====================================================================== ====================================================================== ____ ___ ____ ___ ____ / /\/ /\/ /\ / \ / /\ __ ___ / / / / / / / / \ / / / / \/ \ / / / / / / / / \/ / / / \ / \/ / / / / / / / / /\ /\ / / / / / / /\ / / / / / / / / /\ \/ / / / / /\ / / / / / / / / / /\ / / / / / \ / / /____/ /___/ / /___/ / \_____/ / /___/ / /__/ / \____\/\___\/ \___\/ \____\/ \___\/ \__\/ n a i d O ' s W r e s t l i n g N e w s Edition// 487 Date// September 21, 2001 Motto// "Continuing to get the news so you don't have to." Website// http://www.geocities.com/naidosnews Subscribe// naidoswrestlingnews-subscribe@yahoogroups.com Unsubscribe// naidoswrestlingnews-unsubscribe@yahoogroups.com ====================================================================== Table of Contents//=================================================== naidO's daily note TOP HEADLINE Latest news & notes from the WWF, WCW & the rest of pro-wrestling Article// Jim Ross Conference Call notes Comment// Vile Thoughts Remember... Affiliates ====================================================================== naidO's daily note//================================================== Hello to you and to those just joining. Tell your friends about the BEST newsletter around to subscribe today. Enjoy this latest edition of nWN! -For the SMACKDOWN results, click http://www.naidosworld.com/tvsmackdown.html -Not much more news today other than Jim Ross's conference call notes which I have an extensive report on from the WWF's own website. I've left out a couple parts about the indies but most of it is there. The important stuff anyway. To read the report in it's entirety, click http://www.wwf.com/news/headlines/1082063 For now, enjoy this latest edition! LOVE THE NEWSLETTER? PLEASE TELL A FRIEND TO JOIN! Thanks for reading. naidO// ====================================================================== -American Red Cross relief Information To make a blood donation, call (800) GIVE-LIFE or contact your local blood service organization. To help the victims of this and other disasters with a financial contribution, call (800) HELP-NOW. You can also mail donations -- designating "Disaster Relief Fund" on the memo line of the check -- to the American Red Cross, PO Box 37243, Washington DC 20013. ====================================================================== TOP HEADLINE//======================================================== -DirecTV offering WWF Unforgiven this Sunday STAMFORD, Conn.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Sept. 20, 2001--World Wrestling Federation Entertainment's said today that it's upcoming Pay-Per-View event this Sunday, September 23, ``Unforgiven,'' will be available on DirecTV. "We have progressed enough in our negotiations with DirecTV that both parties believe it is in their best interests, and the best interests of their viewers, to offer the `Unforgiven' Pay-Per-View on DirecTV,'' said Stuart Snyder, President and COO of WWFE. ``We are very pleased that we can do this for our loyal fans who are also DirecTV subscribers.'' WWFE had previously indicated that discussions had stalled over a new agreement with DirecTV to replace the previous agreement that had expired at the end of January 2001. The final contract extension WWFE granted to DirecTV expired at the end of August 2001. At that time, WWFE said it doubted that ``Unforgiven'' would be offered on DirecTV because discussions had stalled between the parties over a dispute concerning the expired contract. Contract talks are continuing. WWFE is the largest Pay-Per-View provider of live events in the world. Source// Yahoo! Finance ====================================================================== News from the WWF//=================================================== -Off air SmackDown! happenings: I went to Smackdown and it was Awesome. After Smackdown went off the air The Rock stayed in the and Booker T came back out and got back in the ring and The Rock stayed he knows that they have been in some great matches but asked for just one night to put that aside and sing The Rock's version of Great Balls of Fire again like he did earlier in the night. Booker T said OK, they did and The Rock smiled, laughed and the crowd went wide. The Rock was shaking Booker T's hand after they did and then The Rock said " Oh and by the way welcome the Memphis" and gave him a Rock bottom. Then he got out of the ring and went over to Jerry Lee Lewis and asked him what kind of pie he liked and Jerry Lee Lewis said Pootang Pie and the crowd erupted. Also, through the night everybody in the Pyramid was chanting for Jerry The King Lawler. (Thanks to "Kipp" For sending in the