Allright, I know this is awfully late, my apologies but I have been very very busy since Friday and this is honestly the first time I have had the chance to sit down at the computer to write about wrestling. Smackdown is far behind us, but after watching the show Thursday night, I was filled with opinions, many that I'm sure most of you will disagree with. Anyways, again there is really no news out there so I think this will be rather short. On with the report.
Smackdown has the more established roster then Raw. I admit that. The general reaction on the Internet has been Smackdown was good and that most people are looking forward to the future of Smackdown than they are to Raw. After watching Smackdown Thursday night, I honestly felt like making this report exclusive to Raw so I wouldn't have to watch what I thought was boring stuff on Smackdown. Why do I think this? I have been saying for months (not necessarily in this report) that I have been tired of Kurt Angle, The Rock, Chris Jericho, and now Hulk Hogan. I have stated I am sick of Stone Cold Steve Austin, but he only really annoys me by his promos when the crowds chant "what" with him. Bottom line, the wrestlers I have been tired of for the last few months are all on Smackdown. Raw though has the less established roster, it indeed was fresh. Watching Raw last Monday, I felt the "newness" that I haven't felt in such a long time to any wrestling show. Watching Smackdown felt like the same old WWF show, which I haven't been enjoying all too much. I'm not saying I think Raw will be the better show in the long run, but from my observations of week one of the split, I am looking more forward to Raw.
The main event for Backlash has been changed from The Undertaker vs. Triple H and will now feature Triple H defending the WWF title vs. Hollywood Hulk Hogan. The WWF probably noticed the crowd didn't seem to into the fact Undertaker was going to wrestle Triple H at the PPV, so they thought this match would be better. I'm not sure if its such a great idea to place Hogan in matches for the title so soon, it just seems that since his face turn, the WWF has been changing a lot of storylines so they can revolve around him. I won't really comment about the debut of the red and yellow Hollywood Hulk Hogan (cause remember, as Hollywood, he never wore the red and yellow); except it looks like he is wearing a pair of pajamas.
Anyways, the Smackdown rating is in. 4.1 broadcast rating with a 6 share. That is a better number then last week's 3.7 rating.
As reported on our newsboard, Kevin Nash did undergo surgery last week to repair his bicep muscles. He injured them the night on Raw following WrestleMania. According to Jim Ross, Nash has started rehab, and will be out of action for 8-10 weeks. I guess you could say, that means another blow to the nWo faction.
Benoit is still uncleared to wrestle but has began some light training at OVW and HHA. He is expected to be cleared later this month or early May. He could make his return at Backlash, but probably wouldn't be wrestling at that event.
Jim Ross reports that Nova, a former ECW wrestler has agreed to terms with the WWF. He will begin to wrestle in the WWF's developmental program soon.
As seen on Smackdown, it looks as if Tajirri is slowly turning heel. As seen, when he brought the cruiserweight title belt into the ring on Smackdown, Cole mentioned how that was not necessary, which he wouldn never have mentioned toward any face wrestler. What Tajirri said to Torrie Wilson in the ring probably marks the start of the end towards them if that already hasn't happened yet. Regardless, I expect him to be heel sometime before Backlash, where as Torrie Wilson may be paired up with Billy Kidman as faces.
Jerry Tuite, known to WCW fans as "The Wall" will wrestle at a WWF dark match Tuesday night at the Smackdown tapings. He was under contract to the WWF last year and possibly early this year but was released.
Curt Henning recently wanted to wrestle at a XWF event since he got paid by the XWF to wrestle at an event that was previously cancelled. However, it is not known whether the WWF will allow him to or not. My best bet is they won't and that he probably regrets going back with the WWF. Henning got paid a lot more money by the WWF obviously, but they most likely just signed him so he wouldn't wrestle for the XWF which in a way might have helped establish that company. Now Henning probably realizes that and wishes he would have taken the deal with less money but gives him more exposure.
Dawn Marie has apparatently signed a deal with the WWF and will debut at Smackdown sometime soon if not this week. There were rumors she was going to debut at last week's Smackdown but that did not happen. The Pro Wrestling Torch is suggesting that Marie and Lance Storm could be paired together considering they both will be on Smackdown.
Below is the Satellite preview for tomorrow's Raw.
- "Stone Cold in action; Flair deals with McMahon."
These previews are not necessarily always accrurate, but I hope that Vince isn't on Raw again. Hopefully it means Flair will deal with McMahon's decision from Smackdown that changed the main event at Backlash. One could only guess.
The location of The King of The Ring has been confirmed. It is set to take place on Sunday, June 23rd from Columbus, Ohio. Tickets will go on sale sometime in May.
This is somewhat old news from last week but as of last week, WWF wrestlers won't be able to participate in post production meetings. This probably is because of the new "media ban" the WWF has brought into effect which was stated on WWF.com a few weeks ago. The media ban is just basically the WWF saying it won't give certain information (press releases for example) out to various sites (like 1wrestling.com, pwtorch.com) if they continue to post certain WWF stories. The WWF is claiming to be tired of answering to fans who e-mail them with questions about stories from the Internet. The WWF claims many of the questions from the fans are result from false information. Basically my two cents is the WWF knows there are many leaks from within the company that give websites information and the WWF wants to avoid that. For example, the night Ric Flair debuted at Raw, there were reports on the 'net saying Flair was at the site of Raw hinting he would be on the show. Something big like that and other small things the WWF doesn't want to be known to the public. I guess I don't blame them for that, but instead of their phony stupid "open letter" that was posted on WWF.com a few weeks ago, I wish they would just be honest with everybody.
That is it for this edition of the news and rumors. I want to plug that we are bringing back a popular section that has been on TPWW a few years back. It however is under a new name and it is The People's Feedback. It is more formal then the open forums on the site, but basically if you have any opinions concerning any wrestling show or PPV, news or rumors, we want you to e-mail us with your opinions to later be posted on TPWW. More information is available by clicking here.. I'm not 100% sure when the next update will be, it mostly depends not only on my schedule, but how much news is out there. I am guessing right now either Tuesday night or Wednesday night. Until next time, have a great week.
Martin Hawrysko
Martin@tpww.net
AIM: INGAME21
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