[ Finally got caught up with news-related items from my mailbox. Got RSPW down to 6000 unread articles. Still haven't had much time to check out any of the web info sites or chat with many of my contacts in the biz. I'll be lucky if the 24 July edition of Hack Notes™ makes it out as I'll have everything but my computer packed by then, and even luckier if the 31 July edition makes it out (as I won't be able to find anything for a few weeks. ] = = = = = = = = = = [ WCW ] = = = = = = = = = = (net): HULK HOGAN did not show up for the Bash at The Beach PPV until 15 minutes before the main event that he was scheduled for. ERIC BISCHOFF was backstage trying to coordinate their backup plan of STING as the third OUTSIDER. HOGAN may turn face again by the Halloween Havoc PPV. Hulk may get the strap from THE GIANT in the next week, otherwise it'll probably switch hands at the Hog Wild PPV or the following 15 August 1996 Clash of the Champions in Denver. There are also rumors that the NWO will have their own separate belts. (net): When ERIC BISCHOFF gave HULK HOGAN the ultimatum of "turn heel or you won't be re-signed", Hogan got his WCW contract extended for two years at a lower (but undisclosed) salary. (net): The 1996 Starrcade PPV from Japan may be a seven-match WCW vs NWO deal. (net): The REY MISTERIO JR win over DEAN MALENKO was booked at the last minute for Nitro. (net): The fan that ran in the ring at the Bash at the Beach PPV was not scripted. It was a mark who didn't believe his idol had turned heel. (net): MEAN GENE was hit by a can at the Bash at the Beach PPV which cut his lip. (net): KONAN won the US title back from NATURE BOY RIC FLAIR at the recent TV tapings. (net): Rumors are flying that WCW wants to bring back JESSE VENTURA. With the decrease in power wielded by HULK HOGAN, this could actually be a possibility. Anyone who has listened to me rant on RSPW since its inception knows how great I think this idea is. VENTURA was fired from his morning radio show in Minneapolis, is out of politics, and probably has no other commitments (with the possible exception of color man for Florida football, which coincidentally is WCW's new home state). Hotlines are reporting that Jesse wants to return to the WWF, however. (net): BUDDY LEE PARKER (of the STATE PATROL) finally wrestled with the gimmick I reported he would have a few months ago: as THE LEPRECHAUN. He will be yet another member of THE DUNGEON OF DOOM. (net): ERIC BISCHOFF is apparently unhappy with the recent tour of the NorthEastern states. While they had huge crowds for the three dates, Bischoff expected to sell out all three arenas with BRUNO SAMMARTINO and PEDRO MORALES there. WOMAN (who is denying rumors that she is preggers) may jump to the DUNGEON OF DOOM as their valet, since THE FOUR HORSEMEN have enough valets with Debbie & Liz and then Nancy would be with Kevin instead of having to dance with Ric. (net): Several sources report that the BULL NAKANO vs MADUSA match at the Hog Wild PPV is a "winner gets to smash the loser's motorcycle" match, which will end with Madusa pinning Bull cleanly, smashing the dreaded Japanese Kawasaki, with Madusa riding away on her Harley to the cheers of the biker crowd. (sheet): The 11 August 1996 Nitro will be taped just before the 10 August 1996 Hog Wild PPV in South Dakota. (sheet): WCW says that STING and THE GIANT will be in the upcoming Jim Carey movie. (net): WCW may have made a one-year offer to BRUCE BOMGRADNER (US Olympic wrestler) to come in and feud with Olympian CHIP MINTON. Bruce turned them down. (net): REY MISTERIO JR may have lost the WCW Cruiserweight title at a AAA card in Los Angeles, California. If he did, WCW may not recognize it. (wcw): BILLY KIDMAN scored a win over PSICOSIS at the WCW Worldwide taped on 11 July 1996. EDDIE GUERRERO teamed up with his nephew (I believe) CHAVO GUERRERO JR to defeat HIGH VOLTAGE. In addition to the names I mentioned last week (KEVIN NASH, SCOTT HALL, HULK HOGAN, THE NASTY BOYS, JEFF JARRETT, TED DIBIASE) for the NWO, don't be surprised if we also see MAN OF 1000 HOLDS DEAN MALENKO, MEN ON A MISSION, and TOTAL PACKAGE LEX LUGER join up. (net): Here's where WCW will be later this summer: 7/22 Disney - Orlando, FL (Nitro) 7/24 Cincinnati, OH 7/25 Charleston, WV 7/26 Muncie, IN 7/27 Dayton, OH 7/29 Disney - Orlando, FL (Nitro) 7/31 Corpus Christi, TX 8/01 Beaumount, TX 8/02 Midland, TX 8/03 Lubbock, TX 8/05 Disney - Orlando, FL (TV Tapings) 8/06 Disney - Orlando, FL (TV Tapings) 8/10-11 Sturgis, SD (Hog Wild PPV) 8/12 Casper, Wy 8/14 Colorado Springs 8/14-15 Denver (Clash of the Champions) 8/16 