report) -President Bush's address will severely hurt SmackDown!'s rating as it aired exactly an hour into the program. Don't expect a miracle once the rating comes out because last night was probably one of the more important nights in American history. -"It's Angle Time" is a new article on Kurt Angle and his rise to the top of the crop in the WWF. It also discusses his autobiography as well so have a read by clicking http://www.wwf.com/news/headlines/1082059 There's also a Q&A with Angle also dicussing his book at the WWF website as well. You can read that by clicking http://www.wwf.com/news/headlines/1081634 -Val Venis was on the Wrestling Guys Radio Show recently. For a recap of the show, click http://www.1wrestling.com/news/newsline.asp? news=5624 Source// Kipp, WWF.com, 1Wrestling ====================================================================== News from WCW-ECW//=================================================== -Nothing at this time. Source// ====================================================================== News from the rest of pro-wrestling//================================= -WWFE stock closed Thursday at 11.67, which was a rise of 5.52% from Wednesday's close. Analysts believe the anouncement of DirecTV's showing Unforgiven this Sunday is the cause. Source// Yahoo! Finance ====================================================================== Comment//============================================================= Jim Ross Conference Call notes Jim Ross held a media conference yesterday to discuss the goings on in the WWF. On working with Paul Heyman - It's fun to work with Paul. We're from parallel universes and that can make for good TV. I think the viewers will like it. There's some natural chemistry there. On last week's live, special edition of SmackDown! - There was lot of thought since last Tuesday morning, when the tragedy occurred. At the beginning of that time, dialog began. We were really glued to the TV set on Tuesday and we certainly weren't going to run on Tuesday. On Wednesday it became clear that we were being encouraged as a country to get back to business as best we all could. Sometime on Wednesday, the decision was made to actually go ahead with the event live. Late Wednesday afternoon, the show was put together, and I would assume by Wednesday afternoon, the decision was made to allow the talents to express themselves in any matter that they chose. It was a pretty stressful couple of days. Everyone was away from their families. We couldn't hug our wives or see our children. From that respect it was a little bit challenging. Over a two day period, those decisions were made based on developing circumstances in the war issues, and talking to the local government in Houston and the network affiliates, and we all collectively agreed it was the right thing to do on Thursday. On other Federation Superstars who perhaps spoke behind the scenes and did not get seen on TV - I'm not sure about that. The offer was made to everyone to express themselves. I don't know how many chose to do that, nor do I know how many chose not to do that. There may have been some that didn't make it to the air, but I'm not sure who that might have been, and all of them may have made it, I don't know. I can safely say we used the bulk and vast majority of everything that was taped. And if it wasn't utilized on Thursday, I venture to say it was used on Excess on Saturday. On Stone Cold Steve Austin vs. Kurt Angle at Unforgiven - We're always looking at big picture and the long-term effects of any match of that nature. It's a delicate situation with recent situations in our country and the fact that we are in Kurt's hometown. It's one that's being given a great deal of thought. Invariably you'll have a group of people who will think it's time for Kurt to regain the World Wrestling Federation Title, being that he's in his hometown and he's draped in red, white and blue, etc. And others that will say it's more compelling television if he's chasing the World Wrestling Federation Champion. All those issues are being weighed heavily. It may be an 11th hour decision, but that in itself makes for some compelling television. I'm looking forward to that match for a lot of reasons. I'm sure we're going to make the right decision and I think the match itself will be a real classic. This has a chance to be a match for the ages, and a better wrestling match than we saw at SummerSlam, and SummerSlam's presentation was very, very dramatic. I think this has a chance to be a pure wrestling match. I look forward to that. On establishing new superstars and who may be next in line - We've been very pleased with Test. That's been a real good developing situation. We still have a lot