===================================================================== ===================================================================== ____ ___ ____ ___ ____ / /\/ /\/ /\ / \ / /\ __ ___ / / / / / / / / \ / / / / \/ \ / / / / / / / / \/ / / / \ / \/ / / / / / / / / /\ /\ / / / / / / /\ / / / / / / / / /\ \/ / / / / /\ / / / / / / / / / /\ / / / / / \ / / /____/ /___/ / /___/ / \_____/ / /___/ / /__/ / \____\/\___\/ \___\/ \____\/ \___\/ \__\/ n a i d O ' s W r e s t l i n g N e w s Edition// 589 Date// January 12, 2002 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 The latest new from the WWF & the rest of pro-wrestling Article// Ross Report highlights Comment// Linda's Thoughts Remember... Affiliates SPOILERS ===================================================================== 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! -Click for the WWF SmackDown! results: http://www.naidosworld.com/tvsmackdown.html -Hello everyone...JAM PACKED edition today so I'll talk to you tomorrow! January 11 2002 - THIS WEEK ON BEHIND THE SQUARED CIRCLE: A special treat this week as we are joined by Zach Arnold of PuroresuPower.com. He chats with BBBoris about the state of wrestling in Japan, all the Puro news and the WWFs chances of success in the far east. Plus BBBoris and The Don have all the news including stories on old faces returning at the Rumble, the WWAs questionable PPV and MMA news. Also, we cover the Indy scene, HHHs return, the Diana/Martha controversy and a lot more!! Don't miss the special dedication to naidO as well. Click to listen http://www.btscshow.com/ LOVE THE NEWSLETTER? PLEASE TELL A FRIEND TO JOIN! Thanks for reading. naidO// ***All links in this newsletter can be viewed by being clicked (html capable email readers only) or cut and pasted into your browser. ===================================================================== TOP HEADLINE//======================================================= -In an interview with Slam! Wrestling, Jim Ross said that the WWF will split, but it'll happen eventually. Here's an excerpt of his interview: "The foremost question on the minds of every wrestling fan is when the proposed splitting of the W.W.F. into two separate promotions is going to take place. The talk of the industry for the past several weeks, fans have grown increasingly impatient as the split has been delayed several times now. "That's a creative issue that would be better if asked of Vince," Ross informed SLAM! Wrestling over the phone from his office in Stamford, CT. "I don't know when the brand is going to be split, I just know that they are. It is going to happen, though. Absolutely it will." To continue this article, click http://www.canoe.ca/SlamWrestlingBiosR/ross_02jan12-can.html There's also a story on the Nash and Hall rumors from Ross which can be read by clicking http://www.canoe.ca/SlamWrestlingBiosR/ross_02jan11-can.html ===================================================================== News from the WWF -- WWF.com//======================================= -SmackDown! finished with a 4.0 final rating according to Neilsens Media Research. -While the WWF has talked to him since January 1st, they have yet to offer Rey Mysterio Jr. a contract according to the PW Torch. -In a New York Post article, they reported that "Live" with Regis and Kelly received a 6.9 rating last Monday. Triple H's appearence has been credited to its great number which is basically Reg's usual audience with 2 million or so added on. -Booker reveals his 10 favorite videos What are Booker T's 10 favorite music videos? Find out tomorrow (Saturday) afternoon, as the Bookerman counts them down on "Maad Sports" Top Ten Video Countdown, airing from 12:30 to 1 p.m. on BET. -Spike Dudley on Excess -- Official Excess Preview: The runt of the Dudley litter -- Spike Dudley -- joins Terri and Coach this week on WWF Excess! Catch Excess this Saturday night at 10/9 CT on TNN! Be sure to send him your questions at wwfexcess@wwf.com -Official Heat Preview: Join us LIVE from WWF New York this Sunday for Sunday Night HEAT at 7/6 CT live on MTV! The special guest-host this week will be Spike Dudley! The runt of the Dudley litter will be LIVE at WWF New York with his Tag Team Champion of a parter, Tazz! Watch it all unfold this Sunday on HEAT! HEAT will also feature the hottest mat action on the planet! Scotty and Albert will be in action, and Billy and Chuck will be there as well! Anything can happen! So be sure to join Michael Cole and Tazz this Sunday when HEAT is live from WWF New York at 7/6 CT only on MTV! -RAW Cable preview: More shocking returns to the Royal Rumble; Triple H; the Undertaker -Superstar Billy Graham is desperately in need of a liver donor. For anyone tht can help, go to :http://www.superstarbillygraham.com for more information. -Dave