Hey Hey, welcome back to TPWW.net. I sincerely apologize for the absence of a report yesterday, but Mike Christopher, who was set to make his return to the N&R; yesterday, encountered an unfortunate computer virus. Well, enough chit chat, let's get on w/ the News and Rumors.
The rating for Monday's Raw was solid as usual, as the first hour did a 5.8, and the second hour did a 7.0 with a total composite of 6.4. Raw peaked during the two hours with a huge 8.5 for the overrun (after 11PM) that saw the main event of Rock and Lita taking on Triple H and Trish, and was at its lowest with a 4.8 for the opening match between DX and Blackman/Snow.
Nitro on the other hand saw a composite of 2.7 with hours of 3.0 and 2.3. Nitro did a 3.1 over run with Sting and Booker's battle, it peaked during the two hours with a 3.5 for the Kevin Nash interview and its lowest point was 1.9 for the Shane Douglas vs. Kidman match.
Friday's ECW on TNN improved one tenth of a point as it saw a rating of 1.0. It's a positive sign for Heyman's promotion as it was on somewhat of a ratings slump, seeing ratings of .7 and .8 for a few weeks. Just a note to the TNN executives, ECW is still your highest rated show at 1.0.
On some weekend stuff, Livewire drew in a 1.1, Superstars received a 1.5, Sunday Night Heat did an impressive 3.3, and WCW Saturday Morning did .8.
Moving on, I thought Monday's Raw was an amazing show, as the WWF truly knows how to tell a story in this case with the falling apart of the marriage between Triple H and Stephanie, and in the process managing to elevate both Trish Stratus and Lita in the same breath.
But the bigger news from Monday's Raw was the WWF's new found interest in politics by playing an unbiased role in helping choose the next president of the United States. The WWF is encouraging its fans of age to vote, by allowing them to register not only at WWF NY but at all WWF Live Events. Does this mean we'll be seeing Al Gore or George W Bush on WWF Television? I highly doubt it, but like it or not, the WWF is trying to influence some of the wrestling fans across the nation to play a part in politics and elect the next president of the WWF.
The WWF is playing a prominent role in the Republican National Convention with Linda McMahon as one of its spokespeople. But tomorrow night between 6 PM and 7 PM, Vince McMahon will be at the GOP Convention, and will be providing some political commentary on MSNBC. Check your local listings for MSNBC, because it should be interesting to see what Vinnie Mac has to say about the Political Wars.
Vince will be at the GOP National Convention, but he's not the only WWF Superstar to be playing a role, as The WWF Champion, the Rock will play a prominent role as well, as he'll be opening the TV Coverage tomorrow night by introducing George W Bush's Running Mate and Vice Presidential Candidate, Dick Chaney. The Coverage starts at 7:30, and it should be on ABC, NBC, and CBS along with all the major news channels.
However, there are some in the world who are against the Rock introducing Dick Chaney, and you guessed it, it's the WWF's biggest fans, L. Brent Bozell and the self righteous Parents Television Council. The PTC believes that with the Republican Party having the World Wrestling Federation at their national convention, the GOP have taken on all the beliefs that the PTC believes embodies the WWF, Gratuitous Sex and Violence.
The WWF took another shot at the PTC on Raw, by naming Steven Richards' Stable, The Right to Censor, as in the RTC. Richards along with Bull Buchahan and the Good Father make up the RTC, as Vince McMahon and the WWF take the ultimate shot at Bozell and the PTC with this parody.
The WWF is having another legal problem as TPWW's own Derek Sabato via CBS Marketwatch.com pointed out that the World Fund for Nature (Non Profit Environmental Group) is suing over copyright infringement (sounds familiar to us here at TPWW). The dispute is over the WWF Logo, as both sides agreed in 1994 that the WWF used the oh so familiar logo, which has changed over the years. Thus the World Fund for Nature is suing as the WWF changed their logo back in 1998 when they changed over to new Attitude era. Well, I guess what goes around seemingly comes around, right?
The XFL is at it again, as they're set to announce another franchise, this time in Birmingham, Alabama. The team will have former LSU head coach, Gerry DiNardo at the helm. Thanks to Bo Bearden and Rainm146 for the tidbit.
Quick reminder, we have a Smackdown and Heat Tapings report on the main page, which you can visit by clicking HERE. So if you want your Thursday night spoiled, click the link.
Moving on to some WCW news for today, I must say that WCW has done a great job with Lance Storm as he is not only the WCW Canadian Champion, the WCW Crusierweight Champion, but he's the Saskatchewan Hardcore International Title Champion. Wait a minute, Saskatchewan Hardcore International Title, wouldn't the acronym for that be, S.H.I.T? I guess it would, just another clever Vince Russo joke.
Kevin Nash's "shoot" interview on Nitro was very interesting, and a comment made concerning a Canadian wrestlers not doing the job in Montreal was directed at an incident between Nash as Diesel and Jean Piere LaFitte back in the early 90's, as LaFitte didn't do the job to Nash at a house show in Canada, which resulted in a fight between the two the next night. I think Nash was trying to allude to Bret Hart, but it wasn't the Hitman, it was the former Quebecer.
Speaking of shoot interviews, a quick reminder that tonight on Thunder, Vinnie Ru, Vince Russo will be participating in a shoot interview with Scott Hudson. Have your VCRs set, as I have a feeling that this will be unforgettable.
Tonight on the Extra! program, California based Indy, XPW's One Year Anniversary show, "Go Funk Yourself" will be featured with exclusive footage and features. If you've never seen XPW or seen very little of it, I'd advise you check it out if you want.
Well, that wraps it up for today, thanks for reading. Check out all the great updates on the main page. So until next time, Ciao...
Big Ry
BIGRY214@aol.com