Hey there, and welcome to a special Monday edition of the News and Rumors Report. I'll be your host to all the news stories and tidbits available on the Internet for today, January 29. There are a few interesting items to discuss today, although most of the stories available to the public center around the Credible/Tajiri/Rhino/Crazy negotiations and signings. Nonetheless, I'll see what I can dig up for you on this fine Monday afternoon.
According to a lot of inside sources, expect to see some top notch main events and matches on all the Smackdown telecasts in the near future. The WWF held a meeting to specifically discuss possible methods of retaining viewers during the Survivor 2/Friends/Who Wants to be a Millionaire juggernauts airing opposite WWF Smackdown. The WWF is very concerned with the inevitable ratings reduction, and thus the new "Smackdown Extreme" moniker. And no, the new name has absolutely nothing to do with ECW…at this point.
At this point the WWF is considering a number of different options to resolve the "Raven's Driver" angle. It's obviously a female, but they may drag the angle out until they're able to acquire a valet from ECW. Some names already being mentioned are Francine, as well as possibly Dawn Marie. Chastity was being mentioned a while back, but the WWF seems to have lost interest in her. As of now it is slated to be the returning Tori, but the WWF may package her with the Justin Credible/X-Pac tag team. Therefore, they may stretch the angle out until they are able to sign some new female talent from ECW or even the independents. I think Francine would make a good accomplice for Raven, but I'm not too sure how well Dawn Marie would fare in that position. All in all, it should make for some exciting television.
Dave Scherer is reporting that the WWF tried to get Mario Lemieux to appear on RAW tomorrow night to shoot a vignette with Kurt Angle. Unfortunately they could not put the deal together because the Pittsburgh Penguins are flying out to Atlanta tomorrow night. The WWF wanted to play off the fact that Angle is from Pittsburgh.
Dave Meltzer from Wrestling Observer is reporting that Paul Heyman is keeping the company alive attempting to sell it. They are still planning a 3/11 PPV and it is expected that any ECW talent that signs with the WWF will be publicly kept quiet by the WWF. It is expected that any names that sign with the WWF will still work the next big pay per view. So basically, it doesn't look like we'll be seeing the debut of any new talent in the WWF until after the eleventh of March.
According to a lot of sources inside the WWF, Shane McMahon may be very close to resuming an on air role. I've always enjoyed the "King of Sting", and his mic work might be the best out of the whole McMahon family. Hopefully he'll return to managing, as there are several talents right now in need of a good mouthpiece.
A possible Chris Benoit/Big Show feud is anticipated going into No Way Out and Wrestlemania. I think this is a major mistake by the WWF, as the massive size difference will make Benoit seem insignificant next to Paul Wight, and very few wrestling fans will perceive him as an actual threat to the Show.
A lot of people in WCW are high on the idea of bringing Torrie Wilson back. Kevin Nash is one person currently pushing to get her resigned (what is it with him and getting people rehired?). In any case, Torrie rejected a proposal from WCW a while back, but with Old ATM Eric back in charge there is a good chance she could be offered a more profitable contract. I certainly wouldn't be opposed to seeing Torrie return, since she is one of the hottest valets either federation has had in quite some time.
In a related bit, it is believed Torrie would be packaged with Kidman upon her return. Kidman would then turn heel on his fellow Filthy Animals, feuding with them on and off for a few months. Bischoff really enjoyed Kidman's work as a heel during his feud with Hulk Hogan last year. I'd be glad to see him as a heel again, as he has potential to make it farther as a heel than as a face, in my opinion.
Although WCW lost out on signing Tajiri from ECW, it seems as though they aren't willing to concede just yet. They are still fighting valiantly to sign Super Crazy, although he has expressed interest in staying with Tajiri. I would be all for seeing Crazy in WCW, but I do see some sense in him signing with the WWF. If he accompanies his old friend Tajiri, they'll be sure to work together as either a tag team or as enemies. They're very comfortable with each other, and know each other's spots very well. That could be an excellent feud to get these two started in the WWF. If they're able to start out with a bang, they can gradually spread out and start feuding with some other workers, hopefully having gained fan support.
Biography.com has announced that Hulk Hogan's biography is scheduled to re-air on Thursday, February 1st, 2001 on the A&E; Network. The current time is 8:00pm EST, however, check your local listings, as the biography will not air in all time zones.
Goldberg's return is being talked about for Nitro on February 26. I'm surprised at how long they're dragging this retirement angle out for, but maybe they just want to wait until Bischoff gets back in full control and has the final say on Goldberg's character and angle.
In one of WCW's worst talent related decisions in quite some time, there is a good chance that the Road Dogg will be picked up very shortly by World Championship Wrestling. His brother Scott Armstrong is a referee in WCW as we know, and therefore he has an immediate tie with the company. As of now it is unknown whether he would continue to go by the nickname of the Road Dogg, or if he would go by his actual name, Brian Armstrong.
That's just about all for today, TPWW readers. Check back with me next week for my column and this report, and enjoy the Monday Night wrestling show of your choice. Until then, have a good week, and I'll talk to you later.
Corey Silvia
Corey@tpww.net