Greetings loyal TPWW readers! Once again our server is giving us hell, so once again I've been asked to do Monday's news as opposed to my usual bit on Sunday. Needless to say, I'm just glad to be here at all, so the day really doesn't confront me any. Without any further ado and/or temptation, let us move on to the News and Rumors Report for Monday, October 2nd!
First and foremost, we're obviously coming off the ECW pay per view, Anarchy Rulz. In my mind, it was an exceptional show, with the highlights being the Tag Team Championship match, as well as the better than expected Rhino/RVD match up. I was definitely pleased by the outcome of the Main Event, because as much as I like Credible as the top heel in the federation, Jerry Lynn is probably my second favorite worker in the company (next only to Tajiri). Steve Corino vs. CW Anderson was decent at best...definitely something of a let down. It's unfortunate, because I traditionally enjoy CW's work (his take on the Gourdbuster is particularly cool). Am I the only one who doesn't foresee Jerry Lynn lasting as the champ all the way up until N2R? I mean, what are the chances that Lynn/Corino will headline the biggest ECW pay per view of the year? I think either Credible will usurp Corino's spot, or RVD will win the belt by then. That way we've either got Corino vs. Credible, or another installment in the epic Lynn/Van Dam series. I'd definitely shell out my cash for that one. The only complaint I really have with ECW's pay per views (specifically last night) is that they NEVER announce the full card prior to the day itself. One of the matches on the show with the most promise was Kid Kash vs. EZ Money, since both are exceptional wrestlers and aerialists. Unfortunately, Heyman left us little to no build up, and it was basically brought out in a very convoluted fashion. All in all though, just about every match up was well done. I wasn't a big fan of the Roadkill/Doring vs. Matthews/York match, but a lot of that may stem from the fact that it wasn't announced until seconds ahead of time. The Cyrus/Gertner match sucked, but for what it was meant to be (humor, storyline) it was pretty well done. On the whole, I though the pay per view was very well done, and it definitely left me wanting just a little bit more at the end. Of course, that's what ECW's mega-event November to Remember is for. I'm very pumped for that show, not just because it's on my birthday, but also because it's showcased some legendary battles over the past few years...I don't think 2000 will disappoint.
In some top-notch WCW news, Mandalay Entertainment, the company affiliated with Eric Bischoff who is currently negotiating to purchase WCW has apparently registered the domain name of WCWExtreme.com. This definitely adds some more intrigue in the whole WCW situation, as many people believe that only a few formalities separate WCW and Mandalay Entertainment.
As was speculated last week here on TPWW.net, Meng is scheduled to return to television on tonight's episode of WCW Nitro. I've never been a huge fan of Meng's workrate or gimmick. Something about the whole character just screams EIGHTIES! To me, much like Bull Buchanan's did when he was affiliated with the Bossman. Maybe it's just me, but I'm hardly doing cartwheels over this tidbit.
Perhaps even bigger news, is that according to Al Isaacs, "Buff Daddy" himself, Buff Bagwell will be on hand tonight. Also according to Al, Buff Bagwell is already signed to face David Flair at Halloween Havoc, which emanates from Las Vegas. I'll leave you to draw your own conclusions on this piece of news.
Nitro will be starting off tonight with a Ladder Match between Rey Mysterio and Juventud Guerrera, as part of their Best of 5 series. The series is still tied at 1-1, since according to WCW.Com, the bout in which Juvi hyper extended his knee was a no contest. I'll be interested to see what kind of ladder match these guys will be able to pull off since they're both injured, but it should be good nonetheless.
Also according to WCW.com, when Bill Goldberg speared Vince Russo a while back, that was against his "don't touch the boss" enjoinment. Tonight, we'll be seeing the "ramipercussions" (Edge and Christian are at it again) of those actions.
The Cat, contrary to public opinion, will not be on Nitro tonight. He's on a little excursion to Australia with a handful of Nitro Girls (no, not literally) in order to hype their upcoming tour. I'll definitely miss the Cat's spiel tonight on Nitro, as sad as I am to admit it.
WCW is apparently denying all claims Ric Flair made publicly on a radio station a short while ago. He stated that Hall would be back in early November, although WCW begged to differ with his comment, saying that nothing is confirmed as of this point.