of work to do with Hurricane. I'm not downplaying what we've seen thus far, but we're not there. Rob Van Dam is an emerging superstar, without a doubt. I think we have to get Kanyon back on track, just from a creative standpoint. He has a real high level of potential for us. I don't see us bringing anybody from our developmental area in. I think they'll be one or two exceptions by the end of the year. On talks with Ken Shamrock, Juventud Guerrera, Rey Misterio Jr. and Jazz - Jazz is signed and she'll be going to Ohio Valley Wrestling soon to work with Sharmel Sullivan and Victoria. I had a very casual phone conversation with Shamrock, just touching base. He's got lots of projects he's working on in the mixed-martial-arts world. But I think there's an interest in Kenny coming back at some point. We didn't talk about anything definite. He's got issues and projects he's dealing with and he will get back to me when he's more ready to talk about a schedule. The door's open here for him. He has a lot of respect from our guys and our office. There just isn't a place Guererra right now. Rey is making a great deal of money with his Time Warner contract. My advice to Rey was to take all the money he has owed to him, and then he and I would get back together first of the year and see where we were and see how he would be able to perhaps fit into our presentation. On what the company can do to establish Alliance stars more as a threat - It's a function of creative, execution and talent stepping up with the place. I don't necessarily agree that they're Austin's inept cronies. I think Booker T has made great strides. I think Rob Van Dam is a breakout star. I think Kanyon has great upside potential. Test has had two great weeks of television in my estimation. It's a matter of the talent continuing to improve. I personally like the turmoil in the Alliance. It's a natural progression that everybody doesn't always get along. I personally like that aspect. It's just a matter of finding they right creative, which is always a challenge. But it's also a matter of these talents taking bigger steps and hopefully these paths will cross. On if there's any plan to split the two groups - I don't know about the separate creative teams. I don't know the answer to that. Our ultimate goal is to still have two separate brands. The timetable is still being discussed. If we all had our druthers, it would be sometime after the first of the year. We're on a journey here -- the two destinations is two separate brands. That's where we want to end up. On any changes the Federation has made with travel and security in the arenas - I don't know if we've made any decision on how that will be addressed. I'm sure that all the facilities that are doing particular events are developing new security measures. We're making sure that all the support staff wear their badges (backstage) and nobody's milling around that doesn't belong there, but that was going to be done prior to the tragedy. As far as airline travel, we're back to business as normal. I would think (arenas) would probably be opening doors a little earlier so that there could be a more even flow into the arena, but I think the initiating factors will be done by the arenas and we'll be in full support of it. On the status of Shawn Michaels and Diamond Dallas Page - There are no plans to bring HBK back now. Those can change by dark. DDP is rehabbing his knee. He's not 100 percent yet, and creative is being discussed for him. He's feeling good and ready to rock and roll. We're using Shawn for PR and other entities. When creative has the right motivation for him, he could be back in the immediate future. On Jerry Lawler and Brian Lawler -- There are no plans whatsoever to bring Brian Lawler back. That's not to say we won't bring Brian or Jerry back. They each have lots to issues right now -- Brian with the new baby and Lawler going though his divorce and working independent dates. On the performers in OVW and Cincinnati -- When we purchased WCW brand and its contracts, it changed the game as far as guys in OVW and (Heartland Wrestling Association in) Cincinnati making it to RAW or SmackDown! It certainly will increase the competition. Guys who do make it will be farther along. I'm trying to take guys who aren't booked -- Boss Man, Steve Blackman, Val Venis, Haku, Dean Malenko -- and get them involved in OVW and in Cincinnati. It keeps their skills sharp and allows them to work with the younger guys. It gets them back on a TV show and gives the creative staff tape to look at and evaluate from a creative standpoint. D'Lo Brown after his wedding will be going down there and working. Mark Jindrak is in Cincy now. We'll probably move him to OVW. Sean O'Haire will