Hey yo. I would like to take this time to apologize for there not being a News and Rumors update this past Tuesday. I, unfortunately, came down with a nasty computer virus and was unable to contact anybody to fill in for me. Well, everything seems to be back in order computer wise for me, so I'm here today to bring you The People's News and Rumors. I've got a lot to go over today, including lots of stuff from the Ross Report, so let's get started.
I'm going to start off this report with all the noteworthy stuff from the Ross Report. As always, everything mentioned below is in my own words, and also contains my own thoughts regarding certain issues. As always, you can read the Ross Report yourself in Jim Ross's own words over at WWF.com.
Stone Cold Steve Austin has been training very hard and that he is in great shape, according to JR. Austin is also scheduled to meet with his neurosurgeon sometime next week in San Antonio for an evaluation on his back. This progress report will let us know if and when an in-ring return for the Rattlesnake is possible. I know I for one am hoping everything checks out nicely, and that we can see Austin back in the ring before the end of the year, if not sooner.
In an update on Triple H's arm injury, Ross informed us that his severely bruised bicep is healing, but it's taking its good old time to do so. It's doubtful that he will miss any more action, but I'm guessing he won't be back at 100% for another couple of weeks.
Hardcore Holly, who suffered a broken arm after a botched moonsault attempt by Kurt Angle, is awaiting to begin rehab sometime in the next few weeks. It's really a shame that Bob suffered that injury, considering he was about to be pushed up the ladder into the IC Division. Hopefully the WWF will still give him a substantial push upon his return to the Federation in a few months.
Tori began rehab this week for her surgically repaired shoulder. If you remember correctly, she injured her shoulder at the Madison Square Garden show the night before the big Table-Dumpster match on PPV. She should be at 100% in a little less than 3 months.
Mr. Ass himself, Billy Gunn, is also in rehab, and is looking great. Gunn has been cleared to return to action in late September, on the 24th. If you haven't picked this up on recent WWF TV, it seems that The Road Dogg and X-Pac haven't exactly been getting along as well lately, and the reason for this may be the return of Mr. Ass. Upon his return, it's been rumored that the Road Dogg may turn his back on X-Pac and join forces with Mr. Ass and reform the old heel New Age Outlaws. X-Pac, on the other hand, would make a babyface turn. We'll have to stay tuned to WWF TV to see how this whole situation turns out.
In some good news for the male population (and some of the female population?), Trish Stratus and The Kat will be participating in a WWF Diva photo shoot this Wednesday in New York City. No word yet as to if this shoot is for the RAW magazine or if it's for the WWF's Diva webpage. We'll keep you informed on this situation...
In a rather interesting story, it seems that several WWF superstars will be participating in a softball game the day before SummerSlam, on August 26h, in Durham, North Carolina. Their opponents will be Michael Bolton's All Stars. Jerry "The King" Lawler heads the WWF squad comprised of many WWF superstars including The Dudley Boyz, Grand Master Sexay, D'Lo Brown & Chaz, Crash, Dean Malenko, and many others. All proceeds from this game go to the Michael Bolton Foundation. Where's Sid when you need him?!?
Jim Ross had these exact words in his recent Ross Report: "Sources say that WWF officials are contemplating a wild tag team match for SummerSlam. Stay tuned." I have absolutely no idea what he's talking about, so you'll have to stay tuned to WWF TV in the next few weeks to find out. However, if the words "wild" and "tag team" are in the same sentence, you can put your money on the fact that the Hardy Boyz will be involved in this matchup.
Some matches for Summerslam are expected to be announced this week on WWF TV. I, personally, can't wait for Summerslam, because it is always one of my favorite PPVs of the year.
Here's another quote from Ross: "My phone has been ringing with competitors wanting to leave their current environments and explore opportunities in the WWF. I have a feeling that things are going to get worse for some organizations before they get better." This could relate to a number of different people, but the first name that comes to mind would be Kanyon. As Triple A reported yesterday, Kanyon has asked for his release from his WCW Contract in the hopes of signing a contract with the WWF. Kanyon is a great worker and I do believe he would be very successful in the WWF, if that does indeed happen.
Steven Regal will be in California this coming week working with future prospects at Rick Bassman's wrestling school with Bruce Prichard. Ross says that Regal is expected to be reintroduced into WWF storylines sometime after Summerslam. As has been said on numerous occasions, I hope that they come up with something better than "The real man's man" this time around.
The ever-so-popular DirecTV RAW is WAR preview came out today, and here it
is, courtesy of Beeman65:
Hour 1 RAW: Stephanie and Kurt Angle
Hour 2 WarZone: Who vs. The Rock at Summerslam?
Nothing too revealing there, but it does sort of confirm that matches for Summerslam will be announced this week on WWF TV,
especially on RAW.
There have been some online rumors that a possible three way match for the WWF Women's Title is possible for Summerslam, with Stephanie McMahon-Helmsley defending against both Trish Stratus and Lita. I wouldn't mind seeing that match at all myself.
Jeff Hardy is expected to continue his "too injured to wrestle" gimmick for the next few weeks. When Jeff seems ready to go at it again, Matt Hardy will keep telling Jeff (on screen) that he is too injured and shouldn't wrestle. This may lead to the long-awaited Hardy Boyz split up, even if it's only temporary, and a feud between the two. Either way, I don't see a split between these two guys lasting very long, as I don't think either of them have the mic skills to have a singles career, at least not yet. So, if it does lead to a feud, expect them to "kiss and make up" at the end.
In a very interesting news tidbit, Dave Meltzer reported today that Bill Goldberg met with Vince Russo and Brad Siegel on Wednesday where he was told that Kevin Nash was going to walk out the winner of the three-way match up at New Blood Rising, and then the next month at the Buffalo PPV, Scot Steiner and Bill Goldberg would be fighting and that Goldberg would be putting Steiner over in that match. Well, go figure, Goldberg said that isn't going to happen. This is a very interesting situation and we'll keep you informed if anything else on this situation leaks out.
In some more WCW news, Dave Scherer reported today that WCW has an "amazing" segment planned for Torrie Wilson for this coming Monday's Nitro. That sounds good to me, hell, anything with Torrie Wilson in it sounds good to me :-]
Well, there is basically no ECW news out there today, so I'm gonna wrap up today's report now. Either Triple A or Ry will be back tomorrow for your fill of N & R needs. Until next time, I'm out. Later.
Mike Christopher
Mike@tpww.net
AOL Screen Name: MikeCTPWW