Pro-Wrestling Matchups taking shape for WWE's Wrestlemania XX Page Pro-Wrestling Matchups taking shape for WWE's Wrestlemania XX Page
Last updated 25 February 2004
Only three weeks away from World Wrestling Entertainment's biggest event of the year, little has been officially announced concerning a lineup for Wrestlemania XX at Madison Square Garden, the venue where the legendary event began March 31, 1985. That should change in the next week, however, when most of the matches that have been taking shape over the past couple of months will be made public.
What isn't as widely known is that WWE already is setting the stage for next year's installment of Mania.
Triple H, who is defending his WWE Raw title against Chris Benoit and Shawn Michaels in a ladder match at Wrestlemania XX, is sharing this year's main-event bill with Brock Lesnar, who is poised to square off with Bill Goldberg in what looks to be the latter's swan song with the company. Arguably the two biggest players for their respective Raw and Smackdown brands, Triple H vs. Lesnar look to be the main event for next year's Wrestlemania.
Other bouts shaping up for Wrestlemania XX include: Kurt Angle vs. Eddy Guerrero for the WWE Smackdown title; The Undertaker vs. Kane; The Rock (who is tentatively scheduled to make his WWE return at the March 1 Raw at the Gwinnett Center in Atlanta) and Mick Foley vs. Randy Orton and Batista; and Torrie Wilson and Sable vs. Stacy Keibler and Jackie Gayda.
"I think I sold myself short in the past, and I hope my victory sends a good message to everyone out there," he told the WWE Web site. "Who'd ever expect a Chicano, 5-9 and 220 pounds, to win the WWE championship? I'm just thankful and there are a lot of people behind it. I can't take all the credit ... You can ask God and others for all the help you want, but you better bring the shovel because you've got to do the work."
Lockwood, who had a history of out-of-the-ring problems, had experienced a number of personal setbacks prior to his death, including a separation from his wife and a release from WWE. He had been staying at the Florida home of wrestler Steven Richards (Mike Manna) at the time of his death. Lockwood, who was found dead Nov. 6 with an empty bottle of somas, had just been served with divorce papers from his wife.
Bischoff categorized their current relationship as "friendly," and said they are professional around each other but will not be breaking bread anytime soon.
Quite naturally Bischoff has a sizable role in the new WWE DVD "The Monday Night Wars." The first installment already has sold out, with the distributor expected to ship new copies of the DVD in early March.
WWE earlier released Brian "Spanky" Kendrick at his request. Reports say the split was amicable. The underutilized Kendrick, who wasn't being used at house shows enough to make more than his downside guarantee, will be working Japan's Zero-One promotion along with a number of U.S. indies.
"In my WCW days I loved working with Ricky Steamboat and before I retired last year I got to have several cage matches with Ric Flair -- which weren't on TV -- and I consider him the greatest wrestler in the history of the business. Working with Ric was a walk in the park and he's considered a legend for a good reason, because he's simply the best."
Austin listed in another interview the Flair-Steamboat match as among the three greatest in wrestling history. He also listed Ole and Arn Anderson vs. The Rock 'N Roll Express in a cage, and his classic with Bret Hart at Wrestlemania XIII as a pivotal bout that changed the face of the business.
Lex Luger and Sting also are making plans for a return trip to NWA-TNA that most likely would occur at the "Bound For Glory" PPV tentatively set for Fort Campbell, Ky.
Roberts (Auerlian Smith Jr.), who has been plagued by drug addiction in the past, is accused of starving the python to death. Inspectors seized the 12-foot snake after a tip-off he was being neglected at Roberts' home in London Colney, Herts. The Burmese python died several days later, the Sun reported.
Roberts, 50, has been living in the United Kingdom for some time, working various independent events and helping promote shows there. He denied the charges but faces a maximum six months in prison if convicted of animal cruelty.
The event will mark Heenan's first live appearance with WWE since his calling of the 2001 Gimmick Battle Royal with Gene Oklerlund at Wrestlemania. Heenan appeared on an episode of Confidential, chronicling his fight against cancer and plugging his first book. Heenan's latest book will be released just prior to Wrestlemania.