Norfolk, VA 8/17 Baltimore 8/19 Roanoke 8/26 Palmetto, FL 8/21 Disney - Orlando, FL (TV Tapings) 8/22 Disney - Orlando, FL (TV Tapings) 8/23 Disney - Orlando, FL (TV Tapings) 8/24 Disney - Orlando, FL (TV Tapings) 8/25 Disney - Orlando, FL (TV Tapings) 8/27 Disney - Orlando, FL (TV Tapings) 8/28 Disney - Orlando, FL (TV Tapings) 8/29 Disney - Orlando, FL (TV Tapings) 9/15 (Fall Brawl PPV) Wrestlers working without a contract: SHARK BOOTY MAN THE STEINER BROTHERS KEVIN SULLIVAN??? Wrestlers rumored to be heading into WCW: MABEL (and maybe MO) of MEN ON A MISSION (July) as part of NWO THE QUEBECERS (as THE FRENCH CONNECTION (July)) as part of NWO CHRIS JERICHO (August) TED DIBIASE (as an announcer in late August, for at least three years) as part of NWO BRITISH BULLDOG DAVEY BOY SMITH (end of September) as part of NWO BAM BAM BIGALOW (late October) as part of NWO JEFF JARRETT (some time in late October/early November) as part of NWO JIMMY DEL REY (as JIM BACKLUND) SUGAR RAY LLOYD (martial artist) BELFAST BRUISER (back in late fall or early 1997 (though he denies it)) SIR OLIVER HUMPERDINK CHRIS KANYON (ninja) CHIP MINTON (olympian) LANNY POFFO (as GORGEOUS GEORGE III) CHAVITO GUERRERO RAVEN MIKEY WHIPWRECK THE CYBERPUNKS Wrestlers rumored to be gone from WCW: BUNKHOUSE BUCK 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) JOHN TENTA (in a Nitro match 1 July 1996) EDDIE GUERRERO (broken hand) QUOTE: "This could be worse than Uncensored" --Heenen "Nothing could be worse than Uncensored" --Schiavone (WorldWide) = = = = = = = = = = [ WWF ] = = = = = = = = = = (net): Many wrestlers (including HUNTER, AHMED JOHNSON, and SAVIO VEGA) are saying that THE ULTIMATE WARRIOR has been fired and will not be back in the WWF. VINCE is still saying that the official word is that he is "under suspension". Probably just a way of keeping him from jumping to WCW and still not having to pay him. I may have (accidentally) been correct in my news item a few weeks back where I reported that the 1-2-3 KID would return to the WWF on 22-24 September 1996. Unless the source I just got this from was quoting someone who got the news from my mis-printed Hack Notes™. :-) (tck): A report contrary to the above has the 1-2-3 KID being released early from his contract and jumping to WCW, becoming part of the NWO. I find this a little hard to believe (that Vince would have the heart to let someone go early, especially to wrestle for the competition), but would love to see the obvious matchups. The sheets are reporting that THE 1-2-3 KID's WWF contract was through next February, not through November 30th (which is what everyone else was reporting). If this was right, it may have been that Waltman would have had to give his 90-day notice by November 30th. (net): Two separate reports are coming in about the IC title. One says that HUNTER will win it soon (probably from AHMED JOHNSON. The other says that the 1-2-3 KID will win it late this year. (net): THE BRITISH BULLDOG DAVEY BOY SMITH has *not* renewed his contract with the WWF yet. He is looking for a five year guaranteed money contract. He is still in negotiations. (sheet): THE BRITISH BULLDOG DAVEY BOY SMITH has been offered a contract by the WWF reportedly for $250,000/yr for five years. Wade reports that WCW offered BBD $400,000 but doesn't make any mention of whether that was for a single year or over the duration of the multi-year contract. (net): THE QUEBECCERS may have signed back on with the WWF. (net): JAKE THE SNAKE ROBERTS may retire from active wrestling and manage THE UNDERTAKER when PAUL BEARER turns heel to manage MANKIND. (wwf): SUNNY will announce her new singles wrestler (RON SIMMONS) at the live Raw on 22 July 1996 in Seattle, WA. CRUSH should debut at the same tapings. (net): VINCE MCMAHON may once again put too much trust in SYCHO SID (no "P" in his name (insert Visine joke here)) and push him as a megaface, turning a top current face (WARRIOR, BRET HART, or SHAWN MICHAELS) to do so. Personally, I'd regard this as a weak rumor at this stage. (net): There are rumors that VINCE MCMAHON wants to dump THE ULTIMATE WARRIOR but LINDA MCMAHON wants to keep him with the WWF. (wwf): CRUSH finally signed the WWF contract that had been reported for months now. (net): Apparently, BARRY WINDHAM has officially signed on with the WWF, as McMahon is happy enough with his state of health for his knee to bring him in for two years. (sheet): BARRY WINDHAM married a rich gal and now has one child. (net): HUNTER claims he will be teaming with MR PERFECT CURT HENNIG, though most reports are saying that the recent match in Turtle Lake