Both the WWF and WCW put on above average shows last night with Raw and Nitro. I especially enjoyed Nitro this week, as it was just an all around packed show. The House of Pain match, although I don't think it fully lived up to its standards, was definitely great to start the show off with. We also saw Ric Flair become a 15 time WCW World Champion (more on that later). Other interesting notes from the show saw the return of Sid, who actually sided with Eric Bischoff and the New Blood. Horace Hogan also turned on his uncle, Hulk Hogan and drove off in a limousine with a willing Torrie Wilson, much to the anger of Billy Kidman. Crowbar and Daffnee picked up the WCW Cruiserweight Title after they defeated Candido and Tammy. I guess they're co-champions now. And on the subject of females in WCW, former nWo girl, Tylene Buck has seemingly aligned herself with the Misfits in Action and will now be referred to as "Major Guns." Miss Hancock also called out to Tony Schiavone and dedicated a dance to him. Good thing there's actually a storyline behind this situation, although it would still be fine if there wasn't. The Ralphus/Norman segments were great. I've always thought that one thing WCW was lacking was humor recently, and this is definitely great for comic relief. Overall, I give Nitro an A in the grade books.
On the Raw is War side of things, we, of course, saw the return of Shawn Michaels, who received a huge pop. How forgiving/forgetting are WWF fans? The WWF did, however, air a reminder of HBK's Sweet Chin Music on the Rock, probably to add more confusion and speculation to the main event at Judgment Day, where HBK will be the special guest referee. This is another situation similar to Stone Cold Steve Austin's, where the WWF will play it out as Shawn Michaels could be on anyone's side. I personally hope he turns heel, but expect him not to. Shane McMahon also announced that he will take on the Big Show at Judgment Day in a no DQ match. That should be good. I always seem to enjoy Shane McMahon's matches. You have to admit that seeing the Godfather's ho beat Crash Holly for the Hardcore Title was great, even though Crash got the title back a few seconds later. Raw gets a B+ in the grade books.
The ratings are in for this week, and Nitro tightened the gap a bit, scoring a great 3.2 rating, which is the highest since the Bischoff-Russo regime came into power. Nitro had hours of 3.4 and 2.9. Raw, on the other hand, scored a 6.2 rating off hours of 6.0 and 6.3.
Other ratings saw ECW score only a 0.9 rating, up from last week's 0.8. Livewire scored a 1.5, defeating Superstars, which scored a 1.4. Heat recieved a 2.9 while WCW Saturday Night received a 1.6.
Here are quick results for last night's Raw is War dark matches and Jakked/Metal tapings. Thanks to DarkDefiance.
- Dark Matches:
The Dupps beat Pete Gas & Rodney
Scotty Saylor pinned Nick Nenzmore
- Jakked/Metal:
D'lo Brown pinned Headbanger Mosh
Bull Buchanon pinned Rob Commley
Gangrel defeated Stevie Richards
Scotty Too Hotty defeated Essa Rios
To check out detailed results, as well as a report of what you didn't see at last night's Raw is War, click HERE. Thanks to jahsr94 for sending that in.
As always, we are looking for results of tonight's WWF Smackdown and WCW Thunder tapings. If you attend the shows and would like to send in a personal detailed report, it would be greatly appreciated. Thanks!
Thanks to Ray for sending this in: "The Rock was interviewed by a reporter on Washington, D.C. WJLA News Channel 7, an affiliate of ABC, with sports reporter Rene Knight. It wasn't even a five minute interview. He first touched on the fact that "The Rock" (not Dwayne) is an electrifying character and would do whatever it takes to put himself on top of the pedastool. He then went on to the catch phrases, then into his autobiography. He made a small point that he thinks talking in the third person is fun, but he doesn't talk to his mom, wife or friends that way. And that's it. Really short, but very cool of D.C. to air that little vignette on the Rock, especially since the previous pay-per-view (Backlash) was held at the MCI Center in Washington, D.C."
Thanks to Main Man Mike for sending this in: "During the Dallas Stars vs. Colorado Avalanche hockey game, a fight broke out, and while the refs were stopping the fight, Stone Cold Steve Austin's entrance music was played."
