Archive
09/00-11/00
When Eddie Guerrero walloped Brian Christopher with a title belt at Raw, the shot to the side of Christopher's head sliced his ear nearly in half and required 14 stitches. Guerrero expressed remorse backstage afterwards and felt awful.
Just released from wwfshopzone.com: new Too Cool 8x10 framed photo. Release date 09/25/00. Also, check out the new IICool jersey! Did you see IICool wearing them this week? Release date 09/20/00. To see these items, go to my newly created IICool Merchandise page, which has a link to wwf.shopzone.com.
At auction.wwf.com, up for bid is an autographed edition of the 04/00 WWF Magazine by IICool and Rikishi. It's mounted on a plexiglass frame. At time of posting, the bid is up to $153.00 Remember, all proceeds go to charity! Auction ends 09/27/00.
Unforgiven - Official match added
Intercontinental Champion Eddy Guerrero will defend his title against Rikishi. This feud started last Thursday when Eddy maced Rikishi. Now he has to face him this Sunday with the IC title on the line. Will Rikishi see IC gold for the second time?
"So Far, concerning Steve Austin, I am hearing that he will more than likely feud with Kurt Angle and Rikishi Phatu. For those who have been watching, a feud with Kurt Angle seems obvious, but if Rikishi turns heel, it would be another great feud. Rikishi has been rumored to turn heel over these past few months, and it seems like this may occur sometime in the near future."
Along the same lines, here's a newsbit as reported by Zach Weinberg, from rajahwwf.com
"Big Show is expected to return sometime near the end of October. Despite previous rumors, he probably will not have anything to do with Steve Austin, but is expected to continue his feud with Rikishi Phatu, and/or The Undertaker and Kane.
-Kane vs. Rikishi, Eddy Guerrero vs. Val Venis, and Raven/Jerry "The King" Lawler are expected to be added to the official No Mercy PPV card soon.
As I was flicking through the channels, I noticed some new WWF Programming. It seems that the World Wrestling Federation has started a new Pay Per View, entitled "WWF FANatix," this will basically be a biography for a few of the top stars in the World Wrestling Federation. This Sunday night, the WWF will do their feature on The Rock. The cost is $9.95, and Big Show, Steve Austin, Mick Foley, and Rikishi are expected to be featured on this program.
*Dina's Ramblings*
What did you all think of the new IICool entrance/dance music debuted at Smackdown? Maybe this will be their new theme as Smackdown has entered a new season...
As you probably heard, Too Cool and Rikishi no longer share the same entrance theme music. Contrary to internet reports, this apparently has nothing to do with the fact that here are legal problems associated with Too Cool's old theme, but rather that the WWF is attempting to provide each entity with its own identity. This isn't uncommon as it has previously been done with the Holly Cousins as well as Chyna and Triple H.
Too Cool will be making a heel turn in the upcoming weeks. WWF officials feel that they have run their course as babyfaces and [to quote Owen Hart] "enough is enough and it's time for a change!"
The main reason why the WWF decided to turn Rikishi heel was that the booking staff felt that his gimmick with Too Cool was getting very stale and the fact that they really did not have any ideas for a good storyline for him as a face. Originally there was consideration given to having Rikishi join the Right to Censor, however the WWF booking staff agreed that naming Rikishi as Austin's attacker would help Rikishi much more in the long run.
Although Rikishi is turning heel, Too Cool will apparently not be splitting up as a tag team. Scotty and Sexay are going to be together for a while now, whether Rikishi is alongisde them or not. It is unknown if they'll align themselves with Rikishi and turn heel, or break away from him and remain face, but they will be together regardless.
An MRI was recently conducted on Rikishi and it discovered some tendonitis in his right knww. Because of this cumulative injury, Rikishi did not work any house shows over the 10/14-10/15 weekend. The WWF wants Rikishi in top form for his match with Stone Cold at No Mercy, and aren't asking him to do anything extra over this week as a precautionary measure.
