Greetings and welcome to the one and only People's Wrestling Website
for those infamous wrestling news and rumors. To conclude this intro,
I hope everyone who celebrates it had a great Easter. Anyways, this
report will probably be short since there isn't a lot of news, but
I'll make best with what I got. Let's get started.
The WWF introduced its new version of RAW which is now "controlled" by
Ric Flair. To help introduce the new feeling, RAW was given new music,
graphics, and a new set. Everything worked out I thought, even though
I was disappointed in the set a little bit. It seemed they took the
previous set, but slanted the Titantron, made a few cool looking additions
and that's your new set. My biggest critism was the music. I love the
song, great theme, but notice when the show was about to go to a
commercial break, JR was talking while the new song was being
played. Unlike the last RAW theme, this one has lyrics so while Ross
is talking it's hard to pay attention to what he says cause you are
listening to the lyrics. That was only minor, and I still am happy
they did finally get RAW a new set, graphics, and theme music.
As for the show itself, I enjoyed it, and as I watched it, I
felt the newness feeling, just like I had when watching the first
Nitro when Vince Russo and Eric Bischoff were in control back on
April 9th, 2000 (hard to believe that was two years ago). I thought
the Undertaker and Triple H confrontation was entertaining, and believe
it or not, I actually think they will have a great match at Backlash.
When hearing the rumors that they would wrestle at the PPV, I was thinking,
oh brother why Vince McMahon, why? I think it was time they made the
two titles into one finally. The rest of the show had solid wrestling,
I am very excited about the push Bradshaw is getting, my only critism
is Vince McMahon. He had a purpose to be on the show, but I he was on
too long last night. The idea of a roster split is to separate the two
shows, and even though McMahon had to be on the show last night for
Austin, I think he should have planned ahead when writing the story
and not be on TV so much. Maybe if he didn't show up until towards
the end of the show per Austin's request to let him in? Just a thought.
Other then that, the show was pretty good and with the addition of
Austin to the roster, I think RAW will be ok.
It appears that at least temporarily if not 100%, the WWF and Stone
Cold Steve Austin have agreed on his character which is why he agreed
to come back on last night's program. My only speculation is Austin
agreed to return and wrestle for the RAW brand if he would not have
to be involved with the nWo. Austin was unhappy with the direction
of his character and it is believed that feuding with the nWo was the
main conflict. Even though we heard Hall last night mention he would love
to beat Stone Cold's ass again, it looks like for now at least Kane
and Brashaw will be feuding with the nWo and not Austin.
Before RAW started last night, instead of the usual Jakked/Metal tapings
that take place before RAW starts, the Sunday Night Heat tapings took
place instead. That only means that the Sunday Night Heat show will
feature the wrestlers from RAW while I assume that the
Jakked/Metal tapings will take place before the Smackdown show
begins. Broadcasting for Sunday Night Heat will be Jonathan Coachman
and Raven.
It hopefully is obvious to everyone, but if not, Jerry Lawler will no
longer be the color commentator on Smackdown. Smackdown will be announced
by Michael Cole still, but the other partner has not been announced
yet. The WWF held auditions with several WWF wrestlers including Raven
and Steven Richards just to name a few. It wouldn't surprise me if the
WWF used Cole and Tazz since they are already established from the time
Lawler was gone from the WWF. I seriously wish Heyman could be the man
but since he is involved with Brock Lesnar on RAW, I don't see that
happening.
It was being reported that Dawn Marie would possibly debut at
the Smackdown tapings tonight. However, 1Wrestling.com is reporting
that will not happen as she isn't even at the building tonight where
Smackdown is being taped. The latest is she may debut at a WWF
houseshow this weekend.
It is rumored Chris Benoit may return to the WWF at Backlash. I doubt
he would wrestle, but more as just make an appearance or some sort of
run in. If not Backlash, then he should be back in early May. He is
in great shape from what I hear and is almost ready to return. All he is
doing now is wrestling at one of the WWF minor league promotions to
work off the ring rust. With McMahon choosing Benoit at number three,
I definately expect Benoit to be given a great push on the Smackdown
brand.
Speaking of Brock Lesnar, Triple A mentioned this to me last night and
I agreed with him 100%. Lesnar has interfeared in matches destroying
everybody who has been in his way (well at least the faces). But don't
you think to keep Lesnar over, that he must win his matches at least
for the first few weeks or months similiar to Kurt Angle or more likely
Goldberg? If he wrestles and a week or two later he loses, he loses
his heat and he will be just like any other WWF superstar and the next
thing you know the WWF will bury him. I hope that doesn't happen, and
I can't wait until Paul Heyman finally gets on the mic and starts talking.
I don't have any detailed ratings yet for RAW. They should be posted on
the TPWW Newsboard later on.
And finally... How did the old APA office and the mess from
the brawl on Smackdown make it to RAW last night? I couldn't help
notice the WWF waited to give the new undisputed WWF title belt to
Triple H and not Chris Jericho when he was the one that unified the
titles. I'm interested in knowing how those who put together the new
RAW opening were able to look into time and know Austin would choose
to wrestle for RAW, since they decided to include him in the opening.
Why does Jim Ross call The Undertaker a Red Booger?
One of the biggest complaints I've gotten from the TPWW readers
is that by the time my reports are posted, they are somewhat outdated.
That problem has been solved since I will be posting my reports myself,
so they should be posted more often and sooner. The same should go
for the opinion columns as well. Also, Saturday's report wasn't actually
posted until last night sometime. It was written on Saturday but due to
difficulties, it wasn't posted until last night. I think it still has
valuable information though so if you haven't read it yet, it is available
in our news archives section. With that said, that will end it for
this report. I'll be back later this week, so until then, I am out.
Instant Messenger: You may instant message me your wrestling
questions via AOL Instant Messenger. My screen name is INGAME21. To
save time, please avoid the "heys" or "what's ups" and get to your
question please. I get a lot of messages at the same time and would
like to get to everybody. I will only respond to wrestling questions,
please don't take it personally.
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