Hello, everyone, and welcome to TPWW.net, The People's Wrestling Website for today's news and rumors. There is a great deal to talk about today in the world of wrestling, so without further delay, here are today's news and rumors.
Monday night ratings were delayed this week due to the Presidents' Day holiday on Monday. When they were released earlier today, it was revealed that both Monday night wrestling shows once again had below average numbers. Raw scored another 4.8 rating, just as they did last week. The show did hours of 4.4 and 5.2. Nitro, on the other hand, also went down, scoring only a 2.0 rating off hours of 2.3 and 1.8. The 2.0 rating is down from last week's 2.1. This has to be a disappointment to the WCW crew, since Monday's show was coming off of a pay per view.
Other weekend ratings saw WWF Heat drop down to a 1.7 rating, down from last week's 2.1. WWF Superstars and WWF Livewire both did a 1.0 rating, both down from last week's 1.2 rating for both shows. What's going on?
The XFL's final numbers are out and once again, it's not good news for the new league. The NBC game's final rating came out to a 3.08, according to Dave Meltzer. UPN's game scored a 1.54 rating, while TNN's game did only a 0.9.
Shifting to another story, the WWF held its weekly Smackdown and Heat tapings last night in Kansas City. There were a few noteworthy happenings from the show. If you'd like to read the results for yourself, they are available HERE, courtesy of TPWW reporter Mike E.
One noteworthy happening from last night's show that you won't see on TV was the WWF debut of ECW World Heavyweight champion, Rhino. Rhino took on former ECW wrestler Bo Dupp, and picked up the victory with a TKO-like move, the Fireman's Carry Neckbreaker. Rhino reportedly received a large pop from the crowd, who definitely recognized the ECW champ. The crowd erupted into an ECW chant, which later turned into a "Rhino" chant. Definitely good news there, and hopefully we'll see the manbeast on WWF television very soon.
The final card for the WWF No Way Out PPV this Sunday looks to be set. Below are the matches we'll most likely see at the PPV:
- Steve Austin vs. Triple H - 2/3 Falls (Including Street Fight & Cage Match)
- Kurt Angle vs. The Rock - WWF Title
- Stephanie McMahon vs. Trish Stratus
- Chris Jericho vs. X-Pac vs. Eddie Guerrero vs. Chris Benoit - Intercontinental Title
- The Dudleys vs. Edge & Christian vs. Undertaker & Kane - Tag Titles, Tables Match
- Raven vs. The Big Show - WWF Hardcore Title
- Jerry Lawler vs. Steven Richards
- The Hardy Boyz vs. Rikishi & Haku - Rumored
THQ sent out a press release recently stating that they are planning to release two new WWF games in the near future - WWF Smackdown! 3 for the Sony PlayStation 2 and a WWF adventure game for the Nintendo Gameboy Color. The PS2 game will be developed by Yukes Co., who developed the popular WWF Smackdown, WWF Smackdown 2 titles for the Sony PlayStation and WWF Royal Rumble for the Sega Dreamcast. According to the press release, "WWF SmackDown! 3 boasts 78 styles of matches, 35 superstars and over 1,000 different moves. There will be six-man tag-team matches and up to nine superstars can face off in the ring simultaneously. Players will be able to rush their opponent as they enter the ring, fight with their own tag team partner after a loss, and distract the referee before performing dastardly deeds. All of this comes complete with play-by-play commentary and a solid 60 frames per second." As for the Gameboy title, it "will allow the user to control one of four World Wrestling Federation Superstars in an all out effort to rescue the kidnapped Stephanie McMahon. This action adventure features six complete levels filled with kidnapping adversaries, implements of destruction, and hidden rooms. It also showcases interactive environments littered with power-ups allowing for superstar special moves. The unique story mode requires the hero to overtake all obstacles and opposition in order to safely return Stephanie McMahon and regain the World Wrestling Federation Championship."
With the recent WWF signings of several ECW superstars, it appears that we may see a few ECW stars in WCW sometime soon. There are rumors that former ECW Television champion and great high flyer, Kid Kash may be close to signing a deal with WCW. Kash would definitely be a tremendous asset to WCW's cruiserweight division and is a high spot master. However, reports are that WCW is requesting that Kash be given a written release by Paul Heyman before he is signed to a WCW contract. Kid Kash, along with EZ Money and The Sinister Minister, were all backstage at the WCW Superbrawl PPV.
Christian York and Joey Matthews may also end up in WCW sometime very soon, possibly even at this Monday's Nitro to be a part of the newly formed WCW Cruiserweight Tag Team division. Not much is known on the high flying duo's status with WCW, but there are rumors that they may have agreed to terms with WCW.
Former ECW World Heavyweight champion, Steve Corino may have also signed a deal with WCW. According to "Rasslin Radio" in Pemberton, New Jersey, in a recent interview with King Kong Bundy, Bundy stated that Corino had signed with WCW. When Corino was asked about the situation, he couldn't confirm it or deny it. However, he did state that if the ECW PPV should somehow occur on March 3, Corino was 99.9999% sure that he wouldn't be there.
The Blue Boy and Jasmin St. Claire were also reportedly backstage at Nitro this past Monday, possibly looking for an opportunity with the company. I'm not sure how good their chances with WCW would be, especially Jasmin's, given WCW's recent releases of several of their female superstars and Jasmin's past in the adult film industry.
It looks pretty clear how WCW will bring back their various superstars who were "cast out" by Ric Flair and company in recent angles. Over the past couple of weeks, the WCW announcers have been constantly talking about the "new owners" and how they would react to Ric Flair when they finally take over. Well, it looks like that'll be the way WCW will bring back their superstars, including Goldberg, Kevin Nash, Sting, and Booker T. It would make sense and people would buy it. If this was to occur, it would most likely happen in early April, when WCW is scheduled to "relaunch."
Below is the current card for WCW's next pay per view, "WCW Greed" on March 18 from Jacksonville, Florida, according to Dave Meltzer:
- Scott Steiner vs. Diamond Dallas Page - WCW Title
- Rick Steiner vs. Hugh Morrus - US Title
- Palumbo & O'Haire vs. Totally Buff - Tag Titles
- Chavo Guerrero Jr vs. Shane Helms - Cruiserweight Title
- Cruiserweight Tag Team Title Finals
- The Cat vs. Kanyon
- Team Canada vs. Kronik
- Jeff Jarrett vs. Dustin Rhodes
It appears that almost all of WCW's women have been eliminated from WCW television recently. Along with the recent release of various WCW valets, it appears that Scott Steiner's valet, Midajah, has been written out of storylines as a result of Kevin Nash's side slam at the PPV on Sunday, according to Dave Meltzer. There are also apparently no plans as of yet to bring back Stacy Keibler.
Finally, on a personal note, I finally gave in to all the hype and visited WWF New York on Monday night along with Ry and a couple of other friends. Tazz was there, so you know I had to go. Overall, I was pretty impressed and we definitely all had a good time. The WWF actually suckered me into buying the WWF Volume 5 CD, and I got to meet the man himself, Tazz. The bill just for food turned out to be over $100 for four people, plus $10 each to get in, but overall, it was worth it. If anyone lives in the New York area, you should definitely check it out.
It's just about time to wrap this one up. As always, thanks for reading and be sure to stop by this Sunday night for live coverage of the WWF's No Way Out PPV. Until next time...
Triple A
TripleA99@aol.com