*Dina's Ramblings*
Of course, by now we know that Rikishi and Stone Cold will face each other in a No Holds Barred match at No Mercy, and not against Kane as it was heavily rumored until Rikishi admitted to hitting SCSA last year. I would've listed this as a separate news item, but as I was out of the country when this broke out...there ya go. :)
The finish of the Stone Cold Steve Austin vs. Rikishi Phatu match this Sunday at the No Mercy pay per view will almost certainly involve Phatu being run over by Austin. The idea is apparently to have Phatu off television for however long he needs to get his knees back in shape, following a number of weeks of suffering from a painful condition. Apparently, Phatu's weight is a factor in his knee problems.
Transcript of Rikishi interview on DC101 radio in Washington, DC - 10/20/00 (by KYN's Echelon)
I'm sitting here listing to DC101, a local radio station, and Rikishi just called in! I'm typing this as the interview happens, so I'll do my best here...
It seems to be a worked interview; he's talking about Stone Cold and No Mercy. He's said a few times that he's getting ready for the "toughest fight of his life." He's not afraid of Stone Cold, but he's one of the toughest SOBs in the business today. He plugs No Mercy a few times. He repeats the "toughest fight of my life" line a few more times.
The DJs just asked him if he turned his back on this fans by running over Stone Cold...
Rikishi: "It had nothing to do with the fans, I had to do it for the Rock." There was nothing personal against Stone Cold, it was something that he had to do for his people. He's a little upset with the Rock, because the Rock can't seem to understand why he did what he had to do.
DJ: "Who do you like better - GrandMaster Sexay or Scotty Too Hotty?"
Rikishi: "They both my homeboys."
DJ: "What's bigger - your ass or Chyna's penis?"
Rikishi (laughing): "Man, if she was down there, she'd kick your ass!" They talk about Chyna's Playboy issue, which Rikishi goes on and on about how good it is. One of the DJs says that it's amazing, especially how well they hid her penis. Rikishi keeps laughing and saying that she doesn't have a penis, and says a few more times how beautiful the Playboy layout turned out.
He's plugging No Mercy again, and gives a shout out to everyone in Washington, DC. The DJs plug No Mercy as well.
Rikishi has no idea when they'll be back in DC. He promises that the next time he's in DC, he'll give Diane (one of the DJs) the Stinkface - she was apparently at ringside for the recent RAW here with a sign saying "Mama Wants the Stinkface." The interview ends, and the DJs plug No Mercy again.
reported by Brandon Newman, ignwrestling.com
Rikishi's knee is apparently getting worse and worse. The WWF has lightened his house show load, but he is still in a great deal of pain after matches, and has to ice his knee following each one. He is reportedly very popular backstage for sticking it out and continuing to wrestle through the injury, for the sake of the biggest angle in the company right now.
reported by Rajah, rajahwwf.com
Neither Too Cool nor Test & Albert are projected to split up anytime soon. Thoughts have been discussed before, no doubt,but according to a source within the company, the idea is not expected to materialize anytime soon, this despite the fact that the men could wrestle singles (but remain aligned) now and again. My personal belief is that everyone from the above two teams (save Test perhaps) would probably be worse off anyway since the WWF is stacked right now with singles performers. Just ask Perry Saturn.
Rikishi was greatly upset by the death of his cousin, Rodney Anoai (Yokozuna), last week before Raw when he found out what had happened. Many WWF workers and staff members consoled Rikishi the whole afternoon, and the TV writers were willing to write him out of the show and give him the day off, as it wouldn't have been difficult by explaining that he was too bloodied up from the match with Austin at the PPV the night prior, but Rikishi told them he would appear on the show as he was scheduled.
Last Monday night on RAW, the original plan was for Rikishi to blade himself after Austin slammed his head in the door of the steel cage. Rikishi didn't need to as for the door did the job for him. As a result, Rikishi took five stitches to the head.
Too Cool, Crash Holly, and Mona (Dina's note: Molly Holly) may take on Test, Albert, Trish, and another opponent at the Survivor Series. Survivor Series is usually one of the biggest events of the year for the WWF, and it seems they are making this year no exception. Another possibility is to have Mona (Molly Holly) team with Too Cool to take on Trish, Test, and Albert. Hoever, Survivor Series usually features an 8 man (or person) tag match. Be sure to keep an eye on wwfsurvivorseries.com for the latest updates and developments.