KROQ, a radio station here in New York, will be holding a special summer concert on Friday, June 3 at the TNT Art Center in Homeville, New Jersey, according to WWF.com. A few WWF superstars and musical groups will be there, including Stephanie McMahon and Limp Bizkit. Tickets go on sale for everyone on May 20 through Ticketmaster.
The Degeneration X Run-D.M.C. video aired last night on MTV at around 11:11 and ended a bit before 11:15, although it was advertised to start at 11:15, meaning a few people may have missed it. Anyway, WWF.com is asking their fans to vote for the video for MTV's TRL. You can do so by clicking HERE. Go to the bottom of the page, check on "Other" and type in Run-D.M.C. for Artist and The Kings for Song Title to cast your vote.
As most know by now, Ric Flair became a 15 time WCW champion last night as he defeated Jeff Jarrett. According to various reports, the idea for Flair to win the title was done just before the show went on the air and was added in to both pay respects to Flair, who is going in for possibly career ending shoulder surgery after the Great American Bash, and to add that "anything can happen" feel to Nitro. The idea was reportedly thrown around backstage, Vince Russo liked the idea, and made the changes. Jeff Jarrett apparently originally opposed it, stating that it would be better to keep the title on a wrestler for a while to add credibility, similar to what the WWF did with Triple H. Thus, when there's a title change, it will be something major, not something that happens every single week. However, Russo went on with the idea and Flair picked up the win. Personally, I don't expect Flair to hold the title for long and he may very well lose it in the next couple of weeks, most likely before the Great American Bash either to Jeff Jarrett or Kevin Nash.
Buff Bagwell may be in even more trouble, as the WCW employee he punched may file a lawsuit on Buff Bagwell for battery and assault charges. Buff reportedly did not even apologize for his actions, and rather defended himself, saying that the employee, who was a WCW crew member, "pissed him off," according to Wade Keller of The Torch.
And in even another problem for Buff, The Globe will reportedly publish a story on Buff Bagwell on the Spring Break scandal, where several WCW wrestlers were apparently involved on sexual harrassment of sorts with a few of the Spring Break girls. The article will mainly feature Buff Bagwell, although other wrestlers were involved, namely Disco Inferno and Lash LeRoux, among others.
As stated yesterday, Vince Russo is asking Goldberg to aim for a June 5 return date, according to Wade Keller, although Goldberg has not officially agreed. He is still apparently having problems with his hand injury, which still is not 100%.
Three Count will be back in WCW by June, according to Dave Scherer.
A tournament is expected to be held to determine the new ECW Tag Team Champions. It should start sometime in the next month or two.
Lance Storm posted a final goodbye column to ECW on his website recently. Lance always has something interesting to say, and you can check it out at StormWrestling.com.
Rhino will be off ECW television for the next couple of weeks to clear up some issues with management, according to Dave Scherer.
Our own Erik "Mr. Showtime" Hartling wanted me to post this message regarding the Guess the Wrestler section here at TPWW, which he runs: "Please do not e-mail me asking why you were not on the list of winners even though you guessed the wrestler correctly. Each week, I get around 10,000 (Yes, Ten Thousand) votes for Guess the Wrestler, because it's definitely one of the hottest games on TPWW. As the rules say on the page, only the first 20 winners will be listed, since it's almost impossible to read through them all. Believe me, a LOT more than 20 people guess right, but unfortunately only the first 20 can be listed. Thanks."
Well, that about wraps it up for today's report. On a personal note, I got an early listen of Eminem's "Marshall Mathers LP" CD, and I have to say, it's GREAT and I definitely recommend it. The CD also has a TON of Insane Clown Posse jokes, which I thought were pretty hilarious. (Nothing against the ICP.) Anyway, the CD is officially out on May 23. Well, that's pretty much all I have to say for today's report. Stay tuned for more updates as the day goes on and stop by tomorrow for more news and rumors from Tim Brechlin. Until we meet againnnnnnn, later.
Triple A
TripleA99@aol.com