Hey, hey. Welcome to today's news and rumors here at TPWW.net. This past week has been a pretty busy one for the world of pro wrestling, so without further delay, here are today's news and rumors.
Since I wasn't able to put together a report after Sunday's PPV, I will say that I did enjoy it. Some of the matches seemed like they were put in just to fill up some space, but besides those, the PPV was a solid one. By far, the best match of the night was Rob Van Dam taking on Jeff Hardy, and it's safe to say that a lot of people will agree with that. The main event was also solid, but seemed to drag on in the early going. However, it did heat up towards the end, with Kurt Angle carrying a lot of the action. Speaking of Angle, it was amazing how over he has become as a "face", if he is even officially that. If the WWF wanted to, they really could make Angle a huge, Hulk Hogan-like main eventer. By that, I'm talking about Hogan during his WWF days, while he was in his prime. Once again, I thought the PPV was good and deserves a B for a grade.
With Austin's "turn" at the PPV, it obviously is leading up to yet another feud between Stone Cold Steve Austin and The Rock. All signs point to The Rock returning on this Monday's Raw is War, and facing off with Austin in the main event at SummerSlam.
As previously mentioned, Rob Van Dam's match against Jeff Hardy was the show stealer and the reason why it was great was that it was basically a typical RVD ECW match - a spot fest. Some people may argue that relying on spots isn't the way to go and that fans will grow tired of RVD eventually, but I totally disagree. Although the match was very risky, it was at a PPV and it was basically RVD's WWF television debut in an actual wrestling match. He had to pull out all the stops and show what he could do in the ring if given the time and opportunity - and he delivered. Plus, RVD wrestled for years in ECW using pretty much the same style and I can guarantee that ECW fans did not grow tired of him. At ECW's final PPV, Guilty as Charged, when RVD made his return to the company, that was maybe the loudest pop I have ever heard. The crowd went absolutely nuts. Even at the PPV and at Raw, it was amazing how much the crowd was behind him. The WWF has a potential HUGE star in Rob Van Dam. Judging from his matches thusfar, it appears like the WWF realizes this.
According to Dave Scherer, there are rumors that many in the WWF upper card were watching RVD's match closely as to not get shown up. This is similar to what happened in WCW during the Hogan backstage politics days and it pretty much ruined the company. There are rumors that backstage politics have been heating up more than ever in the WWF lately. With such a deep roster, that isn't surprising.
The WWF has put up an article on RVD's match at the PPV, titling it "Van Dam & Hardy: Risky but great". To check it out, click HERE.
And while we're still on the subject of Rob Van Dam, RVD will make a guest appearance on NBC's "Spy TV" tonight at 8:30PM. According to RVD's website, "In this Thursday night's installment of the edgy, hidden-camera series 'SPY TV,' Rob Van Dam deals out pranks on wannabes that show up for a ridiculous professional wrestling audition."
This past Monday's Raw drew a big 5.4 rating, which definitely has to make the WWF happy. That is up from last week's respectable 5.0 rating. It's obvious that this invasion angle is working like a charm and has brought the WWF right back to where they want to be in the ratings.
On the subject of ratings, last week's Tough Enough drew a 2.3 rating, up from 2.1 the week before.
In an update on the rumors of WrsetleMania 18 being at the SkyDome in Toronto, the WWF website posted the following recently: "The City of Toronto, SkyDome and the World Wrestling Federation have been negotiating to bring WrestleMania XVIII to Toronto. When the site for WrestleMania is confirmed, an announcement will be made on World Wrestling Federation television programming and on WWF.com."
The WWF has posted an interview with Triple H, in which he updates us on his injury. According to the interview, Triple H is no longer using crutches, but he is still a long way from returning to the ring. A return date is still set at around October or November. Also, Triple H stated that he has lost about 15 pounds, but hopes to be back at his regular weight, 260, once he returns to the ring. To check out the interview in full, click HERE.
In an update on the WWF's use of the ECW name, reports are that the WWF has reached an agreement with HHG Corp for the right to use the ECW name through the end of this month, and has also agreed to purchase the rights for the ECW trademark and video tape library for $250,000. However, according to Dave Meltzer, other companies would be given the opportunity to purchase the ECW trademarks as well, and if they counter the WWF's offer and do so, the WWF would no longer be able to use ECW trademarks.
Hulk Hogan has apparently given up on starting his own promotion. According to RFVideo.com, Hogan's deal with Universal Studios has fallen through. Hogan claims that he feels that no one is interested in wrestling anymore because the WWF's ratings have been down. Uh, right. Hogan also apparently stated that he might want to start up something again in six months.
With that, it's time to wrap this one up. As always, thanks for reading and until next time, later.
Triple A
TripleA99@aol.com
Previous News Update >>> WWF Invasion card and preview, several WWF stars injured, WWF set to officially purchase ECW? Chyna, Sandman, and more. >>>