Wrestling News August 4, 2005

WWE is close to yet another major acquisition. World Wrestling Entertainment is close to finalizing a deal for the World Class Championship Wrestling video library, currently owned by the last surviving member of the Von Erich family, Kevin Von Erich. WWE is currently auditing the library to inspect the condition of the footage before they make their final offer.

SD: Huge news. Absolutely huge. I have seen very, very little World Class but it has a huge following so there has to be something to it. Just considering the number of performers who went through that territory is a who’s who list of wrestling legends. Hopefully the footage is all in good shape.

Former WWE Champion Bret Hart arrived at WWE Headquarters Wednesday. The “Hit Man” met with WWE officials regarding the possibility of an upcoming DVD. Hart will be in Stamford for the remainder of the week.

SD: As I suspected. If he’s there for the entirety of the week then the three possibilities are 1) very aggressive contract negotiations to be going on, 2) content disputes or 3) DVD documentary and/or alternative match commentary being recorded. Since this DVD has been rumored for a few months now I am going with #3.


WWE.com posted this yesterday evening about the meeting with Dusty. Dusty Rhodes’ meeting with Stephanie McMahon has ended. When asked about the meeting, McMahon responded:

“Dusty is an incredible asset both creatively and as a talent. We are exploring all possibilities of working with Dusty in the future.”

SD: Of course this is all about joining the creative team. That’s Stephanie’s job. Based on his history as a booker he’d be a good fit.

In some good news, Bob Ryder is reporting that Kid Kash has signed a WWE developmental contract. He’s been assigned to the DSW territory.

SD: He’s a natural for that territory. If he’s used as a heel then the news of near-riots at the shows should be waiting in the wings. Well…depending on who the booker will be. On a related note, I’m fairly certain Stephanie isn’t in charge of territory coordination. Dusty would be an excellent fit as booker for Deep South IMO. His brand of booking will be the perfect lead-in for the WWE proper team of writers.

Misc. WWE News and Notes:
- The pairing of CM Punk and Alexis Laree is reportedly dead. A shame on many levels.
- Boogeyman hyperextended both of his knees in a match against Steven Richards recently. Some WWE wrestlers blame this on wrestlers being called up way too soon. I’m sure Stevie is just glad he wasn’t the one injured yet again in a match against a rookie.
- According to the Torch newsletter, Hogan wanted the feud with HBK to start by HBK superkicking Nick Hogan. HBK nixed the idea right away and wanted it to have a legends build-up instead. Good call, sir. Good call.
- Add Daivari to the DSW territory. Hassan is supposed to return to OVW but I personally expect him to be sat out for a while first.
- Sorry there is only WWE news today.

Wrestling News August 3, 2005

Update 3:00PM EST
Dusty Rhodes has just arrived at WWE Headquarters. The former World Champion is scheduled to meet with Stephanie McMahon. WWE.com will have more on their meeting once it concludes.

SD: Obviously he is meeting about joining the creative team. Because Dusty finishes are what we've been missing in the WWE.

Bret “Hit Man” Hart is scheduled to arrive at WWE Headquarters at 4:00 p.m. ET today to meet with WWE officials.

SD: That’s all it says. It’s most likely about the DVD box set in the works. Check back for any potential updates.

WWE.com offered some sad news if you believe it. After verbally agreeing to terms with WWE, Brock Lesnar has decided to withdraw from any involvement with the company.

But a PWInsider reader sets things straight for all of us: "As a an attorney I can tell you that this is a work. There is/was a lawsuit pending between the WWE and Lesnar. As was properly pointed out on yesterday's hotline, the lawyers involved would have NEVER allowed either side to publicly comment on negotiations between the parties during litigation. This is clearly a work."

SD: What the hell is up with WWE.com and their news anyway? They’re getting very annoying with their constant hopping between kayfabe and straight news. I can understand the company need to do it but they just aren’t handling it well. I know they want to try to make their site the only source of company news and it’s admirable for them to do so. But can’t we just get back to the days of the Ross Report where they were a little more sraight-up with their fans? Yes, a little mystery and shocks are good for the fans. But play it right. You already dropped the ball with the Matt Hardy stuff the first week after convincing the majority of fans he was gone for mood. So don’t you think your tactics need to change a little bit?