go to OVW soon, within the next week or two. I want to believe that Jindrak and O'Haire should do nothing but learn from a veteran like Ray Traylor (Big Boss Man). On HEAT - All of us involved can do a better job of producing HEAT. We've internally discussed how we can make it better. Does HEAT need to get better? Absolutely. All of our stuff needs to get better, but HEAT does need to be tweaked. I think that will happen. Timetable wise, I don't know when that would happen. It would be better if there was a seamless effort from Thursday to Sunday to Monday, but it's easier said than done. On Buff Bagwell and if he'll return - Not at this time. We made the right decision then and I don't think the appropriate time has passed to consider bring him back, even though we may consider bringing him back as time goes by. I think it's just a little bit early. On WCW stars jelling with the Federation Superstars - I'm very happy with the locker room and how the guys co-exist. You have to give new co-workers time to get to know one another and to jell. I truly believe that our locker room is a positive environment. There are no private dressing rooms and the boys are not segregated, whatsoever. On the future of the women's division - I don't think we'll ever have a full-fledged women's division with10 - 20 highly skilled in-ring performers. They don't grow on trees. We got Victoria down in OVW who has done a hell of job. We have got Sharmel Sullivan and Jazz. I've got high hopes for Sharmel and Victoria. Victoria has really dedicated herself after relocating from California for not a lot of money. I'm proud of her progress. I wouldn't be surprised if Jazz, Sharmell or Victoria make their TV debuts before the end of the year. On Eddie Guerrero - I talked to Eddie couple of times. He's doing well and getting better. I think probably, hopefully, Eddie will be able to get back into normal activity within the next few weeks. I'll probably have Eddie go to Ohio or Cincinnati in a couple of weeks to work on his timing and conditioning. We're very, very pleased with the reports we're getting back on Eddie's situation. I fully look forward to him coming back and being better than he has been in a long, long time. We're going to continue to support him. He's a member of the family. We have to hang with him and try to work our way through this situation. On The Rock's future in sports-entertainment - I can see him taking the occasional hiatus, I don't see it being an annual thing. We have a long-term contract with Rock and he's given us every indication he's in the sports-entertainment business for the long haul. I think he'll be with us and one of our longest lasting superstars, but I'd be lying to you if I said he won't be doing anymore movies. But for right now, he seems to be happy as hell. Source// WWF.com ====================================================================== Comment//============================================================= Vile Thoguhts - By The Vile Well, we've seen more than a week come and go since 911, and now we go on with the process of moving on. And for the WWF, that means Unforgiven this weekend. And as we wait with baited breath, a few impertinent observations for you.... One of our esteemed writers asked the question a few weeks ago: What is up with the stupification of WWF talent? I think we saw the primo example of that on Raw Monday night. The Mecca of Morons Shawn Stasiak faced off against Moppie's bitch, Perry Saturn. Is this how far it's fallen? Stasiak could be a decent mid card performer if allowed, while Perry Saturn's track record speaks for itself (Okay, there was that brief period in WCW, but that's beside the point). I just wish they would cut out this crap. I will say that the shows this week did a good job of building up Unforgiven, and I'm looking forward to three of the matches: I think Edge vs. Christian could be the sleeper match of the card. While they truly were "The team that reeked of awesomeness", this has the potential of being one hell of a match. Edge has had more experience in singles performances, but I think that Christian is up for it. They're also doing a good job of building up the hate, which is good. Look for Edge to pull it out in a close one. RVD vs. Chris Jericho. what else can you really say? The unofficial wrestler of the year takes on Jericho, who has shown that he is one of the top performers in the game as well. From Benoit to HHH to Austin, Jericho has put on some phenominal shows, and against Mr. PPV, this has the makings of 5 star classic written all over it. Look for the RVD Express to keep rolling. Kurt Angle vs. Paranoia 3:16 for the title. I didn't think we'd see this again, but they have made Angle an