Hey yo, and welcome back to your Wrestling Website, the People's Wrestling Website, TPWW.NET and the People's News and Rumors. Due to a few circumstances, I'm back in action with the N & R, and as always there's a lot of news circulating so let's get right to it...
The World Wrestling Federation yet again put on another edition of its UPN Show, Smackdown last night. To sum up the show, it seemed that the WWF put the final touches on Judgment Day before the PPV hits on Sunday. From Gerald Brisco winning the Hardcore title to Hardcore Holly laying out Val Venis, Chris Jericho, and IC Champ, Chris Benoit, and finally, Triple H and D-Generation X putting their rivals (Rock and the Dudleys) through a table. When all was said and done, Smackdown was a good show but yet lacked the things to make it great, definitely worthy of a B grade.
If you're wondering, Smackdown did a 4.7 rating with a 7.3 share according to Dave Scherer. A bit lower than usual but since two of NBC's biggest sitcoms aired their season finales, Smackdown's rating isn't that bad.
Speaking of the WWF and UPN, as many of you have heard, the WWF and UPN have agreed to add XFL Sunday night games to the UPN schedule next fall. Even though I was a bit worried at first, with both NBC and UPN behind McMahon's XFL, I wouldn't be surprised if it's a big success. It's a shame though that the league's star players may most likely be taken away by the NFL and big money contracts.
While talking about the WWF and TV, quick reminder that the RattleSnake, Stone Cold Steve Austin will be appearing on the season finale of CBS's Nash Bridges at 10 PM tonight. So if you're an Austin mark and want to get more of Stone Cold, check it out.
On the topic of Stone Cold Steve Austin, Nuker 77 informs us that both Steve Austin and The Rock will be appearing at the Harvey Norman Store in Moore Park, Australia some time in the near future. So for all of our readers down under, be on the look out for that.
JI30007 sent word that Vince McMahon will be appearing on the controversial Jim Rome's The Last Word on the Fox Sports Network today. I believe The Last Word airs at 6:30 Eastern, but check local listings for time and station.
Thanks to JBbomber69 for the following tidbit... "While watching the UPN9 news at 10, they had a feature on the WWF Racing team. While they were were talking to Mick Foley about it, he said that a Mankind or Cactus Jack funny car will debute around labor day."
Thanks to JBbomber69 for sending this in as well: "There may be a musical play on Jesse Ventura in the works. You can see the article in Entertainment Weekly HERE."
I was also watching the UPN 9 News here in New York, and they showed a little clip from UPN's unvailing of the fall schedule with of course, the WWF being their main draw. Vince McMahon, Triple H, Shane McMahon, Stephanie McMahon, Chyna, and the one and only Phenom, the Undertaker were all shown. Now, I don't know for sure, but with 'Taker doing media appearances, it's only a matter of time before he makes his return to WWF TV, maybe even Sunday?
If you missed the Run DMC video, "The Kings", their rendition of the DX theme, you can check it out on WWF.com by clicking HERE. I saw it on Monday night, and to be perfectly honest, I wasn't to thrilled with it, as there are a whole lot more music videos out there that are better than Run DMC's "The Kings".
Just a little note on one of the tag teams that the WWF has done wonders with, Faarooq and Bradshaw, the Acolytes... As you know, the APA's following has been increasing rapidly, and now their t shirt, available at WWFShopzone is number one on the list of top selling items.
Dave Scherer reports that talks between the WWF, CBS/Viacom, and the USA Network have been going on over the rights to WWF Cable programming next fall. It seems that a deal is close to being made, but the WWF's request that USA doesn't air a Monday Night Wrestling show (Presumably ECW) for at least one year after the WWF's jumped has slowed down the talks. Should be interesting to see where the WWF lands next fall, and how it effects the wrestling world.
Reminder, tonight on ECW on TNN, Raven challenges Justin Credible for the ECW World Title in a match that was taped almost two weeks ago in Minneapolis, Minnesota.
Finally, we get to WCW, and first off news on the WCW World Champion, Ric Flair. According to WCW.com, Vince Russo plans on stripping Flair of the strap on Monday's Nitro and giving the title to the Chosen One, Jeff Jarrett.
Both Bischoff and Russo will be on Monday's Nitro (which will air from 7 to 9 PM), and one would expect them to shed some light on their big announcement that will change WCW forever.
If you were wondering, according to Dave Scherer, Wednesday's Thunder, which saw Ric Flair collapse in the ring in what was no doubt a scary situation, did a 2.6 rating.
Here's the current WCW Great American Bash Card, which will take place on June 11th on Pay Per View.
- Ric Flair vs. David Flair (If David Flair wins, Ric Flair has to retire from Wrestling)
- Hulk Hogan vs. Billy Kidman (If Hogan wins, he receives a World title shot at Bash at the Beach in July)
- Sting vs. Vampiro in a Human Torch (Inferno) match
- Diamond Dallas Page v
. Mike Awesome in an Ambulance Match
Well, that's it for today. Thanks for visiting TPWW.net and be sure to check in this weekend for coverage of the WWF's Judgment Day Pay Per View. Be on the look out for my column, TPC sometime this week, and as always, ciao...
Big Ry
BIGRY214@aol.com