Two more shows are joining Velocity and Experience in the cancellation line. World Wrestling Entertainment issued a notice to their television carriers that both WWE Afterburn (a Smackdown recap show hosted by Josh Matthews) and WWE Bottom Line (a Raw recap show hosted by Todd Grisham) would be canceled in the fall, airing until the end of September. The shows air in different syndicated markets.

SD: And that explains why Mark Loyd is gone. This is a sad move for WWE fans who don't have cable. It's almost like WWE is encouraging fans to get online to find out what is going on with the company.

Once again we get a reminder that WWE isn’t heartless as “Tatanka” Chris Chavis” is offered a contract. From his message board: "So I was just offered a WWE contract. Stay tuned as I lose those extra pounds and get back to the old Tatanka that you remember.

HEEYEEYEEYEEYEEYEE HEE HEE HEE!"

SD: Yes, I left in the yell! I mark for it. Congratulations to Tatanka and the WWE for making good on another veteran’s career as short-lived as it may turn out to be. In other WWE signing news, Matt Striker is now apparently under contract as well. I hope the writers realize that he could be one hell of a monkey wrench in the Kurt Angle/Eugene match this Monday. Kurt called him a liar but then Eugene and Kurt both lied in the Invitationals. It’s just begging for a triple threat match at SummerSlam.

ROH News and Notes:
- "American Dragon" Bryan Danielson told ROH officials that he will return to ROH on 9/17 in Long Island.
- Everybody under WWE contract who is signed to wrestle their shows in August will still be making the shows. I don’t think there is anybody but Matt Hardy, but that’s what they said.
- Harley Race is having a special camp where you can train with NOAH stars Kenta Kobashi, Marufuji and KENTA. The camp will be in Eldon, MO and runs from September 21st-24th. This is a must go if you can possibly make it.

MMA News
UFC want to remind you that they have a great, free even for you this Saturday: Ultimate Fight Night on SpikeTV! The event starts at 7:15PM live but the cable telecast starts at 9:00PM. The card is as follows:

Middleweight Bout
Nathan Marquardt vs. Ivan Salaverry

Welterweight Bout
Pete Spratt vs. Josh Koscheck

Middleweight Bout
Pete Sell vs. Nate Quarry

Light Heavyweight Bout
Sam Hoger vs. Stephen Bonnar

Middleweight Bout
Patrick Cote vs. Chris Leben
Mike Swick vs Keith Rockel

Welterweight Bout
Kenny Florian vs Alex Karalexis
Drew Fickett vs Josh Neer

SD: Some potentially good stuff here. I know UFC isn’t as well liked but hell if I don’t like the Ultimate Fighter kids. They’re the future of MMA and it’ll be nice to see them develop from this stage on. If you notice, there is no Diego Sanchez or Forrest Griffin on the card. Diego has a fight on the August 20 PPV against Brian Gassaway while Forrest is in training for his next fight which is rumored to be a #1 contender fight for the Light Heavyweight championship currently held by his TUF trainer Chuck Liddell.

PrideFC moves a little bit closer towards putting on a show in California due to some small approvals by the California State Athletic Commission according to Sherdog. This amended legislation, which allows for the use of a ring, the 10-5-5 round system and special equipment like gis and wrestling shoes, but not the option to kick or knee to the head on the ground, extends the regulation process by at least 45 days and puts in jeopardy the entire legislation if it is not finalized by a drop-dead date of December 9.

SD: Let’s all hope this works out.

Wrestling News August 1, 2005

Vince Russo finally announces his latest venture: Ring of Glory. What is Ring of Glory, you ask? Russo: ”“Ring of Glory” is using the “art” form of wrestling to bring people to Jesus Christ. It’s some of the greatest athletes in the world just going out in the ring and performing—doing what they do best--with all the glory going to God. It’s all about God. Without him none of us would have the gifts that we have. The problem is that we live our lives using those gifts to our benefit . . . not God’s. From there its wrestling meets Broadway meets the Gospel. Through God I translate the Bible into 2005—putting it out there in a format that is easy for everyone to understand and relate to. The message is clear—the characters are clear—and at the end with have an altar call where we steer the lost to God.”