Wisconsin was Hennig's last of 1996. HUNTER isn't being very discrete about his unhappiness over BRIAN PILLMAN's salary, BTW. (net): OWEN & BRET HART's sister GEORGIA lost their 12 year old son MATT earlier this week. He had been in a coma. JOE PEDICINO will be wrestling for the WWF as QuarterDust. (Just seeing if you're awake). Sports Entertainers rumored to be heading into the WWF: JIM THE ANVIL NEIDHART (with a new gimmick as "WHO") TRACY SMOTHERS (as hick FREDDY JOE FLOYD) TONY "DIRTY WHITE BOY" ANTHONY (as T L HOPPER in a plumber gimmick) TOM "JOHNNY GUNN" BRANDI (as SALVADORE SINCERE(LY)) JOHNNY SWINGER (THE KING OF SWING) WILD BILL IRWIN (as THE GOON (a hockey gimmick)) RON SIMMONS (as SUNNY's love interest) DUANE JOHNSON (son of ROCKY JOHNSON) CRUSH BARRY WINDHAM (if his knee is up to it) hopefully not as SilverDust THE IRON SHEIK (wrestling, then managing ALDO MONTOYA after a gimmick change for Walker) ALEX PORTEAU THE PUNISHER BRIAN CHRISTOPHER (son of Jerry Lawler, even though both recently turned heel in the USWA) DOUG FURNAS DAN KROFFAT BRET THE HITMAN HART MR PERFECT CURT HENNIG (wrestling by mid-November) BUDDY LANDEL (October) MARC HENRY (olympian, September?) DISCO INFERNO (if he doesn't re-sign with WCW) THE KILLER BEES RAVISHING RICK RUDE (despite injuries) MO of MEN ON A MISSION THE QUEBECERS (who seem to be unhappy with WCW) THE BRUISE BROTHERS (despite the fact that they were fired for beating up SHAWN MICHAELS and tearing his ear- lobe while ripping off his earring last year) THE HEAD HUNTERS (managed by PAUL BEARER) Sports Entertainers rumored to be heading out of the WWF: THE BODYDONNAS MANKIND YOKOZUNA (though he is now back at the fat farm) FATU BOB BACKLUND (may retire) BOB HOLLY CLOUDY 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 & a bad knee), BODYDONNA SKIP (elbow, out until early- or mid-July), OWEN HART (wrist), THE UNDERTAKER, WILDMAN MARC MERO (tongue), STONE COLD STEVE AUSTIN (ripped lip), BOB HOLLY (foot) = = = = = = = = = = [ 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. (net): 911 is back. (www): Missy Hiatt had her lips enlarged recently. 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 ] = = = = = = = = = = (net): More info on the nationwide return of the AWF (run by SGT SLAUGHTER and TITO SANTANA). They can be reached at 1-888-293-2582 (this is toll free) or: AWF P.O. Box 146 Berwyn, IL 60402 These should probably be added to the FAQL along with the WWF, WCW, AWA, etc. In Minneapolis, the AWF will be on WB KLGT-TV 23 and WorldWide will be on UPN KMSP-TV 9. No new news on DALE GAGNER (not VERN GAGNE)'s AWA. I think they had their first card in Rochester, MN this past weekend, but I couldn't make it and haven't heard from anyone who attended. It was *not* well-publicized or well-advertized. INJURIES: KOUJI KANEMOTO (broken leg, out 2 more months) = = = = = = = = = = [ RATINGS ] = = = = = = = = = = 6-8 July 1996 (from hotlines, RSPW, WWW, and Entertainment Weekly): Raw = 2.5 Action Zone = WWF Mania = Nitro = 3.6 (first hour=3.3; second hour=3.7) Nitro Repeat = 1.6 (first hour=1.5; second hour=1.7) WCWSN = WCW Pro = WCWME = The "low" score for Nitro (even though it did more than a full point better than Raw) can probably be contributed to many Americans being out of town for the extended weekend. I think this is one of the first years since the Hulk jumped from the AWA to the WWF that I haven't taken a three week vacation in early July and I still almost didn't catch Nitro. Keller reports that the 8 July Nitro only scored a 3.5, but five other sources (which admittedly may have all come from the same person originally) put it at 3.6. 13-15 July 1996 (from hotlines, RSPW, WWW, and Entertainment Weekly): Raw = 2.6 Action Zone = 1.5 WWF Mania = 1.3 Nitro = 3.4 (first hour=3.3; second hour=3.5) WCWSN = 3.0 WCW Pro = 1.5 WCWME = 2.0 The 15-minute breakdown looked like this: Time Nitro Raw ==== ===== === 7:45 - - (the lead-in show on TNT was 2.4) 8:00 3.2 - 8:15 3.3 - 8:30 3.3 - 8:45 3.2 - (the lead-in show on USA was 2.9) 9:00 3.0 3.0 9:15 3.3 2.4 9:30 3.2 2.7 9:45 4.2 2.3 For Torch subscription info, write to Wade Keller at kelle050@gold.tc.umn.edu; unfortunately, over 25% of this week's issue was devoted to talking about UFC instead of being wrestling-related 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 (718)921-1400 x1021 (708)585-3789 Chicago Wrestling Connection (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. :-) Excerpts of publications are used under the "fair use" clause of the US Copyright laws. This article is copyright © 1996 Otto E Heuer. All rights reserved.