Scherer reports that the latest *rumor* is that after the split of promotions on 1/21, each promotion will run 8 solo PPV's per year, with 4 PPV's (probably Royal Rumble, WrestleMania, SummerSlam & Survivor Series) being shared between each promotion. So that will make the number of PPV's to be 20 per year - 16 single PPV's and 4 inter-promotional PPV's. -WWF Article: Sgt. Slaughter returns to the ring Sunday on HEAT Sgt. Slaughter continues to serve the company as a road agent -- that is, when he's stepping in the ring himself. To continue, click http://www.wwf.com/news/headlines/1105774 -WWF Article: Superstars travel, rest, quit smoking during holidays For the first time in years, the World Wrestling Federation Superstars had 11 straight days off during the holidays. The spent them like most people in North America: traveling to exotic locations, visiting friends and family, or simply staying home and resting. http://www.wwf.com/news/headlines/1105528 -WWF Article: Superstars reveal their New Year's resolutions WWF.com asked a handful of World Wrestling Federation Superstars to tell us their New Year's resolutions. In no particular order, here's what they had to say. http://www.wwf.com/news/headlines/1105551 -WWF Article: Interview with the Boss Man WWF.com caught up with the Big Boss Man recently at Madison Square Garden and discussed his time in OVW, his lengthy career and the injury that kept him out of the ring for nearly a year. http://www.wwf.com/news/headlines/1105594 Sources// -The Pro Wrestling Torch @ http://www.pwtorch.com -Wrestling Observer/Dave Meltzer @ http://www.wrestlingobserver.com -UltimoWrestling @ http://www.ultimowrestling.com -SLAM! Wrestling @ http://www.canoe.ca/SlamWrestling ===================================================================== News from the rest of pro-wrestling//================================ -Bret Hart has updated his online commentary which can be read by clicking http://www.canoe.ca/SlamWrestling/hitman_home.html -Randy Orton Jr. is currently featured in a profile at Slam which can be read by clicking http://www.canoe.ca/SlamWrestlingBiosO/orton_randy_jan02-can.html -According to The Torch, Vince Russo gave his personal deposition in an Atlanta court yesterday concerning the Sonny Onoo racial lawsuit against AOL/Time Warner. -The Torch also reports that on their February PPV, The WWA will have bookers Disco Inferno and Jeremy Borash on the announcing team. -Randy Savage and Ed Ferarra have been working close together for the past few months now with Ferarra helping Savage with some of his wrestling-related projects. There is talk that because Savage has been signed for the 2/24 WWA PPV, that Fererra may be able to get onto the creative team simply because of Savage's pull. Sources// -The Pro Wrestling Torch @ http://www.pwtorch.com -Wrestling Observer/Dave Meltzer @ http://www.wrestlingobserver.com -UltimoWrestling @ http://www.ultimowrestling.com ===================================================================== Article//============================================================ Ross Report Hightlights Here are this week's latest news and notes from Jim Ross: To read the entire report, click http://www.wwf.com/news/rossreport/ --The Undertaker has been experiencing lower back/joint problems but he is improving. He will not be able to wrestle at this weekend's house shows but he will make the Rumble. --Steve Blackman has two herniated discs in his neck and a bone spur pushing into his spinal cord. He will soon see a neck specialist, and will probably end up needing surgery. --Trish Stratus has a torn thumb ligament and will work in a splint this weekend. --William Regal will return to house shows this weekend. --Randy Orton's shoulder is still sore but he is working through any discomfort. --Mike Awesome is recovering from ACL surgery and is expected back in four to five months. --Test has begun therapy to address his back problems. He's not expected to miss any ring time however. --Kanyon has begun some light running as he continues to rehab from ACL surgery, and he will return sometime after WrestleMania. --Bob Holly should be back in three months time after recovering from his injured arm. --Chris Benoit is on target for a mid-March or early-April return and is healing very well. --Rhyno's neck is healing well. He is three months past surgery and should be able to return in about six months. --Taka Michinoku may be able to return by early March from shoulder surgery. --X-Pac is feeling much better from his neck problems and will probably head to OVW or HWA in the next two weeks to work the ring rust before returning to the WWF. --A return episode of the WWF wrestlers on the Weakest Link will soon be organized. --Lita has been invited to guest at the MTV Music Awards in Singapore in early