I'm back with The People's N & R coming off of the KotR on this Monday, June 26, 2000. Whole lot of news today ranging from last night's King of the Ring spectacular to tonight's Raw and Nitro. So enough of this BS intro, let's get on the News...
I thought that the King of the Ring was a solid PPV, nothing spectacular in terms of wrestling but in terms as most of the matches didn't really live up to quality of the last couple PPVs, yet in terms of angle development, this PPV may be the best way to start up the summer of the Double 0 for the WWF.
Probably the best thing that came out of last night's PPV would have to be that Kurt Angle is now the Olympic Gold Medal Winning King of the Ring, Kurt Angle. Angle is above average in the ring, and as good as he is in the ring, he's about 5 times better on the mic. Angle's coronation will take place on tonight's Raw broadcast, and with the whole Angle/Stephanie McMahon situation, I'd expect to see fireworks when the Olympic King is crowned.
The Worst match of the night, easily was the Hardcore Evening Gown match between Patterson and Brisco... It was easily the stupidest thing the WWF has put on PPV since the WWF put the King of the Ring crown on Mabel at King of the Ring '95 (and there have been a lot of stupid things the WWF has put on TV). I think there was only one person I've talked to who actually thought the match was entertaining, and it was TPWW's own Triple A.
With the Rock pinning Vince McMahon and winning the WWF title, it seems to be a good thing and a bad thing at the same time... It's great for angle advances whether it be a McMahon/Helmsley faction split with Triple H deciding to leave the faction or the beginning of a Rock/'Taker or Rock/Kane feud. Definitely, this Raw should be great in terms of angle advancement or the start of new ones as the summer just starts to heat up.
Yet, on the bad side of the Rock's title victory, Rocky is now a 5 time World Wrestling Federation Champion, tying both Hulk Hogan and Bret 'Hitman' Hart for most WWF title reigns. It took Hogan about 10 years to achieve that mile stone as a main eventer, Bret about 7, while Rock has done it in almost 2 years. Interestingly enough, after winning their fifth WWF title, both the Hulkster and the Hitman left the WWF in turmoil, both eventually going to the WCW, Bret leaving in probably the most infamous incident in WWF history. I highly doubt that Rocky will be leaving the WWF anytime soon, but the 5 time curse is definitely something to think about.
Jason Powell of the Pro Wrestling Torch reports that the World Wrestling Federation, Jim Ross in particular has offered Scott Levy, known to Wrestling fans across the world as Raven a WWF contract. Now, Raven if he signs his release from ECW can jump to the WWF as soon as possible, but he has not done so as of yet. If he doesn't sign his release, Raven's ECW contract is up in Late August and I would expect that he would sign and debut in the WWF in September. Really don't know if I want to see Raven in the WWF though, he's a tremendous talent and all, but does the WWF really need him? Hey, they could always bring back the Johnny Polo gimmick if the Raven character doesn't work out in the WWF.
Continuing with some huge WWF news, Dave Meltzer reports that both HBK, Shawn Michaels and Mick Foley are scheduled for Raw tonight. Rumor has it that either Linda McMahon or the Heart Break Kid may appoint Mrs. Foley's Baby Boy as the New WWF Commissioner, which would definitely be interesting to watch.
With the whole McMahon/Helmsley turmoil, Rock's title win, Kurt Angle's Coronation, the possibility of the returns of HBK, Shawn Michaels and the one, the only, Mick Foley, Raw will be definitely be unbelievable tonight. Interesting little note on Raw's after the King of the Ring, the last two years, the World title has changed hands on the post KotR Raw, which Steve Austin defeating both Kane and the Undertaker respectively. Will history repeat it's self? Who knows, but it will be a great show.
In some WWF Internet news, WWF.com has relaunched today, and I must say that the World Wrestling Federation's home page is awesome. It takes a while to get used to, but once you get going, it's great. Check it out by visiting WWF.com.
We'd love to hear what you thought about King of the Ring, whether you send it to us at Feedback@TPWW.net or make a post on our Message Board.
Moving on to some WCW news for today, as we all know that tonight's Nitro will feature a 6 man mini tournament featuring Kevin Nash, Scott Steiner, Mike Awesome, Shane Douglas, Goldberg, and a Mystery Wrestler in order to determine who WCW Champion, Jeff Jarrett in a 4 corners match at the end of the show. Definitely should be a great night of WCW, and I wouldn't be shocked to see a new champion crowned, as I'm not really feeling Jarrett's title reign right now.
Who's going to be the mystery wrestler? Most are saying Keji Muto, known to many as the Great Muta who has wrestled in WCW various times in the 90's. Muta would definitely be a good choice, and with Terry Taylor booking I doubt we'll see him misused in the way Vince Russo misused Jushin Liger a couple months back.
Quick reminder, Terry Taylor, Ed Ferrera, Bill Banks, and the rest of the gang who booked last week's shows, will be booking this week's Nitro and Thunder. Definitely an a positive sign, as the committee proved some entertaining stuff last week, and hopefully will follow up this week.
Expect Booker T, Kanyon, Vampiro, Three Count, Kronic, Stasiak and Plaumbo known collectively as the Perfect Event, David Flair, Miss Hancock, Daffney, The MIA, The Filthy Animals, and others to be on tonight's show.
Two ECW notes for today, the first being ECW's on TNN rating... Dave Scherer reports that ECW on TNN received a .8 rating on Friday night, and it seems that in the last couple of months, ECW has been in one hell of a slump ratings wise.
Also from Scherer, it seems that the World Infamous, ECW Arena is up for Sale, and that the building in South Philadelphia that has saw so many historic matches and events may very well see it's last ECW show on July 8. If The Bingo Hall that has housed ECW for so many years houses it's last show on Saturday, July 8, it will definitely be missed as it's one of the most recognized wrestling venues currently, as it's ECW feature venue like the WWF and Madison Square Garden, and WCW had the Omni, the Georgia Dome, and now the Phillips Arena.
Well, that's about it for today, thanks for visiting us today, at the People's Wrestling Website, the site for the Wresling Fan in all of us. So until next time, Ciao...
Big Ry
BIGRY214@aol.com