Welcome, everyone, to TPWW.net for the Monday edition of the news and rumors. There is a lot to talk about today, highlighted by huge news on Paul Heyman and the WWF. Without further delay, here are today's news and rumors...
The big story of the day is undoubtedly the news of ECW owner Paul Heyman's appearance on tonight's WWF Raw is War. It was announced earlier today that Paul Heyman would be doing color commentary tonight alongside Jim Ross for Raw, taking the place of the recently departured Jerry "The King" Lawler. Heyman was at the WWF's production meeting earlier today, according to Dave Scherer, and it has been confirmed that he'll appear on TV tonight. As of now, Paul Heyman has not been signed to a contract with the WWF, but that is expected to happen anytime now. This is an interesting situation, since Paul Heyman has been against appearing on television as of late even for his own company, ECW. However, I'm sure Heyman definitely could not say no to Vince McMahon in a situation like this.
Whether or not Heyman will remain a fulltime commentator on Raw with Jim Ross is unknown at this time, but is a possibility. However, when Heyman is signed to a WWF deal, he is expected to play more of a backstage office role, most likely as a booker. Heyman can definitely bring a lot to the table for the WWF. His knowledge of the business and pure ability to book extremely entertaining wrestling matches is just what the WWF needs on their booking team right now. Adding the current storyline writers they have now with Heyman's wrestling booking ability should surely be a winning combination and what the WWF needs to get back on their feet right now. If Heyman does receive a full time announcing role on Raw, Tazz is expected to take Jerry Lawler's place on Smackdown alongside Michael Cole.
With Paul Heyman appearing on Raw tonight and ECW wrestlers signing with other companies left and right, it looks like ECW may be looking at its final days. An ECW PPV is scheduled for next week, and unless ECW can somehow book and sell tickets for the show in 4-5 days, an announcement is expected soon officially announcing the cancellation of the PPV. I think what every ECW fan is wishing right now is for one last ECW show. Hopefully ECW can get something scheduled sometime down the line and give their fans one last explosive ECW show. The company definitely deserves one last goodbye.
The following is expected for tonight's Raw is War:
- Chris Jericho vs. Eddie Guerrero - Intercontinental Title
- Ivory vs. Lita - Women's Title
- The Dudley Boyz vs. The Hardy Boyz - Tag Titles
- The Undertaker & Kane vs. Rikishi & Haku
- More developments in the Rock vs. Austin angle
The WWF held two house shows last night in both Hershey and Wilkes Barre, Pennsylvania. Full results for both shows are available on our Newsboard. The shows were highlighted by main events of Chris Jericho vs. Kurt Angle and Chris Benoit vs. X-Pac.
The XFL continues to struggle in the ratings, scoring a 1.7 overnight rating for Sunday night's game on UPN. That is down from last week's 1.8 overnight rating. Although it isn't such a huge slide from last week, it's a drop nonetheless.
The XFL is expected to lose an additional $30 million than they expected this season, according to Dave Meltzer, due to their ratings disappointment. The loss will be split $15 million each by the WWF and NBC.
NBC's Late Night with Conan O'Brien took another "shot" at the XFL on Friday's show. RobbieG211 sent the following report: "Friday night on Late Night with Conan O'Brien, Conan had a skit called 'XFL survivor'. Basically, it played out the fact that the XFL ratings plummeted so much and the last six XFL viewers would fight it out to see who would be the last one. One 'challenge' was they went out to beat up Dick Ebersol, NBC president, because he put XFL on the air. Then they showed a clip/blooper reel from XFL, which was followed by Conan reading the viewer reactions, which contained 'This Sucks,' 'Why Am I watching this?' and 'I wish I had a girlfriend'. Very funny stuff."
Tim Dudley sent the following: "Michael Landsberg of TSN's Off The Record in Canada was in my store the other day. While he was in I asked him if he had any wrestlers scheduled for upcoming shows and he responded that he had Lita & The Hardyz, Chyna, and the mystery guest will be... Mark Calloway aka The Undertaker."
The following is expected for tonight's WCW Nitro:
- Sean O'Haire vs. Lex Luger
- CW Tag Tourny: Air Paris & AJ Styles vs. Elix Skipper & Mystery Partner (Rumored: Kid Romeo)
- Shane Helms vs. Chavo Guerrero Jr - Nontitle Match
- Lance Storm vs. Konnan
Also, Dusty Rhodes is expected to appear on Nitro tonight to confront Jeff Jarrett for his "American Dweem" impersonation a couple of weeks ago. That should be pretty interesting and should hopefully help WCW rebound from their slumping ratings, since they scored almost a 3.1 rating last time Dusty appeared.
Bill Goldberg is out of action due to shoulder surgery performed recently. He is apparently months away from returning, according to WCW.com. That's the reason WCW is playing out this "retirement" angle for so long.
Sting is also out of action due to an elbow injury, which he also had surgery performed on recently. However, he is reportedly feeling better and is expected to return to action in a couple of months, according to WCW.com.
Also, Sid Vicious is still recovering from his leg injury at home, but is being told by doctors that he will fully recover in six to eight months.
Former ECW wrestler Johnny Swinger has officially been signed to a WCW contract. Swinger wrestled at WCW's cruiserweight tag team title tournament this past Monday on Nitro, and again on Thunder this past week. WCW management was apparently pleased with his wrestling ability and attitude, and he has been signed.
On the subject of ECW wrestlers in WCW, former ECW wrestler EZ Money is expected to wrestle in WCW's cruiserweight tag tournament tonight at the WCW Thunder tapings. He will reportedly team with WCW wrestler Scotty O tonight to take on Three Count. EZ Money will replace Jaime Knoble, who will miss tonight's show due to his fiancée giving birth to a baby boy this past weekend, according to Dave Scherer. EZ Money's match will reportedly be a "try out" match, but I'm sure that he'll impress more than a few people with his wrestling ability.
It's just about time to wrap this one up. There's really nothing more to say other than enjoy tonight's shows. As always, thanks for reading, and until next time, later.
Triple A
TripleA99@aol.com