OK guys, I am going to do the absolute best I can to describe the main event booked by WCW.com for tonight's Nitro. According to the said site, four wrestlers (to be determined early in the broadcast) will meet in the ring at the last match of the show. Four separate boxes will then be elevated overhead by four gigantic poles. Three of the boxes will include weapons, where as the forth one will include the championship gold. The wrestlers don't know which boxes contain which items, and the first person to discover the gold will win the strap, and the match itself. It sounds to me like something out of Double Dare 2000 or something, but maybe that's just my opinion.
Also slated in stone for tonight's telecast of WCW Nitro, it will be Reno taking on A-WALL for the Hardcore Title. I've really started to like Reno over the past few weeks, whereas the Wall just keeps going down hill both in terms of his push, mic work, and in ring ability. Hopefully we'll see Reno go over in this one, because he definitely has a bright future ahead of him.
There are some heavy rumors circulating that Jindrak and O'Haire may split up as a team sometime soon. Rumor has it that they don't get along well backstage, and WCW higher ups feel that you need to have a solid relationship and communication with your partner in order to be a championship calibre team. This is upsetting to hear, since they ARE the WCW tag scene right now. These two talented youngsters are by far the best team within WCW in a long time, and should these events come to pass, I can't see getting into the WCW tag title scene for much longer. Not while the WWF has the Dudleys, the Hardyz, Edge and Christian, the Acolytes, and the RTC.
Moving on to some WWF news and notes...If you haven't already swung by WWFDIVAS.com, the site has gone through a total overhaul complete with new pics and videos of all your favorite WWF Divas from the recent photo shoot in NYC. I would suggest checking it out, because the new shots of Lita are HOT.
The Acolytes will be hosting the party from WWF New York tonight, rather than being on hand live in Washington, DC.
Four matches have already been signed for Raw is War tonight. They are as follows
Here are the ever-reliable (yeah) DirecTV previews for Raw:
Mona is currently being sent to Memphis to work a package with Bobcat (girl from the MTV Special True Life: I'm a Pro Wrestler, as well as the Ho who won the Hardcore Title) in order to develop her skills for her WWF debut.
Word out of the WWF camp is that Jim Ross wants the Big Show at 375 pounds by the Royal Rumble. He currently weighs over 450. I'm sorry, but I just don't see that happening.
Steve Austin is scheduled to have his first actual in ring match since his return on No Mercy (Oct. 22).
To view the official logo for WWF Survivor Series click HERE.
Too Cool is reportedly going to be pushed into a solid title program with the Hardys in the next few weeks. There is a mild chance that they may turn heel, but the WWF is satisfied with the sustained heat they've been generating, so they're going to be rewarded by a program with the Hardys, who are basically known to "shine sh*t" in the ring.
To aid his road to recovery, Steve Austin's wife Debra has apparently been helping him train and work out, in order to get him back in ring shape. She runs the ropes, tackles him, and hits aerial moves on him as well. This is said to be also helping her develop her in ring repertoire, since she'll be returning at somewhere near the same time as Austin's ring debut at No Mery later this month.
Dean Malenko is currently suffering from a shoulder injury, and that is why he had been off TV as of late. The injury isn't said to be severe, but he thought it was slowing down his movement and mobility, so he was granted some time off in order to heal up and make things flow smoother in the ring.
The WWF Creative Team is currently hard at work trying to think up an angle for Crash Holly. They all like his talent and think he has the ability to get over very solidly, but that he needs a solid hook in order to lure in the viewers, so to speak. Although they haven't thought of anything as of yet, be sure to keep your eyes peeled, because they're willing to try just about anything.
The net is certainly parched for ECW news and notes, so I really can't help you there. Thanks a lot for stopping by on this glorious Monday. Why is it so glorious, you ask? Well, yesterday my Patriots defeated the Denver Broncos for the first time in thirty-two years! And let me just say, for New Englanders everywhere, that we did thoroughly hand them their collective asses. The Colts were also triumphant, trouncing the Buffalo Bills. The Bills have one of the best defensive line ups in the NFL, so this certainly was a huge step for Peyton Manning (the NFL's best Quarterback, IMHO) as he proved that he can handle even the toughest of challenges. Once again, thanks for stopping by and checking out my report, and I hope you thoroughly enjoyed it. Take care, and enjoy your Monday Night show of choice!
Corey Silvia
1. Tag Team Title Match- Hardyz vs. Too Cool
2. Chris Jericho/Dudleys vs. Raven/Tazz/X-Pac (sounds good to me)
3. Road Dogg vs. William Regal
- Hour One: Where is Stephanie's heart?
- Hour Two: Stone Cold's Justice
Corey@tpww.net