February. --The NBC "Fear Factor" episode with Federation Superstars will air on Monday, Feb. 25, at 8 p.m., just before RAW. --Booker T will guest on BET's "Maad Sports," set to air on Jan. 19. --The Rock will participate in the NFL Super Bowl pregame show on Fox. Rock may host "Saturday Night Live" again in April if scheduling can be worked out. Rock will also be on the cover of the May issue of Muscle & Fitness. --Diamond Dallas Page has been invited to participate in a "Masters Tea" at Yale University early this year. --Trish's Oxygen Magazine cover will be for the May edition, released in late March. --Chris Jericho is skating at Madison Square Garden on Jan. 19 in a celebrity hockey game, and in Los Angeles on Jan. 30 during the NHL All-Star Celebrity Challenge. --Benoit, Torrie Wilson and Tajiri will tour Asia next week in support of the upcoming "WWF SmackDown! Tour," which begins March 1 in Tokyo. --Scotty 2 Hotty, Albert and Spike Dudley will volunteer for the Rhode Island Special Olympics on Feb. 8. --Stacy Keibler will be having dinner with a lucky winner of a Howard Stern radio show contest in February. --Producers are very pleased with Terri's work on WWF Excess Saturday nights on the new TNN. --More tryout camps are being planned for 2002 in the hope of finding more candidates for the developmental program. --Charlie Haas is the new Heartland Wrestling Association Champion. Jamie Noble is also doing a tremendous job in Cincinnati. Kaz Hayashi is getting an English tutor. --Prototype is doing some great promos in Ohio Valley Wrestling. --The WWF is preparing to launch a major marketing campaign with 7- Eleven featuring many of the superstars. ===================================================================== Comment//============================================================ Linda's Thoughts I don't care what anybody says Spoilers are a very important part of life at least to me they are. Had I not read this week's spoilers I would have been sitting and watching the bathroom scene with Rikishi and Booker T. Thankfully I knew about it and left the room for a few short minutes to make popcorn, which by the way was damn good. Had I not read the spoilers this week I would have watched Booker leave the ring nauseous from getting the stink face and vomit on Michael Cole. But again I had warning and turned my back just when that marvelous scene was going to take place. Had I not read the spoilers this week I would have been shall I say pissed beyond belief that Hunter with all the hype in the last three weeks would only show up at the very very end of a two hour show. But see I knew it and yes when I read them it angered me, but at at least I knew what to expect. So I say God Bless The Spoilers. And even though I was very upset about Hunter's very short appearance, I really did like Smackdown, it was definitely loaded with a lot of surprises. Val Venis, or should I say the Big Valbowski will be at Royal Rumble. That's the character that I always enjoyed and I'm looking forward to seeing him reprise the porn star role, that was one funny character. The Godfather will be at RR, back in his pimpin clothes, I remember at one time I found his act to be very stale, but after that miserable stint he did along with Val with the RTC, I welcome The Godfather back with open arms. And continuing with the surprises, Goldust will also be a RR participant. Now I saw Goldust for a few months when I got started watching ant I think he was going downhill by that time. I remember him at my first house show tag teaming with the Blue Meanie, oh there's a guy I would like to forget. Anyway the match just began, and Goldust decided he didn't want to be in it and left. Yeah, Goldust and Blue Meanie just didn't have it, so his return doesn't thrill me and as far as Mr. Perfect, never saw that character, but I have seen Hennig in the WCW and recently I've seen him plug his new fed XWF. And truthfully, he comes off like a cocky ass. So he's another guy I could do without. But for the veteran fans, I'm sure they're pleased to see him in the Royal Rumble, and that's fine with me. Also DDP is back, back in the bathroom after Booker vomited telling him that's a good thing no that's a bad thing, you know the usual. Smackdown reeked with bathroom humor and to add to the fun vomit was an added addition. That kind of stuff I have never been able to handle, but I'll tell you my very conservative husband was laughing his head off during the bathroom scene. So I'm sure many will find it funny and not be as stuffy as I am. The matches were ok, I thought the crowd was a lot quieter than Monday, but then again that crowd was pumped for the return of Hunter. Tazz and Spike won their match against Christian and Lance Storm. A good match but it wasn't the match we saw on