01/02-06/02
In an e-mail that was forwarded to me by a fan, Brian said that he signed a contract with the NWA federation. This is a new wrestling federation owned by Jeff and Jerry Jarrett. The shows are titled "Total Nonstop Action" and will be available via PPV on DirecTV and InDemand on Wednesdays. For more info, check out NWA's site.
Also, for those that haven't heard, Scotty 2 Hotty will be out for a year to recover from his neck surgery.
WWE May 10th Byte This Report (Dina's Note: I edited the report to only include the interview with Scotty)
Scotty Too Hotty is next, live on the phone from San Antonio. He is recovering from surgery having had his C5, C6 and C7 vertebre fused together, which is the same surgery that Chris Benoit Had.
Kelly asks what caused Scotty to opt for the surgery at this time. "It was due to twelve years of getting beat up," says Scotty, who sounds like he is really into the painkillers as a result of being under the knife. Scotty recounts how he got the injury. "I missed four months last year with this thing, but I got better, or so I thought. Then at a match in Laredo, Texas, I threw a punch, I felt something pop, and couldn't lift my arm."
Scotty says that Dr. Youngblood did the surgery and that he's the best. Kelly asks if Dr. Youngblood does quantity discounts. Scotty says that he and Lita were asking the Doc about that just the other day.
In response to a chatroom question about how the year is going for him, Scotty says that he's had a year of ups and downs. A big up was the birth of his daughter.
Kelly asks what the prognosis for recovery is, and Scotty says six to nine months.
Kelly asks if Scotty's seen Albert's new look, to which Scotty says with a laugh, "He's still fat and bald, right?"
Dr. Tom asks what Scotty will do with the time off. Scottys says he's spending a lot of time with his family, and has especially enjoyed being with them at Disney World. "You will find no bigger mark for the Mouse," says Kelly, "than Scotty Too Hotty."
Dina's note: Well, Scotty being out six to nine months is better than forced retirement. :)
It is being said that the damage to Scotty 2 Hotty's neck is more severe than either Steve Austin, Chris Benoit, or Rhyno ever had and many seem to think that it will cause him to retire at some point.
Dina's note: That's so very unfortunate. Hopefully after his surgery, he will fully recover, but I wouldn't want him to risk it if the damage is that severe.
Scotty 2 Hotty is scheduled to have surgery on May 7 with Dr. Youngblood. He has significant problems in a variety of places on his neck, and recovery time is estimated to be one year. There is a wide range of problems that have apparently accumulated over his career.
Dina's thoughts: I've been seeing on some news sites that are reporting the same predictions as I have...because of the break up of Scotty and Albert as a tag team on last week's SmackDown, that seems to be a perfect segway into bringing Brian back to tag with Scotty. Brian has hinted on interviews and in private e-mails that have been forwarded to me what he has been hinting a return to the WWF. In the private e-mail Brian sent a fan that was forwarded to me, Brian hinted to look for his return after WrestleMania. Brian's return isn't confirmed at this point, but it sure looks likely! Also, since Scotty is on good terms with Rikishi according to the present storylines, this could possibly mean a reunion of the Too Cool trio. This can also open up a Rikishi/Albert feud.
Recap of Scott Steiner, Midajah, Grandmaster Sexay on Australian TV from rajahwwf.com
The (Sydney) Footy Show - 9:30 p,m., Thursday, April 4, 2002
Scott Steiner, Midajah and GransMaster Sexay all appeared on a quiz segment entitled "Brain Strain" on The Footy Show. Steiner was introduced as The Genetic Freak Big Poppa Pump Scott Steiner. The crowd showed next to no recognition of the wrestlers, and they didn't get much of a cheer. The panel did a few questions about the upcoming tour, then Fatty Vautin (the show's main host) asked Steiner how big his biceps were. Answer was "I don't know, I stopped measuring them." to which Fatty replied big up to, small downstairs, hey? Got a few nasty glares from Steiner, big cheers from the crowd. Fatty asked GMA what the deal was with his name. GMS replies that that GrandMasdter is what his homies call him, and Sexay is what he's knowd as to the ladies. First questions was, "Who is Australia's prime minister?" to which Steiner answered, "Who cares?" Big cheers from the audience. One question was "Which of the following is not a fruit? (a) pineapple (b) rhubarb or (c) Elton John" GMS buzzed in and said that everyone knows Elton John is a fruit, so it must be rhubarb! Correct! One of the hosts asked why GMS was wearing two sets of glasses, he replied that they are his Hip Hop Goggles puts his goggles on when he dances, which he then did much to the delight of the crowd. Fatty kept asking questions, Steiner ended up winning - Steiner had 6 points, GMS 2, and Midajah zero. GMS commented on how Fatty's career was dead, and danced a little bit. Fatty made a few more small downstairs jokes, and Steiner ended up Body Pressing him and throwing him over the announcer's table...presumably onto a large amount of foam padding. Cheers from the crowd. End.
