Hello and welcome to TPWW.net, the People's Wrestling Website. We're coming off of WWF Smackdown! last night, which I felt was merely mediocre. But again, it was a rather solid show and built up nicely to August 27th's Summerslam PPV. I guess I've been spoiled by Monday's Raw, which could only be described as "amazing." Anyway, lots of news to cover today, so let's get straight to it...
Staying on the subject of Smackdown!, the show brought in a decent 5.8 overnight rating, putting UPN in third place among other broadcast networks. When the final numbers come out later today, the rating should drop to around a 4.2-4.6 or so.
Two matches for Summerslam were officially announced at last night's show, as Commissioner Mick Foley "booked" The Rock vs. Triple H vs. Kurt Angle for the WWF World Heavyweight Title as the main event, as well as Chris Jericho vs. Chris Benoit, which should be a rather entertaining match.
In other news and a potentially big story, Stone Cold Steve Austin was scheduled to meet with his neck specialist yesterday to determine how long it would be before he would be able to get back to action, and to what extent could be compete, according to the Pro Wrestling Torch. Austin's neck injury has most definitely improved, but he is apparently not at 100% as of yet. As of now, it is not known how the meeting with the specialist turned out, but we should have an update soon.
THQ's upcoming Sony Playstation title, WWF Smackdown! 2: Know Your Role, tentatively scheduled for a November 15, 2000 release, will include the following additional modes and features, on top of the already featured modes in its predecessor: Ladder match, Survivor Match, new create a wrestler mode, more backstage areas, breakable tables, which you can set your opponents on top of and put through, several additional weapons, and more. Also, the following new wrestlers will be included in the game, adding to the already current list from the original WWF Smackdown! game: Tazz, Chris Benoit, Kurt Angle, Rikishi Phatu, Eddie Guerrero, Lita, Trish Stratus, Stephanie McMahon, Michael Cole, Grandmaster Sexay, Scotty Too Hotty, Essa Rios, and Bull Buchanan. Other obvious names, such as Dean Malenko and Perry Saturn are yet to be officially confirmed, so I won't list them until I'm 100% sure, but I'd most definitely assume that they will also be added, as well as a few other obvious names that I may have not mentioned. Tim Brechlin should have some more confirmed news on these games in upcoming updates.
On the Nintendo 64 side, WWF No Mercy's wrestler list is yet to be confirmed, but over 65 wrestlers are set to be in the game, including new faces such as the Dudley Boyz, Tazz, Kurt Angle, Rikishi Phatu, Chris Benoit, and more. Since the Dudleys are in the game, an obvious question has to be, "Is the 3D, Dudley Death Drop in the game?" The answer is "yup." After Buh Buh hits it, D-Von even does his taunt. To view a video clip of the 3D, as well as more No Mercy clips, courtesy of Gamespot, click HERE. On a side note, No Mercy is tentatively scheduled for a November 17 release.
The Rock has been named one of the "Top Ten Celebrities of 2000" by Access Hollywood. You have to admit, the Rock's star power has skyrocketed as of late, with several media appearances, as well as music videos and even most recently, an appearance at the Republican National Convention.
The WWF Shopzone is set to release Tazz's second WWF shirt, which you may have seen the Human Wrecking Machine wearing on Thursday's Smackdown. Tazz's first shirt did extremely well, reaching the top of the Shopzone's best seller list for quite some time. The shirt is scheduled for an August 18 release, but you can order yours now HERE.
WCW is apparently planning on "laying down the law" on Goldberg. As many of you have most likely already heard, former WCW Heavyweight Champion, Goldberg has been very vocal in a negative way backstage, constantly complaining over angles and booking ideas for his character. However, WCW reportedly has a plan to combat this. According to Dave Scherer, if Goldberg complains in any way about the proposed finish of his three way match against Kevin Nash and Scott Steiner this Sunday at WCW's New Blood Rising PPV, Golbderg will be "dealt with in a big way" the next night on Nitro. I honestly have no idea what that could mean, but whatever the case, it could be very interesting... that is, if Goldberg is not cooperative.
WCW has been raving about a special guest referee for Sunday's Canadian Heavyweight Title match between Lance Storm and Mike Awesome. For now, more information has been released on who this referee will be - He is Canadian, and is also a former WWF champion. However, it is NOT the obvious guess, Bret Hart. One can only speculate as to who the referee will be. I, for one, hope it does not turn out to be a huge joke/swerve by WCW in attempt to increase the PPV buyrate.