As many of you probably have noticed, Rikishi's nose was broken on Monday night. The injury occurred during a house show on Sunday afternoon in Lubbock, Texas. Rikishi was worked through this minor injury, due to the fact that the WWF is going to be development the Austin/Rikishi, and NOW Triple H angle heavily over the next few weeks, leading up to Armageddon, and into the early part of next year.
As we saw on Smackdown! last night, an official match for Survivor Series is Rikishi vs. The Rock.
The WWF is traying to make something of the Lightweight Division by doing a number of things. First off, look for Dean Malenko to be a lot more involved in the Radicalz' decisions and fights. Malenko is expected to become Benoit's "2nd in command." Also, upon X-Pac's return, he, as well as GrandMaster Sexay may be pushed into the Light Heavyweight Division, so that there can be a few superstars iin that division to make it more appealing to some fans. As of right now, the WWF's Lightweight Division has been a flop, however, they are not going to just abandon it like many believe.
Dina's note: This is an interesting slam that Time Magazine made on the WWF. It's here because GMS is mentioned. I found this totally ridiculous and thought that Time Magazine must not have enough to do if they do this type of bashing!
Smackdown! It's WWF vs. WWF On The WWW
The World Wrestling Federation and the World Wildlife Fund hold something in common besides the welfare of some visious, hairy animals: their initials. Hense the Internet domain-name battle. The Fund uses wwf.org, but the Federation uses wwf.com, which the people at the Fund claim violates a 1994 agreement. They're trying to pursue it in court in London, but we say settle it in the ring. Here's how the teams match up:
World Wrestling Federation
-The Rock ~ Weight: 275 lbs. ~ From: Miami ~ Secret Weapon: Rock Bottom
-Stone Cold Steve Austin ~ Weight: 252 lbs. ~ From: Victoria, Texas ~ Secret Weapon: Stone Cold Stunner
-GrandMaster Sexay ~ Weight: 213 lbs. ~ From: Memphis, Tennesses ~ Secret Weapon: Hip Hop Drop
World Wildlife Fund
-Panda ~ Weight: 160-350+ lbs ~ From: China ~ Secret Weapon: Broad, flat molars
-Stellar's Sea Lion ~ Weight: 600-2,000+ lbs ~ From: Pacific Ocean, Bering Sea ~ Secret Weapon: Finny feet
-Mountain Gorilla ~ Weight: 200-400+ lbs ~ From: Africa ~ Secret Weapon: Intimidating nostrils
Predicted Winner: Fund (on brainpower)
Dina's note: I'm mentioning this here because he was a big fan of IICool...
Joe C (Kid Rock's sidekick) passed away yesterday in his home after suffering from celiac disease. When Joe C accompanied Kid Rock when Kid Rock sang his "American Badass" song in Vancouver, Canada during RAW on 05/29/00, Joe C helped IICool win the tag team titles. Joe C was only 26 years old.
Rikishi Phatu will be taking about two weeks off to heal his nose. Rikishi broke his nose earlier this month, but has not been granted any time off of television due to the Survivor Series. Now that this is done, Rikishi will take a short absense, so he may heal. Upon his return, Rikishi will be finished with The Rock, as Rock will be taking a leave of absense as well.
Rikishi will be on Byte This! this Thursday night beginning at 6:15 p.m. EST. You can call in at 1-888-LIFEWWF or e-mail your questions at [email protected].
Visit WWF New York right now to enter your name for a chance to win lunch with the superstars! If your name is picked, you could be having lunch with Too Cool on Monday, Dec. 4, or lunch with Jacqueline and Al Show on Tuesday, Dec. 5! Howard Finkel will pick the winners this Thursday night when he hosts Smackdown! at the entertainment complex!
reported by Zach Zawarski, wrestlingdotcom.com
Rikishi may have got an injury in his match with The Rock. If you noticed after a maneuver by Rikishi, you can see Rikishi writhe in pain and he whispered something to the ref who then related the message to The Rock. The timing of the match was thrown after this point and the ref really didn't know what he should do as he just walked around the ring pretending to be occupied. Word got to the production booth and Kurt Angle was told to run in on the match resulting in a DQ win for The Rock. This whole match seemed rather odd, if you have RAW on tape, it's something you might want to check out.