incredible foil for Austin. And I will give props to the insane one; he is playing it up well. With the Rock most certainly the heavy favorite to win his match, I was giving Angle no shot at all. But funny things happen sometimes. I was talking to a friend of mine today. He's a casual wrestling fan, unlike myself. (That means he has a life, also unlike myself) When I told him I thought Angle had no shot, he replied:"After everything that's happened over the last week, do you really think the WWF can have "Captain America" lose?" Sure enough, Smackdown started, and Austin gave Angle the old piledriver on the cement gag. Now with Angle in horrible shape, and all the odds against him, how can he lose? The Olympic hero just may bring home the gold in a flag waver ending comperable to Lex Loser slamming Yokotuna on the aircraft carrier. There should be plenty of surprises in store for Unforgiven, and that's just the way I like it. Until next week, true believers. ====================================================================== Remember...=========================================================== -Remember that if you've missed any TV Shows, PPV's or more? Go to the following links to read the results. Raw// http://www.naidosworld.com/tvraw.html Smackdown// http://www.naidosworld.com/tvsmackdown.html PPV's// http://www.naidosworld.com/ppv.html Ratings// http://www.naidosworld.com/tvratings.html ByteThis// http://www.naidosworld.com/bytethis.html ====================================================================== Affiliates//========================================================== -http://www.green-mist.com -http://www.geocities.com/dsherelo -http://www.TommyDreamer.net -http://www.StephanieBellars.com -http://www.PaulHeyman.Net -http://Wrestling-Freak.8k.com -http://www.JeffTheRef.com -http://www.ecwanderson.com -http://www.ecwdangerously.com -http://www.eswfed.com -http://welcome.to/wfwa -http://www.mrwicked.com -http://www.foreverfrancine.com -http://members.aol.com/hhh316sonny -http://omantortuga.cjb.net/ BECOME AN AFFILIATE// Make nWN your official newsletter!! Email naido@hotmail.com with your website's address for consideration ====================================================================== News gathering links//================================================ -1Wrestling/Dave Scherer @ http://www.1wrestling.com -Wrestling Observer/Dave Meltzer @ http://www.wrestlingobserver.com -The Law @ http://www.liveaudiowrestling.com -UltimoWrestling @ http://www.ultimowrestling.com -SLAM! Wrestling @ http://www.canoe.ca/SlamWrestling ====================================================================== Ads//================================================================= -Come join the ESW today. Its the best Fed on the net today! With 8 belts, 3 weekly shows, and a monthly PPV, what more could you ask for? JOIN NOW! http://www.eswfed.com -Join the EHW. It's a Brand new RP E-Mail. We have a site and allow real or fake wrestlers. visit the site @ http://www.angelfire.com/apes/ehw/index.html or e-mail me @ TheRock420RVD@cs.com. YOU WON'T REGRET JOINING ====================================================================== nWN Staff//=========================================================== Founder & Editor: naidO - naido@hotmail.com Columnist: Sam Jerry - SAMJERRY@aol.com Columnist: The Vile - vile316@yahoo.com Columnist: Leno - jm51509@AOL.com Columnist: Tomac - tomac67@yahoo.com Columnist: The Sad Rebel - sadrebel@hotmail.com Columnist: Linda - lvaccarp@hotmail.com ====================================================================== Disclaimer//========================================================== naidO's Wrestling News was founded on April 30, 2000 and is owned and operated by naidO. He, nor this newsletter is in no way, shape, or form affiliated with World Wrestling Federation Entertainment, Turner Broadcasting's World Championship Wrestling, Extreme Championship Wrestling, or any other wrestling organization. Nor the people (staff members), wrestlers, or any other talent in the wrestling. News is gathered from various sources around the net, including newsgroups and are believed to be of public domain and truthful (uh huh). As long as proper credit is given it exempts nWN and it's staff. I (naidO) am just promoting their organization/website. nWN is not responsible for content on affiliate websites or where they may link to including mp3's, warez, kiddie porn and/or other unlawful content. This exempts myself & this newsletter (nWN) from all legal disputes. Copyright © 2000, 2001 - naidO - All Rights Reserved ====================================================================== ======================================================================