Former WCW champion David Arquette is expected to make an appearance at this Sunday's New Blood Rising PPV. Hopefully he doesn't get involved in the action this time.
Staying on the subject of Sunday's PPV, The Cat vs. The Great Muta has been added to the card, which actually looks rather stellar.
Here is the current card for the WCW New Blood Rising PPV:
- Booker T. vs. Jeff Jarrett - WCW World Heavyweight Title
- Goldberg vs. Kevin Nash vs. Scott Steiner
- Lance Storm vs. Mike Awesome - Canadian Title
- Sting vs. The Demon
- Shane Douglas vs. Billy Kidman
- Positively Kanyon vs. Buff Bagwell - Judy Bagwell on a Pole match
- The Cat vs. The Great Muta
- Kronic vs. The Perfect Event vs. Jindrak & O'Haire - WCW Tag Team Titles
- 3 Count vs. Jung Dragons - Double Ladder Match for Gold Record
- Miss Hancock vs. Major Gunns - ROTC Match in Mud Pit
Wednesday's edition of WCW Thunder drew a 2.4 rating, off hours of 2.2 and 2.5. Thanks to Dave Scherer for those numbers.
Diamond Dallas Page and Kimberly reportedly met with WCW's lead man, Brad Siegal this past Wednesday, according to the Pro Wrestling Torch. For now, it is not known what came out of that meeting. Page has reportedly been "kept off" television as of late, but from what I've heard, is expected to eventually make a return. Kimberly, on the other hand, actually "walked out" on WCW a few months ago, due to what I believe was a booking/angle disagreement.
WCW is planning another tour of the UK and Germany this November. Thanks to Chris Butler in Glasgow for sending the following dates:
- November 10 - TNT Nitro Taping - London - London Arena - 7:30pm
- November 11 - House Show - Newcastle - Telewest Arena - 8:00pm
- November 12 - Thunder Taping - Manchester - M.E.N Arena - 7:30pm
- November 13 - House Show - Birmingham - N.E.C Arena - 7:30
- November 16 - Pay-Per-View - OBERNHAUSEN - OBERNHAUSEN ARENA - 8:00PM
Here is what you can expect for tonight's episode of ECW on TNN, courtesy of ECWwrestling.com.
- Kid Kash vs. Justin Credible for ECW World Heavyweight Title
- Tajiri vs. EZ Money
- Jazz vs. The Prodigette (Highlights)
- Doring and Roadkill and Simon Diamond & Swinger will be in action.
- The return of the "Danger Zone" segment, with Lou E. Dangerously.
ECW has yet another huge show lined up for Saturday, August 19, when they make another run at the infamous ECW Arena in South Philly, PA. The following is currently scheduled for the show:
- Rob Van Dam & Kid Kash vs. Justin Credible & Rhino
- Tommy Dreamer, Doring, & Roadkill vs. Simon, Swinger, & CW Anderson
- Tajiri vs. Psicosis
- The Blue Boy vs. ? - Blue "Meanie" Boy's first match back in ECW
- Steve Corino makes his first appearance since splitting from the Network
Although you wouldn't know it from the lack of hype, Acclaim is set to release its next ECW title this Tuesday, August 15. The following features are currently scheduled for the game:
- Over 60 wrestlers
- New Controls (Still uses Move List, however.)
- New matches and modes such as... Table Match, Inferno Match, "Rage in a Cage," Street Fight, Backlot Brawl, "Hate Match," Dumpster Match
- Joey Styles and Joel Gertner commentate
- Improved Create a Wrestler, Create a PPV, and first ever Create a Stable
- For screen shots, video clips, and more, visit the official Anarchy Rulz site at AnarchyRulz.com.
In a final ECW tidbit, Justin Credible vs. Steve Corino for the ECW World Heavyweight Title has been confirmed by ECWwrestling.com for the August 26th TV Taping at the Hammerstein Ballroom in Manhattan, New York City. Like I've mentioned in the past, both myself and Ry will be attending that show, and I'll have a full report of the happenings shortly after the show ends. The show has been constantly hyped by Paul Heyman on ECW Hardcore TV here in New York, so the show is expected to be a big one.
That wraps it up for today. Until next time, enjoy tonight's episode of ECW on TNN.
Triple A
TripleA99@aol.com