYDONNA SKIP (elbow, out until early- or mid-July), OWEN HART (wrist), THE UNDERTAKER, WILDMAN MARC MERO (tongue) QUOTE: "[Vince McMahon] loves what I love the most... and I'm not just kissing butt... I respect [Goldust's] wrestling ability very much, in relation to what Goldust is doing--this is the 90s, I guess in the 90s you have to be different, and by god he is!" --Pat Patterson = = = = = = = = = = [ 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) 330-2785. Talk to Corey Stolty. BRIAN PILLMAN is still scheduled to make an appearance at the 30 June 1996 card in New York. There's no way to know if he'll be there until the card is over. 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), SABU (neck) = = = = = = = = = = [ MISC ] = = = = = = = = = = (rspw) "CAPTAIN REDNECK" DIRTY DICK MURDOCH died this past weekend at the age of 48. He spent most of his career wrestling for the NWA. I haven't been able to get results yet from the 14 June 1996 card MR PERFECT CURT HENNIG wrestled on (along with BARON VON RASCHKE, NORD THE BARBARIAN, "JUMPIN'" JIM BRUNZELL, NAILZ, BLACKTOP BULLY, and THE BEVERLY BROTHERS). Special Guest Appearances by LARRY HENNIG and THE CRUSHER. This was a charity event for the Turtle Lake Fire Department. (karch): The AWF (the American Wrestling Federation) with SGT SLAUGHTER, GREG THE HAMMER VALENTINE, CHRIS ADAMS, JAKE THE SNAKE ROBERTS, THE ROAD WARRIORS, TITO SANTANA, NAILZ, THE WARLORD, MR HUGHES, TOMMY RICH, etc is coming to TV in Minnesota this September. It will be on KLGT-TV 23 (the Warner Brothers station). This is the same station that kicked all the wrestling programs off their line-up when it was bought out by the fundamental christians five to eight years back. TERRY TAYLOR and MICK KARCH did the announcing on the clip (from 1995) I saw earlier this week, with KEN RESNECK doing interviews. Paul Alperstein is the "President" of the federation. I've heard from other people on the net that the AWF will be aired in many parts of the country, and that the clip I saw was just to whet our appetite and there will be *new* matches shown this autumn. Matches seem to be in timed "rounds" (like in boxing). Not sure if this is instead of the resurrection of the old AWA or not. A lot of the details of the "new AWA" news seemed suspect to me. I'm not sure how reliable that info was. The AWA *will* be re-opening in Rochester, MN (on 13 July 1996) but I am skeptical about the tie-in with FOX. (rspw): The NWA card on Saturday had an awesome "sandbox full of glass" match with IAN ROTTEN. Attendance was under 100. JAMES E CORNETTE was hanging around watching the action. (rspw): On 1 September 1996, there will apparently be a new 24-hour "Fighting TV" cable station, which will show nothing but Pro-Wrestling, Sumo, and Martial Arts. In something I am skeptical about, Chris Newman is apparently trying to something similar in the States. He thinks he can get enough funding to start the "Wrestling Channel", filling it with indie TV shows from around the country. (net) In a cost-cutting decision, the USWA is switching from their 25-year home at the Mid South Coliseum to the Big One Expo Building (aka the Flea Market Building) at 2585 Hollywood. The Coliseum hasn't been more than 10% to 20% full in years, so they found a cheaper venue with less seats. INJURIES: KOUJI KANEMOTO (broken leg, out 2+ months) = = = = = = = = = = [ RATINGS ] = = = = = = = = = = 8-10 June 1996 (from hotlines, RSPW, WWW, and Entertainment Weekly): Raw = 2.7 Action Zone = 1.5 WWF Mania = 1.2 Nitro = 2.6 (first hour=2.5; second hour=2.6) Nitro Repeat = 1.4 (first hour=1.6; second hour=1.6) WCWSN = 2.0 WCW Pro = 1.1 WCWME = 2.0 15-17 June 1996 (from hotlines, RSPW, WWW, and Entertainment Weekly): Raw = 2.3 Action Zone = 1.3 WWF Mania = 1.2 Nitro = 3.4 (first hour=3.2; second hour=3.6) Nitro Repeat = 1.5 (first hour=1.2; second hour=1.8) For Torch subscription info, write to Wade Keller at kelle050@gold.tc.umn.edu You may also send a question for Alex Marvez to answer at alex_marvez@dni.com For info on upcoming NWA cards, email them at NWAProWrestling@prodigy.com 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 Karch hotline Hack Notes is now available via mailing list (as well as me 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.