Raw. However, after their win Buh Buh Ray and D- Von ran in the ring and a nice little brawl ensued. I thought that was pretty good. And with Storm as Christian's tag team partner, it makes me ask the question, Is Christian's solo career over? I guess time will tell. Christian's brother beat that main eventer, The Big Bossman who was dressed like the Bossman of old, no more suit and tie, and yes he carried that great big bad stick. This match didn't do anything for me although Edge put a lot into it, however again the ending with Edge winning brought William Regal on the screen doing his bit about beating the hell out of Edge at the RR. He talked about having three operations for his nose and Edge would pay. I found the fans extremely quiet during this and it was Edge's reaction that put a little spark back into the crowd. I thought maybe Regal could make this one work, but as of now this match for RR is going to be a dead one. RVD has new music with singing. It sounded pretty good; God knows what the words are since the crowd was so loud, but from what I heard not bad at all. He and Rock took on the Living Legend Y2J and the Non Breathing Legend Test. Ok, sorry about that. This was a very good match; Test was fine I'm not going to say anything against his work last night, but RVD and Jericho I thought really worked this one. Rock was good but those two I think carried the match. A really nice fast paced match, and one the fans seemed to love. Well Booker vs. Rikishi was good. I liked seeing Booker against Rikishi for a change. I'll tell you maybe it's me but this time when Rikishi came down the ramp the crowd just sat there, he doesn't seem to get very good pops at all. I really think he needs to team up with someone. But back to the match, after Booker got the stink face, the vomit theme took over, I think I will pass on talking about it. Only I will say Michael Cole had to leave the show and JR took his spot. You guys can fill in the blanks. The main event was long but I really enjoyed it. It was Angle vs. Austin. They worked their asses off, and again this was a definite crowd pleaser. Toward the end of this match, Kane came out and took Angle and Austin out with chokeslams. Then The Big Show came out and took Kane out with a chokeslam. Then yes with a minute to go HHH's music hit the fans went crazy he slowly walked down to the ring, stared at Big Show, Show stared right back at him, and then Hunter went after him. Hunter kept going at him but Show didn't budge finally a low blow and Triple H hits the pedigree on him. The fans were thrilled, Hunter's music played, and Hunter worked the audience into a frenzy. Then as Hunter is turning he sees Taker on the ramp staring at him, and Hunter stares right back at Taker. Kind of a cool way to end the show, and set you up for Raw. And that's the end of Smackdown. If you noticed I gave you the matches first now let me quickly talk about the promo's. I guess what really bugged me about Hunter being on for a few seconds was Stephanie opening up the show. Now you know and I know that Vince and his staff realize the fans are put off by her long promo's by any McMahon. So I ask myself why give her all the time and none to Hunter? The answer because she's Vince's daughter, and I guess the idea here is to put a big strain on their marriage. The whole promo was Stephanie taking credit for Hunter's success, his rehab going so well, everything good Hunter has achieved is because of Stephanie. Also at the very beginning of the show Steph told Debra that Hunter will beat Austin's ass at the RR. That's her other thing, that Hunter will take out anyone Stephanie wants taken out. She talked about Flair not accepting her offer and said if he had he wouldn't be home with a concussion that her father gave him. She willing to give him a second chance, but if he doesn't change his mind Triple H is back. All she has to do is point a finger and Hunter will take care of them. Obvious as this might be it shows that Hunter at one point and I do hope it's this week on Raw, will be dumping the wife. He's not going stand for her taking all the credit, not after he worked so hard to get where he is and get back from his injury, but wait could this be a curve? I'll go into that another time; I'll make you wait with anticipation for two of my theories. It wasn't only Steph getting TV time on Thursday that bothered me it was Vince also being interviewed by JR on his match with Flair for the Royal Rumble. Again I said to myself HHH fans have waited 8 long months why the hell can't he have all the time the two McMahons are having? Well it's Vince and he's not going to give up the spotlight. I thought the interview was good, it just showed what a SOB McMahon is, and I wonder how much was acting. The best quote from Vince was "ruining peoples