Brian Lawler Interview on talkSPORT UK, by David Taylor
Brian Lawler was appearing on the show to promote the event being held at Crystal Palace, London on February 9th. The show is being put together by Tommy Boyd, weekend radio phone in host on talkSPORT, as well as the station itself and Alex Shane's FWA promotion.\
Lawler was introduced to the listeners by Tommy Boyd and he started off by complaining that his musical intro to the show had no 'hip hop flava'. Boyd told him that the music had been selected for his entrance music at the said event and he laughed telling him he would bring over his own.
Boyd asked whether he was fit and well. GMS replied saying that he could tell him that he was although he has been known to lie in the past. He told the host that he was in great shape due to the fact that he had more time nowadays to visit the gum twice a day whereas his road schedule usually meant he could only get one visit per day in. He says he is looking forward to coming to the UK.
Alex Shane, who is a co-host on the wrestling show, informed Brian that Ulf Hermann was signed to appear in the 'King of England' tournament at the show. GMS laughed it off asking whether the seven footer could dance because when he beats him he expects the German to dance with him.
Tommy Boyd then names Eddie Guerrero as being another American superstar who is appearing at the show. The Grandmaster corrects him by asking 'what type of a name is Guerrero? It's Mexican!"
Brian Lawler then pauses and asks who is hosting the show, Boyd introduces himself and Lawler replies, 'You are the guy who keeps calling me then!' Tommy Boyd laughs and then refers to himself as the 'British Vince McMahon.' The conversation then shifts to Vince's physical appearance at the Royal Rumble. Christopher remarks that 'He looks very big for a guy in his fifties. I am not going to say how I think he gets that size on the air because it might damage me in the future.'
The host then asked whether he had the opportunity to catch the Royal Rumble. He responded in the negative claiming that his illegal cable box was shut down on that day although he did manage to get a videotape of the event. He promised that his illegal box is able to pick up all the signals and would not miss any more PPV's for free from now on.
The conversation then shifted back to the 'King of England' tournament and he noted it would be fitting for a son of a King to become King of England.
Tommy Boyd asked where the name Lawler comes from. He responds by claiming it is German.
The host and guest then plugged the wrestling workshop which will be held at the venue before the show. Lawler spoke about the dedication it takes to become a wrestler and that in order to make it in the business you must 'invest your time' and have a passion for the business.
GMS was then accidentally cut off. Boyd then told the story of how he called him the day earlier to work out issues and the conversation went like this:
'Are you okay to talk?'
'Not really.'
'Shall I call you back in half an hour?'
'Call me back in four hours!'
Obviously, Lawler did not hear this. When he was brought back to the show, a caller asked how he felt about Albert teaming with Scotty. He likened it to when Scotty was injured and he had to tag with Steve Blackman. He finds it hard trying to watch Albert dancing because he doesn't fit into the mix of Too Cool. He claims that Rikishi is the only big man able to dance with them.
Tommy then thanks Brian for his time. He says he is enjoying it and would stay on for a few more minutes after the news.
After the news, a caller asks if he will ever be going back with Scotty. GMS tells the caller that he is asked that question about 74 times a day. He says that he cannot let the cat out of the bag, but there are a few things in the works for Scotty 2 Hotty and Grandmaster Sexay to be back together real soon. He admits that Scotty was his best tag partner in over 14 years of wrestling and that's saying something because he has tagged up with legends like Jerry Lawler and Jeff Jarrett.
A new caller asks whether he thought he would be as big as he had become. He tells them about how he and Scott Taylor were thrown together as a tag team called Too much and that they didn't really know each other. He then says that after a while they needed to spice up the act a bit and bought urban clothes and used dance moves and it took off. The Too Cool gimmick, he says, was only meant to be a spoof of the gangsta lifestyle, but the fans loved it.
'Can you do the worm?' was the next callers question. Brian says that he could, but it would be like stealing someone else's move. 'You never see Steve Austin doing the People's Elbow, do you?' he retorted.