The WWE Hall currently consists of Chief Jay Strongbow, Arnold Skaaland, Bobo Brazil, Freddie Blassie, Buddy Rogers, Gorilla Monsoon, James Dudley, The Fabulous Moolah, Pedro Morales, Ivan Putski, Antonino Rocca, The Grand Wizard, George "The Animal" Steele, Ernie Ladd, Capt. Lou Albano,
Killer Kowalski, Baron Mikel Scicluna, Johnny Valiant, Jimmy Valiant, Johnny Rodz, Pat Patterson, Vincent J. McMahon and Jimmy Snuka.
For many years Haggerty, with his thick neck, bald head and handlebar mustache, was one of the most recognizable faces among wrestling and film fans. He began his career as a pro football player with the Green Bay Packers and Detroit Lions, joined the wrestling ranks and later became an accomplished actor in movies, television and commercials.
The self-proclaimed "King of Wrestlers" held a slew of titles during his mat career, including the AWA world tag-team belts in the early '60 with Lenny Montana (who would also have great success in the film business, most notably as Luca Brasi in "The Godfather"), Gene Kiniski and Bob Geigel, the AWA U.S. title, the California-based WWA world tag-team title with The Destroyer and El Shereef, the Hawaiian heavyweight title and the Hawaiian tag-team belts with Bill Savage and Butcher Vachon.
Haggerty, who also worked as a stuntman, made his film-acting debut in "Paint Your Wagon" with Clint Eastwood and Lee Marvin. Under the name H.B. Haggerty, he went on to perform in 22 motion pictures, more than 100 TV shows, three dozen commercials and several print advertisements.
Among his film resume were "The Muppet Movie," "Dirty Harry," "Foxy Brown," "Earthquake" and "Micki + Maude." His television credits included "Get Smart," "Baretta," "The Bob Newhart Show," "The Love Boat," "Starsky and Hutch," "Fantasy Island," "Happy Days" and "The Incredible Hulk."
A longtime member of the Screen Actor's Guild, Haggerty also was a voting member of the Academy of Motion Pictures Arts and Sciences.
The release date for the movie is scheduled April 9 and the budget for the movie is reportedly $56 million.
The 6-7, 300-pound Morris portrayed a bushy-bearded, square-dancing, guitar-playing good ole boy from Mudlick, Ky., who led a pig on a leash during his ring introductions. He was even given a spot on the company's morning show as it attempted to attract a children's audience to its product. The gimmick got an even bigger push when WWE introduced family members Uncle Elmer (the late Stan "Plowboy" Frazier), Cousin Junior (Larry Kean) and Cousin Luke (Gene Petit).
Regal is down to just four pills a day now. "Just regular stuff that a lot of people take," Regal said. "It's no big deal." There are no more blood thinners, and no more water pills that were forcing him to run to the bathroom so frequently. But his doctor is being extremely cautious, and Regal said it'll be at least a few more months -- when he's due to have an echocardiogram -- until he's even allowed to begin ring training again.
--?The Rock (Dwayne Johnson) donated $10,000 for food to help Samoa after the island was hit by Cyclone Heta earlier this month. The Rock's grandmother lives in a village in Samoa and told her grandson they need food.
"What a perfect example of a local boy who has done good and is doing well. You know it's that old adage, 'It takes village to raise a child.' In this case, it takes one child to feed a village," said Gus Hannemann, who has been coordinating relief efforts.
The food container will arrive in early February. More has been collected at local Samoan churches and Oahu fire stations.
Dalton gained a measure of national notoriety when he fabricated his grandmother's death to buy three more days on the island, and then bought three more days by swearing allegiance on her nonexistent grave.
The Danville, Va., native has a background in professional wrestling with stints at independent promotions New Dimension Wrestling and Portland Wrestling. Dalton also worked as a production assistant for Rowdy Roddy Piper.
Dalton's NWA-TNA angles are being put together by another controversial character, Vince Russo, who was in exile during Hulk Hogan's brief stint with the Nashville-based company. Hogan refused to be part of NWA-TNA if Russo were around because of the lawsuit Hogan filed against Time Warner and Russo for his final night in WCW when Russo made unplanned shoot comments against him on a national pay-per-view.