Among those already a part of the fed are Jim Mitchell (the Sinister Minister in ECW), AJ Styles, “Prime Time” Elix Skipper, Chris Harris (of AMW), Abyss, Jimmy Rave, “Above Average” Mike Sanders, Glenn Gilbertti (Disco Inferno), Kim “Desire” Nielsen, Sonny Siaki, Tracy Brooks, Andrew Mincey and Alan Funk. The production team includes TNA’s David Sahidi and Jeremy Borash and the announcers will be Tony Schiavone and Scott Hudson.

SD: Christianity within the form of professional wrestling has a spotty history at best in my opinion. That isn’t to say that a venture like this couldn’t work, because I believe it absolutely could, but there is a very narrow line for them to toe. It’ll be rough to get their message across without having the empty, turning-off feeling that a Christian rock festival has for non-believers. I’m intrigued anyway.

Russo also goes into detail with his side of the infamous Hulk Hogan Bash at the Beach “shoot” that you can read here. I don’t have much to say on this because I doubt the legitimacy of this write-up which stems from it being a very one-sided story about how a real lawsuit came about. There are many discrepancies in the story as well including how Hogan’s contract and payment.

Over the weekend Tough Enough 3 winner and WWE developmental worker Matt Cappotelli broke his leg. This write-up is via Rich Jones from The Pain Clinic. I learned that Matt Cappotelli did not have to have an MRI this morning for his broken fibula. According to his mom Martha,

"The orthopedic Dr. said he didn't need an MRI as he could tell via xray and exam that the bones were lined up the way they should be and there was no ligament/tendon damage. He needs to keep weight off it for 2 weeks, and will probably be out of action for 6-8 weeks. I guess that's the best we could hope for!"

SD: This is a shame. This makes, I think, the third time Matt was about to be called to the main roster and he suffered an injury. I saw him in a dark match last Monday and he looked very crisp. Here’s hoping he recovers soon and can take his spot on the main roster.

WWE developmental territory Deep South Wrestling set to open soon according to PWInsider. DSW is looking at the third or fourth Thursday of August to hold their first TV taping, so they are close to their "official" grand opening. The Deep South facility, said to be smaller than OVW's Davis Arena, is located in a strip mall in McDonough, Georgia.

The promotion doesn't have any TV timeslots lined up yet, although Bill Behrens will be handling that aspect.

Among those currently training down in Deep South are the Shane Twins and Million Dollar Tough Enough runner-up Mike Mizanin.

SD: Good news for the industry hopefully. It makes me wonder how large they will allow these territories to get. Unless they want to stifle DSW and OVW from being as successful at training these workers as they can then the WWE needs to allow them the opportunity to actually use their regions as best as possible. This includes traveling, work at other venues, etc. Let these guys become stars in their region so that they’ll have more than just a 1 city following.

IWA-Mid South had a bit of a shake-up over the weekend as one wrestler was pulled for a few shows and others quit the company. Announcer Dave Prazak wrote: “Just got back from the IWA Mid-South show in Plymouth, IN... which was my last. Due to the unfair treatment and subsequent termination of BJ Whitmer on Friday night in Herrin, in combination with money issues and the general direction of things, I, along with Danny Daniels, Brad Bradley, and Kevin Harvey all elected to leave the promotion. It's just not a place we're comfortable working anymore, and I'm sad things have gotten this way.”

Says promoter Ian Rotton: Friday night when I called to check in on the show, I was made aware of a sitatution in which BJ Whitmer refused to do what was asked of him because of his current position with another company. And because of this, I had to set an example that the wrestlers don't run the show and pulled BJ Whitmer off of 3 upcoming shows he had with IWA. This was an action I had to take, to maintain my authority. When I spoke to BJ, he said he felt he was doing what he had to do and he understood I was doing what I had to do. The door is open for BJ to return to IWA sometime in the future if we agree on it. As far as the other 3 who have left the company, they certainly were not treated like "greenhorns" , they were treated the best they could be. And if they can't understand that, during these tough times, then I wish them the best of luck wherever they can go to be treated better. I do the best I can with what I have , and that is all there is to it. I did what I had to do to protect IWA and that is what I will always do.

SD: Does anybody know what is going on here? IWA-MS is one of the larger indie feds out there right now so it’s a shame to see these things going on.