Alex Shane asked possibly the most topical questions of the current moment by asking what he thought of the arrival of Hogan, Nash and Hall. Sexay says that he keeps in contact with people in the locker room and names people like Rikishi, Scotty, Albert, Val Venis and The Godfather. He says at least one of these people call him each day and that they have told him that morale has gone down since word of the signings have reached them. They feel as though they will be in the locker room thinking that their 'poop don't stink' and telling people what to do. Lawler doesn't feel as though this will be the case because McMahon has a stronghold and he won't let it get out of hand. He also feels that the three signees won't cause as much trouble because the WWF is their only option and they shouldn't jeapardize themselves at this point in their career.
Alex Shane then asked whether GMS felt there were any wrestlers on the WWF roster, developmental territories, or in the WWA that deserve a bigger spot. Lawler thinks there are about 15-20 people in the indies who are starving for a push, but they aren't getting booked because the fans only want to see people at the venues who they are accustomed to seeing on TV. He hopes that in Britian it will soon become a different story.
The final caller asks whether GMS plans to return to the WWF. He responded by saying that it is near enough a guarantee that he will be back in the WWF. It's a matter of when although it will be sooner than later.
The host thanked GMS before plugging the February 9th show one last time.
Pass out the cigars...hold the Worm Jokes
by Mike Fazioli
New York -- Scotty 2 Hotty rolled his eyes and sadly shook his head. There was that damn question again.
"No, she can't do The Worm yet," the proud new father said of his baby daughter, Taylor. "You're only the millionth person to ask me that."
Cliche-ridden questions aside, Scotty was still beaming Monday night at Madison Square Garden, over three weeks after Taylor's birth on Dec. 20. The first child for Scotty and his wife, Terri, weighed in at a healthy 6 pounds, 13 ounces, and timed her big debut perfectly for her Pops. The episodes of RAW and Smackdown! shown over the holidays were taped on Dec. 21-22, but Scotty got to stay behind with his newly-expanded family.
There is, however, one benefit of being back on the road for the new father.
"I get to sleep in on the raod," he said. "At home the baby keeps us up a lot, but on the road I get to sleep until noon if I want. I definitely can't do that at home."
Taylor's arrival also gives Scotyt the opportunity to share his borderline-manic Disney obsession with someone slightly more age-appropriate. Taylor's room and closets are already amply-stocked with Disney paraphernalia, including a Dumbo costume for her first Halloween - which Scotty bought even before Taylor was born.
"I'm sure she's going to hate Minnie Mouse later on," he said.
Almost as much as he hates it when people ask if Taylor can do The Worm.
Birth announcement of Scotty's daughter from the Portland Herald Press:
Garland, Taylor Jayma, born Dec. 20 to Scott and Theresa Garland, Windham. Grandparents: Mr. and Mrs. Robert Brown, Clayton, N.C., Janet Garland and Ronald Garland, Westbrook. Great-grandparents: Mr. and Mrs. Clindon Moody, Westbrook, Maurice Fowles, South Portland, Mr. and Mrs. Roger Garland, Westbrook.
From rajahwwf.com
Brian Lawler, better known to WWF fans as GrandMaster Sexay, recently appeared on the Bubby the Love Sponge radio show in Tampa and told fans who asked about his status with the WWF to "keep watching". I'm not 100% sure on this, but I was told maybe 1-2 months ago that the WWF was planning on meeting with Brian to discuss whatever future he has with the company.
(Dina's note: YAY!!! On another note, I've heard that Scotty and his wife Terri are proud parents of a little girl. I don't know her name, but she was born late last month.)
From the 12/22/01 Pro Wrestling Torch Newsletter:
The wrestlers loved going on the (World Wrestling All-Stars) tour because they got to see landmarks in Europe, plus there was a lot of partying. At one point on the tour, Buff Bagwell issued a drinking challenge to anyone. Brian Christopher accepted the challenge. Ten shots later, Bagwell waved the white flag.
From the 12/29/01 Pro Wrestling Torch Newsletter, "The Year In Quotes" section:
"This may sound like a cop-out, but I don't care, it's the truth - the drugs were not mine. They belonged to a friend of mine from Staten Island who I will keep nameless...I guess it was real stupid to be around someone who has drugs on them in the first place, but hey, I'm human. I made a mistake...SO FIRE ME! Oh yeah, they did." - Brian Lawler's explanation for the incident that led to his being fired by the WWF, June website post on KingLawler.com.