lives turns him on." It makes you wonder doesn't it? Anyway he was asked about his relationship with HHH, he refused to answer but I found something interesting. While complaining about this children selling their stock to Flair, he said Shane, but when he mentioned Stephanie he put a little more hate into it, making me feel those two are going to make up and be together. I wish I could be more specific how he put it, but too me it was a tiny clue, like Steph is so much worse than Shane is. Anyway a very entertaining interview. Talk about entertaining, Kurt Angle again was hysterical. Backstage Lillian acted like Goldust being at the RR was great. Kurt immediately let her know if he wanted to see freaks he could step outside into midtown Manhattan. He put HHH down for stealing his thunder on Raw and then the pouting started. The fans kept doing What, and Angle kept getting aggravated, the more they did it Angle looked like he was crying. An over grown baby and man was he funny. He told the fans if they continued he would beat Austin's ass tonight, and the crowd loved that. He blames Austin for the WHAT, yeah I guess Austin is the one to blame. Anyway that set up their match. Rock too had a promo he told Jericho that he's not larger than life, Rock has something much larger and that's his boot and Rock's going to stick it up his candy ass, and you all know the rest of that. So there you have it a rather interesting and fun Smackdown. Now I'm really hoping that this Monday fans of you know who will get to hear him talk and see him on camera for more than 10 min. and 30 seconds. I won't hold my breath, but I can at least hope for that. Two more shows until the Royal Rumble and a lot more guys to pick for the big match. Could Kevin Nash be the next one on the list? I think it's a possibility. Anyway I enjoyed both shows and I do look forward to Raw on Monday, and just for all you fans who didn't get enough of Hunter he will be on Byte This today. I hope someone asks him something about a storyline, I don't need to hear about his injury or rehab anymore, let's get on to what's in store for him as far as an angle goes, although he probably won't want to give it away. I guess we will just have to keep watching and waiting. ===================================================================== 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.btscshow.com (nWN's Official Wrestling Show) -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://thegame420.rawfeedonline.com -http://omantortuga.cjb.net -http://www.geocities.com/pwpwrestle -http://www.manbeasttemple.com -http://www.nwouk.com -http://wrestlingradio.tripod.com -http://www.tointense.cjb.net BECOME AN AFFILIATE// Make nWN your official newsletter!! Email naido@hotmail.com with your website's address for consideration ===================================================================== SPOILERS//=========================================================== ***None ===================================================================== News gathering links//=============================================== -The WWF @ http://www.wwf.com http://www.wwfcorpbiz.com -Dave Scherer @ http://www.1wrestling.com -The Pro Wrestling Torch @ http://www.pwtorch.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//================================================================ -Looking to trade or by Wrestling Tapes?? Check out BBBoris' Tape Trading Inc. at http://www.geocities.com/pwpwrestle for all your wrestling tape needs! There's tons tapes from all over the world including old ECW, WCW and of course WWF tapes available for sale or trade. With reasonable rates, you can't go wrong. Check us out today! -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 -For the best in wrestling audio news, trivia, opinions and commentary check out the soon to be daily coverage at http://wrestlingradio.tripod.com In addition, we have a public PPV round table to get your predictions and thoughts to the wrestling public. Please check us out at Wrestling Radio. ===================================================================== nWN Staff//========================================================== Founder & Editor: naidO - naido@hotmail.com Columnist: Sam Jerry - SAMJERRY@aol.com Columnist: The Vile - vile316@yahoo.com Columnist: The Sad Rebel - sadrebel@hotmail.com Columnist: Linda - lvaccarp@hotmail.com Columnist: Rishi - above__average@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. *"Behind The Squared Circle" is in no way affiliated with nWN writer Sam Jerry The above exempts Odain Nurse from any and all legal disputes. Copyright © 1999 - 2002 - naidO - All Rights Reserved ===================================================================== =====================================================================