Hey there TPWW readers, and welcome to the Wrestlemania Sunday edition of the News and Rumors. Today is obviously the biggest day of the wrestling calendar, with the most prestigious pay per view of the year just a few hours away. While the show lacks some of its usual hype and build up (Angle and Benoit wasn't developed until last week) it should be a great four hours anyway. You've got something for pretty much every type wrestling fan. There's hardcore wrestling (Raven vs. Big Show vs. Kane, TLC 2), good technical mat wrestling (Benoit vs. Angle), entertaining gimmick matches (Battle Royal, Shane vs. Vince Street Fight) and two hot main events (Undertaker vs. Triple H, Rock vs. Austin). It's shaping up to be one hell of a night, one you don't want to miss. Without any further discussion, let's get to the news and rumors for this monumental day.
The biggest piece of news circulating is the fact that ten of the twenty-four wrestlers Vince McMahon signed while purchasing WCW will be on hand tonight at Wrestlemania. Current WCW booker Johnny Ace reportedly asked the ten to bring their wrestling gear, and title belts if they are in possession of a championship. The level of involvement of these ten is unknown at this point. It could be as simple as taking pictures at the WWF's fanfest celebration and getting aquatinted with how the WWF runs things, or there could be some on camera role.
In a related story, some of the wrestlers believed to be on hand tonight are: Lance Storm, Mike Awesome, Shawn Stasiak, Mark Jindrak, Sean O'Haire, Chuck Palumbo, Stacy Keibler and perhaps even Booker T. It is believed that there will be a few more in attendance, but that's all that's been reported currently.
Shane and Vince McMahon have been telling everyone they talk to that they've concocted an excellent match up during their Street Fight this evening. It's rumored that something huge is planned for the match up, which will no doubt lead to more and more speculation. I'd be willing to bet that one of the two McMahons takes a HUGE bump this evening, as is almost customary with these two.
There's a very good chance that either The Rock or Stone Cold will turn heel at tonight's event. The Creative Team has been evaluating who would be the better man to turn; though both have their obvious pros and cons. I personally think either man could be entertaining as a heel, though I'm not sure how well the fans will take it.
It's expected that the winner of The Undertaker-Triple H match will headline next month's pay per view, Backlash. The winner will no doubt challenge the World Champ at that time, whether it be Steve Austin or The Rock.
Jim Cornette has been added to tonight's Gimmick Battle Royal. It should be pretty entertaining to see Jim swinging his tennis racket wildly and turning red in the face as always. Also, it's pretty much confirmed that Gillberg will be competing as well. How funny would it be to see Bill Goldberg show up and spear Duane Gill out of his boots? I know it probably won't happen, but it would be cool as hell.
Speaking of the Gimmick Battle Royal, a poll on WWF.com shows that it's currently the match up most fans are looking forward to tonight. It's a few points ahead of the main event, Rock vs. Stone Cold.
Rikishi will have absolutely no involvement on tonight's card. He's still recovering from a busted eardrum, and is expected to be back within two weeks time. While he could cut it close and make a run in or have a match this evening that won't be happening. This definitely sucks for Rikishi, who won't get to take part in the biggest card of this year, even though he's earned his spot.
The XFL is apparently looking to expand to Detroit next year, and may have a home in the famous (dilapidated) Tiger Stadium. I was personally hoping that there wouldn't be another year, but it looks like the XFL will be holding out for at least another season in Detroit.
Former ECW superstars Nova and Rob Van Dam (with Bill Alfonso) main evented a Gateway Championship Wrestling show the other night. They had a great match, which Van Dam won using the Van Daminator and Five Star Frog Splash.
The role of Doink will be played by Gary Fall, known on the indy circuit as Ray Apollo. Contrary to some previous reports, Matt Borne will not be reprising his role as Doink in the battle royal this evening.
The following is the DirecTV preview of tomorrow's episode of Raw:
Hour One: Reviewing the results from Wrestlemania
Hour Two: The WWF champion makes an appearance
Bobby "the Brain" Heenan and "Mean" Gene Okerlund were at the WWF's Axxess fanfest celebration yesterday in Houston. I don't know what this says for the future of these two talented broadcasters, but it certainly is a noteworthy piece of information.
The XFL game last night dropped to a 1.9 rating, down from a 2.1 last week. I'd imagine that the ratings drop might have something to do with the Final Four games last night (DUKE RULES, by the way).
Billy Gunn has been pretty much relegated to Jakked/Metal/Scrub duty from this point on. WWF management is tired of how "the One" handles himself like a main event talent backstage, but has the actual ring and mic ability of a local jobber. Also, he hasn't done himself any favors by blowing so many spots recently in the ring. He's apparently trying to improve his ring ability to get back on prime time (which I commend him for) but the feeling is that it might be too little, way too late for Billy.
That's it for today, TPWW readers. Thanks a lot for reading this report and I hope you all enjoy the grandaddy of them all (you knew that had to be in here somewhere). If you're not getting the four hour spectacular on pay per view, be sure to check by the site this evening for an extensive Wrestlemania play by play done by our own Triple A. Either way we're all in for a hell of a show tonight, one that I think will garner some great reviews in the morning. Once again thanks for checking this out, and I'll see you all back here next weekend with my column on Saturday and the News and Rumors on Sunday.
Corey Silvia
Corey@tpww.net